Varicose veins are nasty looking, enlarged veins that crop up just below the skin’s surface, usually in the thighs and the calves. Approximately 10% of the human population is affected by varicose veins with more women than men being the sufferers.
Following are some effective home remedies to combat the swelling, leg cramps, pain and other discomforts associated with varicose veins.
Ways to Cure Varicose Veins
Lose Weight
Being obese is an important factor contributing to varicose veins. Obese people are less active and so are their leg muscles.Their blood vessels are highly taxed when it comes to pumping blood from their lower limbs back to the heart. Shedding all those extra kilos of weight will ease the burden on strained blood vessels and veins.
Exercise
Physical activity improves blood circulation. Activities like Aerobics, bicycling, walking, running, leg raises and climbing stairs are good exercises for the leg muscles. Once in a while flex your toe muscles. Avoid sitting for a long period of time.When your knees are bent for a prolonged period of time, blood flow from the lower limbs to the heart is affected leading to more complexities of varicose veins. Exercise makes muscles in the lower limbs contract which makes the blood flow back easily through the veins, back to the heart.
Mud Packs And Baths
Make a mud pack or paste of Fullers Earth in water. Apply this mud pack on your varicose veins and keep the pack overnight. Rinse it off in the morning.An alternate hot and cold water bath from the hip is very effective for treating varicose veins. A hot Epsom salt bath taken twice a week also relieves the discomfort caused by varicose veins.
Best Leg Positions To Reduce Pain
Elevate your legs for every 10 to 15 minutes in an hour. Sit on a chair and prop up your feet on cushions placed above another chair. This allows blood to flow from your feet back to the heart, with ease. Doctors recommend elevating legs to relieve pain and swelling.If your work involves standing for a long time, walk around for a few minutes or shift your weight by leaning on alternate feet. Strictly avoid sitting with crossed legs. This slows blood circulation to the heart from the lower legs and vice versa. Keeping feet elevated while sleeping eases swelling in the feet, caused by varicose veins.
Dress Code For Treatment Of Varicose Veins
Wear loose clothes. Clothes like pants or skirts that are tight at the groin or waist should be avoided. They restrict the flow of blood. Wear compression stockings. These improve blood circulation in the legs by applying more pressure to the lower legs, thereby pushing blood back to the heart more easily.
The compression factor is measured in millimeters of mercury. Consult with your doctor to buy stockings with the right compression factor for you. Avoid wearing shoes with high heels. Wear flats or shoes with lower heels which facilitate better blood circulation. People suffering from constant swelling of the feet must opt for tennis shoes or other shoes with laces or Velcro that can be loosened to reduce pressure on the feet.
