I finally bought a pair of Juzo stockings a few months ago. If you read my other articles on compression stockings, you know I’m a big fan of Sigvaris stockings when it comes to dealing with varicose veins. But I never tried the Juzo brand before, so I decided to put it to the test.

Founded in 1912 in Germany, Juzo is a high end brand of compression stockings. Similar to Sigvaris, The Juzo company offer a wide variety of stockings for men and women.

The exact model I ordered was: Juzo 3511 AG Varin Garter Style Open Toe Thigh Highs 20-30 mmHg.

It is a Garter Style compression stockings, meaning that you attach the stockings to a belt around your waist. The belt doesn’t come with the stockings. But it makes sense since you can buy a new pair of stockings after a few months and keep using the same belt.

Why a garter belt? I’m quite an active guy. And the normal thigh highs with the elastic band had trouble staying up on my legs after a few weeks of use. I need a compression stockings that will stay up no matter how much I move during the day. And I thought the garter belt might be the solution.

Looking around on ForYourLegs.com I realized not a lot of brands offer garter style compression stockings. Juzo and Mediven are the only two.  Not knowing the differences between the two, I chose Juzo. (read below to find out what I believe is the main difference between them)

The Juzo Garter Belt. The picture shows only one suspender. In reality, the model comes with four of them, two on each side.

This Juzo stockings is advertised with the words Highest durability, and for a reason! They are very thick compare to a normal elastic band stockings. During the day, the stockings stay attach to your waist but it also moves down just a little bit. The thick fabric then sags behind your knee, causing discomfort. This is especially true when you are in a sitting position.

Now, the extra thickness is probably required to allow the belt to attach to the stockings without stretching too much. And I do realize that probably not all Juzo stockings are like that. But this model is not the perfect compression stockings I have been looking for. The Mediven model might be thinner since it contains more spandex. But I haven’t tried it yet.

I think a pantyhose model might be what I’m looking for. I’ll definitively order one pair next time.

If you tried a different Juzo model, please let me know by posting a comment below.

The post Juzo Stockings – My Review appeared first on VariStop.com.

1. Exercise with your legs at the same level or above your heart

Varicose veins are caused when the wall of your veins can not sustain the pressure cause by gravity. Some exercises, such as lifting weights or running on a hard surface, can increase that pressure, therefore increasing your chance of developing new varicose veins. The solution is to make sure you choose exercises that place your legs at the same level or above your heart.

Avoid squatting if you have venous insufficiency. The leg press and the butt blaster are easier on your veins and therefore a better choice.

2. Don’t hold your breath

When lifting weights, most people have the reflex to hold their breath. Holding your breath causes your blood pressure to go sky high. And this is terrible if you are prone to varicose veins. Next time you lift something heavy, exhale while lifting, inhale while lowering.

When you are breathing fully, the movement of your abdomen helps the blood flow in your body, which in turn decreases the pressure on your veins. This is one simple trick to reduce your chance of having varicose veins when exercising.

3. Wear compression stockings

Wearing compression stockings at the gym or while jogging can help strengthen your veins and therefore prevent varicose veins. If you don’t want to be limited in your choice of exercises or simply don’t want to take any chance when it comes to varicose veins, wearing compression stockings allow you to be less strict with rule #1 from above.

For more info on compression stockings for varicose veins, read Compression Stockings Guide for Varicose Veins.

4. Strengthen your veins with the right supplement

If you really can’t follow rule #1, or if your veins keep getting worse after all the precautions you have taken, this step will help you. Some herbs and vitamins have been proven to strengthen the veins of those affected with varicose veins and venous insufficiency. To learn more about which supplements I personally take and recommend, read Herbal Remedies for Varicose Veins.

There you have it! Follow those four simple steps to prevent varicose veins while exercising your strong beautiful legs.

Got more tips on how to exercise with varicose veins? Share it with the rest of this support group by posting a comment below.

Marc Livingston

The post 4 Ways to Prevent Varicose Veins When Exercising appeared first on VariStop.com.

Compression stockings are also helpful to prevent varicose veins when pregnant.

Compression stockings also speeds up recovery time in athletes and increase performance. Which means you will feel less pain and be able to exercise for longer period of time.

For all those good reasons, you may be asking yourself:

Where can I buy compression stockings?

The time of the thick one-size-fit-all sock is long gone. Today’s compression stockings come in all different sizes and fabrics. The choice is yours, but you have to know where they are available. Here we compare the three main places you can buy compression stockings:

1. The Drug Store / Pharmacy

Range of choice:
Quality:
Price:
Service:

The drug store offers a quick way to get compression stockings at an affordable price. But the limited number of stockings available and the lack of knowledgeable service does not make it the best place to get what you are looking for.

2. Specialized Clinics

Range of choice:
Quality:
Price:
Service:

Some clinics in major cities specialize in selling compression stockings and other accessories. Those clinics are great to get help from someone who had training in how to choose and apply compression stockings. They will usually measure your legs on your first visit and recommend the best socks they have based on the result. But the personnel usually received training from one particular stocking provider they have a contract with. As a consequence, you won’t have access to the complete range of stockings available to you. Plus, the additional service used only in the first visit amount to a higher cost at every purchase.

Is it worth the extra cost? In most case no, since you can easily measure your legs with a measuring tape and the help of a spouse or a friend. In the case where you would like the one on one help of a trained employee, you can always make one visit to the specialized clinic. But don’t forget to compare the price with the online stores.

3. Online Stores

Range of choice:
Quality:
Price:
Service:

A few online stores specialize in compression stockings. Most of them offer a wide range of socks, from below the knee to maternity pantyhose. And the higher number of clients make it possible for them to have all sizes in stock at all time, which means you get your stockings faster. The price is cheaper than at the clinics because of fierce online competition.

For the service, their customer service representatives have been trained to know the best stockings for you, no matter the brand you want. They will answer any question you have. I personally buy my compression stockings from ForYourLegs and have been very satisfied with their service.

Marc Livingston

The post Where To Buy Compression Stockings? appeared first on VariStop.com.

Definition of Edema

Edema is the medical term for a noticeable increase in the volume of liquid in the skin and the tissue under the skin. The edema related to the venous system is most often located at the ankles, but it can affect the feet and the legs.

The Causes of Edema

The first question to ask yourself is: Is it affecting one leg or both legs? A sudden swelling in one leg may be a sign of deep vein thrombosis requiring immediate treatment.

Swelling of the ankles can occur even if no varicose veins or any other sign of venous disease are present. The edema is accentuated throughout the day, especially if the climate is warm. The cause of such a swelling is usually an increase of the pressure in the venous system of the deep and or the superficial veins.

How to Prevent Edema

Fortunately, you can easily prevent your ankles from swelling by following those three tips:

1. Practice some sport. Walking, swimming and jogging can help reduce the pressure on your veins and get your lymphatic system moving.

2. Wear compression stockings during the day.

3. Take the necessary supplements to help your veins.

Those three steps have been proven to effectively prevent swelling of the ankles during the day.

Marc Livingston

The post What Causes Swelling of the Ankles? appeared first on VariStop.com.

If you would like a review of a product that isn’t on this page, write me a comment below. I’ll add the review as soon as possible.

Circulation Essentials: The #1 product approved by the members of VariStop Online Support Group in 2012

For more info on Circulation Essentials’ review, click here.

To visit the official site, click here.

Marc Livingston

The post Reviews of Varicose Veins Treatments appeared first on VariStop.com.

Phlebologists make most of their money with recurrent patients. Don't be one of them

60% of patients have recurrent varicose veins in the five years following their surgery. [1] Several possible causes have been recognized for recurrent varicose veins. Here are the three main ones:

1. Inadequate surgery

Blood reflux can still persist after the surgery. For that reason, it is strongly recommended that your physician do a post-operative duplex scanning of your legs to see if your other veins are functioning well.

 2. Neovascularization

Even when no error or technical inadequacy happened during the treatment, it is still possible to have a similar varicose vein a few years later. New venous vessels may develop around the treated varicose vein and connect the deep veins to the superficial veins, causing other varicose veins.

 3. Progression of the disease

Varicose veins removal is not a cure for venous insufficiency. Because the disease is still present, new territories may be affected over time. This is especially true if additional care, such as wearing compression stocking and taking the necessary nutrients, is neglected.

Marc Livingston

The post Three Reasons Why You May Have Recurrent Varicose Veins After Treatment appeared first on VariStop.com.

Improving your diet can both reduce the pressure on your veins and reinforce them.  Not following the healthy tips on this page can increase your risk of developing new and bigger varicose veins. Simply add the following best foods for varicose veins to your diet, and say good bye to those unsightly veins.

Switching white rice for brown rice will help prevent varicose veins

1. Eat More Fiber

When you strain, or hold your breath when passing stool, it creates a greater pressure in the veins in the lower rectum. This straining will increase the damage to the veins and the potential to develop hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

There is a easy solution to avoid sitting on the toilet for too long: eating more fiber. While you increase the amount of fiber to your diet, make sure to sip from your water bottle all day long. Fluids help to keep the stool soft and moving easily.

Adding more fiber to your diet should not require any major change nor any supplement. The trick is to avoid the three white poisons and to replace them with their healthy equivalent.

The three white poisons are:

• white flour
• white rice
• sugar

Simply replace white flour with whole wheat flour. The whole wheat flour contains all the vitamins, minerals, proteins and fiber that are naturally present in the grain. Replace white bread with 100% whole wheat bread. Do the same thing with pasta.

White rice can be replace with brown rice and wild rice. People who switch to brown rice instead of white see many health improvements, including lower blood pressure and lower risk of diabetes. It’s a simple change that can give major benefits.

The last poison is sugar. Instead of eating a sugary snack, eat a fruit. And instead of adding sugar to your breakfast or dessert, add some small fruits like blueberries. The boost of antioxidants will reinforce your veins. The extra fiber will help you lose weight by keeping you full longer. And the slow release of energy from the fruits will keep you active for longer hours.

Avoid drinking more than one drink a day especially if you are a woman

Regular alcohol intake is likely to increase the risk of varicose veins and spider veins. Avoid drinking more than one drink a day, especially if you are a woman.

While the researches on the link between alcohol and varicose veins are scarce, you can find one here: [1]

2. Choose Foods Containing Rutin to Strengthen your Veins

The best foods for varicose veins are those that contains rutin. Rutin is part of the large family of flavonoids. These plant pigments have multiple effects on the body, one of the most important being to reduce the fragility and permeability of capillaries, therefore reducing your risk of developing new varicose veins. While not as concentrated and effective as the extracts in Circulation Essentials, foods that are naturally rich in rutin can put the odds in your favor when it comes to having healthy legs.

Rutin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasoprotective (protective of blood vessels) and antithrombotic (protection against blood clots) properties.

Health Secrets Hiding in Your Grocery Store

Natural sources of rutin are:

• Buckwheat

• Apple

Especially the skin. I highly recommend buying organic as most of the pesticides are also found on the skin.

• Cherries

• Grapes

• Blackberries

• Apricot

Some Foods Can Affect Your Hormones and Cause Varicose Veins

It’s one thing to add the best foods for varicose veins to your diet, but you also need to avoid some nasty chemicals to get younger looking and healthy legs. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogen like chemical that comes from hard plastic.  Plastics with BPA are used to line cans and make bottles. Which means that unless stated otherwise on the label, canned foods in your grocery are packed with BPA. Estrogen has been link with a higher risk of spider veins.

So if you want to eat only the best foods for varicose veins, replace canned food with fresh, dry or frozen food and keep healthy legs for life.

Now that you know the best foods for varicose veins, be sure to learn more about which supplements can effectively treat venous insufficiency at:

Which Supplements Can Treat Varicose Veins?

 Questions? Feel free to ask them below!

Marc Livingston

The post 10 Best foods for varicose veins remedy appeared first on VariStop.com.

A new study confirms what some of us with chronic venous disorders already knew by experiences: cold temperatures improve blood flow.

The aim of the study, from the Medical University of South Carolina, was to test if cryotherapy (the use of cold in medical treatment) could improve skin microcirculation. If skin microcirculation can be improve in people with venous insufficiency, the development of ulcer and other skin problems could also be prevented.

In this randomized clinical trial, a group of 30 participants received twice daily a cooling gel wrap on their legs from 30 minutes. Four weeks later, their blood flow had significantly improved compared to another group who never had the cold therapy. This finding suggest that cold therapy could help prevent leg ulcers and other venous insufficiency problems. [1]

Cold therapy you can do at home to prevent varicose veins and leg ulcers

Applying a reusable ice pack to your legs is one the the home treatments to improve blood flow

You don’t need to take part of a scientific study to experience the benefits of cold therapy. You can easily do those treatments at home to prevent varicose veins and leg ulcers:

And to lower your risk of facing blood circulation problems later in life, make sure to avoid:

• Bathing in the sun for too long
• Using heated floor
• Sauna

For more tips and advices, read: How to Get Rid of Varicose Veins Naturally

The post New Study Confirms: Cold Therapy Helps Venous Insufficiency appeared first on VariStop.com.

By Marc Livingston

Are you frustrated that no matter all the attention you give to your legs, your veins continue to worsen?

I had the same exact frustration not too long ago. My biggest fear was not finding a solution and ending up with legs so bad when I’m older than I could not use them! Our legs are an important part of our body.

So I asked myself: how do you really relief yourself from the pain? And how do you prevent the formation of varicose veins and spider veins?

Venous disease may have multiple contributing factors. From body postures to emotions, many things affect your circulation. But all the factors can be divided into two steps. Follow those two steps and you will not only get rid of varicose veins, but also get healthy looking legs for the rest of your life. Here are the two steps:

Note: An extra first step may be required if some of your veins are already enlarged past a certain point. If that is your case, get them treated first. Otherwise, your older varicose veins may undermine the effort you will put by applying the two steps system on this page.

 Step 1: Reduce the pressure on your veins

 To get rid of varicose veins naturally, you first need to reduce the pressure on your veins. Your veins, especially those in your legs, have to pump the blood “up hill” to the heart, against gravity. If you are prone to varicose veins, this extra work on your lower body can cause your veins to enlarge.

Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes can greatly reduce the pressure your veins have to endure. Talk with your doctor to see which of the options of STEP 1 are best for you.

•  Exercise correctly

Swimming is one of the best way to eliminate pain and discomfort caused by varicose veins

Some sports are not recommended due to their impact on the legs. Short impacts can block the blood flow and amplify the pressure on your veins.

If for any reason you want to continue practicing the sports that are not recommended, make sure to wear compression stocking and reinforce your veins with the right supplements.

Other sports, such as skiing, are not recommended because the boots immobilize the feet and prevent the calf muscles from pumping the blood back up.

Breathing is also very important to prevent varicose veins during a workout. If you block your breathing when applying force during an exercise, you are causing intense pressure on your venous system. Remember to always breathe out when exerting effort. Never hold your breath.

• Wear the right pair of shoes

Shoes can make all the difference. Look for shoes that have low heals. Wearing low-heeled shoes actually helps tone your calf muscles, promoting better circulation in your legs. Some new shoes, being marketed to women who want to improve the appearance of their legs and buttocks while walking, are also helpful for anyone who want to get rid of varicose veins naturally.

Now that we are talking about clothes, don’t wear any underwear or pants that are tight at the waist or in the groin.  This acts as a tourniquet that restricts blood flow and can increase your risk of developing varicose veins.

• 

  Keep a reusable water bottle at your side at work and while working out.

  Maintaining a healthy body weight

Excess weight is another risk factor that may possibly changes the percentage of individuals who will develop varicose veins or spider veins. By keeping body weight down to manageable levels and maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise program, you will be able to keep the pressure on your veins to a minimum.

Obese people report more symptoms such as pain (aching, throbbing). The importance of symptoms are proportional to the person’s body mass index.

A quick way to know if you have a healthy weight is to measure your own body mass index (BMI). Use this link to easily calculate your BMI.

• Drink enough water throughout the day

Drinking water helps to soften the stools. When you pass stools more easily, you put less strain on the leg veins which will also help prevent hemorrhoids. Additionally, drinking water is a great way to lose weight and shed those extra pounds.

Keep a reusable water bottle at your side at work and while working out. A little bit of water often is better than a lot of water once in a while.

•  Wear compression stockings

Not a new solution, but still one of the best! I wouldn’t go anywhere without a pair of compression stockings to keep my legs strong throughout the day. They definitively helped me to get rid of varicose veins. To learn more about compression stockings, including the best place to buy them, read this page .

• Elevate the foot of your bed

When you are lying down at night, an easy way to reduce the pressure on your legs is to elevate them above your heart. A simple way to do that is to add a couple of phone books one under each side of your bed. That’s going to elevate the foot of your bed so that way your feet will always be higher than your heart, no matter how many times you roll over in the middle of the night.

 

Step 2: Reinforce the walls of your veins

The latest studies point to the fact that alterations in the vein wall precede any other change during varicose vein formation. Your goal then is to find which options you can use to increase your venous tone. Because of genetic factors predisposing you of varicose veins, you may need to take a few extra ‘reinforcers’ compare to the average individual.

• Avoid the heat, seek the cold

One of the only time of the day that I can stand up without any compression stocking and not feel any pain or swelling in my legs is when I’m taking a cold shower. This is one of the best natural remedies for varicose veins you can use because cold causes constriction of the superficial veins, by direct stimulation of the smooth muscle lining these vessels. It is generally an easy treatment to do within your own home.

If you are not used to take cold shower, start slow. Try lowering the temperature gradually each day. Depending on where you live, this may not be as easy as it sounds. Cold showers in Canada are a lot colder than in California. Alternating between warm and cold is another option that can also work.

• 

  Butcher’s Broom is one of the herbs that naturally strengthen your veins

  Take natural supplements

The best and the only proven way to reinforce your veins is with natural supplements. Some specific herbs and fruit extracts have been proven to safely treat and prevent varicose veins. Read this page to find out more about which supplements can help you get rid of varicose veins naturally.

Conclusion to Get Rid of Varicose Veins Naturally and Successfully

To get rid of varicose veins naturally and successfully, you have to apply both step one and step two.

From my experiences, most books and doctors only recommend one of those action steps. For example, a doctor may recommend his patient consulting for varicose veins to simply wear compression stocking. The patient does and will probably be happy that the pain from his varicose vein is now gone.

The compression stockings are acting on the first factor: the pressure on the veins. But the patient will be surprised to see a new varicose vein on his leg a few months later.

Wearing compression stocking will improve the symptoms but it will not reinforce the veins. You need to combine the compression with a factor that will strengthen the walls of your veins (with the right supplements). This combination makes all the difference. Those two complementary steps, when used simultaneously, are the best and probably the only way to truly get rid of varicose veins naturally for life.

If you don’t follow those two steps, your legs, with the inevitable process of aging, are likely to form new varicose veins. The pain will increase when standing up. Ulcers (open sores) may also occur on your ankle due to the lack of good circulation in your varicose veins. Don’t let this fate be yours. You can avoid this by following my Two Steps System to Get Rid of Varicose Veins Naturally.

Marc Livingston

The post Get Rid of Varicose Veins Naturally appeared first on VariStop.com.

Ask A Vein Expert

A varicose vein doctor is called a phlebologist.

A phlebologist is a physician specializing in diseases of venous origin, such as varicose veins.

As explained in the PBS special below, phlebology is the study of venous problems. I strongly encourage you to watch the PBS interview. It will give you a nice overview of the varicose veins doctors’ position on the best treatments right now.

You will learn:

• What kind of specialized training phlebologists have.
• How prevalent varicose veins are in the United States (you’ll see, we’re not the only one with this disease).
• The difference between the superficial venous system and the deep venous system.
• Why exercising is important.
• How dealing with varicose veins is a life-long process, and what you can do about it.
• The importance of wearing compression stockings.
• When it is absolutely important to wear them. (Personally I wear them all the time. But if you are in a situation similar to the one in the interview, you should wear compression stocking. That is even if you don’t have large varicose veins)

You will also learn about some varicose veins myths, such as :

• Does crossing your legs cause varicose veins?
• Should you wait until after you’re done having children before getting your varicose veins treated? (I’ll give you my answer to this: no, early treatment is key to having healthy legs for life)

The complete transcript can be read here.

To safely order compression stockings online, please visit: ForYourLegs

Comments? Questions that were not answered in the PBS special? Post them below!

Marc Livingston

The post What is a Vein Doctor Called? appeared first on VariStop.com.