Tag Archives: vein center tampa

04.03.21
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Can How You Dress Affect Your Vein Health? – Absolutely Can!

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wardrobe-and-circulatory-health-west-florida-vein-centerWearing certain clothing styles has been linked directly to aggravation of varicose and spider veins. 

Because varicose veins are bulging, ropy, and red or purplish in color, they tend to really stand out no matter where they are located on the body, though they are most commonly present on the legs.

Also because varicose veins are so noticeable, and not in a good way, it should come as no surprise that those who are affected by them generally try to hide their appearance. Typically, this involves wearing pants year-round, which if you live in Southern Florida, can definitely present a problem.

Now that you know how your veins are affecting the way you dress; you should consider how the way you dress is affecting your veins. While the clothing that you wear will not lead to the development of varicose veins in themselves, your clothing can contribute to the level of comfort or discomfort that you feel daily.

Tight Clothing
It may seem contradictory that compression stockings are recommended for those with venous disease, and yet, at the same time, tight clothing can contribute to the development of varicose veins. While compression stockings were specially designed to apply certain levels of compression to certain areas of the legs and feet, simply wearing tight clothing will not have the same beneficial effects.

Tight clothing, especially items that are more constrictive around the legs and waist, can have detrimental effects on the veins in the long term. This is because they restrict the normal circulation of blood, obstructing the flow of blood from the legs back to the heart, resulting in an increase in pressure within the veins.

High Heels

Wearing high heels may initially make your legs look better while you are wearing them but can only make things worse in the long run if special care is not taken.

Walking in high heels changes the natural motion of your legs and feet, shifting your weight from the calves into the toes and forefoot instead. This results in a less forceful calf muscle pump, which in turn results in the pooling of blood within the leg veins.

Because the higher the heel is, the more negative the results, vein specialists usually recommend keeping heels low and only wearing them during special events or occasions. If you typically wear stockings when in heels, it is also recommended that you wear compression stockings whenever possible, as they can ease the symptoms of venous insufficiency and are virtually indistinguishable in appearance from regular stockings.

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are a special type of hosiery designed specifically to prevent varicose veins from forming and to prevent the progression of current varicose veins from getting worse. Built to compress the legs in specific ways and locations, compression stockings can greatly relieve venous pressure along with much of the discomfort that comes as a result.

Compression stockings are tightest at the ankles and become progressively looser towards the thighs, increasing arterial pressure and allowing more blood to reach the heart and less blood to pool in the feet and ankles. While compression stockings are sometimes prescribed by physicians, they are available over-the-counter in most drug stores and pharmacies.

For more information on venous insufficiency treatments and home remedies for pain or discomfort associated with varicose veins, or to discuss whether a compression stockings prescription is right for you,
contact Dr. Zuzga of West Florida Vein Center today
at (727) 712-3233. www.westfloridaveincenter.com.

 

09.05.19
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Reduce Alcohol Intake for Vein Health

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varicose-veins-alcohol-Dr-zuzga-That’s right. The health of your veins can be majorly impacted by what you choose to put in your body. Alcohol being one of the very worst offenders when it comes to damaging vein and circulatory health.

Vein disease can begin because of family genetics and you are even more prone if you are a woman. The good news is that there are many factors completely within your control. Weight, diet, activity level, and lifestyle including drinking excessively and or doing drugs can have a big effect on health.

When it comes to health and diet, people are quick to analyze what they are eating but often overlook what they drink. Excessive alcohol consumptions effect on varicose veins is a lesser contributing factor, but it should nevertheless be taken into account when considering potential causes of venous insufficiency.

Varicose veins are caused due to a circulatory malfunction. It is a fact that alcohol affects blood circulation so it should come as no shock that the two are intertwined. The body’s circulatory system consists of the heart, veins, valves, and arteries. They all assist in pumping blood from the heart, through the body, then returned to the heart once again.

Blood is pumped back up to the heart through the veins by way of a series of one-way valves that open in the direction of the heart closing immediately after the blood has passed. When valves are damaged they are unable to prevent a backflow of blood. This backwash causes pressure to build up in the veins which result in the swollen, bulging, and enlarged appearance associated with varicose veins.

When alcohol is consumed it increases the heart rate. This makes your entire circulatory system work harder as a result. Because alcohol intake also has a direct effect on a person’s liver, which is responsible for filtering blood as it is circulated, alcohol attacks the veins from multiple angles. When the liver is unable to properly filter the blood of toxins and waste, the blood becomes thicker and more viscous, making it even harder for those already fragile leg veins to function properly.

Consuming alcohol does not automatically lead to varicose veins if no other risk factors are present, it can make the development of varicose veins and venous insufficiency far more likely in those people who are predisposed to such conditions or who are already experiencing symptoms.

Dr. Zuzga of West Florida Vein Center is not going to tell you that you should never drink alcohol  again, if your goal is healthy veins he may suggest that it is wise to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages if varicose veins are already present or if your gender, age, or family history makes you a likely candidate for future venous disease.

Interested to learn more?
Visit www.westfloridaveincernter.com or call (727) 712-3233 to schedule an in-person appointment with Dr. Zuzga of the West Florida Vein Center.

04.06.18
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Could Sugar Harm Your Heart?

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sugarThe answer is YES sugar can harm your heart when eaten in excess.

Our bodies do not need sugar to function and run properly. They contribute nothing nutritionally.

When you first begin to eliminate sugar from your diet you may actually go through a withdrawal stage. Both physically and psychologically. You may miss the taste, the feel, the smell, everything about it. Sugar gives your body a high. But it isn’t a clean high and there is always a crash. The side effects being ill health and extra body fat. When repeated over and over again, damage can be done to the body and to the heart.

The American Medical Association of Internal Medicine back in January of 2014 found that the odds of dying from a heart-related condition rose incrementally right along with the patient’s diet – regardless of other factors that would seem to come into play such as age, sex, activity level, and even BMI.

Most adults in the USA consume 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day without even realizing it. That’s more than 3x what is recommended. Ideally no more than 100 calories a day (6 teaspoons) should come from sugar.

The  American diet is chock full of hidden sugars, especially prepackaged and processed foods. The amount of sugar you consume during a given day may surprise you. Our bodies are not designed to need excess sugar, especially non-natural sugars. They can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease as well as raise your cholesterol levels, boost your risk for high blood pressure and add on extra unwanted pounds.

Ways to Eliminate Added Sugars

Remove from your diet: Soft drinks, candies, cakes, cookies, pies, fruit drinks, milk products, grains,  canned fruit in syrups, fruit yogurts, cereals with added sugars, and so on. Get your sugar from natural sources such as fruit and whole milk in small servings.

To learn more about how to care for your heart, check back regularly. If you are in the Tampa, Florida area and looking for a great cardiovascular team check out www.tampacardio.com Tampa Cardiovascular Associates or call us at (813) 975-2800.