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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2006 Chanchal Cabrera