Walk to improve your leg health
By Dr. Sonja Stiller, Center for Advanced Vein Care
It’s the middle of August and for almost six months now we’ve been spending much more time inside our homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A lack of exercise coupled with eating and drinking more means many of us have put on extra pounds. While this is a national trend, I’m also seeing it firsthand in my own patients—not only weight gain, but also more leg swelling, cramping and fatigue. Typically these health concerns are reduced in summer because people are more active, but not this year.
In addition, Covid-19 is more problematic in people with a comorbidity, that is, an additional medical condition, such as obesity or diabetes.
One of the best things you can do to lose weight and improve your leg health is to walk. While everyone talks about getting in 10,000 steps per day, you don’t have to start there. Try 3,000 steps a day for a week, then add 100 steps the next week. Keep doing that and in a few weeks you’ll be at 5,000, then 10,000. The difference in your overall health and energy level can be significant.
And because a strong calf muscle is essential to good venous health, try doing calf raises. While standing in line at the grocery store, for example, simply raise up on your toes a few times. It’s a quick, easy (and free) exercise.
Right now, we’re treating patients daily and taking extra precautions ,including wearing masks and taking your temperature as you enter our facility. Give us a call if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: chronic leg pain, fatigue, itching, burning, inflammation, Restless Leg Syndrome, leg cramps or swelling.
Dr. Sonja Stiller is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. She is the founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care, a Tier 1 provider with Lake Health Hospital System, located at 7200 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. For an appointment, call 440-710-1140. More information can be found at YourHealthyVeins.com.