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The dark-colored bulging out veins due to the pooling of blood is called varicose veins. These damaged veins are mostly found in the legs due to pressure on the lower body.
Varicose veins symptoms and discomforts are more prominent and noticeable at the end of the day when the individual is about to go to sleep, probably due to lesser distractions. Varicose veins can cause muscle and calf cramps, itchiness, and heaviness in the legs, thereby keeping you up till late. If you’ve been having trouble sleeping due to varicose veins, we are here to help and guide you so that you can rest and a get a good night’s sleep.
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Tips to Help You Sleep Better with Varicose Veins
There are a few things you can do to reduce the discomfort you experience during the night.
Keep your legs elevated
The elevation is the key to relieving the cramps and pain of varicose veins. Just keep a pillow or a folded towel under your feet and keep the feet at a level 3-4 inches above the body. Doing so helps alleviate the pressure on the legs. Sleeping in this posture also facilitates the easier flow of blood towards the heart, thereby relieving the symptoms.
Gentle stretching and yoga can help you sleep
Although exercise is great for vascular health, it is not recommended just before bedtime as it may keep you up. However, you can try a little stretching, yoga, and meditation before you go to sleep. This will relax your muscles and also increase the blood circulation throughout the body, and thus help you sleep better.
Slip into the relaxing evening
Do not be active throughout the day and then immediately jump into bed. Rather, ease into the evening gradually. Take out some time for your health every day. Just sit and relax and breathe in the calmness. You don’t have to rush and exhaust yourself every day to be productive. Relaxing is very essential especially when the troubles of varicose veins make it hard for you to fall asleep.
A little massage can be of great help
Massage your legs gently before you go to bed. You can also use some effective essential oils for massaging your leg and calf muscles. This will boost the blood circulation in the legs and thus provide relief from the cramps and discomforts of varicose veins.
Sleep on your left side
It may surprise you but the side you sleep on also affects your vascular and heart health. Doctors recommend sleeping on the left side, especially in the case of varicose veins and other vascular problems. Sleeping on the left side relieves the excess pressure on the vena cava (largest vein in the body). Thus, it helps boost blood circulation and thus subsides the symptoms of varicose veins.
Stay hydrated throughout the day
Drinking plenty of water and healthy fluids throughout the day is the key to keep numerous health problems at bay. Staying hydrated keeps the vascular system healthy and makes it easier for the heart to circulate blood circulation. Thus, doing so minimizes the chances of symptoms of varicose veins getting aggravated.
So, you should totally include coconut water, fresh fruits, and juices, and green tea in your healthy beverages to keep hydrated.
Quick note- Just keep one thing in mind, do not drink a lot of fluids just before bedtime as it may cause sleep disruptions.
Can dietary changes also help in getting proper sleep while dealing with varicose veins?
What you eat throughout the day plays a crucial role in improving the overall functioning of your body. Diet plays a crucial role in improving the condition of varicose veins too. (Also Read: Foods to cure varicose veins)
Here are a few dietary changes that can help you get relief from varicose veins both during the day and the night.
- Eat a lot of fruits and veggies and increase the intake of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. Incorporate more rutin-rich foods in your diet as these reduce the fragility of the veins and improve vascular health.
- Avocados can help you beat the pain and swelling of varicose veins due to their anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to this, glutathione present in avocados protects your veins from further damage.
- Ginger is another great remedy for varicose veins. Ginger has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that help subside the swelling and discomforts of varicose veins. Ginger also prevents varicose veins from worsening.
- Avoid greasy and oily foods. If varicose veins are interfering with your sleep routine, heavy foods are a big no, especially during nighttime. These can pressurize your lower body even more and thus add to your misery.
- Refrain from eating refined grains and fibers, and avoid excess sugar and salt as these can have adverse impacts on the veins and create more problems for you.
What to do when nothing provides relief and the pain is unbearable?
When no tips or lifestyle changes prove to benefit you in case of varicose veins, it’s time to go for medical treatment. You do not have to spend your entire life being miserable with varicose veins. The permanent solution to varicose veins is easily available nowadays.
The laser treatment for varicose veins is the most effective treatment for varicose veins available at the moment. It is a state-of-the-art procedure that helps you say goodbye to these pesky varicose veins without any discomforts.
Laser treatment for varicose veins is an absolutely safe and minimally invasive procedure. Laser treatment does not involve any bleeding and you won’t feel even a hint of pain during the entire procedure. The best part is that it is performed on an outpatient basis, which means that you can avoid those long hospital stays. (Also Read: Advantages and benefits of laser treatment of varicose veins)
And the benefits do not end here. The recovery after laser treatment for varicose veins is very speedy and smooth. With just a few precautions, you can go back to your routine life within less than a week.
The Last Note
Keeping up with a healthy routine is a must to remain healthy and reduce the discomforts of varicose veins. Hopefully, all the aforementioned tips will help you in coping up with varicose veins and getting proper sleep.
If your condition is already severe and you want to put an end to that, you can opt for the laser treatment too. So, get a proper diagnosis for varicose veins in time so that you can avoid further complications.
Lastly, though it is obvious, just to remind you, sufficient sleep is essential for rejuvenating the mind and the body. It promotes the healing of the body and enables you to lead a better quality of life.
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