The do's and dont's of how to deal with varicose veins

You may think of varicose veins as a cosmetic concern but those who suffer from it know how painful it can turn out to be. Dig into the presumptions of those red and blue lines!

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged bluish bulging veins, often associated with a dull nagging pain. They are commonly found on the back of the calf or on the inside of the leg and gradually progress up to the thigh. Spider veins are small red or blue jagged lines close to the surface of the skin. These disorders are caused by the laxity of the vein wall and malfunctioning valves inside the veins.

When the blood pulses through the arteries, powered by the pumping of the heart, it provides nutrients to the entire body. The impure blood then returns upwards to the heart through the veins. These veins have tiny vales which prevent the blood from flowing backwards. The leg veins have the difficult task of carrying blood up the vertical vessel when the person is standing, from the feet to the heart against height, body weight, pressure and gravity. As this pressure increases, the vein dilates and the valves weaken. Now blood starts pooling in the veins of the legs. Leg cramps, itching, swelling, restlessness, leg ulcers and at times severe bleeding accompany these bulging veins. Eminent vascular surgeons quote that this is a life-threatening problem and can even kill faster than a heart attack or a stroke.

When should you see a doctor?

You should be definitely looking ahead for medical aid at the earliest sign of varicose veins, as the treatment of mild varicose veins is much easier and more effective than in its later stage. Once the skin colour changes, or eczema and ulceration occur, the treatment is more prolonged, expensive and not as cosmetically satisfying.

SMART TIPS TO PREVENT VARICOSE VEINS

- The best tip is regular exercise of the legs, as strong calf muscles serve as a ‘peripheral venous heart’ which pumps the venous blood against gravity back to the heart and lungs for purification. Walking walks wonders!- Use support stockings as prescribed by a vascular specialist. If your job requires long hours of sitting (computer professionals) or standing or if you work at high altitudes or in pressurized conditions, like in an aircraft.- Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on the veins of your legs.- Don’t cross your legs while sitting. Elevate your legs when resting, if possible.- If you’re sitting for long periods, exercise your totes and feet from time to time and take a short walk every 30 minutes, whenever possible.- If you have to stand for long periods, shift your weight between your feet, stand on your toes, stretch or take short walks to alleviate pressure.

Do you qualify for these high risk situations?

- Varicose veins are hereditary so being related to a person suffering is cause for worry.- People working at high altitudes and in pressurized situations, like airline crew should watch out.- Women habitually wearing tight skirts or trousers can cause mechanical constriction to the legs can lead to varicose veins.- Obesity, leg injuries, sitting for long periods with crossed legs and prolonged standing weakens the vein valves in the legs.- Constipation, heart failure and liver disease are also risk factors.

DIET THERAPY

- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables which will prevent constipation, a risk factor. Avoid refined foods.- Eating fish and walnuts will give your body an omega-3 fatty acid boost, which is required to keep the blood vessels pliable.- Berries and cherries have anthocyanins to strengthen the capillary walls, leading to younger, more elastic skin.- Pineapples are rich in bromelain, which reduces the risk of clot formation in the blood vessels.- Eat a variety of citrus fruits— orange, sweet lime, grapefruit, lemons for Vitamin C and bioflavonoids. They strengthen the collagen structure and also increase the circulation.