Varicose Veins: Causes, Remedies, and Prevention

La varicose vein, also called varicose vein, is a permanent and visible dilation of a vein with an alteration of its walls. This pathology, which apart from the aesthetic damage It causes many problems for the circulatory system and can be counteracted with some very effective natural remedies (for example walk up the stairs or use hydrotherapy) and avoided with simple preventive exercises (first of all avoiding being overweight and even less obesity). varicose veins They're not just an aesthetic problem, with those bluish and purple spots that swell the legs and thighs, and a feeling of tiredness that accompanies movement. Those with varicose veins, it's important to say clearly and without unnecessary alarmism, have a real problem. disease with an aesthetic component. Blood doesn't flow as well, movement becomes laborious, and the vein dilates and stretches. Of this disease, which has many causes, from poor nutrition to a sedentary lifestyle, from obesity to a difficult pregnancy, one in two women suffers from it, while in men the condition affects only one in ten. But how can varicose veins be prevented? And how can they be treated with natural remedies, not just drug therapy?

Index of topics

Cause

Le varicose veins they hit the majority womenthat I am more exposed to this pathology. Among the most common causes and risk factors are:

Too sedentary a life
Pregnancy, especially if complex
Hormonal changes
Familiarity
Jobs that require you to stand for several hours
Overweight or obesity
Constipation

Symptoms

With the onset of this disease, the veins take on a blue or purple color, and may even become protruding. Then there are other very clear symptoms:

A feeling of soreness and heaviness in the legs
itch in the varicose vein area
Swelling of the legs associated with a burning sensation
Swollen ankles
Pain that worsens when sitting
Night cramps
Feeling cold
Tingling and possibly more serious capillaries
In more severe cases, dark spots on the skin, scar-like lesions and ulcers also appear

Diagnosis

Diagnosing varicose veins is achieved simply through a thorough examination of the legs. There is also an ultrasound test, venous color Doppler ultrasound, which allows for a detailed examination of the veins. Doctors recommend it, and never do it yourself, only in the presence of major varicose veins with a view to possible removal surgery.

Cure

To treat varicose veins naturally, when possible, you need to range from some essential oils to the right nutrition, to hydrotherapysmoking cessationThere are also some treatments, based on drugs and laser surgery, for more severe cases of varicose veins. But you should always discuss these with your doctor before making any decisions. And before more specific treatments, there are a number of useful and effective natural remedies to consider.

Remedies

Walking stairs and yogaThe best form of prevention for varicose veins is to always take the stairs on foot. This is an ideal exercise for properly dilating the veins and for improving the overall blood circulation. Yoga is ideal for exercise. And try to make the following exercise frequent: lie on your back, rest your feet on a chair, and breathe slowly and evenly with your diaphragm, through your nose.
Keep your feet upVaricose veins are weakened veins that no longer have the strength to push blood back to the heart. The veins in the legs are the most vulnerable to this problem because they are the furthest and lowest from the heart. You can make their job easier by letting gravity work for you. It's easy. Lie on a sofa or some cushions and raise your legs above hip level whenever they hurt. This should help the discomfort begin to go away.
Put on some reinforced socksYou can get some relief with graduated compression stockings. These stockings, which are available in pharmacies, counteract the tendency of blood to pool in the capillaries closest to the skin. Instead, the blood is pushed into the larger, deeper veins, where it is pumped back to the heart more easily. Once you've put on the reinforced stockingsLie on your back and raise your legs vertically, resting them against a wall. Hold the position for two minutes. This allows the blood to flow from the swollen veins back to the heart. Repeat the exercise several times throughout the day, preferably as often as needed.
Raise the bedYou can also let gravity work for you during the night by raising your bed several inches at the foot of your head. If you have a history of heart problems or have difficulty breathing at night, it's best to consult a doctor before raising your bed.
Put on some comfortable shoesVaricose veins are already uncomfortable enough for your legs. Don't create further problems by wearing high heels or boots. Wear comfortable shoes and support stockings, and avoid tight clothing that can act like tourniquets and cause blood to pool in your veins.
Pay attention to your weightExcess weight puts more pressure on the legs, and pregnant women are more susceptible to varicose veins. Keep your weight under control and your veins will be less likely to become strained.
Natural remediesWe'll line them up as possible choices: horse chestnut, butcher's broom, gotu kola, ginkgo, red vine, blueberry. And essential oil of mastic and cypress.
Apple cider vinegarIt's one of the oldest and sometimes effective remedies: put apple cider vinegar on a gauze and massage the swollen area of the veins for at least half an hour. Then evaluate the possible benefits.
Don't smokeThere is a correlation between smoking and the incidence of varicose veins. Smoking can be a risk factor for people suffering from varicose veins.
Take a walkSitting or standing for long periods can cause leg problems because blood tends to pool. A little movement throughout the day, especially walking, is a good way to prevent pooling. Sedentary adults are more likely to develop varicose veins than active adults.
HydrotherapyThe most effective is the method Kneipp, with a walk through pools with very different water temperatures: very hot, then gradually, very cold, and vice versa.
The right diet. A diet that gives a lot of space to healthy foods certainly helps, even to keep your weight in shape. fruit and vegetables, or antioxidant products. For those who suffer from varicose veins, however, they are avoid alcohol and fried foods.
Don't hide the problem with painkillersMuch of the discomfort and tightness of varicose veins can be masked by painkillers. But don't do that. You can't address varicose veins simply by eliminating the pain. If you've followed all the tips on this list and nothing has worked, seek medical help.

When should you worry?

In general, varicose veins are a disorder that can be resolved, or simply manage with good results, even with the discipline and natural remedies we talked about. When to worry? When the symptoms we've described worsen, ulcers can develop. In this case, it's essential to consult a doctor, specifically two specialists: an angiologist and, if necessary, a vascular surgeon.

Yoga and varicose veins

The breathing of the yoga It can be very effective for relieving pain related to varicose veins. There are no risks or contraindications. The simplest exercise is this: lie on your back and rest your feet on a chair. Breathe slowly and evenly with your diaphragm, through your nose. Repeat the exercise several times.

Sclerotherapy for varicose veins

La sclerotherapy It is an alternative treatment to surgery when varicose veins significantly compromise the patient's quality of life. It has three advantages: it is performed on an outpatient basis and therefore does not require hospitalization; it is safe; and it is quick to perform. The treatment involves injecting a special solution, called a sclerosing agent, into the varicose vein. This irritates the inner lining of the diseased veins, causing them to reabsorb, after a period of compression, through a slow process of fibrosis. The solution comes in the form of a foam, and the patient must wear elastic stockings or a bandage for 1-2 weeks after treatment.

Prevention

Varicose veins, especially if there is a risk factor risk related to heredity, are addressed first and foremost with prevention, and it really doesn't take much. In particular:

Do physical activity regularly, even just walk half an hour a day
Avoid wearing high heels
Alternate standing hours with sitting hours
Don't eat too much salt and choose foods rich in fiber.
Keep your weight under control
Eat foods rich in potassium, such as nuts, legumes, and vegetables.
Avoid to do too often hot baths or staying too long in very high temperatures. Dilation of blood vessels can contribute to the appearance of varicose veins.
Sleep with your legs at least 8 centimeters higher than your heart
Take hot and cold showers: the combined action, in rapid alternation, rehabilitates the microcirculation to normal vasoactive reflexes
Self-massage your legs

Varicose veins: causes, remedies, and prevention