My mother was suffering from varicose veins problems and I know how torturous it was. She used to feel embarrassing because she used to wrap her leg in some cloth, she used to also feel frustrating as she used to be in writhing pain and sometimes even blood used to ooze out from one of the veins. These veins were all bluish purple color, twisted and were all gathered at one place and finally she had to get operated as the oozing blood was unstoppable and the pain was worse. Mostly varicose veins trouble adults above 50 and it is more common in women.
Do you know what are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged, dilated, swollen twisted veins which are overfilled with blood & they usually appear on the legs and feet. They are even called spider veins because they form a web like appearance especially in lower limb, calf and ankle.
There are many reason for the formation of varicose veins & the main reason is physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyle. They are also caused by fatigue, sitting at desk for long hours, long standing at one place, weight bearing activities or long walks. Alongwith some diet habits like eating lot of curds or drinking lassi, eating heavy non-veg foods, junk food, fried food, aerated drinks also cause Varicose veins.
How are varicose veins formed?
The function of the heart is to pump blood into the arteries by the way of filling or relaxing and ejecting or contracting. The aorta in the heart which is connected to the arteries experience pressure 80mmHg during filling and 120mmHg during ejection or contraction. Then the blood flows through vessels then to small & thin walled capillaries where there is exchange of gas with the occurring tissues. After the blood flows through capillaries it moves to the veins and after a series of this process it finally flows back to heart. In this process blood is transporting oxygen to various organs, tissues & cells.
The valves located along the blood vessels regulate the blood flow in the desired direction. But if these valves do not function properly then the blood does not go in the proper direction and will not move back to the heart causing dilated, swollen veins. These veins are closer to the surface of the skin surround by muscles which help them deliver blood. When the valves being to weaken these veins are more likely to develop varicose veins.
Varicose veins can be caused in
- older people
- pregnant ladies
- hormonal changes
- Excess weight
- Genetics
- Weak veins
What are the symptoms of Varicose veins?
- Highly visible discoloration of the veins on your legs
- Web like collections of the veins
- Heaviness, numbness feeling in the legs
- Severe pain in the lower legs
- Regular muscle cramps, swelling in the legs
- In severe cases blood oozing out of the veins.
Ways for combating Varicose veins
- Regular exercise as per your age –
- Sleep on your back, lift your leg in the air and bend them at the knees and pedal your leg as if you are cycling.
- Sleep on your back, slowly lift your one leg, let it remain in the air for some time so that the blood runs down your leg, Repeat the same procedure with the other leg.
- Stand straight, keep your feet slightly apart and slowly raise yourself on your toes, pause for sometime now lower down and repeat the same procedure.
- Walking is the best exercise. Daily walk for 230-30 mins.
- Wear compression stocking which might help reduce pain, cramping, swelling etc.
Lifestyle changes:
- Loose weight if you are overweight
- Avoid standing for extended period.
- Walk in-between your work if sitting for long time.
- Eat fibrous food, berries, Apples, grapes, cherries
- Drink lot of water
- Avoid junk food
What are the home remedies on Varicose veins
There are various herbs which can help in the treatment of Varicose veins
- Gotukola or Mandukparni: It helps to balance the three doshas of the body and support healthy circulation and metabolism.
- Turmeric or Cucumin: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties which helps to relieve pain and swelling
- Triphala made of Amla, Baheda & Harde: Has all the properties of these 3 herbs helps in healthy digestion, detoxification. Keep the body light and active
- Manjishtha: Has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. Detoxifies the blood & is used in high pitta conditions and blood vitiation due to Pitta.
- Guduchi: Has immune boosting, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. Helps in relieving pain and healing wound.
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