Warmer weather means it’s time to break out summer dresses and shorts! My favourite time of the year is swapping out my closet from winter to summer clothing. But after hibernating for so long, we are more than ready to show off some skin!
But some women don’t feel comfortable showing off their legs. In fact, some women wear pants year-round because they are embarrassed to reveal their legs as they have visible varicose veins and swelling.
You might not recognize the name, but chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, is a common condition that impacts both the look and feel of your legs and it’s often worse in the summer.
CVI is a condition where lower leg blood flow is impaired. Blood pools in the legs causing pain, swelling (edema), heaviness, tiredness and varicose veins. Our daily lifestyle habits such as prolonged sitting or standing can make the symptoms worse.
You may not know but CVI affects up to half of all adults, which is quite surprising! I didn’t expect that this number would be so high. Over time, the increased fluid in the lower leg tissues can further damage the veins and worsen symptoms.
People who have CVI – more frequently they are women over the age of 50 – tend to feel the symptoms worsen during the summer months. While many women might want to enjoy the summer months in skirts and dresses, some who experience these symptoms might feel self-conscious about the appearance of their legs.
For long-time sufferers, the pain and discomfort associated with CVI could keep them from performing daily tasks and engaging in social activities.
But there are some simple strategies that can help you manage CVI symptoms and get your LEGS summer-ready:
Love Your Legs This Summer
L -ove your Legs
Elevate your legs to reduce pressure, discomfort and swelling after a busy day and try alternating hot and cold bursts of water to help improve circulation. If you sit at a desk for work, trying putting a stool or box under your feet to keep them elevated during the day.
E –at Well
Help reduce some of the inflammation associated with CVI symptoms by steering clear of foods high in saturated, omega-6 and trans-fatty acids. Instead, opt for foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, and flavonoids, such as onions and berries.
G–et in motion
Sitting or standing all day can put a damper on blood circulation. Keep legs moving and your blood pumping with some simple exercises to help manage your symptoms. If you work at a desk, take frequent breaks every hour. Instead of sitting to have lunch, go for a walk. Try doing some stretches or leg exercises while you’re sitting to keep the blood circulating.
S – upport Blood Flow
Improve lower leg circulation with Antistax®, a natural health product containing Red Vine Leaf Extract which is used in traditional herbal medicine and has been shown to improve lower leg blood flow, reduce swelling (edema) and relieve the pain, heaviness and tiredness associated with CVI. Antistax® is available in the supplement section of your local pharmacy.
Antistax® is available in 360 mg tablets, in a 30-count carton. The approximate regular price for the 30-count carton is $21.99. The recommended dosage is one to two tablets daily, in the morning before breakfast. To be sure Antistax® is right for you, always read and follow the label.
Disclosure: This post is proudly sponsored by Antistax®. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.
15 Comments
Thanks for the helpful hints! Got to go raise and rest my legs now!
Great tips. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’ve never heard of blood flow being important for great legs. Good to know!
I never heard of this brand. I looks like something I could use. I could use better blood flow to my legs for sure. they go numb when I sit sometimes.
This is good advice. It’s super important to take care of ourselves. Reducing those CVI symptoms will help everyone get out and enjoy the sun!
Wow! I need to love my legs and educate myself. I’ve not heard of CVI before. This is such valuable information. Thanks!
Supporting blood flow is so important! I have to remember to get up and walk when I am on an airplane.
I need to talk to my doctor about adding that medication to my daily medication routine. It looks like something that could really help me. I love this post, so much good information in it.
I have always been bad about crossing my legs when I sit, a habit I’ve been trying to change, Don’t want to have issues when I am older.
Great tips! So important to get up when we’ve been sitting for a while. Gotta get that blood moving around.
I got my veins done a few years ago… and it was the first time I loved my legs. These are all really great tips.
Great tips!! I will try all these! Thank you so much for sharing!
I may need to try this product out. Sitting at a desk all day can definitely give leg pain!
I need to find this product! I have severe leg pain!
I got them at the shopping channel store, so I ran out of them, so I went back to get doom more, was tolded they are not selling them anymore because now they are sold at Latons drugs,, so I did not buy any more because they are expensive $30.00 for 30 cap, more than I payed at the shopping channel, they did help my legs.