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Doctor Teaches 4 Ways to Improve Lower Limb Venous Circulation

From Liberty Times · (2d ago) Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A doctor explains the importance of addressing lower limb venous circulation issues, often mistaken for fatigue or aging.
  • Early signs include tight shoes, leg heaviness, night cramps, and visible red-purple veins, which can worsen to varicose veins or severe complications if ignored.
  • Lifestyle changes like regular movement, leg elevation, and compression stockings can help, but medical intervention like endovenous laser ablation may be necessary for moderate to severe cases.

The recent buzz surrounding President Trump's diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency has brought a critical health issue into the spotlight: the importance of lower limb venous circulation. Here at Liberty Times, we believe in empowering our readers with knowledge, and this is a topic that affects many, often silently.

Dr. Lin Lao-sheng, Director of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Ministry of Health and Welfare Chiayi Hospital, notes that many patients present with leg swelling, pain, or cramps, attributing them to simple tiredness or the natural aging process. However, these symptoms frequently signal underlying lower limb venous circulation problems. The venous system in our legs faces a constant battle against gravity, relying on the calf muscles โ€“ our body's 'second heart' โ€“ and the intricate network of venous valves to ensure blood flows back to the heart. Factors like prolonged sitting or standing, excess weight, and smoking can weaken these valves and muscles, leading to blood pooling in the legs.

If people suspect they have problems related to lower limb venous circulation, they should seize the principle of 'early examination, early treatment'.

โ€” Lin Lao-shengDirector of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Ministry of Health and Welfare Chiayi Hospital, advising on the importance of timely medical attention for venous circulation issues.

Dr. Lin emphasizes the four key early warning signs that are often overlooked: shoes feeling tight at the end of the day, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, nocturnal leg cramps, and the appearance of fine red-purple veins. Ignoring these can lead to more serious conditions such as varicose veins, blood clots, and in severe cases, skin darkening and hardening, or even dangerous infections like cellulitis due to non-healing wounds. The risk of a vein rupturing, leading to significant bleeding, is also a grave concern.

Fortunately, proactive measures can significantly improve venous circulation. Dr. Lin recommends simple yet effective strategies: incorporating movement every hour, performing calf raises, elevating the legs during rest, and wearing medical-grade compression stockings. However, for those experiencing significant varicose veins or disruptive cramps, these measures alone may not suffice. For moderate to severe valve dysfunction, the internationally recognized endovenous laser ablation (EVLA/EVLT) offers a minimally invasive and highly effective solution. This procedure seals off malfunctioning veins from within, redirecting blood flow through healthy pathways. With a high success rate, often allowing patients to walk home the same day, it represents a significant advancement in managing venous disease. We urge our readers to heed the principle of 'early examination, early treatment' to alleviate leg discomfort, enhance quality of life, and prevent systemic complications.

This treatment has a very small wound, and most people can walk home after the procedure. Studies show that the patency rate of the blood vessels remains above 90% after 5 years.

โ€” Lin Lao-shengDescribing the benefits and success rate of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA/EVLT).
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Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.