Varicose Veins

Definition: enlargement of veins

Causes: Veins return blood to the heart and have valves to help prevent backflow. However, with prolonged standing or sitting, obesity, pregnancy, or no exercise, these valves can fail and blood can pool, causing enlargement of the veins.

Signs and symptoms:

Most varicose veins and close to the surface of the skin and are present in the legs, although they may be present anywhere veins occur. Dull pain may be present, sometimes with itching, and in worse cases there may be swelling.

Treatment:

Medically when varicose veins are bad enough, surgical intervention may occur or a laser may be utilized. Before this, however, they are treated with elevation of the legs or reduced standing, and the use of compression hose.

Alternative treatment for varicose veins includes the use of flavonoids, such as from buckwheat, to help strengthen the walls of the veins (flavonoids include compounds such as quercentin, hesperidin, rutin, and citrus bioflavanoids) and herbs such as horse chestnut and collinsonia or stone root.

Prevention:

Prevention includes maintaining a normal weight, avoiding prolonged standing with minimal movement, and eating a diet rich in flavonoids. Exercise such as walking is very helpful.

Reference:

Dermatol Ther 2003 June;16(2):106-13.