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In severe cases, varicose veins may break, or open sores (called “ulcers”) may form on the skin.
A vein is a normal part of the circulatory system.
Veins can bulge with pools of blood when they do not circulate blood properly. These visible and bulging veins, called varicose veins, are often associated with symptoms such as tired, heavy, or aching limbs.
Varicose veins are unsightly and uncomfortable veins (most often in the legs) that have become twisted or enlarged, preventing proper blood flow to the extremities and forcing your cardiovascular system to work harder to achieve unidirectional blood flow.
As people age, or if they have professions that make them stand for long periods, veins can often become entangled in this way, which prevents the normal veins of our veins from directing blood in one direction.
When blood begins to flow in opposite directions, it can become excruciating, whether standing or not.
Although varicose veins rarely result in life-threatening complications, they can still manifest as swelling of the legs, edema, venous eczema, thickening of the skin, and visible venous knots in the legs or affected area.
While this condition most often affects the legs, since that is where the body must work harder to overcome gravity and pump blood back to the chest, it can also occur in other parts of the body.
What are spider veins?
These may look like short, thin lines, “stellar explosion” groups, or a network-shaped maze. Family history can also increase the tendency to develop varicose veins and spider veins.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Symptoms of varicose veins include pain in the legs, swollen ankles or knees, unexplained fatigue in the legs, slow healing in minor wounds or cuts in the legs, cramping, and discoloration or irritation of the skin on the calves or feet.
If you think you are suffering from varicose veins, some hospital treatments can alleviate some symptoms. Still, they are often temporary, costly, and, as with all surgeries, they carry a certain degree of risk.
In contrast, dozens of herbal remedies have been developed, tested, and used for years to eliminate varicose veins, treat their symptoms, or keep them under control healthily and effectively.
Causes
Less frequently, varicose veins are caused by diseases such as phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) or congenital anomalies of the veins.
Venous disease is usually progressive and can not be prevented entirely.
Can varicose veins be cured?
The answer to the question in the title of this article is either “No” or “Yes.” Fortunately, the good news far outweighs the bad news.
Technically, varicose veins can not be cured in “repaired.” The condition that causes them, chronic venous insufficiency or chronic venous insufficiency, permanently damages the tiny valves that control the blood flow.
Nowadays, even considering the wonders of modern endoscopic surgery, there is no way to enter these veins with a tiny scalpel and repair or replace them in the same way you could repair the defective valve of a water pump.
Similarly, there is currently no proven “natural” or pharmaceutical form to chemically reverse the damage caused by chronic venous insufficiency. Veins that have become varicose due to chronic venous insufficiency have been damaged. Then, the answer to the bad news is “no.”
Fortunately, there is no need for microsurgery to “fix” the varicose veins. It is faster, easier, safer, and more efficient to eliminate them. Then, the answer of the good news is “Yes”.
Is treatment always necessary?
Severe cases of varicose veins, especially those involving ulcers, usually require treatment.
Advertisements to treat venous disease often tout “unique,” “permanent,” “painless,” or “absolutely safe” methods, making it challenging to decide on the best treatment. Check with a treating doctor if you are not entirely sure.
Procedures available to treat varicose veins and spider veins
Varicose veins are often treated by removing “bad” veins.
Various methods can be used to eliminate problematic veins, which include, more frequently, surgery to close or eliminate them or sclerotherapy (injection of irritants in the vein of the problem to irritate the lining of the vein and close them).
Varicose veins: a general description of the treatment:
The goals of varicose vein treatment are to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. For some, the goal may be an improved appearance.
Procedures or surgery can treat varicose veins if treatment at home does not help. These include:
Laser treatment: laser energy is used to heal and destroy varicose veins; the laser is used outside of your skin. Endovenous laser therapy uses a laser fiber inserted into the vein.
Ligation and stripping: the incisions are made on the varicose veins, and the vein is tied and removed.
Phlebectomy: several minor cuts are made in the skin through which the varicose veins are removed.
Radiofrequency: Radiofrequency energy is used inside the vein to heal and close it. It can be used to close a large varicose vein in the leg.
Sclerotherapy: a chemical (sclerosing) is injected into a varicose vein to damage and heal the inner lining of the vein, causing the vein to close. This generally works best for small veins.
In some cases, a combination of treatments may work better.
Varicose veins and smaller spider veins are usually treated with sclerotherapy or laser therapy on the skin.
Less frequently, laser or electrocautery treatments have been used to treat smaller spider veins, especially on the face.
Surgery to treat varicose veins, commonly known as “extraction,” is usually done under local or partial anesthesia, such as an epidural.
In the time of his mother or grandmother, the only way to remove the veins damaged by chronic venous insufficiency was a surgical process called “vein extraction,” and it was as onerous as its name suggests.
It involves hospitals and general anesthesia, and the recovery time after a procedure of this type is long and painful.
Nowadays, “vein extraction” is rarely done due to the advances above in endoscopic surgery.
Varicose veins surgery:
Surgical removal or obliteration of varicose veins is usually for cosmetic reasons only.
Non-cosmetological indications include the treatment of symptomatic varicosities (e.g., pain, fatigability, heaviness, recurrent superficial thrombophlebitis, hemorrhage).
Also, the treatment of venous hypertension after skin or subcutaneous changes have developed (e.g., Lipodermatosclerosis, white atrophy, ulceration, or hyperpigmentation).
Conservative treatment with means and external compression is an acceptable alternative to surgery, but worsening the cutaneous findings or symptoms despite these measures generally justifies the intervention.
However, a patient’s desire for surgical treatment over conservative treatment or cosmetic purposes are only two reasonable indications for surgery.
Patients with venous outflow obstruction should not have their varices ablated, as they are essential bypass routes that allow blood to flow around the obstruction.
Patients who can not remain active enough to reduce the risk of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should not undergo surgery.
Surgery during pregnancy is contraindicated because many pregnancy varicose veins regress spontaneously after delivery.
The management of varicose veins has evolved over the centuries and will continue to do so. Less invasive techniques continue to be refined, but long-term efficacy should always be questioned and compared with the criterion standard of surgical splenectomy.
For some people, a combination of treatments may work better. Varicose veins and smaller spider veins are usually treated with laser therapy on the skin or sclerotherapy.
Should I have a surgical procedure?
If you are thinking about having a vein treatment, you may want to know what treatment is best. No single approach is the best to treat all varicose veins. Talk to your treating doctor about your choice.
If you are thinking about a procedure or surgery, consider asking some questions about the treatment. These questions may include: How much experience does the doctor have with the particular treatment?
Is it safe to remove the veins?
Patients are concerned that the removal of varicose or spider veins will cause problems with their health or that they may cause a problem later in life. We are pleased to inform you that this is not the case.
Will I need these veins?
If you have varicose veins or spider veins, these are veins that do not work correctly and are affecting your circulation. These damaged veins act as reservoirs, containing blood instead of moving it for proper circulation.
The answer is no; they are not necessary because they do not work correctly. Instead, these veins represent a risk to your health.
How can circulation improve if these veins are removed?
The veins allow the blood to flow in the wrong direction, and then the nearby veins increase the workload. The surrounding veins now work to move the blood effectively to the heart. When the unhealthy or damaged veins are removed, the surrounding veins are freed of the additional load.
What are the benefits of removing veins?
The removal of varicose veins or spider veins has many benefits. By removing the veins that work improperly, the pressure on your venous system will decrease and return to normal. The treatment also relieves symptoms related to unhealthy veins. These may include:
- Itchy legs
- Rash, discoloration of the skin, and scars.
- Swelling of ankles.
- Heaviness and fatigue of the leg.
- Cramps or pain in both legs.
Remember that surgery for varicose veins performed only for aesthetic reasons (i.e., that is not medically necessary) is generally not covered by insurance.
Spider veins can not be removed by surgery. The vein becomes scar tissue that disappears. Some doctors treat both varicose veins and spider veins with sclerotherapy.
In most cases, more than one treatment session will be required.
What kind of doctors provides treatments for varicose veins and spider veins?
The doctors who provide surgical treatment include general and vascular surgeons and dermatological surgeons. Dermatologists often perform sclerotherapy.
You may want to consult more than one doctor before deciding on a treatment method. Be sure to ask the doctors about your experience performing the procedure you want.
Do these treatments have side effects?
Ask caregivers carefully about each type of treatment’s safety and side effects. Thoroughly review any informed consent forms your doctor gives you explaining the procedure’s risks.
The surgery also produces scars when small incisions are made and can occasionally cause blood clots.
Occasionally, sclerotherapy can cause blood clots and the formation of new vessels. Laser treatments and electrocautery can cause scars and changes in skin color.
Natural treatment of varicose veins
Varicose veins are visible veins that may look dark purple or blue and are commonly found on the legs and feet.
The following is a list of natural treatments for varicose veins, including herbal remedies and essential oils.
Home remedies for varicose veins:
Compression socks:
The use of compression stockings is a proven remedy for varicose veins. These stockings compress the veins consistently, which helps the valves to prevent backflow more efficiently.
Lifestyle changes:
A series of lifestyle habits can aggravate varicose veins, such as standing for long periods of time, impact or sports exercises, being overweight, wearing high heels, and a sedentary lifestyle where you do not walk or move your legs for periods of 30 minutes or more, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
All these habits slow down circulation throughout the body.
Eliminate or change some of these lifestyle factors, and you will see a definite improvement in the symptoms of your chickenpox.
Dietary support:
It is known that vitamin B complex deficiency such as B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin) increases homocysteine levels, known to damage the lining of blood vessels and increase the risk of thrombosis and varicose veins.
Alcohol is also known to increase homocysteine levels.
Increasing the activity:
By becoming more active, the contraction of the muscles helps the blood return to the heart. Gravity is also dragging us to the ground; this includes our blood.
Apple cider vinegar:
Considered a natural body cleanser, apple cider vinegar on the skin can be an excellent treatment for varicose veins. Undiluted apple cider vinegar helps improve blood flow and circulation.
This can be achieved by gently massaging the apple cider vinegar over the varicose veins before bedtime and in the mornings. After a few months, they should be reduced in size.
Grape seed oil:
Grapeseed is a potent type of natural oil that has been used for a long time to relieve inflammation and muscle pain when applied topically.
Grape seed extract can also be consumed, but the unpleasant taste often makes people prefer the topical application of the oil.
The proanthocyanins contained in the oil can strengthen the capillary walls and resist degradation while reducing inflammation and even promoting a healthy blood flow to the extremities.
Cayenne pepper:
A popular spice rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, cayenne pepper is an excellent treatment for varicose veins. Drink a mixture three times a day for one or two months to increase blood circulation and relieve pain and swollen veins.
Herbal remedies for varicose veins:
Castaño de Indias:
Ancient treatment for varicose veins, horse chestnut seeds have anti-inflammatory properties. This can successfully increase the “venous tone” and reduce the appearance of varicose veins.
This herbal remedy can be used externally on the skin or consumed in the form of a supplement.
It is essential to remember that taking raw horse chestnut can be toxic and is not recommended, especially in pregnant or lactating women.
Pine bark extract:
Containing many phenolic acids, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins, pine bark extract has many beneficial effects, including visible reduction of varicose veins.
It has been shown that taking this herb orally strengthens the walls of blood vessels and restores elasticity by binding with collagen, a structural protein in cells.
The extract of pine bark can also reduce blood pressure and improve blood circulation, helping to relieve symptoms of varicose veins.
Marigold of Damascus:
This aesthetically pleasing flower has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation and pain. It is also known to promote collagen formation in the skin, restoring its natural texture.
This herb also has antimicrobial properties and promotes blood circulation. You can boil a cup of calendula flowers in four cups of water for five minutes, then soak a cotton cloth in the solution and place it on the affected area.
Gothic Cola:
Also known by the name Indian Pennywort, this herb originates in the East and has been a popular remedy for varicose veins for thousands of years in India. It helps reduce vein leakage and decreases inflammation and water retention.
The topical use of this herb on the skin increases blood flow to the area, which helps heal wounds, ulcers, and dermatitis.
Hamamelis:
It contains gallic acid and other essential oils that help reduce swelling and pain.
Witch hazel can be used by soaking a cloth in the solution and placing it on the affected area.
it:
As another apparent panacea, garlic can break down toxins in the body and stimulate their release and reduce inflammation and increase healthy circulation throughout the body.
Adding garlic to your diet or regularly applying a garlic paste to varicose veins can quickly reduce your appearance and discomfort.
Arnica:
A popular homeopathic medicine for relieving the pains and discomfort of varicose veins. Arnica contains several compounds that help reduce inflammation, pain, and inflammation.
Essential oils for varicose veins:
Home remedies to treat varicose veins do not have to be exclusive to herbal medications since essential oils may also provide some benefit.
The active ingredients found in essential oils can help combat the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins. The following are some examples:
Chamomile oil: helps relieve the heaviness and discomfort produced by the throbbing veins.
Massaging this oil on the legs before going to bed can help relieve pain.
Helichrysum oil: has anticoagulant and anesthetic properties that help prevent the formation of blood clots due to stagnant blood in the dilated veins. Applying this oil topically can help relieve pain and swelling.
Lavender and rosemary oils: these two essential oils have anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties.
