The benefits and harms of running with varicose veins

In the human body, veins play a huge and most important role. Blood flows along them and the cells are saturated with the necessary components.

It is important to pay close attention to their health, since the general well-being and performance depends on it. Each person should know the main reasons for the protrusion of the veins in the legs, as well as what to do in these cases and what treatment is required.

Why do leg veins protrude after running?

After running a distance, especially more than one or two kilometers, some people note that the veins began to protrude in their legs.

This is noted for numerous reasons, among the paramount doctors stand out:

Thinning of the venous walls.

The venous walls are thin, prone to rapid thinning as a result of chronic diseases. All this leads to obstruction of the natural blood circulation and the protrusion of the veins.

High loads on the legs, in particular as a result of:

• long distance races;
• running with acceleration or an obstacle;
• many hours of bike racing and so on.

Disruptions in the hormonal background. This is noted when:

• premenstrual syndrome in women;
• elevated prolactin levels;
• pathologies of the thyroid gland.

Decrease in venous elasticity against the background of metabolic disorders in the body.

A decrease in elasticity in 65% of cases is a result of constant diets, unreasonable hunger strikes, uncontrolled consumption of mixtures for gaining muscle mass.

• Bad habits.
• Sedentary lifestyle.

If a person constantly sits during the working day, then after jogging, the risks of venous bulging increase 3 times, in comparison with people leading an active lifestyle.

• Unfavorable ecological situation.

Experts note that in large cities, especially cities - millionaires, people face this problem 2.5 - 3 times more often than residents of small settlements.

Also, hereditary factors can cause bulging of veins on the legs after running.

The causes of varicose veins

One of the main reasons the veins in your legs stick out is varicose veins. This disease is diagnosed in 45% of the population, especially not enough active or exhausting physical activity.

Varicose veins begin to develop unexpectedly and as a result of a number of reasons:

• standing on their feet for 8 - 11 hours a day;
• strong physical exertion on the legs, for example, intense jogging, cycling at a distance of more than 5-7 kilometers, lifting weights;
• sedentary work;

56% of teachers, accountants and salespeople face varicose veins.

• high body weight;

At risk are women weighing more than 70 - 80 kilograms and men over 90 kilograms.

• chronic pathologies, for example, diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• people with thinned venous walls.

Thinning is affected by hormonal disruptions and metabolic disorders.

Can you run with varicose veins?

With diagnosed varicose veins, including suspicion of this pathology, jogging should be treated with caution.

In general, people are allowed to go jogging, but under the conditions that:

1. Such classes were agreed and approved by the doctor.
2. There is no advanced varicose veins.
3. There are no other chronic pathologies for which sports activities are contraindicated.
4. Warm up before the race.
5. The person completes the race competently.

If all the requirements are met, then running is not prohibited, but, on the contrary, can have a huge positive effect.

The benefits of running with varicose veins

As doctors note, if a person is diagnosed with varicose veins not in a neglected form, then regular jogging at a moderate pace is extremely useful for general well-being.

Thanks to such physical activity, it goes:

• acceleration of blood flow through the venous system;
• reducing the risk of blood clots;
• slowing down the development of venous insufficiency;
• reducing the load on the venous system as a whole;
• restoration of normal metabolism;
• improvement of cardiac activity and so on.

Running will bring a positive result if you go to training 2 - 3 times a week, run at a calm pace and follow the recommendations for preparing and completing the session.

Contraindications for running with varicose veins

In some cases, people with varicose veins are absolutely prohibited from running.

Doctors note that jogging should be completely abandoned when:

1. A severe form of varicose veins, when there is a strong thinning of the veins.
2. Acute thrombophlebitis.
3. Swelling of the lower leg and kneecaps.
4. High pain syndrome in the lower extremities.
5. Strong compaction and visual manifestation of large clots and bumps on the legs.
6. Reddening of the skin in places where veins protrude.
7. Appearing blue or brown skin tones.
8. The appearance of ulcers and eczema on the legs.

Also, the most important contraindication is when an operation to remove veins was performed less than six months ago.

How to run properly with varicose veins?

With the development of varicose veins, you need to run carefully and follow the basic rules:

• Wear compression garments and special trainers or sneakers before training.

Sneakers or sneakers should have anti-vibration soles, better made from lightweight and soft materials.

• For classes, choose soft and even paths. Specially designated running areas in sports stadiums are ideal.

If there are no soft paths, then it is better to conduct classes not on asphalt terrain, for example, to run in the park.

• Take a bottle of clean water with you.

Lack of fluid in the body leads to impaired blood circulation and negatively affects venous elasticity. You need to drink during training as soon as a person feels thirsty.

• Warm up before starting.

Sports instructors and doctors are advised to do:

• 5 smooth swings on both legs;
• 10 shallow squats;
• 5 lunges on each leg.

Also, before the main workout, you need to rub your legs below the knees with your hands, and lightly pat them with your palms so that there is a rush of blood.

• Run only at an easy pace, and immediately end classes if there is pain in the legs or a feeling of tightness in the calf muscles.
• Do not get tired of races over 2.5 kilometers.
• Start the first lessons with races of 500 - 600 meters, gradually complicating the load.

It is also important to ask your doctor if you can run in a particular case and what distance is acceptable.

Using compression garments

When varicose veins appear, jogging without compression underwear is not recommended by doctors.

Thanks to this underwear goes:

• decrease in venous pressure;
• reducing the risks of pathology progression;
• prevention of thinning of the venous walls;
• reducing the likelihood of blood clots.

For workouts, you can buy tights, stockings or knee-highs. Such underwear is made of special compression hosiery and prevents any damage to the venous walls.

Advice: with a mild form of the disease, it is allowed to wear knee-highs; in a more severe degree, it is advisable to purchase tights.

Compression underwear should be worn strictly according to the rules:

1. Remove stockings, knee-highs or tights from the packaging.
2. Take a horizontal position.
3. Put underwear on your feet carefully.

Compression stockings, tights or knee-highs are worn on bare feet. Such linen is removed exclusively in a horizontal position. After removal, it is recommended to lightly rub your feet and apply a special cream.

How to end your run correctly?

It is important to finish your run correctly.

Otherwise, it is possible that a person:

• there will be severe pain in the lower extremities;
• there will be swelling;
• the course of the disease will begin to progress.

To properly complete a workout from a runner, you must:

1. Start to slow down and move to a moderate step 200 - 300 meters before the finish line.
2. At the end of the workout, perform steps in place at a calm pace for 20 to 30 seconds.
3. Take 5 - 7 deep breaths and exhalations.
4. After waiting for the restoration of breathing, drink a few sips of water and sit on a bench for 3 - 4 minutes.

After that, you need to go home, take off your sports uniform and compression underwear, rub your legs below the knees with your hands and take a warm shower.

If doctors do not forbid it, then it is good to apply a special cream or ointment to the problem areas after a run.

Runner reviews

I was diagnosed with varicose veins a year and a half ago. I have it at the initial stage, so there are no special restrictions for sports loads. I run, I do it three times a week for 15 minutes. After training, there is no pain syndrome, but, on the contrary, there is lightness in the legs.

Pavel, 34, Tomsk

My attending physician advised me to run two kilometers every other day as a prevention of venous congestion. For training, I purchased compression stockings and special sneakers. I chose a comfortable place for training, however, by the third run, I began to feel a significant pain in my calves. By the evening, I began to notice swelling on the legs and a change in skin tone. Having consulted a doctor, I was prescribed to sleep in compression underwear, rub my legs with ointment and replace running with walking at a moderate pace.

Irina, 44, Severodvinsk

I struggle with varicose veins only by regular jogging. They help to remove pain and swelling. Recently, I notice that if I miss a workout, my legs start to ache, stiffness appears, especially in the late afternoon.

Sergey, 57 years old, Kirov

For the first time I came across varicose veins after giving birth. I thought everything would go away on its own, but when the problem began to intensify, I urgently went to the doctor. I was ordered to wear compression tights and run 1.5 kilometers in the morning. Now I don't have such performances on my legs, plus I began to feel a greater burst of strength and ease when walking.

Elizaveta, 31, Togliatti

I have varicose veins for more than seven years. Regular rubbing with ointments, physiotherapy and moderate jogging helps to cope with this. Without such training, I instantly develop swelling, and there is a feeling that huge weights have been tied to my legs.

Lydia, 47 years old, Moscow

With the expansion of veins and the development of varicose veins, it is important to be attentive to your health, follow the recommendations of doctors and play sports with caution. Such a pathology is not a direct contraindication for jogging, the main thing is to approach training responsibly, purchase compression underwear for this and correctly complete the lesson.

Blitz - tips:

• if it is not possible to purchase compression underwear, then you can buy elastic bandages. They perform the same functions, the only thing is that they are not very comfortable to run in;
• it is important to understand that physical activity should be discussed with the doctor, otherwise you can injure the venous walls and provoke negative consequences;
• if after physical exertion there is pain, swelling and stiffness, then you should stop training and talk with a specialist about the possibility of going out for jogging in the future.

Watch the video: Walk Longer, Look Better: Update in Varicose Vein Management (November 2024).