How to Live with Unsightly and Annoying Varicose Veins

How would you like to have a roadmap on your legs? Red and blue lines going in all different directions! These lines are known as varicose and spider veins that are a common malady in many people. I don't like the look and discomfort that this disorder brings and quite frankly, I'm not sure how they developed on my legs throughout the years. My wardrobe now consists of long skirts and pants in order to pretend this hasn't happened to me.

By definition, varicose veins are veins and sometime capillaries (when talking about spider veins) that have become twisted and swollen, either because of a weakness in the vein wall or a faulty valve somewhere in the vein. These valves open to let blood flow to the heart and then close back so gravity can't pull the blood back into the leg. The etiology of why people get varicose veins is uncertain, but there is a connection with the weight of pregnancy and also people in jobs that require prolonged standing or heavy lifting. With others it could be an inherited defect or venous disease.

Unfortunately varicose veins are not going away on their own; either you live with them and use alternative methods for comfort or you can have them surgically removed or injected with a sclerosing agent used mostly with smaller spider veins. I chose to go the natural route and practice several holistic methods to control my vein problem. Let me share with you my practices.

Put Your Feet Up Often

We've learned that these weakened veins have difficulty returning blood back to the heart. Elevating the legs puts gravity on your side. When lying in bed, I lift my legs on a wedge pillow so they are higher than hip level. Another way is to lie flat on you back on the floor and raise your legs leaning them onto a wall and rest for a few minutes. This gets the blood flow back to normal.

This is a little tough to do when at work, however one thing to remember is to keep moving. Take little breaks to walk around the office. Wherever you are, try to learn to not cross your legs when sitting and only at the ankles if you must.

Do a Little Exercise

Any exercise that works your legs will be helpful, but the best exercise I have found is walking in a pool of water. It helps the circulation and the buoyancy of the water makes exercising much easier and less stressful. Of course if the weather doesn't warrant a dip in the pool, just taking a leisurely walk is good for the legs and your entire body as well.

Watch What You Wear

My doctor advised me to wear support panty hose to help reduce the excess fluid in the veins. Stay away from knee-high stockings that constrict the blood flow at the knee area. As far as clothing, wear loose fitting garments that are comfortable and avoid any constriction when possible.

Nutritional Supplements Can Help

Vitamins and minerals are a staple in my diet and certain supplements are known to help with varicose veins. Vitamin C strengthens the vein walls and taking a supplement helps to get enough of this vitamin in your system in excess of what you get from food. Bioflavonoids, such as Quercetin, are helpful nutrients that also strengthen the vein walls. It is a natural chemical found in plant-based foods such as fruits like apples, cherries, blueberries and blackberries and in vegetables such as onions, fennel and leafy green vegetables. Quercetin can also be taken in capsule form with meals to ensure you are getting enough of this antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance. Hopefully you like pineapple, which provides the body with Bromelain that helps varicose veins in the same way. Fresh pineapple is best, however Bromelain comes in capsules as well.

These are my regimes and so far my varicose veins and I are getting along nicely. However, if for any reason your legs are becoming fatigued or painful, a visit to your physician should be the next call.

Sources:

Personal experience with this disorder

Medical references:

Alternative Cures by Bill Gottlieb [Rodale Press, 2000]

Mayo Clinic