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Varicose
Veins
Varicose Veins are often mistakenly
believed to be a cosmetic problem. The fact is, Varicose Veins is very
much a disease - one with cosmetic manifestations and often little pain,
but a disease nonetheless. Endeavor to manage this disease instead of just
shrugging it off saying "I wear saris/salwar kameezes/trousers all the
time anyway. Who's going to see my legs?"
Thankfully, Varicose Veins is not
a fatal disease; not by any standards, so you needn't panic. Medical treatment
is not required unless you develop clots, or if they rupture. Ruptured
veins are far more dangerous than clots. Once a vein ruptures, it leads
to internal bleeding, causing heavy blood loss. So the minute this happens
you should take measures to first control the bleeding, and then head for
the doctor. Varicose Veins that are close to the ankles have a tendency
to rupture.
What is a clot?
Clots are usually crimson in colour,
lumpy, and painful to the touch. While clots don't require urgent medical
attention, you should definitely make it a point to show them to your physician.
What are varicose
veins?
As blood rushes through our legs,
the veins send it back to the heart. However, over a period of time, due
to the force of gravity, the veins lose their ability to push the blood
upwards, causing the blood to settle down in certain areas of the veins.
This condition is known as varicose veins.
What causes varicose
veins?
More women suffer from varicose veins
than men do. There are a number of reasons varicose veins may form,
including:
-
Standing for extended periods of time
-
Obesity
-
Pregnancy
-
Hereditary factors (if your mother had
varicose veins, there is a likelihood you will too!)
-
Hormonal changes experienced during
menopause
-
History of previous vein diseases
Can you reduce
varicose veins?
There are various injection therapies
available to cure varicose veins, but you can also opt for the natural
route, which has long-term benefits. Injections or surgical therapies have
only temporary benefits, and more varicose veins will soon crop up. Here's
what you can do to reduce, cure, and prevent this condition.
-
Keep your weight down.
-
Go for brisk walks or jogs. This strengthens
the legs, and the leg veins.
-
Eat fibre-rich food such as chapattis,
whole wheat bread, vegetables and fruits. Avoid refined foods such as maida
and pastas.
-
When lying down, keep your legs at a
higher position than the rest of your body. Sleeping in this position is
extremely beneficial, as you will be in this position for around 7-8 hours
at a stretch. If you have heart troubles, check with your doctor before
sleeping the entire night with your feet raised.
-
If you do the sarvangasan daily, you
are sure to never develop varicose veins. Lie down on your back with your
head near a wall, so you can use it as support for your legs. Lift your
legs up into the air, until your feet touch the wall behind you. Support
your waist with your hands, elbows resting on the floor. Straighten your
legs so they are no longer touching the wall, and your feet and hips form
a straight line parallel to the wall. Stretch as high up as you possibly
can. Alternatively, simply lift your legs, resting them on the wall, so
your body forms a right angle. Breath through your stomach, expanding it
while breathing in, and contracting it while breathing out.
-
If you are going for a long drive, stop
the car, get out, and stretch your legs every hour. Similarly, when
flying, opt for the aisle seat so you can get up and stretch your legs
every half and hour to 45 minutes.
-
Eat less salt.
-
Invest in elastic support stockings.
They really do help. The veins closest to the skin of the legs are generally
the weakest, which is why varicose veins form near the surface. Support
stockings force the blood to the inner, stronger veins, which are easily
able to push the blood upwards.
-
Don't wear tight clothing, restricted
clothing below waist level, as the veins would have to work harder to push
blood upwards.
-
Take regular health precautions such
as don't smoke, avoid excessive intake of alcohol, exercise regularly and
eat a healthy diet.
If the pain becomes too much, don't
mask it by taking painkillers. Try changing your lifestyle. Adhere to the
tips mentioned above, and you will find a world of difference.
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