Effective Remedies for Spider Veins on Legs

The legs are one of the most common places where spider veins or telangiectasias can develop. Telangiectasias usually appear as red, purple, or blue-colored, fine thread-like marks that closely resemble the look of a spider web, and hence, the name spider veins. They usually develop just beneath the skin on the legs, face, hands, upper thigh, and below the knee joint.

Telangiectasias are a bit similar to varicose veins. Varicose veins are usually larger than telangiectasias, and they can become swollen or enlarged over a period of time. Varicose veins are broken capillaries that generally result from the widening and narrowing of the capillary wall, which eventually causes the capillary wall to tear.

Causes and Risk Factors

Telangiectasias can appear due to a problem in circulation, which in turn, can be caused by the gradual weakening of the blood vessels with advancing age. The valves present in our legs maintain the flow of blood in one direction, i.e., from the legs to the heart against the force of gravity. But due to certain factors, they may fail to function properly. This in turn, can cause some blood to flow back into the veins. As a result, such veins can become a bit swollen and distinctly visible.

Sitting or standing in the same position for a prolonged period of time can aggravate this condition. Body weight can also have an effect on the development of telangiectasias. It has been observed that factors, like a family history of telangiectasias, pregnancy, obesity, hormonal fluctuations, a sedentary lifestyle, leg injuries, tumors in the abdomen, use of birth control pills, and excessive exposure to sun can increase the chances of developing spider veins.

Treatment and Natural Remedies

The conventional treatment options for this condition are sclerotherapy and laser treatment. However, telangiectasias do not cause any health problem, other than being a cosmetic concern. Therefore, they usually do not require any medical treatment. However, they may look unsightly, and so, it is quite normal for people to look for some ways to get rid of this condition. Natural remedies can be of great help in this regard. The following are some of the simple home remedies that can help prevent the development of spider veins or reduce their visibility.

• Excess body weight can put more pressure on the legs and cause the appearance of telangiectasias. So, try to reduce the pressure on your legs by maintaining an ideal body weight.
• Exercise regularly to improve the circulation of blood. This can also help strengthen the veins, and thus prevent the development of spider and varicose veins. Walking, swimming, and jogging are some ideal exercises to prevent this condition.
• Reduce your salt intake, as excessive intake of salt or sodium can aggravate spider veins.
• Never sit for a long time with your legs crossed. Also avoid sitting or standing at a stretch for a prolonged time period.
• If your job or occupation requires you to sit or stand for a long time, then take short breaks in between to elevate your legs for a few minutes.
• Avoid wearing tight clothing that can impede the flow of blood in the legs.
• Try to avoid high heel shoes. Always wear comfortable footwear that can provide adequate support to your feet and legs. You can also take the help of support stockings or compression hose to get rid of telangiectasias.
• Include more vitamin C-rich foods, like citrus fruits, oranges, grapefruit, berries, as well as whole grains and green vegetables in your diet. This can help strengthen the veins, and treat and prevent telangiectasias.
• Vitamin K is another natural remedy, as it can help prevent blood leakage from the veins. Green vegetables, cabbage, tomatoes are some good sources of vitamin K. Creams and ointments containing vitamin K can also be applied on the affected area to diminish the appearance of spider veins.
• To reduce the appearance of telangiectasias, soak a soft cloth in apple cider vinegar and wrap the affected area for about half an hour.
• Witch hazel, Japanese pagoda tree extract, and horse chestnut extract are some herbal remedies for this condition. These herbal preparations can help improve blood circulation and strengthen the blood vessels.

Before using any kind of herbal remedy, like witch hazel or horse chestnut, never forget to talk to your physician. To sum up, adopt a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, wear the right type of clothing and footwear, avoid sitting or standing in one position for a long time, and follow a balanced diet for preventing this condition.

Read More

Ways to Prevent Varicose Veins

Spider veins aka Varicose Veins are commonly observed in aging women and as per 'The National Women's Health Information Center', around 60% Americans tend to develop some form of spider veins or the other during their lives. This condition occurs in almost all people entering the old age zone. Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias or sunburst varicosities is often confused with varicose veins.

However, these are smaller and less painful compared to the former. Spider veins are fine red, blue, or purple veins observed on the thigh, calves, ankles, hands, or face. Appearing either on a small area or a large portion of the skin, these veins appear like spider webs blanketed on the skin, which is how they get their name 'spider vein'.

Causes of Spider Veins

The human body comprises two major kinds of blood vessels: arteries and veins. The arteries carry oxygenated blood (except pulmonary artery) from the heart, while veins carry de-oxygenated blood (except pulmonary vein) from the different parts of the body to the heart. Veins possess valves known as venous valves that prevent back flow of blood flowing within them. This means the valves ensure that the blood flows in only one direction. However, sometimes due to aging or other specific factors like heredity or hormonal changes, exposure to sun, genetics, pregnancy, injury to the leg, obesity, consumption of birth control pills, standing or sitting in one position for extended periods of time etc., may conduce to the formation of these veins. This means that these conditions may cause the veins to debilitate, thereby allowing some blood to trickle back into the vein. As blood starts pooling in the veins, the veins get clogged, congested, and swollen. These gorged veins appear like spider webs on the skin's surface and are unsightly.

How to Prevent Spider Veins

Spider vein is not a serious health condition, however, its presence can make people withdraw from social gatherings, due to the embarrassment they cause. Although there is no exact method that can be jotted down to prevent them, there are certain precautionary measures that one can take.

Avoid Standing or Sitting in One Position for Extended Period

Waiters, hairdressers, lecturers, salesmen, watchmen, security guards, people working in factories, etc., all happen to have jobs which call for standing for long hours. Moreover, people like software professionals, writers, etc., have jobs that demand long hours of sitting in one position. One needs to flex one's muscles every now and then by taking short walks. If walking is not possible, flexing one's muscles every ten minutes will also help. While sitting, avoid crossing your legs and while resting keep your legs above the heart level to minimize pooling in the veins.

Exercise

Maintaining a healthy exercise regime helps prevent one from putting on weight, and also reduces the stress caused on the veins. Aerobic exercises or periodic walks stimulate the calf muscles and help pump the de-oxygenated blood that was pooled in the legs. Regular exercise will not only reduce vein pressure and pooling, but will also strengthen leg muscles, thereby decreasing the chances of spider vein formation in the future.

Avoid Excessive Exposure to Sun

Wear sunscreen before going out on a sunny day. Wear clothes that will leave minimum skin exposed to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Moreover, avoid exposing the legs to extreme heat like from hot tubs and hot baths.

Right Type of Clothes

Tight clothes conduce to vein constriction, followed by injury. The clothes one chooses should be such that they do not inhibit blood circulation. To stimulate venous circulation one can wear compression stockings or elastic support stockings; especially while traveling for long hours in cars, buses, or airplanes. Moreover, wearing low heels or flat shoes helps stimulate the calf muscles while walking, thereby enhancing blood circulation.

Despite taking all these precautionary measures, if one finds oneself inflicted by spider veins, then one needs to undergo treatment. Treatment comprises injections, laser vein removal treatment, surgery to destroy damaged veins, or sclerotherapy. The cosmetic dermatologist will be able to suggest which treatment type is appropriate. Make sure you consult an experienced cosmetic dermatologist as complications during sclerotherapy are not uncommon. However, even after the best treatment, the probability of spider veins occurrence in various other parts of the body is high. This is why prevention is better than cure!

Read More

Risk of Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

The term varicose vein, is used to refer to a swollen or enlarged vein. Varicose veins can occur anywhere on the body, though the veins of the legs are more likely to become enlarged due to a defect in the valves or the vein wall. The veins are concerned with returning the deoxygenated blood to the heart, and the veins of the legs do this against the force of gravity.

There are certain valves in the leg veins that open to allow the blood to move upward towards the heart, and then close off to prevent its back flow towards the legs. But when these valves fail to function properly, they cannot prevent the back flow of blood. This causes the blood to pool inside the veins, and as a result, the veins become swollen. Even abnormalities of the vein wall can cause the veins to become varicose. This condition is more common in women, especially in pregnant women. In fact, pregnancy is one of the most important factors that can cause this condition.

Pregnancy and Varicose Veins

As we know, pregnancy is the period marked by a lot of hormonal fluctuations, along with physical changes. During this stage, a woman gains considerable weight due to the growing fetus. Such weight gain often puts more pressure on the large vein on the right side of the body, which is known as the inferior vena cava. This in turn, increases the pressure in the blood vessels of the legs or extremities of the body, and contributes towards the development of varicose veins.

Additionally, the rising levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone can cause the veins to relax, for which the two halves of a valve may fail to meet completely. The result is the leakage or back flow of blood, which can accumulate inside the veins and cause them to enlarge. Apart from these, the volume of blood in the body increases during pregnancy. As a result, the leg veins have to work harder to pump blood to the heart. The factors that can raise the risk of developing this condition during pregnancy are, multiple pregnancy, excess body weight, and the act of standing or sitting for a prolonged period of time.

Another similar condition that women may encounter during this period is the development of spider veins, that can appear near the surface of the skin, mainly on the arms, face, and the legs. The veins can appear red or blue in color and look quite similar to a spider's web. However, this condition is usually harmless, as it is not known to cause any discomforts like pain or itching. But varicose veins can sometimes produce pain, a sensation of heaviness in the legs, dryness and itching around the veins, and a burning or throbbing sensation in the lower leg. It may also be accompanied by muscle cramps, swelling in the lower legs, ankle swelling, and skin ulcers near the ankle.

Prevention

Varicose veins usually occur during pregnancy and then resolve on their own after delivery. However, during this period, they may cause a few discomforts. The best way to prevent this condition is to avoid sitting or standing at a stretch for a long time. Pregnant women should elevate their legs whenever it is possible.

Mild physical activities or exercises can help maintain the ideal body weight (for the particular stage of pregnancy), which is very much important to reduce the extra pressure on your blood vessels. Pregnancy and the resulting weight gain can put extra pressure on the inferior vena cava, which is located on the right side of the body. A habit of sleeping on your right side can put more pressure on this vein. So, you can consider to sleep on the left side, in order to reduce the pressure on the inferior vena cava.

However, if these measures fail to prevent this problem or relieve the discomforts associated with it, then consider to take the help of maternity support stockings. Put the support hose or stocking in the morning, just before getting out of the bed. This will prevent the blood from pooling inside your legs. If the condition becomes extremely uncomfortable or painful, then talk to your physician. Your physician needs to be informed about all the changes or discomforts you are experiencing during this stage, in order to avoid any kind of possible complications.

Read More

Non-surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins is a condition that relates to the development of enlarged or swollen veins on the legs. The condition is triggered by either faulty vein valves or weak vein walls, that prevent the normal flow of blood towards the heart. The resultant pressure buildup causes venous insufficiency that can be treated only via self-care measures or sclerotherapy and/or radio-frequency treatment.

Symptoms
The symptoms manifest in the form of:

• Feeling of heaviness in the legs.
• Telangiectasia or spider veins.
• Swelling of the ankles.
• Stasis dermatitis or venous eczema.
• Lipodermatosclerosis.
• Restless legs syndrome.
• Atrophie blanche.

Complications

Though varicose veins are known to be benign, if neglected, they could result in severe varicosities. The pain leads to a gradual inability to walk or stand to meet vocational demands. Resultant dermatitis predisposes skin loss―and skin ulcers near the ankle could convert into venous ulcers. Severe bleeding, blood clotting or thrombophlebitis, and fat necrosis occur, making daily chores quite an ordeal.

Treatment
This condition could be treated with any of the following procedures:

1. Non-surgical treatments like sclerotherapy (directly injecting medicine into the affected veins), wearing of special elastic stockings and regular exercise.
2. Surgical treatments like vein stripping (removing the saphenous vein mass), radiofrequency ablation, and endovenous laser treatment.

The condition is more common in women than in men. It is further aggravated during pregnancy, menopause, aging, and abdominal straining. The veins could swell up to more than 2.5 mm in diameter. The symptoms can be controlled with the help of anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin and ibuprofen. Topical applications for thrombophlebitis and compression hosiery helps contain the condition. Medical intervention helps both, the surgical and non-surgical lines of varicose treatments. Self-care helps a lot in the treatment procedure, and involves the adoption of a lifestyle change that accommodates:

• Regular exercise.
• Conscious weight loss.
• Preference for loose clothing.
• Elevation of the legs while resting or sleeping.
• Adopting regular use of compression stockings.

The goal of any treatment option adopted is to reduce the symptoms and effectively reduce the risk of developing complications. The size of the varicose veins largely determines the treatment option. Larger ones are treated via dedicated surgery, and in some cases, doctors even prescribe a combination of treatments.

Read More

Getting Pain Relief for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins refer to enlarged or swollen veins. The veins of any part of the body can become enlarged, though the veins of the legs are found to be more commonly affected by this condition. The veins of the leg contain one-way valves that maintain the flow of blood to the heart against the force of gravity, and prevent its back flow.

Sometimes, these valves can become weak and fail to prevent the backward flow of blood, which can cause blood to pool inside the veins. This in turn, can cause the enlargement of the veins, and make them appear bluish, swollen, and twisted. For some individuals, varicose veins may be quite harmless apart from being a cosmetic concern, while for others, they can cause pain and discomfort, especially while walking or standing for a long time.

Varicose Vein Causes

Veins basically depend on the surrounding muscles and valves to maintain the flow of blood to the heart. The valves present in the veins are basically one-way valves, which help prevent the reverse flow of blood. Several factors can damage these valves, and thereby impede the circulation of blood.

Generally, a continuous increase in blood pressure dilates the vein, due to which the valves may fail to carry out their normal functions properly. This can cause blood to accumulate inside the veins, and the consequent swelling and pain. This condition more commonly affects the superficial veins than the deep ones.

Heredity, age, obesity, height, posture, and hormonal fluctuations are the major factors that can affect the development of varicose veins. This condition can be caused by factors that put excess pressure on the legs, such as obesity, weightlifting, standing or sitting for a long time, and wearing tight-fitting clothes. Women are more likely to develop this condition during pregnancy and after menopause due to hormonal fluctuations.

Varicose Vein Symptoms

Veins that become varicose can appear as swollen blue blood vessels lying beneath the skin, especially in the legs and the feet. They can become very tender and painful, and make both walking and standing quite uncomfortable. Other symptoms that can accompany this condition are, ankle swelling, heavy and sore legs, spider veins, and restless leg syndrome.

Sometimes, one may also experience itching. Additionally, the skin of the affected area can become dry and red. Skin ulcers can also develop, along with some white patches on the ankles that can look like scars. Sometimes, the veins may not become visible, but can cause pain and swelling in the legs. This can indicate that varicose veins are located deeper inside the leg.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Treatment is generally required for painful varicose vein. For mild discomfort caused by superficial varicose veins, elastic support stockings can be used, while over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers like aspirin can be used for painful varicose veins.

Surgery is regarded as the most effective treatment for this condition, though a number of non-surgical treatment options are also available. Such non-surgical treatment options include, sclerotherapy, exercises, laser surgery, and radiofrequency ablation. In sclerotherapy, a chemical is injected into the vein, which causes the vein to shrink. But this treatment is more effective for the small veins, and it cannot completely alleviate the pain.

In laser treatment, a thin tube is inserted into the vein, and then the vein is heated with a laser probe. The application of heat helps close off the vein permanently. This process is known as endovenous laser treatment. On the other hand, in radiofrequency ablation, radiofrequency energy is delivered to the vein through a thin tube inserted into it. Like laser, the application of radiofrequency energy helps close off the vein.

But if the condition is quite severe, then surgery may be required to remove the vein from the body, which is known as stripping and ligation. The entire process can be quite painful, and the patient may need considerable time to recover completely. Therefore, this method is generally employed for large varicose veins.

Sometimes, regular physical activity can also play an important role in preventing this condition. Exercises help maintain an ideal body weight, and strengthen the muscles of the legs. If your job requires you to stand or sit for a long time, then take small breaks in between to stretch your legs, and keep them raised above the level of heart for a few minutes. This can help improve blood circulation. It is also important to lower the consumption of fatty foods, salt, and sugar, and avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes and high heel shoes, in order to prevent this condition. In addition to these, drink plenty of water, quit smoking, take adequate vitamin C and E, and avoid sitting for a long time with your legs crossed at the knee.

A healthy lifestyle can help reduce the pain associated with varicose veins, and prevent certain complications, like ulceration, dermatitis, and the development of blood clots within the affected veins. But if the condition is causing severe pain and discomfort, then medical intervention can be required. In this regard, an experienced physician can provide the required guidance about the various treatment options available for this condition.

Read More

Varicose Veins Laser Surgery

The term varicose comes from the Latin root 'varix', which means twisted. Varicose veins are twisted veins that mainly affect the legs and the feet. As we know, veins carry blood from all parts of the body to the heart. The veins in our legs have to fight gravity while carrying blood to the heart. These veins have elastic walls which help them in returning blood to the heart. But with time, they tend to lose their elasticity and gradually stretch out. Due to this, sometimes, the blood flows back towards the legs and forms blood pools in the veins. Hence, these veins get swollen and rise above the surface of the skin. They appear like dark purple or blue colored, twisted or bulging cords through the legs.

Causes

Though the actual cause is still unknown, there are several factors that can lead to the development of varicose veins. Heredity or inborn weak vein valves is one of the greatest factors that can cause the condition. Hormonal changes at the time of puberty, pregnancy, menopause, etc., can develop the problem in women. Especially during pregnancy, the volume of blood in the body increases which causes these veins to enlarge. The enlarged uterus also adds more pressure on the veins. However, within 3 months after delivery, the veins naturally improve. Intake of estrogen, progesterone, and birth control pills may also lead to the development of varicose veins in women. Aging, obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing or walking, etc., are some other reasons that weaken the vein valves and cause the condition.

Symptoms

A heavy feeling, burning or throbbing feeling in the legs, are some common symptoms experienced by people suffering from varicose veins. Muscle cramps, itching, and swelling in the legs are some other symptoms also observed in these patients. Skin ulcers around the ankles can be another symptom that may cause swelling in the legs and ankles, and can be painful at night.

Treatment Options

Though varicose veins do not cause any damage to the body, most people want to get rid of them due to cosmetic reasons. Sclerotherapy is one way of treating it, in which the doctor inserts a solution in the varicose veins that scar and close down the veins. Though, there are many treatments available, laser surgery is one of the most effective and popular treatment used for this condition.

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery functions by transmitting extremely strong bursts of light onto the vein, causing it to slowly fade and disappear. The lasers are highly accurate and damage only the affected area. The surgery is quite comfortable and painless, as there are no needles or incisions. When the laser strikes the skin, the patient only feels a small pinch. The skin is soothed by applying a coolant both before and after the treatment. The surgery depends upon the severity of the veins, and can last for 15 to 20 minutes. Usually, two to five rounds of treatment are required to completely cure the problem. There can be some redness or swelling or discoloration of the skin after the surgery, but this abates within a few days. Surgical ligation is another more specific laser surgery, in which the veins are tied shut and then entirely removed from the leg. Though different kinds of lasers are used, yellow light lasers, green light lasers and other intense pulsed light systems are most commonly used.

Varicose veins affect women more than men, and are quite common in older women. Though laser surgery is quite effective with fewer side effects and complications, one should always take the advice of an expert before undergoing the surgery. The cost of surgery varies as per the treatment employed, but it can cost approximately $300 - $450 for a session, for each segment of the leg.

Read More

Varicose Veins and the Vitamin P

Vitamin P and varicose veins, is there any possible connection between the two? There are 13 vitamins that are officially listed and accepted, and than there is one that is not well known, and that is Vitamin P. This vitamin has numerous benefits but is especially effective at protecting the capillaries, which are extremely small vessels that are located within the tissues of the body.

The capillaries transport the blood from the arteries into the veins, and their walls are very thin and composed of a single layer of overlying flat cells. Oxygen, carbon dioxide, wastes, and nutrients are exchanged through these very thin walls and the lack of the proper nutrients can cause spider veins and varicose veins.

What exactly is Vitamin P?

Vitamin P is not well known to most people and it is a critical part of several functions in the body other than protecting these capillaries. This vitamin is also known as bio-available flavonoids, or Bio-flavonoids. They are a class of water soluble plant pigments that have provide special properties to the body.

The properties that they serve are those of an antioxidant, antiallergenic, as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. However, they are help to serve as antiviral and anti-carcinogenic agents.

In most technical circles they are not considered a true vitamin, but at the same time they are referred to as vitamin P. They are absolutely essential for the proper absorption of vitamin C in the body; and they are the most effective when the two are taken together.

This grouping of nutrients also includes rutin, hesperidin, and quercetin, as well as the natural compounds that are found in red wine. All of these natural nutrients work in tandem to ensure that red blood cells and blood platelets do not clump together, which is another function they provide in protecting these very small capillaries.

Vitamin P is often used to treat sports injuries, especially in the legs, as they reduce the pain and lessen the effects of prolonged bleeding as well as protecting against antibacterial infections as they are very powerful in maintaining proper levels of blood circulation, one of the causes of varicose veins.

Sources of Vitamin P:

These bio-flavonoids are found abundantly in both the pulp and the rinds of citrus fruits and several other foods that are high in vitamin C. Some of the other sources are berries, apples, grapefruit, especially the seeds, onions, and green tea. Other sources include apricots, broccoli, ginkgo, tomatoes and onions.

However, perhaps the two most powerful sources are from buckwheat and red wine.

Varicose veins:

The veins that are in the body are blood vessels that return blood from every organ back to the major source, the heart. After certain organs have used the oxygen from the blood to function properly, they release this used blood where it is goes to the heart and than into the lungs. Once inside the lungs, this waste is released and more oxygen is loaded by the blood and taken back to the body by the veins.

However, in this process, waste products such as carbon dioxide are also distributed into the veins, as they act as storage for all of the unused blood. When the body rests, only a small amount of blood circulates; and all of the uncirculated blood stays in the veins as they are very elastic by design and can expand as needed.

This waste is what starts the problem. The largest of the veins are in the center of the body; and they collect the blood from all of the smaller veins throughout the body. During all of these processes, waste continues to spread.

As the veins move further away from these large collection points, they become smaller. These smaller veins are referred to as superficial, and the larger are referred to as deeper. Perforating veins are the vessels that connect these two together. When any of these veins fail to properly circulate and as a result start to bulge, they are called varicose veins.

There are two types of these veins; large and spider. The large varicose veins can actually be seen bulging and can be felt by touching them. They are most always located in the legs and the thighs, but they can develop anywhere in the body. The smaller veins, referred to as spider veins, can be seen, but they are more like fine lines than bulges. They usually appear on the ankles and the feet, but they can also appear on the face.

Outside of their major role of protecting the capillaries, this little known vitamin also helps to improve the elasticity and in the process helps to prevent any further damage to the veins. It also helps to improve the circulation and as it does it assists in decongesting the clogged capillaries that are the major cause of the spider veins.

However, it does not stop there, as this nutrient also helps to reduce the reddish color as it strengthens the blood vessels. Rutin, one of the ingredients in the complex of vitamin P is especially effective in protecting small capillaries caused by any type of recurrent bleeding by weakened vessels. It is also used to treat hemorrhoids as well as the capillaries around the eyes.

There are several substances that can drain this nutrient form your system, and the two worst are smoking and alcohol. However, aspirin and cortisone also deplete this nutrient very quickly for your body.

Summery:

Bio-flavonoids are water soluble vitamins and as such there is absolutely no chance of any type of an overdose as any excess will be eliminated either by urine or sweat in your body. If you do suffer from varicose or spider veins, this form of vitamin is extremely effective in combating this condition that affects so many people.

Read More

Causes of Revealing Varicose Veins

Are you afraid of hot weather? The heat, the sun, but most importantly, the shorts and skirts that might reveal your legs? Varicose veins can be unsightly and embarrassing, but luckily, they can also be treated (although not cured). Decreasing their appearance can greatly increase your confidence in showing off your legs.

Those squiggly lumps underneath your skin are actually pools of blood. The veins in your extremities, most often your legs and ankles, lose efficiency in delivering your blood throughout your body. The valves that control the blood flow weaken and allow pressure to build up in your veins, expanding them into snakelike gnarls characteristic of varicose veins, or venous insufficiency.

Developing varicose veins might make you want to pull your hair out and ask, why me?! There are a number of factors to take into consideration when determining why you have varicose veins. These can include:

• Genetics
• Aging
• Standing for long amounts of time
• Pregnancy
• Being overweight or obese

Although the visible aspects of venous insufficiency are definitely a telling factor in diagnosing the disease, there are less obvious symptoms as well. These uncomfortable issues can actually lead to other ailments, such as eczema. Therefore, it is good to catch it early and get treatment. More symptoms of varicose veins include:

• Itchy, dry skin
• Mild to severe swelling
• A feeling of heaviness in your legs, along with dull aching pains and burning
• Changes in the color of your skin, such as turning reddish brown or purple
• Ulcers

With all of these uncomfortable symptoms connected to weakened blood valves, it's no wonder that many different treatments have been developed, although there is no true cure. You can try some at-home methods such as wearing compression socks, working out, and elevating areas affected by varicose veins. These usually work best with slight vein problems, and exercising can actually help prevent them by keeping you at a healthy weight.

Severe varicose veins can require treatment from doctors. Ligation and stripping involves tying off your vein and removing it. Less invasive is sclerotherapy, where a chemical is inserted into your vein to cause its collapse. Laser treatment induces a vein to close as well. A new treatment option is radiofrequency energy is run down your vein to make it scar and close up.

Read More

Bubble Bath That Helps Varicose Veins

Practically everyone gets varicose veins. Most times they occur in your legs and with summer coming, why not try a inexpensive way to treat them. Here is a bubble bath you can make at home to help treat varicose veins.

Varicose veins are most often asscoiated with women, however men can experience them as well. In many cases varicose veins can get worse by comtinuing bad habits such as sitting with your legs crossed, standing for long periods of time and even wearing clothes that are just to tight. In some cases varicose veins can even be painful. It is always best to consult with your doctor if you are experiencing pain. This recipe is for a bubble bath that can be useful in reducing the appearance of the vericose veins and also refreshing your skin.

Things you will need:

• 4 Tabespoons Dried ginger root (has to be chopped)
• 4 tablespoons Juniper
• 2 Tablespoons of dried Rosemary
• 4 Tablespoons of dried lemon peel or simply use a lemon quartered
• 2 Tablespoons

Once you have gather all of your ingedients mix them into some warm water in your tub. Always make sure your water is not too hot! Its important not to allow extremely hot water to remain on the area with the varicose veins for very long. Extremely hot water can actually make the condition worse. Make sure to check the temperature of your bath before you jump right in! The Rosemary and peppermint will actually help improve the circulation in your body. Once you are in the tub, just enjoy! Stay in for as long as you are comfortable and try to relax.

If you are going to take this bath before bed, you could even add 2 tablespoons of chamomile for a more sleepy time bath. I have other articles on homemade anti-aging creams that could also be used as a face mask while you are taking your bath. As always avoid contact with your eyes.

Read More