Heavy legs, what to do in the summer if you have venous insufficiency

L’estate is the season to take care of the well-being of legs. With the heat, the stagnation of liquids and the venous function worsen due to the high temperatures and different habits. When it comes to a passing symptom, cosmetics and supplements that promote microcirculation are a valid help to relieve the heavy legs eliminating the sensation of swelling and lowering the skin temperature.

The prevention and medical support are essential, however, when the symptoms are those ofchronic venous insufficiency. «They vary a lot, from the effect of heavy legs, itching and nocturnal cramps that can occur even in the absence of varicose veins or signs of disease, to arrive at serious and complex pictures with ulcers in the lower limbs. Between one extreme and the other there are varicose veins, telangiectasias (capillaries) and skin pigmentation “, explains the doctor. Sabrina Brambilla, Specialist in Vascular Surgery at the Città Studi Clinical Institute, Milan. «The more or less serious picture is given by a venous hypertension that develops in the lower limbs, the veins lose their function, that is to bring the blood back to the heart, and this creates a situation of venous hypertension with chronic inflammation. Furthermore, the increased permeability of the veins causes the accumulation of liquids and waste at tissue levels responsible for the feeling of heaviness ».

Venous insufficiency is a disease that mainly affects the women, men suffer from it to a lesser extent, it is estimated about 4 to 1. It depends on hormonal factors and the number of pregnancies, as well as overweight and jobs that force you to stand many hours.

«In the summer, the situation worsens, the heat is related to a dilation of the veins, so this permeability is even more pronounced. Fluid retention increases and drainage is slowed down. Furthermore, if in winter all the patients always wear elastic stockings, in the summer it is more tiring to wear them and if the compression therapy is no longer available, the situation worsens ».

What to do in the summer if you suffer from venous insufficiency

Dr. Brambilla and the Servier Group in Italy, an independent international pharmaceutical company, governed by a non-profit foundation that is engaged in the therapeutic area of ​​chronic venous disease, recommend elevating the legs when lying down, keeping weight under control , exercise and wear elastic stockings. “Young people with symptoms of edema and heaviness can, on medical advice, combine a drug therapy based on flavonoids, antioxidants with anti-inflammatory action, and associate the application of local creams based on escin or red vine in the evening », says Brambilla.