Conventional Treatments of Varicose Veins by bcured

Diet therapy is a widely accepted modality in the management of varicose veins. Many physicians consider the first line of therapy to be a high fiber diet with commercial fiber supplements and enough oral fluids to produce soft, but well formed and regular bowel movements. A low fiber diet can result in small hard stools that can cause patients to strain during bowel movements. This strain increases intra-abdominal pressure, subsequently increasing pressure on the veins of the lower legs. Over time this can deteriorate vascular integrity. A high fiber diet is an important component to the prevention and treatment of varicose veins. This in addition to hydrotherapy, proper anal hygiene, and avoiding activities that require the patient to strain are the foundation of the approach of many family practitioners to these conditions. The warm sitz bath is the hydrotherapy indicated for conditions associated with increased pelvic congestion. The warm sitz bath is an effective non-invasive therapy for uncomplicated varicose veins, but requires a high degree of patient compliance. Standard treatment for varicose veins is surgery, mechanical compression, or sclerotherapy. Painful varicose veins with recurrent phlebitis or skin changes are considered indications for surgery. General practitioners must refer to a vascular surgeon for surgery and should consider this only if indicated. Compression therapy is achieved with lightweight hosiery for small, mildly symptomatic varicose veins. Advanced cases require a heavier elastic support stocking. Mechanical compression is inconvenient, uncomfortable, and subject to poor compliance. Additionally patients can apply the elastic bandage too tightly, producing a tourniquet effect. Even when applied correctly, bandages can rapidly loosen and become ineffective. Injection sclerotherapy is used to treat all degrees of primary varicose veins. The aim of sclerotherapy is to destroy the vein by fibrosis. Sodium tetradecyl sulfate 1% solution is injected, while the vein is emptied of blood, causing damage to the intima of the vein and permanent fibrosis. Sclerotherapy does not require hospitalization, and the patient resumes normal activity after the procedure. A major component of a safe and effective therapy for varicose veins, that is often overlooked, is the use of botanical and nutritional therapies. Several botanical extracts have been shown to improve microcirculation, capillary flow, and vascular tone, and strengthen connective tissue of the perivascular amorphous substrate. The goals of botanical and nutritional support are consistent with the philosophy of treating the cause of a disease. Conversely, the bulk of standard treatments for varicose veins are geared toward removing the problem or palliating the disease. Additionally, the low compliance associated with treatments such as hydrotherapy, mechanical compression therapy, and diet and lifestyle changes renders oral dietary supplementation an attractive option. Early intervention with conservative therapies may prevent time-consuming and expensive complications of varicose veins. The use of nutritional and botanical agents for the treatment of varicose veins is possibly the missing link to an effective conservative approach to these diseases. VenousBalm-Rx and VenousDrops have in practically all known cases, produced spectacular results in the elimination of varicose veins and related conditions. It offers a real alternative in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate venous insufficiency and varicose veins. It can be stated that application of VaricoseBalm-Rx has an immediate therapeutic effect against varicose veins and related conditions while VenousDrops have a positive influence on the immune response and venous circulation, a combination which explains their dynamic effectiveness. These treatments defeat varicose veins time after time. VenousBalm-Rx and VenousDrops end varicose veins by directly improving circulation, strengthening the immune system, and breaking up fibrin deposits. Results achieved with these products are more than convincing especially in view of the poor efficacy of allopathic treatments using surgery or classic synthetic medications.

Veins Varicose: Five Natural Ways to Get Rid of Varicose Veins by Francine Davidovich

You can cure varicose leg veins in a safe, natural way, without invasive surgery. If you suffer with leg pain or weakness due to abnormally swollen or enlarged bluish veins on your legs or experience burning leg pain or ankle pain in varying degrees, look no further.

If you are among the many people that are looking for natural therapies to relieve pain and pressure in your legs due to varicose and spider veins, these five natural ways can help you. Invasive surgical procedures are no longer a popular solution in most cases.

Alternative herbal treatments for this condition are becoming more popular and, in some cases, are a better choice because they rejuvenate veins, reduce pain, and provide a more permanent solution than surgery. Honest plastic surgeons recommend using alternative methods such as natural creams before resorting to surgery.

Five Natural ways that you can prevent and even get rid of varicose veins:

- increase blood circulation in the legs - exercise such as walking, cycling and running moves blood up the legs by strengthening leg muscles. These types of exercise not only keep the condition from worsening but they improve blood flow which reduces your leg pain and also prevents leg pain cramps.

- reduce weight bearing - start by losing excess weight, handling less heavy articles and reducing activities that put excessive strain on your legs.

- wear varicose vein stockings - supports the veins with a steady pressure that helps prevent your legs from aching and swelling because they help to increase leg circulation. Stockings can help increase energy and reduce pain while you're wearing them but are not a permanent cure. When they come off, the spider and varicose veins will still be there.

- eat a diet rich in fibre - include fruits, berries, fresh vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Their fibre strengthens leg vein walls, reduces pressure on veins and prevents constipation. Reducing high-fat animal protein in your diet as well as heavy, starchy foods and drinking plenty water will help stop varicose veins from forming.

- use circulation enhancers - check for therapeutic grade essential oils and natural herbs in leg veins products. The herbal extract Calendula is known to compensate for circulation deficiencies. This herbal extract is known for its anti-inflammatory and regenerative capabilities. Gingko biloba and Horse chestnut are used to reduce varicose veins pain and swelling. These herbs heal damaged tissue and are very beneficial for leg vein health.

It is preferred to use these herbs externally in a cream or lotion rather than internally to get quick and dependable results. According to the Mayo Clinic, "using these powerful herbs can significantly reduce pain and vein size and may actually be as effective a treatment as compression stockings."

By following these five natural ways to remedy varicose veins, you give using the best therapy for varicose veins that not only prevents them from getting worse but may also reduce and eliminate them completely without any surgery. You can also prevent new ones from forming in the future.

If you continue to follow these steps throughout your life, you can get rid of varicose veins permanently.

Treatments for Spider Veins and Varicose Veins May Provide Much Needed Relief by Justin DiMateo

For those suffering from spider veins or varicose veins, certain treatments may provide relief from these venous conditions. Varicose veins may cause the legs to feel heavy and may be quite uncomfortable for some patients. They may also cause patients to feel embarrassed by the bulky, unappealing appearance of these veins.

Spider veins, while they do not cause pain like varicose veins, may be just as aesthetically unappealing. Spider veins often emanate from a central point and continue outwards. These veins often resemble a spider, hence the name spider veins.

Patients may have several options when seeking treatment for spider veins and varicose veins. The best way to determine which treatment may prove to be the most successful is to speak with a medical professional at a reputable clinic. The first step is to determine if the patient is suffering from spider veins or varicose veins and then work towards developing a treatment plan.

Certain treatments may prove more successful against spider veins, while varicose veins may require other treatments. For instance, sclerotherapy is a treatment that utilizes a sterile chemical sclerant to irritate the blood vessel's lining. The vessel eventually becomes inflamed, hardens and fades away.

This treatment has proven successful in the treatment of spider veins and smaller varicose veins, but larger varicose veins may not be affected by this treatment. There are various forms of sclerotherapy, some utilizing ultrasound technology to help guide the treatment and locate the problem vessel that may be the underlying cause of the problem.

Patients suffering from varicose veins may turn to endovenous laser ablation to find relief. This is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of a laser fiber directly into the vein that is causing the problem. The laser fiber heats the vein and damages it, which causes it to collapse, shrink and disappear.

Compression stockings have also been used in the treatment of venous conditions. These are garments worn to promote healthy blood flow and are often worn following treatment to assist in healing. In many cases, compression stockings have been used as a first option to treat patients suffering from venous diseases, as they are less expensive and than other options and may prove to be a noninvasive alternative.

Other treatments may also be used. Patients should speak with a medical professional at a reputable clinic to discuss their condition and their treatment options to determine the best course of action.

Varicose Veins by Dave Roberts

Varicose veins and spider veins are often mischaracterized as a cosmetic problem. Actually, they are a sign of an underlying disorder of the circulatory system called venous insufficiency. By age sixty, 70% of women will suffer from this condition. Left untreated, it can lead to a chronic, debilitating, and sometimes limb-threatening condition. Unfortunately this disease process is under-diagnosed and under-treated. Sadly, many patients opt for treatments that address only the superficial appearance of veins only to find that the veins reappear. Some superficial, skin deep treatments leave the veins worse than before treatment and cause the skin to appear blotchy or discolored. The underlying cause is never considered, diagnosed, or properly treated. Modern treatment of this age old problem can now be accomplished with an array of minimally invasive techniques in an outpatient setting.

Varicose vein disease afflicts women with twice the frequency as men. Many of my patients comment that the first veins became visible or worsened during the third trimester or in the peripartum. This is the result of being gravid and living with gravity. A woman's blood volume will increase significantly during pregnancy. Veins can serve as storage vessels for the extra blood volume. Late in pregnancy, that extra blood can overwhelm the veins below the heart, and can damage the valves within the leg veins that normally function to protect the skin veins below. After delivery, some women are fortunate as these valves snap back and function properly; however in many others the valves continue to malfunction. The blood in the leg veins does not flow properly back to the heart. Instead, gravity pulls that blood downwards, and ultimately causes the skin veins to bulge.

Over time this unhealthy circulatory pattern can lead to tissue damage including swelling, dermatitis, and ulceration. As the blood is not flowing properly, the varicosities may clot, causing phlebitis, or they may rupture and bleed. Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are additional risks of untreated venous insufficiency; this is a potentially fatal event. Aching, fatigue, itching or restless legs are common complaints of patients with venous insufficiency. Symptoms worsen at the end of the day. Relief is obtained with leg elevation, support stockings and pain medication. Because symptom onset is gradual, this disease may take decades to become apparent. All too often patients and physicians alike defer seeking care.

"Spider Veins" or telangiectasias may be an early sign of venous insufficiency that appear when tiny skin veins, previously invisible, become engorged and enlarge. We have seen many patients who come from treatment of spider veins, who have had superficial injection treatments, and have seen reappearance after 6-12 months. Even worse, those who choose superficial laser treatments of leg spider veins exchange their spider veins for dark blotches in the skin. The underlying problem is never treated. A careful specialist ultrasound evaluation will usually show a deeper source vein.

A new outpatient treatment called the Closure The procedure users radio frequency energy to shut off the leaky source vein, eliminating the major cause of varicose veins. When the Closure Procedure is used, a tiny catheter placed into the leaky source vein delivers a form of light energy to the vein wall. This energy causes collagen in the vein to change shape, closing the vein. This elegant procedure is completed in about an hour with minimal or no discomfort and a return to work or normal activity the same day.

Closure is covered by most all insurances and is performed in our outpatient surgienter devoted exclusively to vein care. Clinical studies have shown outstanding safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction. Patients are delighted with symptom relief and cosmetic improvement, 98% of whom would recommend Closure for a friend.

Varicose Veins: Diagnosis and Investigations by Sohail Choksy

Varicose veins: Diagnosis and Investigations

In the leg there are two sets of veins, supeficial veins near the skin and deeper veins within the muscle. Varicose veins affect the superficial veins in the leg causing them to become dilated and tortuous. They are visible as lumpy swellings beneath the skin with a bluish dis-colouration (varicosities). The varicosites that you can see are usually filled by vein trunks commonly the long saphenous or short saphenous vein whose valves are defective, causing blood to pool in them. Symptoms attributable to varicose veins are due to increased pressure in the veins (venous hypertension). Veins are most prominent and symptomatic when standing due to gravity. A common aim of all treatment is removing, blocking off or interrupting the long or short saphenous veins.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins commonly cause the following symptoms: Acheing Throbbing Tenderness Cramps Leg heaviness Itching Swelling Can be unsightly

In some cases varicose veins can cause complications which include:

Skin discolouration (brown) Thrombophlebitis Skin eczema Bleeding and ulceration

What causes them?

Varicose veins are often inherited (genetic). They are made worse by prolonged standing, pregnancy and obesity.

Normally one way valves keep blood flowing upwards in the veins towards the heart. If these valves don't function properly blood can pool in the veins causing them to bulge.

This can lead to "venous hypertension" which is responsible for most of the symptoms and complications attributable to varicose veins. Click here for ananimation on varicose veins. Investigation of varicose veins

Investigation begins with a thorough clinical assessment of symptoms and signs.

The hand held doppler (similar to that used to listen to the babies heart during pregnancy) is used to establish the sites of leaky valves ("reflux") between deep and superficial veins. At these site blood flows the wrong way giving rise to varicose veins further down the leg. The commonest sites of leaky valves are in the groin (the saphenofemoral junction), behind the knee (the saphenopopliteal junction) and in the midthigh/calf (perforators).

Modern treatment of varicose veins relies on the use of a colour duplex ultrasound machine to create a "road map" of leaky veins in the leg. Information from the scan can also help the surgeon decide which type of treatment is most suitable for the patient.

Using Laser For Cosmetic Surgery

Nowadays, people are very preoccupied with their appearance. Some are even obsessed with how they look and science is there to take care of their needs. Everyone wants to look good and young, but the fear of operations keeps them away from making their dreams come true. Their fear is rational since a lot of harm can be done: severe blood loss, infections, anesthetic allergies, and unintended cosmetic outcomes. Any surgical procedure involves risks. Why resort to this, when cosmetic procedures by laser can be performed easier, and with less risks?

A laser is a device that concentrates light waves of identical color, wavelength and direction. This way it creates a precise and powerful ray. Lasers are operated only through computers therefore the risk of a human mistake is very low. Over the years, a lot of different types of laser devices have been invented. Some of the most popular ones are gas lasers, solid state lasers, dye lasers, semiconductor lasers. The gas laser with CO2 is mainly used for laser facial skin resurfacing, while the argon laser helps with blood vessel conditions like varicose vein removal. For crows feet removal an Erbium/EAG laser is used.

The basic principle of laser hair removal is that the light energy of the laser penetrates the skin and is converted into heat. There, it injures the hair follicle inhibiting re-growth. The laser hair removal procedure has to be done during the growth stage of the hair and this is a bit tricky because hair grows in cycles. This is why plastic surgeons recommend multiple sessions before the laser hair removal procedure is considered finished. Sometimes anesthesia can be used during the laser hair removal procedure, but it usually is not necessary because the pain is minimal. A session can take anywhere from ten minutes to an hour.

The good thing with laser hair removal is that there are minimal post-op complications. The area may be red or swollen, but the reaction passes only a short while. The irritation can be gradually reduced with the help of a cream or ointment. Hair will reappear for few weeks during the laser hair removal procedure, but that's no reason to worry. It is only dead hair falling out.

Most people who are not satisfied with their looks try to reach their ideal with the least amount of surgery possible. Through laser facial skin resurfacing the passing of years becomes invisible and there's no surgery involved either. It can be a less painful procedure than dermabrasion via chemical peels. Laser technology has made crows feet removal easy, as well as general facial wrinkle removal possible, without the risks of a surgical facelift.

Warts are very unpleasant. They hurt, are unattractive, and they are contagious. People usually let warts disappear because wart removal isn't very easy. After a couple of years they go away. But why do so when the problem can be eliminated sooner? Wart removal of extensive warts on the hands or feet is a common procedure thanks to laser surgery.

Older women and men have yet another problem, one that affects the blood vessels. In the past, varicose veins used to be quite a burden - painful and unaesthetic, but technology made life better through varicose vein removal.

There are still many examples of cosmetic procedures by laser. The good thing is that all these procedures are relatively painless and show immediate results. They have one disadvantage though: they can cost a lot of money. However, if you are interested in looking younger and healthier, you may find the costs worth it.

Let's take body hair as an example. People find laser hair removal to be the perfect answer. It is true hair can be removed through other cosmetic ways, but it may grow back, costing more money for repeat treatment. Some women hate body hair on their lips, armpits, belly, bikini line, and legs, making laser hair removal necessary. Even men are now more interested in how they look. In the past, body hair on men was a sign of manhood. It separated the children from the adults, and was thought to be an evidence of virility. Today, things are "a little bit" different: body hair on men may be considered unpleasant, and it is taken off through laser hair removal treatments. Although there are alternatives to laser hair removal, it's difficult to repeat the painful routine of waxing and shaving. Laser hair removal is a permanent option. The hair in the specific area won't grow again or, if that happens, it will take a long period of time: months or even years. Therefore, it's a great idea to get laser hair removal instead of using the old fashion methods which can create complications.

If you are willing to do almost anything to look good and feel good at the same time, then undergoing cosmetic procedures by laser is the next best thing. The lack of pain and the amazing results of laser hair removal, varicose vein removal, or laser facial resurfacing, will make you forget any conventional methods you have used. Who wouldn't trade the smell of wax, the risky surgical procedures, and the pain for something new and better?

By: Mario Bentley

Varicose Veins Treatment Tips

Veins or the thin-walled vessels carry impure the blood back to the heart. Also veins act as one-way valve that also prevents impure blood from flowing to backwards. When these small valves become weak, the blood flows back to the veins and then results in congestion due to the clots of blood. With the congestion the veins becomes very enlarged and this condition is well known as varicose veins.

Various types of varicose veins

* Venous lakes
These are pools of blood in the veins found on face and neck.
* Telangiectases
These are fine clusters of blood vessels reddish in color and found on the face or upper body.
* Reticular veins
These are flat, blue veins under skin that are mostly seen behind the knee.

The Major causes of varicose veins

* Pregnancy
* Lack of exercise
* Obesity
* Long-standing periods

Natural Remedies for varicose veins

* Use cider vinegar on to the varicose veins in morning and evening in routine till the veins get shrinking.
* To the affected areas apply vitamin E oil.
* The raw vegetable juices like carrot juice in combination with some other juice like spinach juice has been proved beneficial. It can be also taken in a proportion of 250 ml carrot juice and 180 ml of spinach juice.
* Hot Epsom salt bath is very effective and it should be taken at least twice in a week.
* Over affected area, a mudpack can be applied at night.
* The hot and cold hipbath is very valuable and it can be taken daily.
* Vitamin C is very effective in the treatment of the varicose veins.
* Also the affected area can be sprayed with cold water or cold pack can be easily applied over it.
* For dealing with varicose veins, Sunbathing is also very helpful.
* Some yoga postures like sirshasana, padmasana, gomukhasana, vajrasana and shalabhasana are proved very beneficial as they drain the blood from the legs and reduce pressure on the veins and make blood flow easily.
* Condiments, alcohol, coffee, strong tea, white flour products, white sugar and Potatoes should not be taken.
* Deep breathing exercises are best to prevent the varicose veins problem.

By: steven marks

Natural Varicose Vein Treatment

Natural Varicose Vein Treatment: For well over 60 sixty years natural treatment with bioflavoniods has shown it has the ability to improve venous health, including varicose vein and bruises. OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) have been known to help repair some varicose veins, and reduce the occurrence of new varicose veins. OPCs have the ability to strengthen capillaries, the body’s smallest blood vessels.

Varicose Vein Symptoms: If you have varicose veins your legs may feel heavy, tired, restless or achy. Sitting or standing for long periods of time may worsen symptoms, you may also experience night cramps. You may notice small clusters of twisting veins on your legs which can be tender. The skin in that area may change color, become irritated or even develop sores.

Varicose Vein Causes: The cause of varicose veins is high blood pressure in your superficial leg vein. Factors that can increase risk for varicose veins can include:

• Family History of Varicose Vein
• Being Overweight
• Not Enough Exercise
• Smoking
• Standing or Sitting for Long Periods of Time
• Women are More Likely than Men
• Usually Affects People Between Ages 30 and 70

Natural Varicose Vein Treatment: Fifteen Clinical Studies in Venous disorders have been conducted with the key natural OPC ingredient Pycnogenol alone, involving chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, post-thrombotic syndrome, and venous stasis edema. Natural treatment with Pycnogenol helps keep all of the blood vessels healthy and reduces edema in the legs, which contributes to the development of varicose veins. When treatment of edema is successful, the increased pressure on the veins gets normalized, preventing the veins from further increasing size. Dr. Rohdewald a researcher of the study for pycnogenol stated that pycnogenol has demonstrated its efficacy and safety in several clinical studies, and symptoms have been significantly reduced by pycnogenol in controlled studies. We were pleased to see the results not only decreased symptoms, but the results were significantly more successful than prescription drugs.

Best Source for Pycnogenol: A natural supplement Isotonix OPC-3 (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine, pine bark extracts and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be potent antioxidants. Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol in the world.

By: Richard Bonney

Affordable Varicose Vein Treatments

Many of us hesitate to seek the best treatment for varicose veins because we are worried about the cost. More often than not, instead of seeking the best varicose vein treatment, we just make do with whatever cheap treatment that we can find. Fortunately, the advancement in technology has made treatment more affordable these days. Some reputable clinics are all over the country now offer varicose vein removal for affordable prices. The challenge now is how to find these reputable clinics that are offering the best varicose vein treatment for affordable prices and get an appointment. To get you started in the right direction, here are some tips on how to find affordable varicose vein treatment.

One of the easiest ways to find the best varicose vein treatment is through referrals. Ask you friend, family members and colleagues if they know of any clinic that is offering affordable varicose treatment. After getting referrals from these people, do some shopping. Use the phone to get some information about the prices of services offered by these clinics referred to you by your friends, family members and colleagues. As you go along, narrow down your list and select the best three candidates. Narrowing your choices will make your job selecting the best varicose view treatment clinic easier.

Once you have narrowed your choices, you need to make at least one visit to all these clinics in order to make and intelligent decision as to which clinic offers the best varicose vein treatment. To set an appointment, give these clinics a call.

When visiting the top three clinics on your list, pay close attention to the appearance of the office and the kind of people who are working in the clinic. These three things will give you a good idea of the kind of service that this clinic has to offer. How? A clean and well organized office will give you an idea of how efficient the clinic and the doctors are. If the clinic look dirty and disorganized, watch out, this may have an implication on the competence of the people who are working in the clinic. On the other hand, if the people who greeted you during your initial visit to the clinic looked too tired and harassed, you better beware. You cannot expect people who are too tired and harassed to give you the best varicose vein treatment. You don't really want to put yourself in the hands of people who are too busy or hurried to do their job well.

By: John Jacobs

Varicose Veins Helped By Leg Pillow Wedge

A leg pillow wedge minimizes the chances of your blood pooling in your leg veins and allows the blood back to the heart for improved circulation. If you have normal functioning veins, the little valves in the vein keep blood moving forward toward the heart. The reason you may have varicose veins or “spider veins” showing on your legs is the valves do not function properly and blood remains in the vein. The veins expand due to the pooling of blood in the vein. The expanding veins cause leg pain. Elevating your legs above the level of your heart with a leg pillow wedge, may give you comfort and reduce the pain from the swelling veins.

Proper treatment of varicose veins depends on how severe they have become. The treatments include complex medical procedures, surgical or laser treatment to help prevent serious disabling complications, and cosmetic procedures that reduce the appearance of varicose veins. The proper diagnosis of varicose veins includes a physical examination and special medical testing as needed. An ultrasound evaluation is one of the most important tests performed to diagnose varicose veins. An accurate ultrasound test will help determine the most appropriate treatment for you.

As we age varicose veins tend to get worse over time. You can take steps to you’re your discomfort and slow varicose vein progression with self care. If you have a family history of the problem, avoid prolonged standing and elevate your legs whenever feasible. The leg pillow wedge can be used in bed or on the sofa.

These are the 6 most common signs that the varicose veins are getting worse. Please call your doctor or health care provider for an appointment if:

1. Your varicose veins are or become painful. The pain you are feeling is a critical sign. The veins may be blocked and may cause blood clots and severe infections.

2. They get worse or do not improve with self-treatment, such as keeping the legs elevated on a leg pillow wedge. Avoiding excessive standing or bed rest is the most important thing you can do until the proper medical treatment is determined by a health professional.

3. Complications develop. Complications include a sudden increase in pain or swelling, fever, redness of the leg, or leg ulcers.

4. In some severe cases the skin darkens on the legs. The blood pooling causes the appearance, but infections may also cause a dark color.

5. Numbness in the legs. This happens when the swelling presses on nerve endings.

6. Itching or irritated rash on your legs. The itchy feeling may seem like an unexplained bug bite or early poison ivy that never develops.

Health professionals recommend elevated rest using a leg pillow wedge to help reduce the symptoms of varicose veins. These top 5 simple symptoms can be helped with elevated rest, however see your doctor and follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment. These simple signs should not be ignored, but you can help reduce them with a leg pillow wedge:

1. Mild swelling of ankles.
2. Visible and enlarged veins.
3. Brown discoloration of the skin at the ankles. Sometimes improved circulation reduces the redness or darkening.
4. Fullness, heaviness, aching, and sometimes pain in the legs.
5. Skin ulcers near the ankle (this is more often seen in severe cases)

By: BetsyPowell

Treating Varicose Veins with Compression Hose and Surgery by Mark Etinger

As is the case with most medical conditions, patients suffering from varicose veins can treat their pain and swelling using a variety of techniques. The two most common treatment methods are compression hose and surgery.

Compression Hose

Also called varicose veins stockings, compression hose support blood flow in the legs and can relieve the pain and sensitivity associated with the condition. Compression hose are tightest at the ankles, becoming progressively looser over the calves, knees, and thighs. The extra pressure around the ankle and lower calf helps the body pump blood from the calf to the heart. This is important because the veins in the leg must push blood upward - against gravity - and can become varicose when pressure weakens internal valves, allowing blood to flow backwards.

Compression socks and hose are available in a variety of support levels and styles. Support levels are measured in mmHg and begin at 10 to 20 mmHg for over-the-counter products. Prescription compression hose must be professionally fitted and can reach levels greater than 50 mmHg.

At one point, compression hose were only manufactured in a small number of styles, but the market has expanded to include nearly as many options as regular stockings. Patients can choose between knee-high, thigh-high, and full compression hose, with optional open toe forms ideal for warm weather shoes. Varicose veins stockings are also available in a variety of colors, including black, nude, and white. Some popular brands include Medi, Miss Relax, and Jobst Support Socks.

Surgery and Other Techniques

Varicose veins can be treated through a variety of medical techniques, including vein stripping, sclerotherapy, and laser treatment. In vein stripping procedures, varicose veins are stripped (removed) from the body after being tied off. As varicose veins are typically superficial, they can be removed with little effect.

Alternatively, sclerotherapy actually causes the vein to close on its own when a chemical called schlerosant is injected into the vein. Sclerotherapy is generally only used to treat small varicose veins. Laser treatment achieves a similar affect through a process called abalation, which damages the vein through an inserted laser fiber. This treatment is also best for small veins, as well as spider veins, and it is sometimes performed in conjunction with a vein stripping procedure.

Women choose varicose vein surgery for a number of reasons. Some are most interested in reducing pain, while others are bothered by the veins' swollen appearance. Barring any intervening medical conditions, varicose vein procedures are generally considered safe, however their long term affects have not yet been studied.

Both compression hose and surgery are valid treatment options for varicose veins, but doctors generally encourage patients to try varicose veins stockings before pursuing surgery. This way, patients can make an informed decision about whether or not their varicose veins require surgical intervention. For many women, wearing compression hose provides adequate treatment, but every case is different. If you're looking to begin treating your varicose veins, it's best to start with over-the-counter stockings and work your way up.

External Hemroid Treatment by David T.

Hemorrhoids is a common condition that forms when pressure is placed on the veins leading up the rectal area. The pressure leads to varicose veins which in this area will cause the symptoms of hemorrhoids such as itching, swelling, bleeding and burning. External hemorrhoids form on the outside of the anus whereas internal hemorrhoids occur inside.

To gain external hemroid treatment it is sometimes easier than solving internal ones but at the same external hemorrhoids can prove to be very sore in some cases. Your first job will be to heal up the swelling which can be accomplished using common household methods. One remedy would be to use ice packs. Apply ice packs to the rectal area several times per day and it should not only provide relief but reduce the amount of swelling of the hemorrhoids.

You may also find relief by using sitz bath treatment. This is where you place your buttocks in a few inches of warm water. Sitz baths have been known to help heal certain cases of hemorrhoids but some people have reported no change or even further irritation with this method.

Another external hemroid treatment would be with topical creams and gels. Look for natural treatments such as witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can be found in a few forms and will help heal skin irritations such as burns. It has been known to treat hemorrhoids as well. Aloe vera, another skin healing method, is also a top choice when it comes to the treatment of hemorrhoids.

Once your hemorrhoids have healed it is important that you maintain a good diet to make it less likely that the hemorrhoids surface again in the future. This can be achieved with a diet that is high in fiber and liquids.