Varicose Veins: Causes and Home Remedies

Varicose veins are experiencing a boom in several parts of the country. Unfortunately, Yonkers, New York, has not been left behind. This is due to factors like an increasingly sedentary life spiced with stress, an unhealthy diet rich in fat and sweet foods, and reluctance to see a vein specialist in Yonkers even when necessary. If you or someone close suffers from varicose veins, be aware that you are not alone and can manage it. 

What Are the Risk Factors?

Varicose veins can affect men and women, although they are much more common in women, especially after 40. The swelling of varicose veins may occur due to several factors which increase pressure around the abdomen and lower parts of your body. They include:

  • Being overweight
  • Standing or sitting still for long periods
  • Stress 
  • A family history of varicose veins
  • Age (varicose veins are more common in older people)
  • Being a woman (Women are much more likely to develop them than men)

If they are not treated, varicose veins can get worse, resulting in a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. The veins cannot provide the body with enough blood, and this causes many symptoms, such as:

  • Tiredness, 
  • Muscle pain in the legs or abdomen
  • Leg ulcers and swollen ankles

In addition, varicose veins can cause more serious problems with other organs in your body, including your heart and lungs. In rare cases, varicose veins can be an early sign of another disease. This is the case with a condition called phlebitis. 

Phlebitis occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body. Blood clots (thrombosis) can form when your blood doesn’t flow properly through your veins. To prevent this from happening, you need a good diet and plenty of exercises. If the symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, then medical treatment is crucial.

Home Remedies that Work

  1. Horse Chestnut

 One of the most popular remedies for varicose veins is horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). It helps maintain healthy blood circulation and may improve venous tone. However, you should be aware that horse chestnut has not been scientifically proven to cure varicose veins. 

  1. Vitamin E

A second effective natural treatment is Vitamin E. The vitamin plays a crucial role in blood vessel health and circulation. It also helps to heal wounds due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E may ease the pain and itching associated with varicose veins.

  1. Acmella Oleracea

You can also use this extract from a plant called Acmella Oleracea. It is a South American herb that has been used as part of traditional medicine for centuries. The extract from this plant has several beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It may help heal varicose veins and joint pain. It may also boost your body’s natural healing processes, which is why it might be particularly effective for speeding up the process of wound healing.

If you have varicose veins, you’d be wise to see a doctor about it as soon as possible. Although natural remedies may help, getting your doctor’s opinion is always vital.