Varicose veins, also known as varicose or varicosities, occur when your veins become enlarged, dilated, and overfilled with blood. Varicose veins typically appear swollen and raised, and have a bluish-purple or red color. They are often painful. The condition is very common, especially in women. Around 25 percent of all adults have varicose veins. In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower legs.
Causes of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins occur when veins aren’t functioning properly. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing toward your heart. The veins then enlarge. 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. Some potential causes for varicose veins include:
pregnancy
menopause
age over 50
standing for long periods of time
obesity
the family history of varicose veins
Treatment for Varicose Veins
If the patient has no symptoms or discomfort and is not bothered by the sight of the varicose veins, treatment might not be necessary. However, if there are symptoms, treatment may be required to reduce pain or discomfort, address complications, such as leg ulcers, skin discoloration, or swelling. Some patients may also want treatment for cosmetic reasons - they want to get rid of the "ugly" varicose veins.
Self-care and home treatment
Measures can be taken at home to improve pain and prevent varicose veins from worsening, these include:
exercise
losing weight
elevating the legs
avoiding prolonged standing or sitting
2. Compression stockings Compression stockings squeeze the patient's legs and improve circulation. They work by:
Being generally very tight around the ankles.
Gradually getting looser higher up the leg.
As a result, compression stockings encourage proper blood flow upwards - against gravity - back towards the heart.
Many patients also find that compression stockings help with discomfort, pain, and swelling. No studies have convincingly demonstrated whether they stop the varicose veins from worsening, or even prevent them. Studies have had mixed and conflicting results.
3. Surgery If varicose veins are large, they may need to be removed surgically. This is usually done under general anesthetic. In most cases, the patient can go home the same day - if surgery is required on both legs, they may need to spend one night in the hospital. Laser treatments are often used to close off smaller veins, and also spider veins. Strong bursts of light are applied to the vein, which gradually fades and disappears. 4. Sclerotherapy A chemical is injected into small and medium-sized varicose veins, which scars and closes them. A few weeks later, they should fade. A vein may need to be injected more than once.
5. Endovenous laser treatment A catheter is inserted into the patient's vein. A small laser is threaded through the catheter and positioned at the top of the target vein; it delivers short energy bursts that heat up the vein, sealing it shut. With the aid of an ultrasound scan, the doctor threads the laser all the way up the vein, gradually burning and sealing all of it. This procedure is done under local anesthetic. There may be some nerve injury, which is usually brief.
Natural Therapy
ACV with Mother (ACV): Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful treatment for varicose veins. It is a natural body cleansing product and it also improves blood flow and circulation. When the blood starts flowing naturally, the heaviness and swelling of varicose veins will decrease to a great extent.
Servings:15 ml in a glass of normal water 30 minutes before Lunch & Dinner.
Apple Cider Vinegar with Ginger Garlic Lemon & Honey (HRT): This product helps to reduce the inflammation & symptoms of varicose veins. It also helps break up harmful toxins in the blood vessels & improve circulation.
Servings:15 ml in a glass of WARM water 30 minutes before breakfast.
Rose vinegar (RSV): Dr. Patkar's launched " ROSE VINEGAR" that can be sprayed on the affected area which on his research has shown great results. External application: Make a ratio of 1:2 with water and spray it on the effected area 2-3 times a day.
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DO'S AND DON'TS FOR VARICOSE VEINS
DO'S
DON'TS
Go for a walk daily.
Perform some Yoga to improve circulation.
Apply walnut oil to affected area before going to sleep.
Add garlic to your diet.
Eat low fat and low sodium diet. (Use rock salt sendhav namak )
Try acupressure therapy.
Eating saturated fats and fried foods.
Avoid excess salt and sugar.
Sitting for too long.
Smoking or alcohol.
Overstraining the affected area.
Avoiding the symptoms such as bulging in veins, ignoring the pain and swelling etc.