Home remedies for varicose veins

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Home remedies for varicose veins
Varicose veins occur when a person's veins become
swollen and enlarged. In some people, they can
cause pain and discomfort. A range of home
treatments may help to reduce the appearance and
pain of varicose veins.
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Around 20 percent of adults will
experience spider veins Treatment at some point.
There are several medical treatments for this
condition, though a person may also wish to try
natural home remedies to relieve their
symptoms. In this article, we look at 10 natural
ways to treat varicose veins at home.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins can develop when small valves in
the veins become weak. These valves usually stop
blood flowing backward through the veins, and
when they are damaged blood can pool in the
veins. This causes twisted and swollen veins that
also become very visible.
Varicose veins can be noticeable because of their
dark blue or purple appearance, they also often
bulge out from underneath the skin.
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• Other symptoms of varicose veins include
• burning or throbbing sensation in the legs
• uncomfortable legs that feel heavy or achy
• muscle cramps that can be more noticeable at
  night
• swelling of the feet and ankles
• dry or itchy skin that appears thinner over the
  varicose vein

Ten home treatments for varicose veins
If a person has varicose veins, they can try the
following home remedies to help manage the
condition and improve symptoms

• 1. Exercise
• Regular exercise encourages better blood
  circulation in the legs, which helps to push
  along the blood that has collected in the veins.
  Exercise also helps to lower a person's blood
  pressure, which is another contributing factor to
  varicose veins.
• Low-impact exercises help to get the calf muscles
  working without excessive strain. Effective,
  low-impact exercises include
• swimming
• walking
• cycling
• yoga

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2. Compression stockings Compression stockings
are available from most pharmacies and can help
by applying pressure to the legs. This aids the
muscles and veins to move blood toward the
heart. A study from 2018 found that people who
used knee-high compression stockings with a
pressure of 18 to 21 mmHg for one week, reported
a reduction in the pain and aching associated
with varicose veins. Compression stockings can be
found in pharmacies or online stores.
3. Essential oils A review study
from 2006 suggests that horse chestnut essential
oil, Aesculus hippocastanum L., may help to
reduce leg pain, heaviness, and itching in people
with chronic venous insufficiency, which is a
major cause of varicose veins. Aesculus
hippocastanum L. is available to purchase in
health stores and online. A review study
from 2010 reports that sea pine extract, Pinus
maritima, and Butcher's broom extract, Ruscus
aculeatus, may both reduce leg swelling,
or edema, that is often associated with varicose
veins. Ruscus aculeatus is available to purchase
in health stores and online. Essential oils
should be diluted in carrier oils before being
applied topically or used in a diffuser for
aromatherapy.
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• 4. Dietary changesSalty or sodium-rich foods can
  cause the body to retain water, so cutting down
  on salty food can minimize water retention. Foods
  high in potassium can help to reduce water
  retention.
• Foods that are high in potassium include
• almonds and pistachio nuts
• lentils and white beans
• potatoes
• leafy vegetables
• some fish, such as salmon and tuna
• Foods with fiber help to keep the bowels moving
  and prevent constipation. This may be important,
  as straining can aggravate damaged valves or make
  them worse.
• Foods that are high in fiber include
• nuts, seeds, and legumes
• oats, wheat, and flaxseed
• whole-grain foods
• People who are overweight are more likely to
  experience varicose veins, therefore, shedding
  any excess pounds can reduce the pressure on the
  veins and alleviate swelling and discomfort.

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• 5. Eat more flavonoids
• Adding foods that contain flavonoids may also
  help a person to shrink their varicose veins.
• Flavonoids improve blood circulation, which will
  keep the blood flowing, and make it less likely
  to pool in the veins. They also help to reduce
  blood pressure in the arteries and can relax
  blood vessels, all of which can reduce varicose
  veins.
• Foods that contain flavonoids include
• vegetables, including onions, bell peppers,
  spinach, and broccoli
• citrus fruits and grapes, cherries, apples,
  and blueberries
• cocoa
• garlic

6. Herbal remedies According to the National
Institute of Health, taking grape seed
extract, Vitis vinifera, orally may help to
reduce swelling in the lower legs and other
symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, though
there is currently limited evidence for its
effectiveness. A person prescribed with
blood-thinning medication should avoid taking
grape seed extract, as a dietary supplement, as
it can interact with the medication and increase
the risk of bleeding.
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7. Choose non-restrictive clothing Wearing
tight-fitting clothes can restrict blood flow. A
person may find that their circulation is
improved by wearing loose-fitting clothes that do
not restrict the blood supply to the lower
body. Wearing flat shoes instead of high heels
may also help with varicose veins in the legs. 8.
Keep the legs elevated Keeping the legs elevated,
ideally at the same height as the heart or above
it will help to improve circulation. This reduces
the pressure in the leg veins and gravity will
help the blood to flow smoothly back to the
heart. A person should aim to keep their legs
elevated if they are going to be sitting down for
long periods of time, such as during work or
rest. 9. Massage Gently massaging the affected
areas can help to keep the blood moving through
the veins. A person can use gentle massage oils
or moisturizer for optimal effects. It is
crucial to avoid pressing directly onto the
veins, however, as this may damage fragile
tissues.
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Medical treatments for varicose veins

• If varicose veins home treatments are not working
  or causing a person severe discomfort, medical
  treatment is also available to help tackle
  varicose veins. A doctor may prescribe the
  following
• Endothermal ablation. This is a procedure where
  heat is used to seal the affected veins.
• Ambulatory phlebectomy. This is where a doctor
  will puncture the skin and remove the varicose
  veins through small slits. Scarring is usually
  minimal afterward.
• Sclerotherapy. This procedure uses a particular
  foam to close the veins and shrink them.
• Ligation and stripping. In this procedure, the
  varicose veins are surgically removed.
• Endoscopic vein surgery. During this surgery, a
  tiny video camera is inserted into the leg to
  help the surgeon see better. Removal of the veins
  then takes place via a series of small incisions.

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Outlook Varicose veins can cause discomfort and
make a person feel self-conscious. Treating
varicose veins at home is possible, and diet and
lifestyle changes may improve the
symptoms. People with severe varicose veins may
wish to seek medical treatments to help reduce
their appearance and improve symptoms. Talking
through the options with a doctor will help an
individual make the best and most informed
decision about the right treatment for them.
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