Do you find any swelling or dark veins visible on the leg surface? While pressing them, do you experience any kind of pain? If so, it could be varicose, and you can easily manage it from the comfort of your home.
Before knowing the home treatments of varicose, let us first understand its causes and symptoms.
What is a varicose vein?
Varicose means swelling or twisting of veins, which results from poor circulation of blood. Due to widening and bulging, it can be seen on the surface of the skin, commonly in the legs.
The veins become weaker due to increased pressure. This happens when the blood, instead of flowing from the legs to the heart, begins to increase the pressure in the veins in the legs.
The valves that regulate the one-way flow of blood, become weak, resulting in disrupted functioning, leading to varicose veins. In many cases, the problem with varicose veins may be restricted only to cosmetic issues, with no other associated problem.
However, in some cases, the condition may turn painful, leading to complications like the formation of blood clots in the veins; or the veins may burst due to increased pressure, resulting in bleeding. In other cases, ulcers may develop in the skin near the affected veins, causing more damage to the veins.
Causes
Veins may become varicose when the pressure in the veins increases. This may occur when the veins lose elasticity, or when the one-way valves become weaker. Improper functioning of the one-way valves leads to the accumulation of blood in the vein, rather than redirecting it to the heart.
Some of the factors that may contribute to varicose veins may include the following:
- Aging may make the valves of the veins wear off, and veins become less elastic, leading to varicose veins.
- During pregnancy, women develop varicose veins. This occurs due to increased volume of blood, poor circulation to the legs, and increased weight on the legs.
- Women are particularly at higher risk of developing varicose veins due to hormonal changes that take place during various stages of life, like puberty, pregnancy, post-pregnancy, and menopause.
- Obese people are at higher risk of developing varicose veins due to more body weight exerting pressure on the legs.
- Activity or work that requires standing or sitting in the same position for a prolonged period may give rise to varicose veins. Being in the same position for a longer time interrupts the flow of blood to the veins, giving rise to varicose veins.
- Family history of varicose veins increases the chances of developing the disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The degree of signs and symptoms of varicose veins vary from person to person. Following are the symptoms and signs observed in varicose veins:
- Dark purple or blue-colored veins are visible on the surface of the skin.
- Veins may appear twisted and elevated, like cords.
- With the progression of the condition, the situation may become painful. The legs may pain upon standing for a longer period.
- Swelling may be seen in the lower legs (sometimes in the ankles) along with cramps, throbbing pain, or burning sensation.
- Legs may feel heavy, and muscular aches are experienced.
- Some individuals may feel itchiness around the veins, or veins may start bleeding.
- Over the years, the veins can become inflamed with blood clots forming in the affected vein.
- Varicose veins, if left unattended, may lead to serious problems like deep vein thrombosis.
Treatment
Most people with varicose veins do not need any specific treatment. Self-management and supportive aids that can help in easing the condition and its recovery are as follows:
Medicinal measures:
These include the use of certain herbal medicines that can be prepared at home and are known to be useful in treating varicose veins.
- Garlic: Garlic helps in easing the commonly seen symptoms of varicose veins such as swelling and burning sensation. It can be effective by consuming it orally as well as by applying garlic paste on the affected area directly.
- Witch hazel: This herb is highly effective in improving the tone and strength of the walls of the veins. Regular application of Witch Hazel tincture helps in preventing the varicose veins from progressing and the essential oils present in it helps with the swelling and pain caused due to the varicosities.
- Parsley: This wonder plant is full of antioxidants and vitamins (especially vitamin C) which help to boost the strength of the vein fibers and in repairing the damage that occurred within the varicose veins. Make a paste of parsley and apply it over the affected area and keep it lightly covered overnight so that all the ingredients are actively absorbed. One can add lemon juice to the parsley paste for better results.
Mechanical measures:
These include the use of non-medicinal measures to treat the varicose veins.
- Compression stockings: Wearing compression stockings help in distributing the pressure uniformly throughout the limb thus regulating the flow of blood and preventing further varicosities from developing.
- Posture: Avoid sitting crossed legs and always keep the legs elevated while sitting on a chair instead of letting them dangle downwards.
- If your work demands sitting or standing for long periods of time, one should take time out and make leg movements at regular intervals.
- Exercises: Regular walking helps to regulate the blood flow and also improves the tone of the muscles of the legs. Losing weight also helps in alleviating the symptoms of varicose veins in obese individuals.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes which may obstruct the flow of blood.
Looking for any quicker treatment without any side effects? Try PEMF treatment.
PEMF therapy
Just treating the symptoms may not work since it will be temporary. Unlike the above-listed methods, PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy heals the root cause of the condition.
To treat the varicose conditions, PEMF can enhance blood circulation and increase the oxygen levels in the area that creates discomfort. You can find a vast improvement within a lesser duration.
Nowadays, you don’t have to visit the physiotherapy or chiropractor clinic to undergo PEMF therapy. Buy a portable PEMF machine-like Sentient Element and use it anywhere, anytime. Just set up the PEMF device, fix the frequency limit, and switch it on.
Even the renowned website MedicalNewsToday has also mentioned Sentient Element as one of the best PEMF Devices to manage ailments.
