Can I go to the sauna with vein problems?
Can I go to the sauna with swollen legs? This question is particularly topical in summer. Especially women who stand a lot in their job suffer from this phenomenon. But the swelling is not only a visual problem. Behind it are varicose veins, inflammations, and other venous diseases. All these diseases are not to be trifled with. That’s why caution is always advised, even when it comes to the healthy pleasure of sweating. We have done some research for you and compiled a lot of interesting information. We also have tips for you on how to prevent or alleviate swelling in the legs.
Why do legs swell in the first place?
The cause of swelling lies in the connective tissue. This is particularly weak in women, which is why they are the main sufferers. Their weak connective tissue ensures that the blood vessels have to tense up violently in order to pump the blood through the body. In summer, this is really hard work for the organism. After all, the vessels dilate in the heat, and it takes even more strength to maintain circulation.
In addition, the veins also dilate in summer, because they are also vessels. Although the dilation here is slight, it is still highly unpleasant for those affected. The lower legs swell and hurt when walking and standing.
In this environment, varicose veins and spider veins also thrive. Every third woman has to deal with them at some point in her life. They usually appear after the age of 30, but can do so earlier. But these unsightly lines may also be more than a cosmetic problem. They may be caused by deep vein thrombosis. For this reason, those affected should consult a doctor.
Why are varicose and spider veins dangerous?
But what is the danger posed by these thick blue veins? Spider veins develop when the blood is no longer transported fast enough. This happens especially in summer, when the vessels dilate. The branches are a kind of detour that the organism creates for the blood. It’s not pretty, but it’s not particularly dangerous either.
As long as they are not varicose veins. They look almost the same, but they are by no means harmless. They tend to become inflamed. A process that is especially favored by warm weather. In the case of inflammation, clots may form that are capable of blocking veins. This is then called thrombosis. A painful medical emergency. The clots can break loose, travel through the circulatory system to the lungs or heart – and interrupt the blood supply here. The consequences: Pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke.
If the deep-lying vessels are affected by this phenomenon, it becomes really dangerous. The blood flow may be obstructed, which in turn clogs the venous valves. As a result, inflammation occurs, which can trigger thrombosis.
Weak connective tissue is mainly responsible for this. Unfortunately, the tendency to this is all too often inherited from woman to woman. Factors such as being overweight, standing for long periods of time, or pregnancy increase the risk.
Heat sets a vicious circle in motion
We mentioned above that heat causes veins to dilate. They can become so wide that the body creates a detour for the bloodstream. The result is the clearly visible varicose veins or spider veins. In addition, it is possible for so-called edema to form. These are accumulations of water. In other words, fluid that the body cannot get rid of in any other place. In an emergency, it simply deposits it in the lower legs.
This happens for the following reason. Because the veins dilate in the heat, their surface area increases. This also ensures that more body heat can escape. This is a nice idea in summer. But the body can’t send all the blood through the bypasses, or doesn’t form them in the first place. That is why the blood collects at the lowest point, which is the feet. As a result, blood pressure drops and the circulatory system does not run as smoothly as it should.
The organism can no longer pump the blood that collects above the feet upwards quickly. Eventually, it simply pools there and thickens because of it. Because the blood pressure has dropped, the kidneys receive the signal to switch to economy mode. They run an emergency program, so to speak, and want to hoard fluid.
But this is not good at all. The thrifty kidneys ensure that there is too much fluid in the body. This increases the pressure in the vessels, and ultimately even more fluid is pumped through the system – which then sinks into the lower legs.
But the body again misinterprets this signal. It thinks it is losing water and tries to conserve even more fluid. The kidneys also excrete less and less, and the body stores more and more water above the feet.
If you would now also go to the sauna, this process would just go on and on. Admittedly, you do not stand here, but perhaps even put your legs up. In the heat, however, the vessels would dilate even more and the organism would store more and more fluid.
What can I do against swollen legs?
Even though we often advise it, going to the sauna does not help much in this case. You should also talk to your doctor about this problem. He can assess how bad it already is and, if necessary, initiate a drug therapy. However, there are numerous things you can do to help yourself. We have ten tips for you.
- Put your feet up. This is firstly pleasant and also helps the body to transport the blood. If you can, keep your feet off the floor at work, too. For example, use a small stool that you keep under your desk.
- Avoid heat as much as you can. While this is easier said than done in the summer, it helps all the more. Avoid going for a walk in the midday heat and keep your surroundings as cool as you can.
- However, you should not keep your feet completely still. Gentle movements such as walking or swimming are recommended. They also help the body to transport blood properly.
- So that your body does not even think that it is suffering from a lack of fluids, you should drink enough. This will keep your kidneys on their toes and ensure that you don’t go on the austerity program in the first place.
- Watch what you eat. Above all, eat as little salt as possible. The white crystal binds fluid and ensures that the organism feels a deficiency rather quickly.
- Support your ankles with suitable stockings. They are now really chic and available in any drugstore. Compression supports the veins in their work and prevents them from dilating too much.
- You should not stand or sit still for too long. If your job allows it, they should walk slowly for at least five minutes every hour.
- Treat yourself to a professional massage from time to time. Use circular movements to stimulate blood flow. You can further promote this effect with fresh scents such as lemon or mint.
- Make sure you take in enough magnesium. The mineral is very healthy for connective tissue and helps keep it firm. The good news is that chocolate also contains a lot of magnesium. Otherwise, reach for kale, spinach and mineral water.
- Use the power of chestnuts. For example, there are ointments that contain the extract of the fruit. The creams have a cooling effect and thus support the veins.
Conclusion
Caution is advised when it comes to sauna visits for people with venous disorders. Venous disorders such as varicose veins or phlebitis can cause the vein walls to weaken or the venous valves to stop working properly. In the sauna, the heat can affect the body and influence blood flow. It is therefore advisable that people with vein disorders should definitely consult their doctor.
