Resolutions For The New Year
Written by Dallas Vein Specialists on January 27, 2014
During this month many of us make resolutions that we hope to uphold for the New Year. Quite often these resolutions relate to our health and well being, for instance stopping smoking or losing weight. In my opinion 2 of the most healthful resolutions are to eat in a more nutritious way and to take up a program of regular exercise.
Good nutrition and avoidance of high calorie and low nutritional value foods is a noble goal for good general health and for a healthier vascular system, which includes both arteries and veins. Such a diet will as a matter of course when combined with a good exercise program take the unwanted pounds off as well. I recommend Dr. Furhman’s book EAT TO LIVE. Although it was published several years ago, it is still my favorite and filled with wisdom about how to eat and keep a healthy body that is less prone to diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes. If you already have such illnesses, you have even more reason to read this book and follow its principles.
Exercise is excellent for vascular health. Patients who exercise have less atherosclerosis and diabetes, and in fact diabetes is more easily controlled in patients who exercise regularly. While varicose veins will not disappear with regular exercise, symptoms will be less in patients who work out regularly.
One other thing to keep in mind in the New Year – when traveling and when being confined in a plane or car for long periods, remember to wear compression hose. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT or clots in the deep veins of the leg) is a serious problem that can lead to life-threatening complications such as acute pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism results when a clot that begins in the leg breaks off and travels in the circulation to the heart and lungs. The chance of clots developing in the legs goes up with the length of time a person is confined. Wearing proper graduated compression hose can reduce the incidence of DVT. Walking breaks or foot pumps and drinking adequate water are also important. To learn more about TRAVELERS THROMBOSIS read my blog from February 6, 2011.
Have a healthy New Year and many to follow.