November 3, 2010
Q: I have bad varicose veins. I stand on my job. My Mom lives on water pills to get rid of her swollen ankles. Is there anything we can do?
Dr. Henry Cheng: You should wear compression stockings. They have gradually increasing elasticity going up the calf and can help to return venous blood and excessive fluid to the circulatory system. The stocking has to be worn for at least 8 hours a day while you are in the upright position. The lower compression strengths do not require a prescription. Check with a certified compression stocking fitter or your physician.
Henry Cheng is a medical graduate of the University of London, England and is now Natural Products Consultant at Pharmasave Health Centre Downtown Cloverdale.
