In South Alabama, summers are hot and those temperatures can last well into the fall. Patients with vascular disease may see their symptoms exacerbated due to the heat.
How Does the Summer Heat Affect Vascular Disease?
Veins dilate when exposed to high temperatures causing an increase in swelling and stress on the body as it works harder to circulate blood. This can lead to vein damage, discomfort, blood accumulation in the lower legs and skin sensitivity like itching and rashes.
Additionally, people tend to be more active during the summer when the weather is nice. This can lead to pain in the extremities especially if people overdo it. While the pain may simply be misuse, it could also be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease.
What Can You Do to Beat the Summer Heat?
People with vascular disease should follow year-round lifestyle changes including:
- Staying properly hydrated
- Maintaining a health weight through diet and exercise
- Wearing loose fitting clothing and compression socks
- Cutting out smoking
More specifically in the summer months, patients should cool down by:
- Staying in the shade
- Wearing a hat
- Enjoying frozen treats
- Spending time in the air conditioning
- Exercising indoors or during times when the weather is cooler like morning or night
- Hopping in the water
- Using a handheld fan
The board-certified surgeons at Vascular Associates of South Alabama are highly experienced in treating patients with vascular disease. Since each patient is different, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a vascular expert to determine the best and most appropriate treatment.
Call us at 251-410-8272 to book an appointment today!
Contact:
Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Resources:
https://njvvc.com/how-the-summer-heat-affects-your-veins/