In summer season you may experience unpleasant symptoms such as a feeling of heaviness in the legs, swelling o pain in the calves, and those who are most affected are generally the women.
The disorders are common and are due to the effect of the high temperature on leg veins, which have to work harder to eliminate the heat buildup inside the body.
With some precautions it is possible to improve these annoying disorders:
- avoid first of all to sit or stand still for a long time, especially when the temperature is higher;
- walk a lot while wearing comfortable shoes are recommended (2-3 cm heel) avoiding high heels for women;
- when it is possible to get in semi-sitting or lying position and raise your legs to promote venous return;
- it's very useful practice swimming as it avoids standing and the effect of gravity on the legs;
- drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and eat seasonal fruit and vegetables to take the correct dose of vitamins and mineral salts;
- immerse feet and legs in cold water for a few minutes it can give immediate relief.
There are many natural substances which can help strengthen veins and regulate the function of vessel cells, helping to improve symptoms in association with other specific therapies.
I flavonoids They are extracted from plants of the Rutaceae family and are found for example in blackberries and in vitis vinifera (black grapes), In 'horse chestnut, in the capers and in calendula.
When the disturbances persist or they are particularly annoying, however, you have to speculate the presence of avenous insufficiency, a disease in which the veins progressively lose their drainage function and dilate, becoming incontinent. Over time and without proper treatment, serious complications can develop, such as thrombosis, swelling, or the appearance of ulcers.
In such cases the solution is to contact a specialist who with the help of the Doppler ultrasound will be able to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Dr. Federico Tosato
Specialist in Vascular Surgery and Angiology
Medical Director of the Vascular Surgery Unit – S. Bortolo Hospital – Vicenza
Medical Director of the Single Unit – S. Bortolo Hospital – Vicenza
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