[Click! Health] To Prevent Haji Jeongmaekryu... "You Should Regularly Strengthen Your Leg Muscles"

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] 'Hajijeongmaekryu' (varicose veins). It is a condition where some blood vessels in the calf abnormally expand and protrude in a bluish spiderweb or twisted shape. Usually, symptoms are less severe when lying down or raising the legs, but worsen when standing. It not only looks unsightly but also promotes leg fatigue, causing swelling, numbness, and aching sensations.

Hajijeongmaekryu occurs when blood that fails to return to the heart pools in the calf or thigh, causing abnormal expansion of the blood vessels. It commonly affects workers who must stand in the same position for more than 8 hours a day, such as department store employees and flight attendants, as well as elderly people whose muscle and valve functions have weakened due to aging. Once varicose veins develop, they do not heal on their own. Yoon Kang-jun, Chief Director of Gangnam Pedro Hospital, explained, "If you feel your legs swelling or heaviness, or notice bluish veins prominently visible on your calves and thighs, you can suspect varicose veins."

Yoon Kang-jun, Chief Director of Gangnam Bedro Hospital

For treatment, improving lifestyle habits is most important. It is essential to consistently exercise to strengthen leg muscles. Hiking or jogging can strain the legs and may worsen symptoms. It is better to engage in exercises less affected by gravity, such as cycling or swimming. While resting, elevate the legs above heart level. Massaging from the ankle toward the knee in a sweeping motion is also a good method. In mild cases, taking venous circulation enhancers and wearing medical compression stockings can treat the condition. In severe cases, laser treatment is performed.

Director Yoon said, "Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic issue. If early symptoms are ignored because they do not cause much inconvenience, serious complications such as phlebitis or skin necrosis can occur."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.