3 Gadgets & an App That Help with Varicose Veins

Better Living Through Technology

Varicose veins, characterized by bulging and discolored veins in the legs, are surprisingly common. In the US, up to 35 percent of adults develop them, so if you have them, you’re far from alone. [1] Now, there are a range of ways to manage this condition: everything from wearing compression stockings to seeking out medical treatments like sclerotherapy or radiofrequency ablation. These days, however, there’s a new ally in the fight: personal technology.

In a world in which there are more and more apps and gadgets—one that’s smarter and more interconnected—it’s not surprising that there’s been an impact on how varicose veins can be taken on. What does this landscape look like? Let’s take a look at four potentially very helpful apps and gadgets.

1. FitBit

Easily the most popular fitness tracker—though there are a number of them on the market—the wearable FitBit can be helpful for sufferers in a number of ways. Lack of proper activity and excessive weight can cause and/or exacerbate varicose veins, and these devices help people stay on track. How so? They’re able to track the number of steps a person takes, distance traveled, heart rate, as well as sleep quantity and quality. In doing so, users are able to ensure that fitness goals are achieved, while recording overall progress. Promoting exercise and weight loss, there’s a reason people swear by them.

2. My Food Diary

Another way to manage varicose veins is to take them on through diet, which is another means of promoting weight loss. As with fitness trackers, there are certainly benefits to using smartphone apps to keep you on track in terms of what you’re eating.

There are many of these, but My Food Diary, an iPhone app, is particularly simple and effective in allowing users to track what they’re eating. It tabulates important information about diet, providing helpful data like total amount of calories, carbs, salts, sugars, and other aspects taken in per day, as well as how much is needed to lose or maintain weight. These also track exercise and can be synced with FitBit.

4. Hangsun Leg Air Compression Massager

Promoting positive blood circulation in the legs is essential in managing varicose veins, as the core problem is an inability for blood there to get back to the heart. This is why sufferers will often need to wear compression gear, and can benefit from massage, which stimulates flow.

Enter the Hangsun Leg Air Compression Massager, which is specifically designed to provide both compression and deep tissue massage to the legs. Intensity of pressure and massage is adjustable, and the device is powered by a rechargeable battery, making it portable. Users rave about its durability, adjustability, and intuitive design.

4. Loozys Leg Air Massager

Another compression-based leg massager, Perfecore’s model also provides effective massage and compression designed specifically for calves and lower legs. Like the Hangsun, these are efficiently designed, providing a satisfying therapeutic boost to those with varicose veins. They’re light-weight and come with a special carry bag, so they can be used at home or in the office. Notably, these are programmed to switch off automatically after 15 minutes for safety.

Better Steps Forward

Taking on varicose veins means engaging in a fight for better quality of life. The problem isn’t merely aesthetic; the condition involves discomfort, heaviness, itchiness, and sometimes even pain in the legs. And you shouldn’t take it lying down; by no means should this problem simply be accepted.

There’s no doubt that gadgets and apps can be an ally in the struggle against varicose veins, but it’s important to note that there are also many safe and highly-effective medical treatments available. Whether you enlist the aid of personal technology or the kind you access in a clinic, you’ll no doubt feel healthier and happier when you have a handle on this condition.

Don’t let varicose veins get the best of your legs. If you’re suffering with this condition, the team at Hamilton Vein & Vascular can help. The experts at these Texas-based outpatient clinics employ a range of highly-effective, minimally-invasive techniques to provide lasting relief for their patients. Learn more about what they do by calling their Houston office (281) 565-0033, the Austin location at (512) 710-1114, or San Antonio at (210) 405-4707 today!

References

“Varicose Veins | Society For Vascular Surgery”. 2018. Vascular.Org. Accessed November 15 2018. https://vascular.org/patient-resources/vascular-conditions/varicose-veins.