Dull, nagging aches and pains often accompany these prominent bluish, bulging veins.  Swelling, leg sores, leg cramps, and a feeling of heaviness in the legs are also characteristic of varicose veins.  Small varicosities, or “spider veins,” are harmless and do not cause any problems.

Hemorrhoids are a particularly painful type of varicose veins.  Hemorrhoids are varicose veins of the anus or rectum.  Symptoms of hemorrhoids include rectal itching, pain, and blood in the stool.  Additional causes of hemorrhoids are constipation, improper diet, and liver damage.

Lack of circulation contributes to the formation of varicose veins.  Varicose veins are common in people who sit for prolonged periods of time without movement, who sit with their legs crossed, who lack proper amounts of exercise, who are overweight or pregnant, or whose family exhibits a tendency toward varicose veins.  The veins just under the skin of the legs are most commonly affected due to the tremendous strain of standing.  When an individual stands for long periods, the pressure exerted against the vein can increase by up to ten times.  Hence, individuals with occupations that require long periods of standing are at greatest risk of developing varicose veins.

In general, varicose veins pose little harm if the involved vein is near the surface.  While cosmetically unappealing, these types of varicose veins pose no health threat.  A more serious form of varicose vein involves obstruction and valve defects of the deeper veins of the leg.  This type of varicose vein can lead to problems such as thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and stroke.

Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment

1.                 Avoid processed foods (e.g., white flour), refined foods (e.g., white sugar), and dairy products.  (See “Allergy—Foods.”)  Avoid excess salt as it causes fluid retention in the circulatory system and can cause bulging of the veins in the anus and elsewhere.

2.                  If hemorrhoids are present and bleeding, increase your consumption of alfalfa, Black strap molasses, kale, and dark green, leafy vegetables.  These are rich in vitamin K, which reduces the tendency to bleed.

3.                  Increase your intake of fiber.  Increase your consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, beans and grains.  Oat bran, brown rice, psyllium husk, and guar gum are natural bulking agents that can be used to reduce fecal straining and improve bowel habits.  (See “Constipation.”)

4.                  Increase your water intake (especially if you are also increasing your fiber intake).  Consuming six to eight glasses of distilled, spring, or reverse osmosis water daily is good for constipation and a good habit for anyone who is concerned about their health.

5.                 Exercise is important.  Increase your activity level, even if it is only walking 20 minutes a day three times a week.  Exercise speeds the movement of waste through the intestines.  It may also help you to keep your weight down.  This decreases your risk of developing varicose veins such as hemorrhoids.  (See “Obesity.”)  Avoid any heavy lifting that might cause you to strain. (See “Back Exercises.”)

6.                  Rest several times during the day and elevate your legs.  Avoid crossing your legs, heavy lifting, and putting any unnecessary pressure on your legs.  Wear loose clothing that does not restrict blood flow.  It is also a good idea for women to wear supportive elastic stocking; these will help support varicose veins and help prevent them from becoming more swollen.

7.                  Take occasional sitz baths.  Add Epsom salts and/or magnesium sulfate to the water.  These help to promote circulation and reduce venous swelling.

8.                  Keep the bowels clean.  This may be done with bowel cleansing agents and/or coffee enemas.  (See “Coffee Enema.”)

9.                  Hormone levels decrease as the body ages, and degenerative diseases increase.  Keeping hormone levels as near mid-range as possible helps the body to perform to its optimum.  Natural hormone supplements, such as DHEA, pregnenolone, thyroid, progesterone, and estrone are available.  These help counteract stress, which increase the production of cortisol and certain estrogens (both of which can cause edema and reduce oxygen consumption in the body), and promote well-being.

10.             Supplements known to be beneficial include vitamins C, E, and K, B-complex, Bioflavonoids, and the minerals magnesium and zinc.

11.             Herbs found to be useful are butcher’s broom, collinsonia root, parsley, red grapevine, and uva ursi.

12.             Homeopathics recommended include:  Aconite (when due to fatigue and long periods of standing), Aesculus (when venous distension is associated with pain), Carbo Vegetabilis (if associated with poor circulation), Fluoricum Acidum (for simple, uncomplicated cases associated with aging), Hamamelis (especially when if venous bleeding occurs), Lachesis (if ulceration has occurred), Pulsatilla (if varicosities occur after pregnancy), Silicea (if associated with infection somewhere in the body).  Hamamelis and Aesculus may be obtained in creams and ointments and used topically.

To learn more about healing and health optimizing therapies, go to www.NewHopeMedical.org or call NEW HOPE MEDICAL CENTER at (702) 476-0000 (direct line) or toll free (866) HEAL-NOW!