6 Home Remedies for Varicose Veins
Veins on the skin that produce swelling may indicate varicose veins. Varicose veins are a vein disorder, and their role is to return blood from the leg to the heart. The specific cause of varicose veins, a prevalent condition, is unknown. The patient's family history, prolonged sedentary job standing or sitting, pregnancy, and certain hormone changes can all contribute to the onset of this disease.
If you have varicose veins, you can use the following home varicose vein treatments to help control the condition and alleviate symptoms, but consult with the best vascular doctor first.
1. Massage
Gently rubbing the damaged areas can assist in keeping the blood moving through the veins. For optimal effects, a person should use gentle massage oils or moisturizers. However, pressing directly against the veins may harm sensitive tissues.
2. Exercise
Regular exercise improves blood circulation in the legs, which helps to move blood that has accumulated in the veins. Exercise also helps to lower blood pressure, which is another risk factor for varicose veins.
Low-impact workouts help to activate the calf muscles without putting them under too much strain. Effective low-impact activities include:
- yoga
- walking
- swimming
- cycling
3. Lose weight
People who are overweight are more likely to develop varicose veins; thus, losing any excess weight helps relieve strain on the veins and lessen swelling and discomfort.
4. Avoid sedentary lifestyle
Avoiding prolonged sitting can help to decrease the appearance of varicose veins and prevent them from developing. If a person must sit for lengthy periods at work, they should try to get up and walk around or change positions periodically to keep the blood circulating properly.
Avoid sitting with your legs crossed since it might reduce blood flow to your legs and feet, exacerbating circulation issues.
5. Reduce salt intake
Salty or sodium-rich foods can cause the body to retain water, so limiting salty foods can help reduce water retention. Foods rich in potassium can assist in preventing water retention.
Foods rich in potassium include:
- potatoes
- lentils and white beans
- leafy vegetables
- almonds and pistachio nuts
- some fish, such as salmon and tuna
6. Herbal remedies
According to the National Institute of Health, consuming grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera) orally may help to reduce edema in the lower legs and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, while there is currently limited evidence to support its use.
A person who has been prescribed blood thinners should avoid taking grape seed extract as a dietary supplement since it can interact with the prescription and increase the risk of bleeding.
Horse chestnut extract (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) may help alleviate symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, a significant cause of varicose veins.
Before using plant extracts or essential oils directly or using an aromatherapy diffuser, dilute them with carrier oils.
Medical treatments for varicose veins
If varicose veins home therapies are ineffective or cause extreme discomfort, medical therapy is available to help treat varicose veins. A doctor can prescribe the following:
- Endothermal ablation: This is a procedure that uses heat to close the damaged veins.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy is a procedure in which a doctor punctures the skin and removes varicose veins through small incisions. Scarring is typically mild later.
- Sclerotherapy: This operation uses a specific foam to shut and shrink veins.
- Ligation and stripping: This is a surgical treatment that removes varicose veins.
- Laser surgery: In this procedure, powerful bursts of light are aimed at the vein, causing it to diminish and eventually disappear.
- Endoscopic vein surgery involves inserting a tiny video camera into the leg to let the surgeon see more clearly. The veins are then removed using a succession of tiny incisions.
If you are considering medical treatments for your varicose veins, you should consult with a vein specialist.
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