Varicose Veins

Thin-walled vessels through which the impure blood is carried back to the heart are known as veins. They usually have valves, which regulate the flow of blood towards the heart. Varicose veins are a condition in which veins become enlarged, dilated or thickened. Varicose veins can occur in any part of the body but generally appear on the legs. The veins of the legs are the largest in the body and they carry the blood from the lower extremities upwards towards the heart. The direction of circulation in these vessels is largely determined by gravity. Though there are no mechanical obstacles to blood-flow, it is usually the incompetence of the valve which leads to an increase in intervenous pressure.

Varicose veins are dangerous and have an unsightly appearance. Varicose Veins are the dilated and knotted veins, particularly at the back of the legs. A blood clot within a large, greatly dilated vein may break away and move toward the heart and lungs, causing serious complications. Varicose veins are about thrice as common an occurrence in women as in men, both in the middle age or elderly people. In rural undeveloped societies this disease is very rare.

Swelling along the course of the veins is the first symptom of varicose veins. Muscular cramps and a feeling of tiredness in the legs behind the knees may follow this. In some cases, the normal flow of blood towards the heart may be reversed when the patient is in an upright position. This results in venous blood collecting in the lower part of the legs and the skin becomes purplish and pigmented, leading to what is known as varicose eczema or varicose ulcers. Both conditions cause severe pain.

A varicose condition of the veins results from sluggish circulation due to various factors such as constipation, dietetic errors, lack of exercise and smoking. Standing for long periods and wearing tight clothing can also lead to sluggish circulation. Pregnancy may cause varicose veins due to increased pressure in the pelvis and abdomen, which slows down the flow of blood from the lower extremities to the heart. Women usually suffer from this condition in the early years of childbearing. Varicose veins can also be caused by obesity.

Diet Therapy for Varicose Veins : In the natural remedy for varicose veins, the patients should, in the commencement of the treatment.

• They should be put on a juice fast for 4-5 days or on all-fruit diet for 7-10 days.
• A lukewarm water enema should be administered on a daily basis during this phase to cleanse the bowels and measures should be taken to keep away from constipation.
• After the juice fast or all the fruit diet, the patient should take on a restricted diet plan. In this course of therapy, oranges or orange and lemon juice may be taken for breakfast.
• The midday meal may consist of a raw salad or any of the vegetables in the season with olive oil and lemon juice dressing.
• Steamed vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, turnips, cauliflower, carrots, and raisins, figs or dates may be taken in the evening.
• Subsequent to the restricted diet, the patient may little by little embark upon a well balanced diet with emphasis on grains, seeds, nuts, vegetables and fruits.
• A short fast or the all fruit diet for 2 or 3 days may be undertaken every month, depending on the improvement.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins : Raw vegetables juices, chiefly carrot juice in combination with spinach juice, have proved extremely advantageous in the treatment of varicose veins. Certain nutrients, in particular vitamin E and C have also been found effective in the treatment of this disease.

No bread or potatoes or other starchy food should be included in this diet, or otherwise the whole effect of the diet will be lost. All condiments, alcoholic drinks, coffee, strong tea, white flour products, white sugar and white sugar products should be firmly avoided.

Water Treatments for Varicose Veins : 1. The alternate hot and cold hip bath is very valuable and should be taken on a daily basis.
2. The affected parts should be sprayed with cold water or cold packs should be applied to them.
3. A mud pack may be applied at night and allowed to remain until morning.
4. A hot Epsom salt bath is also very valuable and should be taken twice a week.

Treatment of Varicose Veins by Aromatherapy : Mix 2 drops each cypress, lime and marigold in 30ml (1fl oz/6 tsps) sweet almond oil and apply it to the affected areas.

Varicose Vein is a condition in which veins becomes permanently enlarged, twisted and painful, mostly in the legs. This may be caused when the valves in the veins do not work properly or there is any kind of weakness in the wall of the veins. There are many other reasons for the varicose veins like pregnancy, obesity or overweight, big belly, constipation etc. The people, who have to stand for long time throughout the day, also have the possibility of developing varicose veins.

Varicose Vein demands a very subtle massage where the kneading type is not possible. The special oils like sesame oil, narayana oil, bala oil etc. The affected part is rubbed with great caution so that no pressure is exerted on the affected part. The massaging should start from foot to groin region and not backwards. Along with the external massage therapy certain drugs like shatavari, ashwagandha etc are also applied to cure varicose veins.

There are also certain other remedies like wearing of socks, keeping foot raised while sleeping that give relief in varicose veins. Certain elastics are also available in the market as bandages that can be tied at the affected parts. However each time a treatment is done physician`s advice is recommended.

For mild and moderate varicose veins, suitable yoga asanas and other yogic practices may be selected. Inverted poses like viparitakarani are immensely helpful and so are the poses like Sarvangasana, Tadasana, Paschimottanasana, Pavana muktasana, Janushirasana, Gomukhasana, Vajrasana, Supta Vajrasana, Sashankasana, Savasana and Shirshasana. These are most helpful asanas provided they are performed under proper guidance and the patient should not have other health problems, like, hypertension and cervical spondylitis. Sun salutations are also beneficial. Patients suffering from varicose veins should avoid standing for long time and whilst walking they should put their heel first on the ground and then the toes. At night it is advisable that they keep their legs elevated with the support of a pillow to drain the accumulated blood from the veins. During pregnancy one must sleep on the side to help the venous return by shifting the pressure on the inferior vena cava. Use of elastic pressure bandage or elastic stockings; exercises like walking and swimming also helps. Besides these stretching the legs alternately in sitting position helps in treating varicose veins. For people whose job involves sitting for a long time in a particular place, can use stools infront of their chairs to remove the pressure on the back of the thigh. During work they should move frequently within the working place to stimulate the venous return. Diet also plays on important part of yogic treatments. Simple vegetarian diet without much spice is recommended for patients suffering from varicose veins. The Yoga asanas prescribed above should be strictly performed under the supervision of an experienced Yoga teacher.