Treatment of varicose veins

Varicose veins is a pathological condition in which the veins are swollen, which often affects the veins in the legs and is due to standing for long periods, which causes pressure on these veins. There are many ways to treat varicose veins that we will present to you in this article.

What are varicose veins?

It's a common problem among women or pregnant women due to hormonal influences, and it tends to develop over time as someone ages and the veins lose their normal elasticity due to high levels of inflammation.

Women are at least twice more likely than men to have varicose veins, but people of any age can be affected. 

Varicose veins are usually more noticeable and therefore the biggest concern for people with fair skin.

There are a number of different methods that can be used to treat varicose veins, ranging from expensive surgeries to the use of natural essential oils. 

Before resorting to annoying prescription creams or expensive laser surgeries that are not always effective and should really be considered options of last resort, it is a good idea to try home remedies for varicose veins first to reduce the visibility of swollen veins without much risk.

How to treat varicose veins in natural ways 

Varicose veins are always a symptom of venous insufficiency disorder and cause a lot of inconvenience to the person, usually the treating doctor will initially advise to make some lifestyle modifications first before considering surgery or other treatments. 

These can greatly help reduce the pooling of blood in your veins, while also offering many other benefits, such as more energy, clearer skin, better heart health and improved digestion. 

In the following paragraphs, we will present you with the best methods of treating varicose veins naturally.

Exercising

regularly is one of the best things you can do to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and one of the most effective ways to treat varicose veins.

Exercise is a great way to help balance hormones naturally, lose weight or maintain a healthy body weight, and lower blood pressure, all of which can contribute to varicose veins.

Among the exercises that help in the treatment of varicose veins, leg-raising exercises, cycling, walking and swimming, are all ideal exercises for varicose veins patients because they relieve pressure.

If you experience pain when you start exercising, take it slow and try warming up with simple exercises at first. 

You can also elevate your legs to help reduce swelling and pain, or try compression stockings to create gentle pressure on the leg that prevents blood from accumulating.

Wearing compression stockings

One way to treat varicose veins is to wear compression stockings as soon as you get up in the morning and take them off when you go to bed.

Wearing compression stockings can be uncomfortable, especially during hot weather, but it's important to wear your socks correctly to get the most out of them.

Pull them up until the correct level of pressure is applied to each part of your leg, and don't let the socks slide off.

Talk to your GP if the stockings are uncomfortable or don't seem to fit, it may be possible to get custom stockings that fit you perfectly.

Compression stockings can also be made on demand and the size that suits you.

And if compression stockings are drying out the skin on your legs, try applying a moisturizing cream before going to bed to keep your skin hydrated.

You should also watch for signs of pain on your legs, as well as blisters and discoloration.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Varicose veins are more common in people who are overweight. Carrying extra body weight puts pressure on the veins and can contribute to inflammation, especially in the larger superficial veins, such as the saphenous vein in the legs.

According to a Huffington Post report on the relationship between obesity and varicose veins, for people who are overweight, varicose veins are often difficult to assess and treat because they usually go unnoticed until they progress to becoming more inflamed and larger.

Therefore, you must follow a healthy diet and exercise to lose weight and reach your ideal body weight.

Following an anti-inflammatory diet

Some foods help improve blood flow, making it possible to treat varicose veins faster and prevent varicose veins from forming in the future.

 A poor diet rich in things like trans fats, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods can contribute to arterial damage, low circulation, blood pressure problems, hormonal imbalances, and weight gain. 

Many of these foods are also high-sodium foods, which cause dehydration, and contain toxins that can exacerbate swelling in varicose veins.

Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods to reduce the appearance of varicose veins include:

• Fiber-rich foods: Fiber helps improve heart health and is also essential for healthy digestive functions. Eating 30-40 grams of fiber each day is a great way to prevent constipation, which can cause bloating and increase pressure on the veins around the abdomen and legs.
•  High-fiber foods to eat include chia seeds and flaxseeds, (which are also omega-3 foods, which are anti-inflammatory), fresh vegetables and fruits, and legumes.
• Foods Rich in Antioxidants: Antioxidants, such as flavonoids (found in berries), vitamin C and vitamin E (both found in green vegetables and citrus), help strengthen veins, fight inflammation, and improve arterial health. 
• Vitamin E is known to help prevent blood clots, acts like a natural blood thinner and is linked to heart health. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-inflammatory and beneficial for skin health.
• Natural diuretics: Doctors sometimes use diuretic pills to help increase urination and reduce water retention or swelling. 
• You can safely get the same effect by consuming things like fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, fennel, dandelion greens, cucumber, asparagus, and celery.
• Foods Rich in Magnesium: Blood pooling, blood pressure problems, and leg cramps such as restless leg syndrome are warning signs of deficiencies in electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium. To overcome these symptoms, increase your intake of things like leafy green vegetables, avocados, bananas, and sweet potatoes.
• Spicy foods: Foods that contain spices like chili or curry help warm the body and get the blood flowing, which improves blood circulation as well as controls appetite.
• Fish: Fish and seafood such as wild salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and tuna provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for healthy blood flow.
• Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar improves blood circulation in the walls of the veins and is an effective anti-inflammatory. Many people find that using apple cider vinegar helps reduce swelling and improve the appearance of varicose veins in just a few weeks.

These were the most important methods used to treat varicose veins without using drugs, but if you feel that varicose veins are causing you a lot of pain and anxiety and these treatments do not work, you should go to the specialist.