Any condition that puts excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen can lead to varicosity. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menopause may be responsible for the high proportion of varicosities among women. Dietary deficiencies or the loss of skin elasticity due to aging are the contributory factors. Prolonged standing or sitting, constipation, constructive clothing, lack of exercise, obesity, or repeated heavy lifting can interfere with normal circulation and can worsen existing varicosities.
Signs and Symptoms
Prominent dark blue blood vessels, especially in the legs and feet. (Bulging, rope-like, bluish veins indicate superficial varicose veins. Aching and heaviness in a limb, sometimes with swelling, but without any prominent or visible blue vein, after standing for any length of time may signal a deep varicose vein). Discolored, peeling skin; skin ulcers; and constant rather than intermittent pain are signs of severe varicose-veins.
Self-Help Guidelines
Surgery is often used to remove the unsightly damaged veins, by either stripping them out, or by tying or blocking them off, and thus allowing secondary channels of circulation to take over the load. However, this is not a permanent cure as there is a possibility of recurrence.
Herbal treatments, dietary changes and lifestyle modification appear to work by strengthening the walls of veins and other vessels. They primarily relieve symptoms of aching, heaviness, and swelling in the legs and ankles.
• Prefer whole foods diet with fresh fruits, including aamla, and citrus family fruits, making sure to nibble on the inside of the rinds, whole grains, especially, wheat and millet. To disperse build-up of a protein that makes skin near varicose veins hard and lumpy, try eating more garlic, onion, ginger, and pineapple, which contains bromelain, an enzyme that promotes break-up of fibrin. Eat plenty of fish and cut down on red meat as much as possible.
• It is beneficial to alternate between hot and cold baths. This is believed to stimulate circulation in the legs.
• Any program of regular exercise stimulates circulation, improves muscle tone, and helps prevent varicosities. Walking and swimming are considered excellent therapy, as are gentle leg-muscle stretches and utilizing a rocking chair while watching television. Start your morning with a brisk walk or finish your day with a swim or bicycle ride. Certain yogaasanas such as the Sarvangaasana, Halaasana, and Pawanmuktaasana series promote circulation and the drainage of blood from the legs.
• Regular massage can significantly alleviate discomfort associated with varicose veins. Never massage directly on varicose veins. For an additional benefit, you can apply Prasaarini tailam or Chandanabala laakshaadi tailam externally.
• Stop use of any tight clothing, especially if it constricts the waist area, and avoid use of high heel footwear, which stops normal muscle contraction in the lower leg, affecting circulation.
• Raise the foot of the bed by up to six inches (place wooden block under the feet). This is not uncomfortable and helps gravity to ease backpressure on the veins at night.
• Avoid standing still for lengthy periods. If your job requires you to be on your feet constantly, stretch and exercise your legs as often as possible to increase circulation and reduce pressure build-up. Use elasticized support hose if your job entails excessive standing, or when pregnant, or if you are overweight. This should support not just the calf, but also the entire thigh, and should be put on before getting out of bed. When sitting, do not cross legs as this restricts circulation. Try to have a footstool, which allows the feet to be, at least level with the hips and ideally higher. If you like to sit with your legs crossed, cross them at the ankles rather than the knees for better circulation.
• Quit smoking. It may contribute to high blood pressure, which can aggravate varicosity.
• Stop using contraceptive pills. If you are pregnant, sleep on your left side rather than on your back. This minimizes pressure of the uterus on the veins in your pelvic area. It also improves blood flow to the fetus.
Ayurvedic Remedies
Reasonably, well-documented treatment for venous insufficiency is the tropical creeper Brahmi. In practice, four weeks of treatment with Brahmi frequently produces welcomed benefits in the discomfort of chronic venous insufficiency. The usual dosage of Brahmi is 10 to 20 ml, two times a day. Zinc in the form of Jasad bhasma, assists healing and collagen formation and helps maintain proper concentration of vitamin E in blood. Punarnavaadi guggulu, Naagaarjunaabhra ras, Chandra prabhaa vati etc. are some of the popular prescribed medicines.