These three drinks cause varicose veins and leg swelling

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged, and twisted veins that usually appear on the legs, particularly the calves. They can be blue or dark purple, twisted, swollen, and protruding above the surface of the skin.

This condition can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• Aching or heaviness in the legs
• Swelling in the calves
• Leg pain
• Worsening pain after prolonged sitting or standing
• Itching around one or more veins
• Muscle cramps in the legs, especially at night
• Dry, itchy, and thin skin over the affected vein
• A feeling of heaviness in the legs, especially after physical exertion or at night

Impact of alcohol

Varicose veins most often appear on the legs but can also develop on other parts of the body. This condition may cause pain or a feeling of heaviness. Itching, skin discoloration, peeling, or leg swelling may also occur.

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the factors that can lead to varicose veins. Smoking and lack of physical activity can worsen the pain, swelling, and throbbing of the veins.

Alcohol breaks down collagen in the walls of veins, potentially causing thin webs of veins to rise to the surface of the skin on the legs and face.

Coffee

People should reduce their caffeine intake if they notice a correlation between consumption and discomfort in their veins. Caffeinated drinks can dilate blood vessels and lead to fluid retention.

Sugary drinks

Consuming too many sugary drinks can negatively affect overall health. Sugar absorbs water, causing the walls of veins to expand. When blood sugar levels normalize, veins contract back to their usual size. However, over time, veins lose their elasticity and become more damaged.

As a result, they pump blood less effectively, leading to varicose veins.

Surgeon Mark Whiteley explained that varicose veins can quickly worsen and cause a range of long-term problems if left untreated.

"It may sound simple, but elevating your legs is highly effective for improving venous circulation. Raising your legs when sitting will help to lower the pressure in your legs by allowing blood that has pooled the drain away, helping to minimize skin damage and blood clots," added the doctor.

Earlier, we reported on the 5 best breakfast drinks that burn belly fat.

We also wrote about whether wine can spoil and key signs to watch for.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.