Don't Suffer In Vein

Women's Health Problems

Don't Suffer In Vein

It is definitely a woman's worst foe. There are women who even choose not to have kids since it'd happened to their friends after childbirth.

No, we're not discussing weight-gain here, but varicose veins! Well, you'd be interested to know just who is vulnerable to it.

First of all let us understand how our veins are made. Our veins are frail structures any how, and any damage to their walls could result in enlargement and/or damage to the valves within. This damage could in turn result in a buildup of what is known as "static pressure", causing the veins to bulge -- a condition that is symptomatic of varicose veins.

Although the condition is up to four times more common in women, men could also suffer the agony of these enlarged and painful veins.

Highlights

Birth Control

10 Tips for Health Living

Skin Care

Nutrition

Pregnancy

Related Issues

(Women's Health Problems)

Cardiovascular Disease

Varicose Veins

They usually appear as knots and cord-like strands in the legs.

Generally, they affect people in their middle age. Those whose jobs require them to stand for long periods of time are especially prone to it, since pressure in the veins could go up by ten times while standing. Other risk factors include obesity and pregnancy. When varicose veins occur around the area of the anus, they are known as hemorrhoids or piles.

Fortunately, varicose veins do not pose much of a risk. However, the condition could deteriorate rapidly sometimes, particularly when it involves deeper veins and may even lead to thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism, heart attacks and stroke.

A low-fiber diet that is high in refined foods contributes to the development of varicose veins. Such a diet leads to constipation and straining of one's bowels, which in turn increases pressure in the abdominal region. Over time, walls of the veins weaken, leading to varicose veins or piles.

Exercise is vital to those who want to avoid the condition. Standing for too long ought to be avoided first of all. Walking, jogging and cycling could prove beneficial, since contraction of the leg muscles aids circulation.

Some Old Time-Tested Remedies

Horse Chestnut Plant

Among herbs for varicose veins Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum) is a favorite. The seeds of the plant improve the tone and strength of vein walls. It contains Aescin, which has an anti-inflammatory action to reduce pain and swelling of enlarged veins.

Ginkgo Plant

Other herbs that are popular since they lack the side-effects associated with newer forms of treatment are Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus), Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and Ginkgo biloba (Maiden Hair Tree).

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