I found these instructions at answerbag.com

Step 1: Break the habit of crossing your legs while seated to help avoid spider veins. This gesture can place significant pressure on your blood vessels and constrict blood flow.
Step 2: Lose weight if you exceed your ideal body mass. Do so slowly, with a diet of no fewer than 1,200 calories per day. Eat well-balanced meals and exercise regularly for best results to avoid the development of spider veins.
Step 3: Shop for underwear and clothing that is not restrictive to movement or overly tight. Too snug garments can cause the restrictive of blood circulation, which can lead to vein problems.
Step 4: Avoid using birth control pills if you fear developing spider veins. Seek another form of birth control that does not include estrogen or progesterone, as changes in the body’s hormone levels can result in vein problems.
Step 5: Improve blood circulation by doing aerobic exercises like swimming and walking on a regular basis. Avoid high-impact activities such as running, weight lifting and mountain biking in favor of exercises that are more gentle to the legs.
Step 6: Elevate your legs for at least 30 minutes two times per day. You should prop the legs up in a comfortable position where they are at a level above the heart.
Step 7: Avoid standing still for long periods. Those in professions that require much standing, such as factory workers, are more likely to develop spider veins than those in professions where there is more movement or those who sit for most of the day
Step 8: Wear support hose if you are at risk for spider veins. These garments work to push blood flow to the heart and reduce overall pressure in your veins.
Step 9: Move your legs often, even while sitting. Do little leg circles and flex your ankles at intervals to keep the blood circulating efficiently throughout your limbs.
Tips & Warnings
Use gravity to your advantage by keeping your legs elevated at work whenever possible. Prop them on a leg rest of adequate height while sitting at your desk.

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I came across this interesting article at http://www.ehow.com/how_4995943_treat-spider-veins-exercise.html.

If you’re plagued by spider veins and would like to try and avoid surgery, you can try exercise to treat them instead. The reason that spider vein treatment exercise works is because it gets the blood circulating through your body–and usually the reason those spider veins show up on your legs is because the blood isn’t moving as much as it ought to. (Probably because you work a desk job all day like I do!)

It’s not that hard to engage in spider vein treatment exercises, so let’s get started learning how!

Step 1 Grab friends and head out for a night of dancing! Dancing is a great spider vein treatment because it keeps you on your feet and your heart pumping. Plus, it’s fun, and that means you’re more likely to do it . If you haven’t been scheduling as much time to hang out with your friends as you ought to, this is a great excuse–so head out for some varicose veins exercise and a heck of a good time!

Step 2 Running can help get your legs beach ready in more ways than one. Running is great for reducing spider veins, plus it’ll give you shapely calves. So, lace up those running shoes and head out for a mile or two–it doesn’t take a lot of exercise to help eliminate your varicose veins, and your running time can also do double duty as meditation time.

Step 3 Roller blades aren’t just great for your bum, they’re also fantastic varicose veins exercise because you’re moving your legs in a fluid, comfortable way. Don’t forget the safety gear, and take along a friend for a long day of roller blading. You’ll get a better looking back end and you’ll say bye bye to those pesky varicose veins.

Step 4 Walking works, too! Whether you walk on a treadmill or in the neighborhood, walking is a great, easy exercise that does your body a lot of good. It increases blood flow and so that makes it a really good spider veins treatment.

Step 5 In the winter, you can even hit the slopes for the sake of your beach-ready legs! That’s right, skiing makes a great varicose veins exercise, too. Of course, this is a seasonal exercise, but it can be a great way to remind yourself that the summer’s coming in the middle of a bitterly cold winter!

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Varicose veins and spider veins are vein disorders usually found in the leg. Many factors are involved in the development vein disorders relating to varicose and spider veins. These vein issues, including heredity, age, gender, obesity, and pregnancy. Modern science does not fully know the direct cause of varicose and spider veins, there are lifestyle changes can help prevent or slow the development of varicose veins. Taking these preventative few steps, you will reduce your risk of developing varicose and spider vein issues:.

Vein Issues Prevention:

STEP 1 – Exercise regularly. Any activity that works your legs such as walking, biking, swimming, running, or hiking will improve leg strength, circulation, and vein health without adding undue pressure to the veins.

STEP 2 – You can reduce vein issues by avoiding standing for long periods. Sit down frequently and elevate your legs. If you must stand in one position for an extended time, wearing mild compression hose that will help blood pump more efficiently back to the heart and reduce varicose and spider vein risk. While standing, shifting your weight from one side to the other and occasionally bounce up and down on your toes. These preventative actions will improve vein circulation.

STEP 3 – Cross your legs while sitting compresses the veins and will affect the blood flow thus contributing to varicose veins and spider veins.

STEP 4 – Maintaining an ideal body weight can reduce varicose and spider vein issues. Too much body fat, especially in the midsection, can put pressure on the groin and thighs weakening the walls of the veins and valves in your legs.

STEP 5 – Wear clothing that fits. Clothing that is too tight and constricts your waist, groin, or legs, can increase your risk of developing varicose veins. Loose fitting clothing is an easy prevention method.

STEP 6 – Stretch if you have to sit for prolonged periods of time, whether in an office or on an airplane, be sure to stretch your legs, rotate your ankles, and flex your toes occasionally to improve circulation.

STEP 7 – Avoid high heels. The undue stress that high heels put on the veins in your lower legs can cause a constriction in blood flow back from the leg. High heel shoes do not promote blood flow in the legs and cause you to use the muscles in your buttocks – not your calf muscles.

STEP 8 – Wear compression stockings. If you are considered to be a high risk for varicose veins or spider veins (see RISK FACTORS), or already have them, wear compression stockings during the day.

STEP 9 – Keep legs elevated. Raise your legs 6 to 12 inches above your heart when you are lying down or resting. This way, the heart has an easier time pumping blood out of the legs and this lessens the work of the valves, reducing the risk of varicose veins. Put your feet up while sitting at home and put a pillow under your feet while in your bed.

STEP 10 – Take vitamin C. There is some scientific evidence that suggests that Vitamin C may help strengthen the blood vessel walls.

http://www.1800varicose.com/varicose_veins_preventing.html

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By Francine Davidovich

Dietary deficiencies or the loss of skin elasticity due to aging can be major factors causing varicose veins. As we age, the valves and veins in the legs lose some of their strength and muscle tone. Veins begin to stretch and weaken causing pooling in the lower legs and ankles increasing the risk of developing varicose veins, leg heaviness and pain.

Varicose veins can be painful mentally as well as physically. If you’re fearful about what the consequences may be for your health because of varicose veins or spider veins, take heart, making small changes in your diet can make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself and will give you smoother, more attractive legs!

To ease varicose veins and spider veins, it is recommended that you consume at least 30 grams of fiber a day from whole foods.

These foods ease varicose vein symptoms while strengthening leg vein walls: plenty of fresh fruits, including berries, cherries and citrus fruit making sure to nibble on the inside of the rinds to obtain maximum amounts of vitamin C and bioflavanoids.
plenty of steamed vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, carrots, turnips and cauliflower for fiber. ginger, garlic and onions help break down the fibrin surrounding the varicose veins. Without adding these foods to your diet, varicose veins will continue to multiply.
whole grains, especially buckwheat and millet, oats, barley, beans, peas, lentils, baked potato with the skin, brown rice and whole wheat. The fibre in whole grains takes some of the pressure off varicose veins and prevents constipation.
seeds, nuts, raisins, figs and dates.
flavonoid-rich foods such as yams, onions, grapes and berries.
plenty of fish.

Food to be avoided, these foods worsen varicose vein symptoms:

bread, peeled potatoes and starchy foods cause constipation which can put more pressure on leg veins.

all condiments, salt, alcohol, coffee, strong tea, fried foods, processed and refined foods, white flour products, white sugar and white sugar products, cheeses and ice cream. These foods can be constipating and can cause sluggish circulation, leg pain and cramps associated with varicose veins.

it is recommended to cut down on red meat as much as possible and restrict fatty animal protein to prevent worsening your symptoms.

Varicose vein creams and lotions made with safe but powerful herbs and essential oils stimulate sluggish circulation in the legs and help pump blood back up to the heart, increasing leg energy, comfort and ease.

Look for creams that contain calendula, horse chestnut and gingko biloba. These herbs enhance circulation, significantly reduce pain and swelling and regenerate weak veins.

Leg Energy Lotion contains the powerful herb horse chestnut to reduce vein size and gingko biloba to improve blood flow in leg veins. Invisi-vein contains calendula extract for its anti-inflammatory and cell regenerative properties. Both of these products are manufactured by Venus Naturals.

Francine, co-owner of Venus Naturals, has been working with a master herbalist and an aromatherapist since 1996 to develop natural, effective solutions to reduce and eliminate varicose and spider veins. For more information on spider and varicose vein natural treatment visit the Venus Naturals website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francine_Davidovich

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We wanted to know if diet could impact Spider or Varicose Veins and other venous diseases. This article suggests a treatment for spider veins may be diet. This material is from EHow.com

Spider veins are those small line-like red or purple vessels that snake through the body in twisting patterns. They most commonly occur on the legs, although the face and arms are sometimes affected as well. Those afflicted with spider veins can help manage them by making specific changes to their diets.

Berries
Citrus fruits
Gingko biloba
Herbal tea
St. John’s wort
Arnica
Yarrow
Salt-free spice mixes
Zinc
Vitamin E
Calcium fluoride
Lecithin

Step 1 – Add berries such as blueberries and raspberries to your diet. These foods are high in bioflavonoids, which help strengthen blood vessels. Try two tablespoons of berries in your morning cereal or yogurt each day.

Step 2 – Pick citrus fruits for snacking. Grapefruits, oranges and tangerines all have bioflavonoids in the white membranes of the fruit. Be careful not to peel the white fibers away.

Step 3 – Supplement your diet with 50 to 125 milligrams of gingko biloba per day. This herb works to strengthen the tissues that constitute vein walls. Gingko biloba can be obtained from health food stores and online from such vendors as Physician Formulas and Vitamin World (see Resources below).

Step 4 – Incorporate extra fiber into your diet to treat frequent constipation. It is believed that constipation restricts blood flow through the veins, which can result in the development of spider veins. Aim for 25 grams per day to help regulate your system. Fiber-rich foods include bran cereal, green vegetables and berries.

Step 5 – Drink four ounces of herbal tea two or three times per day to help with vein problems. You can brew the tea with one tablespoon of St. John’s wort, Arnica root or yarrow. These particular herbs are purported to be effective against the development of spider veins.

Step 6 – Reduce the amount of salt you normally ingest. The dehydrating properties of sodium are detrimental to vein health. Try other sodium-free mixes made with dried herbs and spices to season your food.

Step 7 – Eat low-calorie, well-balanced meals to promote good vein health. Obese people are more likely to develop spider veins than thin ones. Obese persons who lose weight report better vein health than when they were heavier.

Step 8 – Use a combination of specific vitamins to treat spider veins. Try 50 milligrams of zinc, 300 I.U. of vitamin E, two tablets of 6X calcium fluoride and one tablespoon of lecithin granules per day
Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2214927_treat-spider-veins-diet.html

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Researchers don’t know exactly why veins stretch and valves fail in some people, but they’ve found some factors that increase the risk.

Varicose Veins – Causes You Can’t Change
Being a woman. For unknown reasons, varicose veins are slightly more common in women than in men.
Family history. If your mother or father had varicose veins, you’re more at risk than someone without a family history of the problem.
Age. As you grow older, the walls of your veins tend to weaken and lose flexibility.
Pregnancy. Varicose veins can develop or worsen during pregnancy because hormone changes can weaken vein walls. And the weight of the baby can press on the large vein in the abdomen, making it harder for blood to flow back up to the heart. Also, weight gain puts extra pressure on blood vessels in the legs, making varicose veins worse or more likely. Varicose veins that appear with pregnancy usually disappear soon after the baby is born.

Varicose Veins – Causes You Can Change
Standing. Being on your feet for long periods of time puts more pressure on the vein walls and valves, weakening them.
Lack of exercise. The calf and thigh muscles help pump blood up the legs toward the heart, taking pressure off the veins. When you don’t exercise enough, the muscles weaken and can’t help as much, which increases the chance of varicose veins.
Obesity. Extra weight strains the blood vessels and raises a woman’s risk of varicose veins. Obese men, though, aren’t more likely than thin men to have the condition.
Source: http://annecollins.net/varicose-veins-weight.htm

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Varicose veins are inflamed and painful conditions caused due to the inability of the valves to control proper blood circulation. Due to this, some blood stays back or regurgitates back to the veins, gradually filling it up, thereby causing varicose veins. Diet can play an important role in preventing or reducing varicose veins by checking higher blood pressure and improving circulation.

Diets for varicose veins:

High Fiber Diet to Treat Varicose Veins: Constipation can increase the risk of varicose veins by building up pressure and further aggravating the condition. Experts opine that fibers can add bulk to the stools and stimulate normal bowel contractions, thereby controlling varicose veins. One may regularly include whole grains (millet, buckwheat), legumes, fruits and vegetables etc in regular diet.
Bioflavonoids to Treat Varicose Veins: Bioflavonoids are suggested to improve circulation and strengthen walls of the veins, thereby improving its condition. One can get rutin (bioflavonoids) from blueberries, cherries, buckwheat, etc. The recommended daily allowance for an adult is 250 mg per day.
Vitamin C to Treat Varicose Veins: It is suggested that vitamin C are natural sources of antioxidants. These can help in treating free-radical damage caused to the cells, thereby strengthening the walls of the veins and improving circulation. The recommended daily allowance for an adult is currently 80 mg. One can get vitamin C from grapefruit, blackcurrant, guava, peaches, etc.
Drink Plenty of Water to Reduce Varicose Veins: It is recommended to drink a minimum of 8 eight ounce glasses of water regularly. This can keep the body hydrated and prevent hardening of stools when we do not consume enough water.

Finally cutting down on salt, fried and processed food can prevent clogging and checking varicose vein formation. Along with this, regular exercise and a healthy life style can further improve blood flow and treat varicose vein.
Source: http://diet.ygoy.com/2009/04/24/diet-for-varicose-veins/

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What are varicose veins and spider veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.

What causes varicose veins and spider veins?
The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. Arteries carry blood from the heart towards the body parts. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart.

The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is called venous insufficiency. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. Spider veins can also be caused by the backup of blood. Hormone changes, inherited factors, and exposure to the sun can also cause spider veins.
Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/varicose-spider-veins.cfm

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Exposure to the sun’s rays is not one of the better ideas in today’s world. The number of issues caused by the sun, continue to grow by the day. Spider veins are no different in this sense. The sun weakens the skin layer so that it is less able to cope with issues associated with spider veins – simply, sun exposure and spider veins don’t mix!

Keeping covered and using appropriate skin care products is the best way to avoid spider veins. If past sun expose has put you at risk for a better chance of finding spider veins on your nose and face, start protecting yourself now and following good practices and appropriate facial skin care.

Why the sun is bad

Inhibiting the skins ability to move this way and that is an effect of the suns ray’s you may not have considered. The sun dries and damages the skin so it becomes less plastic in nature. Give it a thought for a moment. How many different directions does the skin need to move in order to keep up with your daily movements? If its plasticity is diminished, it doesn’t move as much.

Spider veins are the dilation of veins at the surface layers of the skin. If the skin cannot move to let the blood vein dilate, the blood needs to find somewhere else to go. Essentially, this means several more spider veins will form as the blood seeks a place to go.

After too much sun

In your younger days, you were likely not all that concerned with getting to much sun. Lying out at the beach was just the thing to do. Putting on baby oil was also likely a regular occurrence to heighten the affects of the sun’s rays. That was then and this is now when it comes to too much sun.

Your skin will never be like it was but using skin creams to help repair what was done is a good place to start. Since the skin has been damaged to the point of losing its plasticity, spider veins are more likely to occur. If they have already shown up, try a proven spider vein cream to address that particular issue. Past using creams, try to cover up and rejuvenate your skin so the spider veins don’t return because of the sun.

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New developments in the past decade have made it possible to diagnose and treat almost all vein problems effectively in the outpatient office environment where the aim is to eliminate the venous problem with a minimum of discomfort and with close to zero downtime from normal activity.

An accurate non-invasive diagnosis in all vein problems by expert ultrasound techniques provides the correct diagnosis and is the basis for targeted treatment of the venous disorder. Treatment choices include the broadened use of injection techniques with and without ultrasound guidance for spider and varicose veins, and new minimally invasive vein shrinkage procedures like the Closure procedure to replace vein stripping for varicose veins. More advanced problems like venous ulcers and difficult swelling of the legs demand thorough diagnosis and instruction in management methods.

Acute blood clots (phlebitis) are diagnosed with non-invasive ultrasound. Treatment for the majority of these is now done on an outpatient ambulatory basis with medications to limit the clot and repeat ultrasound to monitor the response of the clot.
Source: http://www.kistnerveinclinic.com/

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