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Varicose Veins-When Did I Get Those? Are you suffering from?
Veins that are bluish purple and appear raised and gnarled
Aching, heaviness or pain in your legs
Swelling of the legs and feet
Legs feel worse after sitting or standing for a prolonged time
Veins that can become swollen, red, or tender and warm to the touch
You might have varicose veins or “spider-veins”.
Over 60 percent of people in the United States have them and women,
especially those over 40, are more likely to develop them as well.
What are the causes?
In short, varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels that
are close to the skin’s surface. Veins carry blood from all over
the body back to the heart and they have small one-way valves to ensure
that blood flows towards the heart and not backwards. In some people,
these valves become weakened and blood collects in the veins, causing
them to abnormally enlarge. This is a varicose vein.
Varicose veins are most commonly found on the legs, because veins here
have the hardest task of having to work against gravity. They can
be associated with the development of phlebitis (inflamed vein),
ulcers, open sores or thrombosis (clot).
On the other hand, spider veins occur when a small group of blood
vessels located close to the surface of the skin dilate. They're most
common on the face and legs and usually pose no major health threat.
Common causes for both varicose and spider veins include:
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause
- Being overweight as this increases the pressure on veins
- Prolonged sitting or standing as this restricts circulation and adds pressure on the vein
Treatments
Many people have found that varicose or spider veins can be reduced
with exercise and weight loss. Using herbals that strengthen the veins
and improve circulation have also been shown to be effective. Some
examples include:
Horse chestnut extract - The most effective herb for varicose veins,
horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) contains a compound called
aescin that tones veins, reduces permeability and minimizes swelling. A
typical dose range is 50 to 150 mg aescin per day.
CAUTION:
People with bleeding disorders, and those taking aspirin, coumadin, or
other blood thinning medications should not use horse chestnut.
Pregnant and nursing women should also avoid horse chestnut. Side
effects aren't common but may include allergic reactions, hives,
nausea, vomiting. kidney or liver damage and bleeding.
Grape seed extract and pine bark extract -
The extract of grape seeds (vitis vinifera) and pine bark both contain
proanthocyanidins, which strengthen the connective tissue structure of
blood vessels. A typical dose of grape seed extract is 150 to 300 mg
per day (it should not be confused with grapefruit seed extract).
Eating berries, red-purple grapes, and cherries can also help.
Butcher's broom - A plant
in the lily family, Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is also known as
box holly or knee holly. It contains ruscogenins, which are believed to
prevent inflammation and improve circulation.
CAUTION:
Butcher's broom should not be taken with these medications: alpha
blockers, such as Cardura or Hytrin, used for high blood pressure or
benign prostate hyperplasia, or MAO inhibitors such as Nardil, which
are used for depression.
When diet and exercise doesn’t seem to work, there are a number of
other treatments for varicose and spider veins that have brought recent
improvements.
- Sclerotherapy is
used to treat varicose veins. A solution is injected into the veins
that scars the veins and closes them. Then the veins usually fade. A
similar procedure called microsclerotherapy is used for spider veins.
These procedures can be done in the doctor’s office without anesthesia.
- Catheter-assisted procedures are usually used for larger varicose veins. These procedures use heat, blades or radio waves to destroy the vein and close it.
- Stripping involves
removing long veins using small incisions. Other veins in the leg will
replace the work done by the vein that has been removed. This procedure
can be done in the doctor’s office, but is sometimes done in the
hospital.
- Endoscopic vein surgery is used only in some cases and involves inserting a small camera into the vein and closing it.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy
removes smaller varicose veins with a series of tiny skin punctures.
This is an out patient procedure that requires local anesthesia.
- Laser surgery can be used for some leg veins and face vessels. High-intensity laser beams destroy the veins.
- Electrodessication seals off the veins using an electric current.
What are there side effects to the treatments?
Most side effects are temporary and can include swelling,
minor bruising, itching, redness and moderate soreness. Also, some
procedures produce scarring. Be sure to ask you doctor about these
issues.
These guidelines
are reasonable for healthy individuals. If you have any questions about
any of the advice given in this article, please contact your physician.
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