VARICOSE VEINS:

Role of Homoeopathy in Varicose Veins:

Homeopathy works very well for mild to moderate cases of varicose veins. It helps to reduce pain, control further varicosity, reduces swelling. Homeopathy also helps significantly in the cases which have varicose ulcers. Homeopathic treatment is strongly recommended for all cases of varicose veins except for those which are truly surgical in nature.

Definition:

Varicose veins are lumpy, twisted, enlarged veins. Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs and feet. That's because standing and walking upright increases the pressure in the veins of your lower body.

For many people, varicose veins and spider veins — a common, mild variation of varicose veins — are simply a cosmetic concern. For other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes varicose veins lead to moreserious problems.

Varicose veins may also signal a higher risk of other circulatory problems. Treatment may involve self-care measures or procedures by your doctor to close or remove veins.

Symptoms:

Varicose veins may not cause any pain. Signs you may have with varicose veins include:

• Veins that are dark purple or blue in color
• Veins that appear twisted and bulging; often like cords on your legs
When painful signs and symptoms occur, they may include:
• An achy or heavy feeling in your legs
• Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
• Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
• Itching around one or more of your veins
• Bleeding from varicose veins
• A painful cord in the vein with red discoloration of the skin
• Color changes, hardening of the vein, inflammation of the skin or skin ulcers near your ankle, which can mean you have a serious form of vascular disease that requires medical attention Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they're smaller. Spider veins are found closer to the skin's surface and are often red or blue. They occur on the legs, but can also be found on the face. Spider veins vary in size and often look like a spider's web.

Causes:

Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues. Veins return blood from the rest of your body to your heart, so the blood can be recirculated. To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work against gravity. Muscle contractions in your lower legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to your heart. Tiny valves in your veins open as blood flows toward your heart then close to stop blood from flowing backward.

Causes of varicose veins can include:

• Age: Blood pools in your veins and your veins enlarge and become varicose. The veins appear blue because they contain deoxygenated blood, which is in the process of being recirculated through the lungs. As you get older, your veins can lose elasticity, causing them to stretch. The valves in your veins may become weak, allowing blood that should be moving toward your heart to flow backward.
• Pregnancy: Some pregnant women develop varicose veins. Pregnancy increases the volume of blood in your body, but decreases the flow of blood from your legs to your pelvis. This circulatory change is designed to support the growing fetus, but it can produce an unfortunate side effect — enlarged veins in your legs. Varicose veins may surface for the first time or may worsen during late pregnancy, when your uterus exerts greater pressure on the veins in your legs. Changes in your hormones during pregnancy also may play a role. Varicose veins that develop during pregnancy generally improve without medical treatment three to 12 months after delivery.

Risk factors:

These factors increase your risk of developing varicose veins:
• Age: The risk of varicose veins increases with age. Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins that help regulate blood flow. Eventually, that wear causes the valves to allow some blood to flow back into your veins where it collects instead of flowing up to your heart.
• Sex: Women are more likely to develop the condition. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, premenstruation or menopause may be a factor because female hormones tend to relax vein walls. Taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills may increase your risk of varicose veins.
• Family history: If other family members had varicose veins, there's a greater chance you will too.
• Obesity: Being overweight puts added pressure on your veins. Standing or sitting for long periods of time: Your blood doesn't flow as well if you're in the same position for long periods.

Complications:

Complications of varicose veins, although rare, can include:
• Ulcers: A discolored spot on the skin usually begins before an ulcer forms. See your doctor immediately if you suspect you've developed an ulcer. Extremely painful ulcers may form on the skin near varicose veins, particularly near the ankles. Ulcers are caused by long-term fluid buildup in these tissues, caused by increased pressure of blood within affected veins.
• Blood clots (thrombophlebitis): Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged. In such cases, the affected leg may swell considerably. Any sudden leg swelling warrants urgent medical attention because it may indicate a blood clot.
• Bleeding: Occasionally, veins very close to the skin may burst. This usually causes only minor bleeding. But, any bleeding warrants medical attention because there's a high risk it can happen again.

Treatment:

1. Non-medical treatment: Postural correction and changes form important part of treatment for varicose veins, as under:
   • Always keep your legs elevated on a pillow during sleep (in case of varicosity of leg veins)
   • Avoid long standing, form a habit of sitting down
   • Ware suitable stockings
2. Surgical treatment: Surgery may be indicated if varicosity is very severer.
3. Homeopathic treatment: Some homeopathic medicines have been found to be very effective for treating varicose veins. These medicines not only relieve pain and the heaviness, they also improve the elasticity of the veins. The swelling reduces. There is sometimes the need to prescribe a constitutional medicine. Such a medicine varies from patient to patient and may have nothing to do with varicose veins. The medicines mentioned here are those that are based on therapeutic indications.

Hamamelis:

Hamamelis is one of the best homeopathic medicines for varicose veins. There may be bleeding from the veins. There is a feeling of tiredness in the legs. Also, there may be a sore, bruised feeling in the muscles of the legs. The varices may be inflamed.

Pulsatilla:

In cases when the varicose veins start during pregnancy, Pulsatilla is one of the best homeopathic medicines for varicose veins. There is intense pain in the varicose veins. The patient is usually thirstless. She is unable to tolerate heat or warm weather. Feels better in open air.

Calcarea Carb:

In cases that are painless, Calcarea Carb is one of the best Homeopathic medicines for varicose veins. The patient is malnourished but obese. There may be burning sensation in the varicose veins. Patient is chilly. The hands and feet remain cold and may have excessive sweating.

Graphites:

In cases where there is itching with the varicosities, Graphites is one of the best Homeopathic medicine for varicose veins. It is also very good when there are cramping pains in the legs. The patient is usually obese, constipated and may have other skin problems.

Arnica:

Arnica is also very commonly indicated when there is a sore, bruised sensation in the varicose veins. At times, there is a feeling as if one has been beaten. There may be bluish or blackish discoloration of the veins. Any exertion aggravates the trouble.

Lycopodium

When this remedy is indicated, drawing or tearing pains are felt in the legs, sometimes with a numb sensation. Symptoms are worse when the person is keeping still, and the legs may cramp at night in bed. People who need this remedy may have a worried facial expression along with digestive problems, sluggish liver function, and poor circulation.

Zincum metallicum

When this remedy is needed, the legs are fidgety and restless, with weakness in the muscles, crawling sensations, and a tendency to twitch. Large varicose veins may develop, with pain and soreness that are worse from touch. The person may feel worse from alcohol, especially wine.