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What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins is a condition in which veins become swollen, gnarled, and have a bluish-purple or red colour. This condition is also known as varicoses or varicosities and occurs when the veins are overfilled with blood. These veins are often very painful. Any vein may become varicose, but the most commonly affected veins are those in your legs and feet.
Primarily women are affected by this condition, though nowadays the number of men affected by this condition has also increased.
How do varicose veins occur?
Our veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards. When the walls of a vein become weak especially near a valve, the valve becomes leaky and malfunctions. The blood then begins to flow backwards instead of towards the heart. Once this happens, it puts a lot of pressure on the vein which can cause the vein to widen and the occurrence of more leaky valves.
Varicose veins often affect the legs. The veins there are the farthest from your heart, and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward.
Who is prone to varicose veins?
The factors which can make you prone to varicose veins include:
- Increasing Age: The risk of varicose veins increases with ageing since with age the veins become weak and eventually wear and tear can occur, which may cause the valves to malfunction.
- Gender: Women are more prone to suffer from varicose veins. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, pre-menstruation or menopause are some factors that are responsible. Also, taking hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills may increase the risk of varicose veins.
- Family History: If you have a family history of varicose veins, there is a great chance you may inherit the condition.
- Being Obese: Extra weight can put more pressure on your veins and cause varicose veins.
- Staying Put in the Same Position For Long Periods: Sitting or standing for long periods at a stretch can affect the blood circulation and thus cause varicose veins.
What are the causes of varicose veins?
Some causes of varicose veins include:
- a family history of varicose veins
- ageing
- pregnancy
- menopause
- standing or sitting for long periods at a stretch
- obesity
What are the symptoms of varicose veins? How are varicose veins diagnosed?
The symptoms of varicose veins include:
- dark purple or blue coloured veins
- bulging, painful, and hardened veins
- twisted and bulging veins
- a heavy feeling in your legs
- swelling in your lower legs and muscle cramping
- bleeding in the affected veins
- heightened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
- itching in the affected areas
- inflammation of the skin
- skin ulcers near your ankle (which could be a sign of vascular disease)
Diagnosis
Generally, a general physician or a primary care doctor can diagnose, treat, and monitor varicose veins. If your case is more severe, the general physician may refer you to a vascular surgeon.
To diagnose varicose veins, your doctor will first perform a physical exam. He will check for bulging veins as well as blood clots. He may suggest you to undergo an ultrasound to check if your veins functioning normally or to find any evidence of blood clot.
What are the complications of varicose veins?
Complications of varicose veins, although rare, can include:
- Ulcers which can form on the skin near varicose veins, particularly near the ankles.
- Blood clots, which is a condition known medically as thrombophlebitis may occur.
- Bleeding which can occur when the enlarged veins very close to the skin may burst. This requires immediate medical attention.
What is the treatment for varicose veins?
Medical Treatment for Varicose Veins
The doctor may ask you at first to wear compression stockings, which is the immediate treatment for varicose veins.The stockings will squeeze your legs, thus squeezing your veins to let the blood flow easily towards the heart.
However, if compression stockings do not work you may have to undergo minimally invasive procedures such as :
- Laser surgeries for varicose veins
- Sclerotherapy
- Catheter-assisted procedures using radiofrequency or laser energy
- High ligation and vein stripping
- Endoscopic vein surgery in severe cases
Exercise
Certain exercises can be extremely good for varicose veins such as walking, running, jogging, swimming, yoga, and pilates. Do consult your doctor before you decide on any exercise regimen to check if it will be suitable for your condition.
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Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar improves blood flow and circulation and also is a natural body cleanser.Once the blood starts flowing naturally, the heaviness and swelling of varicose veins will decrease to a great extent. Apply undiluted apple cider vinegar on the skin over the varicose veins and gently massage the area. Do it every day before going to bed and again in the morning. Follow this remedy for a few months to reduce the size of varicose veins. Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it everyday on empty stomach in the morning.Use Olive Oil
A massage with olive oil can help increase blood circulation, and thereby reduce pain and inflammation. Mix equal amounts of olive oil and vitamin E oil and warm the mix slightly. Massage the veins with the warm oil for several minutes. Do this twice daily for one to two months.Ayurvedic Dietary Recommendations for Treating Varicose Veins
Avoid refined carbohydrates and red meat, as these are constipating. Make whole grains such as millet and buckwheat, legumes, fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and rich in vitamins a regular part of your diet. These can restore health to your weak veins. These fruits and vegetables can especially help your condition: blackberries, cherries, cantaloupe, carrots, pumpkins, sweet potato, winter squash, leafy greens, melons, grapes, pomegranate, lemon, lime and other citrus fruits, pumpkin seeds, and garlic.Include Parsley in Your Diet
Parsley is rich in vitamin C, which encourages the production of collagen and aids in cell repair and reproduction. Parsley also contains rutin, which helps to strengthen the capillaries and hence is very useful in reducing symptoms of varicose veins.Marigold Flower
The marigold flower is a rich source of flavonoids and vitamin C. These properties help to stimulate the production of collagen and aid in cell repair and reproduction. You can use marigold flowers to help you with the symptoms of varicose veins: Boil one cup of marigold flowers in four cups of water for five minutes. Dip a cotton cloth in the solution. Place this cloth on the affected area and leave it until the cloth becomes cool. Repeat this process several times a day for a couple of months until you notice improvement.