Varicose veins – Trouble & Cure!

VARICOSE VEINS

INTRODUCTION
Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins, usually blue or dark purple in color. They may also be lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. They mostly occur in the legs. The blood is prevented from flowing backwards by a series of tiny valves that open and close to let blood through. If the valves weaken or are damaged, the blood can flow backwards and can collect in the vein, eventually causing it to be swollen and enlarged (varicose). This allows blood to flow backwards and they enlarge even more.
Varicose veins are most common in the superficial veins of the legs, which are subject to high pressure when standing. Besides being a cosmetic problem, varicose veins can be painful, especially when standing. Severe long-standing varicose veins can lead to leg swelling, venous eczema, skin thickening and ulceration. Life-threatening complications are uncommon, but Varicose veins may be confused for deep vein thrombosis, that may be life-threatening.

Causes
The veins have one-way valves so that the blood can travel in only one direction. If the walls of the vein become stretched and less flexible (elastic), the valves may get weaker. A weakened valve can allow blood to leak backward and eventually flow in the opposite direction. When this occurs, blood can accumulate in the vein(s), which then become enlarged and swollen.

Figure A shows a normal vein with a properly working valve. In Figure B, the varicose vein has a faulty valve, the walls of the vein are thin and stretched.
Image credit: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
The veins furthest from the heart are most often affected, such as those in the legs. This is because gravity makes it harder for blood to flow back to the heart. Any condition that puts pressure on the abdomen has the potential to cause varicose veins; for instance, pregnancy, constipation and, in rare cases, tumors.

Risk factors
Experts are not sure why the walls of veins stretch or why the valves become faulty. In many cases, it occurs for no clear reason. However, some potential risk factors include:
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• being aged over 50
• standing for long periods
• family history of varicose veins
• obesity

The following risk factors are linked to a higher risk of having varicose veins:
• Gender: Varicose veins affect women more often than males. It may be that female hormones relax veins. If so, taking birth control pills or hormone therapy (HT) might contribute.
• Genetics: Varicose veins often run in families.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of varicose veins.
• Age: The risk increases with age, due to wear and tear on vein valves.
• Some jobs: An individual who has to spend a long time standing at work may have a higher chance of varicose veins.

Symptoms
In the majority of cases, there is no pain, but signs and symptoms of varicose veins may include:
• veins look twisted, swollen, and lumpy (bulging)
• the veins are blue or dark purple
Some patients may also experience:
• aching legs
• legs feel heavy, especially after exercise or at night
• a minor injury to the affected area may result in longer bleeding than normal
• lipo-dermatosclerosis – fat under the skin just above the ankle can become hard, resulting in the skin shrinking
• swollen ankles
• telangiectasia in the affected leg (spider veins)
• there may be a shiny skin discoloration near the varicose veins, usually brownish or blue in color
• venous eczema ( statis dermatitis ) – skin in the affected area is red, dry, and itchy
• when suddenly standing up, some individuals experience leg cramps a high percentage of people with varicose veins also have restless legs syndrome
• Atrophie blanche – irregular whitish patches that look like scars appear at the ankles

Complications
Any condition in which proper blood flow is undermined has a risk of complications. However, in the majority of cases, varicose veins have no complications. If complications do occur, they may include:
• Bleeding.
• Thrombophlebitis: Blood clots in the vein of the leg cause inflammation of the vein.
• Chronic venous insufficiency – the skin does not exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste products with the blood properly because the blood flow is weak. Chronic venous insufficiency is not caused by varicose veins, but the two entities are closely related.
People with chronic venous insufficiency may develop varicose eczema, lipodermatosclerosis (hard and tight skin), and venous ulcers. Venous ulcers classically form around ankles and are often preceded by a discolored area. It is important to get medical evaluation for chronic venous insufficiency.

Pregnancy and varicose veins
Women are much more likely to develop varicose veins during their pregnancy than at any other time in their lives. Pregnant women have much more blood in their body; this places extra pressure on the circulatory system.
Additionally, changes in hormone levels can lead to a relaxation of the blood vessel walls. Both these factors raise the risk of having varicose veins.
As the uterus (womb) grows, there is more pressure on the veins in the mother’s pelvic area. In the majority of cases, the varicose veins go away after the pregnancy is over; this is not always the case, and sometimes, even if the varicose veins improve, there may be some left visible.

Home remedies
Measures can be taken at home to improve pain and prevent varicose veins from worsening.
These include:
• exercising
• losing weight
• raising the legs
• avoiding prolonged standing or sitting
There are also many over-the-counter natural treatments, usually topical creams and emollients.
These can help soothe pain, and improve comfort and they may improve the general appearance of varicose veins.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings squeeze the patient’s legs and improve circulation.
They work are tight around the ankles and loose further up the leg. In this way, compression stockings encourage proper blood flow upwards, against gravity and back towards the heart.
Compression stockings may help with discomfort, pain, and swelling, but research has not confirmed whether they stop the varicose veins from worsening, or even prevent them. Studies have had mixed and conflicting results.
The stockings make some people’s skin dry and flaky. If this happens, it is important to tell a doctor.

Prevention
To reduce the risk of developing varicose veins:
• get plenty of exercise, for example, walking
• maintain a healthy weight
• avoid standing still for too long
• do not sit with the legs crossed
• sit or sleep with your feet raised on a pillow
Anyone who has to stand for their job should try to move around at least once every 30 minutes.

Diagnosis
A physical examination, mainly visual, by a doctor will decide whether or not a patient has varicose veins. The patient will be asked to stand while the doctor checks for signs of swelling.
The following diagnostic tests are sometimes ordered:
• Doppler test: An ultrasound scan to check the direction of blood flow in the veins. This test also checks for blood clots or obstructions in the veins.
• Color duplex ultrasound scan: This provides color images of the structure of veins, which helps the doctor identify any abnormalities. It can also measure the speed of blood flow.
The patient may also be asked questions about the symptoms. In some cases, a doctor might refer the patient to a vascular specialist.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR VARICOSE VEINS:
1. HAMAMMALIS VIRGINICA for Varicose Veins:

– Tiredness or aching in the legs.
– A tense feeling in the legs.
– Varicose ulcers with stinging and pricking pain.

2. PULSATILLA for Varicose Veins:

– Presence of painful varicose veins.
– A tensed and drawing sensation in the legs.
– A cramping sensation in the legs.

3. CALCAREA FLOUR for Varicose Veins:

– Presence of hard varicose veins.
– Presence of knotty varicose veins.
– Dry, cracked skin on the legs.

4.CALCAREA CARBONICA:
– for varicose veins that are painless and appear only as prominent veins on the legs.
– Burning sensation in veins.
-coldness in feet, excessive sweat on feet (sour smelling)

You can also watch our video & share with your loved ones to help them remain healthy.

#veins #fitness #healthmindset #vascular #varicoseveins #workout #spiderveins #homeopathy #motivation #veintreatment #muscle #health #legs #fitnessmotivation #homepathicmedicines #muscles #spiderveintreatment #healthylegs #varicoseveintreatment #yoga #exercise #tathyahomeoclinic🌱