varicose veins disorders

DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: VARICOSE VEINS

Description: Valves in the veins prevent blood from draining back into certain areas, especially the legs. When these valves are absent from birth or become incompetent, pooling of blood occurs in superficial (not deep) veins. This pooling of blood encourages the veins to become enlarged (dilated and swollen), elongated, and twist and bend more than normal (tortuous). When this happens the veins are called varicose. The most common site for varicose veins is on the inside of the leg and on the back of the calf.

Symptoms: Varicose veins are considered unsightly, and they can also cause symptoms ranging from a feeling of heaviness in the legs to deep aching to severe pain accompanied by swollen ankles and feet. The distended vein may be sore to the touch, and itching of skin in the affected area is common. Symptoms tend to become progressively worse as they day wears on, and worse yet with prolonged standing; elevating the legs most often eases symptoms. The appearance of the veins does not necessarily correspond to the severity of symptoms. Some people with obvious varicose veins experience no discomfort, while some with only the slightest appearance of the condition complain of severe pain.

Incidence: Varicose veins are very common and affect more women than men. Overall, varicose veins affect about 15 percent of adults in the U.S.

Causes: It is not known why some people develop varicose veins and others do not, although the disorder seems to run in families. Contributing factors include a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, chronic constipation, sitting in one position or standing on the legs for very long periods at a time, habitually sitting with the legs crossed, pregnancy, and hormonal changes at pregnancy or menopause.

Treatments: Most cases of varicose veins do not pose a serious problem and can be managed with simple home measures. In some cases, however, if varicose veins are not treated properly, complications such as bleeding under the skin, deep-vein blood clots, or ulcerated spots near the ankles may occur.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Coenzyme Q10	100 mg. daily	Improves tissue oxygenation, increases circulation and enhances immunity.
Essential fatty acids	As directed on label	Reduces pain and helps to keep blood vessels soft and pliable.
Glutathione	As directed on label	Protects the heart, veins, and arteries from oxidant damage.
Pycnogenol or grape seed extract	As directed on label	Stimulates blood circulation and boosts immunity.
Vitamin C plus Bioflavonoid complex	3,000-6,000 mg. daily 100 mg. daily.	Aids circulation by reducing blood clotting tendencies. To promote healing and prevent bruising.
Vitamin E	Start with 400 IU daily and slowly increase to 1000 IU daily	Improves circulation and aids in preventing heavy feeling in the legs.

Herbs:

	Butcher’s broom increases circulation in the legs. This herb has a constricting effect on the veins, which makes it remarkably effective in improving circulation. Take 300 to 500 mg. three times daily.
	Ginkgo biloba improves circulation and enhances tissue oxygenation.
	Gotu kola improves venous blood flow and speeds the healing of wounds, including skin ulcers.
	Hawthorn is high in vitamin C and the bioflavonoids, both necessary for good circulation.
	Horse chestnut improves vascular tone, reducing vascular leakage. It also helps with leg pain and fatigue.
	Pine-bark and grape-seed extract improve circulation. Take 50 mg. of either two to three times daily.

Recommendations:

	Eat a diet that is low in fat and refined carbohydrates and includes plenty of fish and fresh fruits and vegetables.
	Eat plenty of fiber to prevent constipation.
	Avoid animal protein, processed and refined foods, sugar, ice cream, fried foods, cheeses, peanuts, junk foods, tobacco, alcohol and salt.
	If you are overweight, make every effort to slim down, maintain a healthy weight, and get regular moderate exercise. Walking, swimming, and bicycling all promote good circulation. Change your daily routine to allow more time for exercise and movement for your legs.
	Wear loose clothing that does not restrict blood flow. It is a good idea to wear supportive elastic stockings to help support the varicose veins and prevent them from becoming more swollen.
	Avoid long periods of standing or sitting, crossing your legs, doing heavy lifting, and putting any unnecessary pressure on your legs. If your occupation requires you to stand or sit for long periods, vary your posture often. Take walking breaks whenever possible.
	To help improve circulation and ease pain, fill a tub with cold water. Stand in the water and simulate walking.
	Avoid scratching the itchy skin above varicose veins. This can cause ulceration and bleeding.

Considerations:

	Spider veins are chronically dilated capillaries near the surface of the skin. They are harmless and rarely cause any problems although distressing for cosmetic reasons.
	Hemorrhoids are actually varicose veins of the anus or rectum. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include rectal itching, pain, and blood in the stool.
	The symptoms of varicose veins are similar to those of thrombophlebitis. In addition, the chances of developing varicose veins increase greatly if you suffer from thrombophlebitis.
	If your varicose veins are not too troublesome, your physician may recommend that you wear support stockings or elastic bandages during the day. The elasticity of the stockings helps to keep the damaged veins from bulging.
	Varicose veins are sometimes treated by sclerotherapy. In this technique, the physician injects a sclerosing (corrosive) chemical into the distended veins. The chemical causes the walls of the veins to fuse together, so they can no longer carry blood. Collateral circulation develops, that is, surrounding veins take over for the ones that have been destroyed, to ensure that blood is returned to the heart as it should be. For deeper, larger varicosities, a doctor may use ultrasound to guide him or her in locating and injecting the veins.
	Severe varicose veins can be treated by surgery to strip the affected veins from the leg. Both stripping surgery and scleropathy are usually successful; however, varicosities may develop in other veins as times passes.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No. 59618-	Description	Comments	Cost
949-11	Coenzyme Q10 100 mg.	1 capsule daily	$19.95/30
F9539 NP	EFA (Essential Fatty Acid)	As directed on label	$10.95/60
222-12	Grape Seed Extract 150 mg. plus bioflavonoid	As directed on label	$32.95/60
970-12	Vitamin C 1000 mg. with rose hips tabs.	1 tablet 3 times daily	$5.75/60
234-15	Vitamin E 400 IU (D-alpha tocopheryl)	1 – 2 tablets daily	$8.95/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living

By Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreen, M.D., James B. LaValle, R.Ph.

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by The Burton Goldberg Group

The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Vitaminforlife.com or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.