Lounge Doctor Blog

Leg Elevation the Wrong Way: 15 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Physicians have used leg elevation for centuries to treat venous problems, swelling and other health issues. This simple technique is a low-cost, reliable method to improve your leg and vein health in a multitude of ways. However, despite the simplicity of elevating your legs, there are ways to do it incorrectly—and these mistakes can diminish the effectiveness of elevating your legs. Read on to discover the 15 common leg elevation mistakes you should avoid. Not using a pillow of any kind. Leg elevation is such a simple technique that it can be very tempting to just throw your legs against the wall or the couch and go...er, lie down. However, not using any kind of pillow can lead to a...

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8 Natural Ways to Improve Blood Circulation in Legs

Blood thinners and other medications can be a critical part of managing poor circulation and accompanying medical conditions. However, there are also complimentary lifestyle changes you can make to support your medications or to simply give your venous blood circulation an everyday boost. Discover eight natural ways to improve venous blood flow in your legs that don’t require medication. Sit the right way. Sitting comes naturally to mammals of all types, including humans. However, just because we sit naturally doesn’t mean we do it correctly. Sitting can inhibit your venous circulation, especially if you cross your legs, sit on your feet or otherwise assume a position that impedes the healthy flow of blood. Try not to cross your legs for more...

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How Proper Leg Elevation Works to Improve Edema

Edema–or swelling–can cause tenderness, limited mobility and even pain. While some cases of edema are very serious and require assistance from a medical professional, many of the common, milder cases can be addressed at home with leg elevation. Read on to learn everything you need to know about treating edema with leg elevation. What Is Edema? “Edema” is a medical term that refers to fluid retention, or swelling, in the body. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles and legs because gravity pulls blood and other bodily fluids towards the lower extremities. However, edema may occur anywhere on the body. Edema ranges from mild and temporary to severe and chronic. It may be caused by a variety of reasons, including...

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How to Improve Leg Circulation in Elderly Patients: 6 Tips Every Caregiver Should Know

Many elderly patients complain of cold hands and feet and numbness or swelling in their extremities—all classic signs of poor venous blood flow, or circulation. While poor circulation is indeed common in seniors, there are plenty of steps that caregivers can take to help mitigate it. Read on to discover why circulation slows down as we age and how to improve venous blood flow in the leg in elderly patients. Why Aging Causes Poor Circulation As your body ages, numerous changes take place that can slow venous blood flow. The heart may develop fibrous tissues and fat deposits, the walls might thicken or the valves might stiffen.    As you age, the receptors that monitor your blood pressure also become...

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5 Reasons Frequent Flyers Should Invest in a Leg Elevation Pillow

Frequent flyers, especially those who make long-distance flights, are at risk for all sorts of conditions, from jet lag to airborne colds to sluggish circulation. Flying can be really hard on your body in many ways, so if you do fly a lot, it’s worth it to invest in some tools that can help prevent health issues and make the traveling transition a bit easier on you–including a leg elevation pillow. From better circulation to improved digestion, there are multiple reasons frequent flyers love leg pillows. If you’re a frequent flyer yourself, read on to discover the five reasons why you need a leg elevation pillow.    Increase Blood Circulation Excessive sitting or standing for long periods of time—such as...

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