Varicose Veins
HEALTH
INFORMATION SERIES
This very common
condition may affect as many as half the population over the age of 50.
Women are 4 times more likely to get them as men, possibly as a result
of child bearing.
Essentially a varicose
vein is one which has become distended and swollen and is lengthened and
twisted. The most commonly affected veins are those in the leg, but
haemorrhoids are also a form of varicose vein.
The veins have no pump
pressure behind them to move blood and so are dependent upon small
valves which permit only one way movement of blood and prevent backwards
flow. The flow itself is created by the 'muscle pump' created by the
contraction and relaxation of surrounding muscles (eg. when walking the
calf muscles serve to push blood back up the legs). The tiny valves are
delicate and prolapse will lead to a pooling of blood in the vein. This
creates a swelling of the vein and ultimately a varicosity.
Varicose veins are
unsightly and may be painful but they are rarely dangerous. Occasionally
they may predispose to a thrombus (blood clot) but this is
relatively rare. Symptoms of varicose veins, apart from the swollen vein
itself, may include tiredness and aching of the leg, a feeling of
heaviness in the legs and occasionally pain. If the local circulation is
sufficiently impaired then a brownish discolouration may develop and
this could progress to form a venous ulcer. Because of the poor
circulation, these ulcers are particularly hard to treat and they may
become chronically infected.
Factors which may
predispose to or aggravate varicose veins include:
* Pregnancy or
obesity which puts pressure on the large veins returning blood from
the lower limbs and impedes blood flow.
* Constrictive
clothing such as tight waists or skin tight jeans.
* Lack of exercise
which causes poor circulation in general and poor muscle tone in the
legs.
* Standing for long
periods will impede blood return from the legs by simple force of
gravity. It is especially damaging to stand on very hard floors (eg
concrete).
* Inherited
weakness in the blood vessel wall may make you more liable to
develop varicose veins. Weakness may also be acquired (eg. after an
accident, phlebitis or surgery).
* Constipation
leading to straining with bowel movements may increase pressure in
the abdomen and impede blood flow through the larger vessels
draining the legs. This is also the leading cause of haemorrhoids.
* Frequent sitting
with the legs crossed may impede blood return from the legs.
Holistic
treatment of varicose veins
The diet should be high
in fibre and any tendency to constipation should be addressed. Bulking
agents such as psyllium seeds may be used to promote healthy
bowel movements.
If you must stand for
lengthy periods then elastic support hose should be worn and you should
develop the habit of contracting and relaxing the calf muscles (stand on
your toes then back on your heels repeatedly).
Exercise is very
important. Any exercise which works the legs will be helpful (walking,
cycling, dancing, running, aerobics, baseball etc). The inverted yoga
postures may also be beneficial in encouraging blood return from the
legs. If you cannot stand on your head then at least try lying on the
floor with your feet up the wall.
The feet should be
raised whenever possible. Sit with your feet up on a footstool or the
couch. Put blocks under the foot of the bed or place a rolled up blanket
under the bottom sheet.
Hydrotherapy can be
very useful to tone up the veins and improve circulation. Put 2 buckets
in the bath tub, one filled with very hot water and one filled with cold
water. Sit on the side of the bath and plunge the feet and legs into the
hot water for about 15 - 20 seconds then immediately into the cold for
about 45 seconds. Repeat this several times, for 5 minutes, at least
once a day. Always finish with cold water so that you leave the veins
toned and tightened.
Supplements to
strengthen the veins
Vitamin C should be
taken to bowel tolerance, in combination with bioflavonoids.
Additional
bioflavonoids to take include Rutin and Quercitin, a total of about 500
mg. daily.
Beta carotene 10,000 -
50,000 iu. daily.
Vitamin E (d alpha tocopherol) 400 - 800 iu. daily.
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