Varicose Veins – a Hindrance to Attractive Legs- How to Get Rid of It?

This is what every female wants….

The road map of life often shows itself in a woman’s legs when her legs start to look like a road map of varicose veins. Smaller, spider veins are unsightly but pose no physical harm.  Varicose veins are larger and, if ignored, potentially dangerous.

Causes:

          Varicose veins occur when the valve inside a vein becomes weak and allows blood to leak and pool.  This can become dangerous if the pooled blood becomes a clot.  Clots can be painful and are potentially fatal if they break away and travel to the lungs causing pulmonary embolism.  Women are much more likely than men to develop varicose veins.  Varicose veins effect women of all ages but tend to increase with age as tissue, muscle mass, and vein walls deteriorate.  Women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy are more inclined to have varicose veins.  Obesity is another indicator as is regularly lifting heavy objects.  Standing for long periods of time places more strain on the legs and blood vessels than any other position.  Thus, women who must stand frequently on the job are much more likely to have varicose veins.  Heredity or a history of blood clots is also risk factors for developing varicose veins.

Symptoms:

          In addition to the visible appearance of varicose veins, women may experience a number of other symptoms.  Many will have pain, muscle cramps or tension, especially in the calves.  Some women have a rash or an itch near the damaged vein.  Swelling and soreness behind the knee are other common symptoms.  Legs will often feel tired in the evenings or may be restless throughout the night.  In rare cases, women may find a darkening of the skin, particularly around the ankle, or loss of hair on the toes, feet, or legs.  These last could be symptoms of a serious medical problem. 

Image via Wikipedia

Prevention & Cures:

           There are a number of things women can do to prevent or treat varicose veins.  A healthy diet is a great start, especially because maintaining a healthy weight is important in preventing varicose veins.  Foods high in fiber have been found most beneficial in warding off varicose veins.  Such foods include fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.  Under a physician’s advice, women might want to add herbs like bilberry or horse chestnut to their diets.  Others find relief with gotu kola or Butcher’s Broom. 

Women can also take many physical actions to prevent varicose veins. 

1. Regular exercise is a key factor in preventing varicose veins because exercise increases the body’s ability to circulate blood.

2. Women can avoid crossing their legs when sitting and should shift positions frequently when they need to stand for long periods of time. 

3. Resting and elevating legs at least a few times a day has been shown to be of help. 

4. Women might also consider wearing loose, comfortable clothing and wearing support hosiery or compression stockings. 

Most women who have varicose veins do not require medical intervention or treatment.  Those who do require help will find that great advances are currently taking place.  Currently, help is usually given in the form of laser therapy.

Endo vascular Laser treatments provide good results for varicose veins. refer picture above.

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