Healthy Habits: Healthy Veins

With a newborn at home and the flu epidemic on the rise, it’s important to consider the role that circulation plays in staying healthy during the cold winter months. Pregnancy and then being on your feet all day with your baby can contribute to painful varicose veins forming, due to a lack of circulation in the legs. The cold weather causes even more circulation issues because when temperatures drop, the body reduces blood flow to the extremities, as a way to keep the blood in the main arteries of the body. This may cause cold hands and feet, making flu season even more difficult for you and your newborn. 

Dr. Luis Navarro, Director of The Vein Treatment Center, offers easy and effective ways to optimize blood circulation tips that cater to new moms.

• Get regular exercise. Any type of exercise that strengthens the "second heart" - the muscles of the calf and foot – is beneficial. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week.
• Wear graduated compression stockings. Compression stockings act like an added layer of muscle, aiding the performance of the "second heart" and venous circulation.
• Monitor hormone intake. Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy constrict blood vessels and can weaken vein valves and vein walls.
• Avoid prolonged periods of sitting and standing. Rotate your ankles and feet whenever possible, walk for at least 10 minutes every hour, and point and flex your toes to promote leg vein circulation.
• Elevate your feet. Raise your feet 6 to 12 inches above your heart whenever possible to assist circulation.
• Eat a high fiber and low salt diet. Salt retains water and constipation puts pressure on the venous system.
• Maintain an appropriate body weight for your frame. Obesity can strain the circulatory system.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing. Tight garments can restrict the flow of blood to and from the legs.
• Consider dietary supplements. Vitamins C and E act as antioxidants, which are good for circulation. Flavonoids, butcher's broom, and Horse Chestnut Seed Extract (HCE50) improve venous circulation and decrease symptoms of venous disease.
• Avoid crossing your legs. Leg crossing constricts veins and increases venous pressure.

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Dr. Luis Navarro, Director of The Vein Treatment Center in New York, NY, one of the most well-respected and established physicians in the country, has devoted his life's work to the treatment of venous disorders (varicose and spider veins). Dr. Navarro founded the Vein Treatment Center in 1982, where he currently holds his practice.  He developed a novel approach to treating varicose veins called Combined Therapies that merges minimally invasive techniques to achieve the maximum cosmetic results.  In 1988, Bantam Books published his book,  “No More Varicose Veins”. With the medical field moving towards more minimally invasive procedures performed in the office, he began to investigate laser therapies for treating varicose veins. In 1999 he and his colleagues developed, and were awarded a United States Patent for the Endovenous Laser Ablation technique, which became FDA approved in 2002. Now used worldwide, Endovenous Laser Ablation is the preferred method of treatment over traditional Ligation and Stripping, due to its minimally invasive characteristics. The procedure is performed in-office, using only local anesthesia and requiring only a tiny nick in the skin. Patients are up on their feet immediately following surgery with no downtime and little to no scarring. Dr. Navarro's facility, the Vein Treatment Center, remains one of first and only facilities exclusively devoted to the treatment of venous disorders.