An Unconventional, All Natural Treatment for Venous Leg Ulcers
The Problem of Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers
Venous leg ulcers are a problem for people who have damaged valves in their veins that help to prevent the backflow of blood. When these valves don't work properly, the blood stagnates in the vein and leaks out into the surrounding tissue causing it to break down and ulcerate. The ulceration may become infected, which makes it painful for the patient and difficult to heal. People who have varicose veins or damage to their veins from a past blood clot or injury are at higher risk for venous leg ulcers as are people who are obese, diabetic or pregnant.
Laughter is the Best Medicine for Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers?
Conventionally, doctors treat chronic venous leg ulcers by wrapping the leg in a compression bandage and having the patient keep it elevated. Some clinics use ultrasound therapy, but it isn't a very effective treatment according to a recent study in the British Medical Journal. In fact, this study concluded that laughter beats out ultrasound when it comes to the treatment of venous leg ulcers.
Why laughter? Laughter not only puts the patient in a positive mood, it stimulates movement of the diaphragm and increases blood flow to the legs, which is exactly what patients with chronic leg ulcers need. The researchers in this study point out that laughter is less expensive and more effective than ultrasound for speeding up the healing of chronic venous ulcers that can take many months to heal.
Chronic Leg Ulcers and Laughter: The Bottom Line?
It's doubtful that laughter will ever be on the formulary for venous leg ulcer treatment, but it shows that in a complicated world where technology is king, simple treatments that don't cost an arm and a leg are often ignored. Laughter not only sends more blood flow throughout the body and speeds up healing of venous ulcers, it lowers blood pressure too. Like the old saying goes - laughter really is the best medicine.
References:
Eurekalert.org. "Laughter Really is the Best Medicine"
Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.
Published by Kristie Leong M.D. - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness
I'm a family physician with a strong interest in disease prevention and alternative medicine. I'm particularly interested in how diet plays a role in disease prevention. Hope I can inspire someone to lead a... View profile
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