Constipation And Varicose Veins
Naturopaths believe that constipation is a very important factor in causing varicose veins. They say that the lower bowel puts pressure on the veins of the pelvis. It is important to have at least one bowel movement a day, preferably three, one after each meal. Metamucil powder without sugar can be safely taken every day if necessary.
Conservative non-surgical treatment is usually limited to those women with a post-phlebitis problem. The mainstay of treatment is elastic stockings, which compress the veins and tissues of the lower leg to assist the blood in returning to the heart.
Elastic stockings come in light, medium, strong and extra strong varieties, are prescribed by a physician, and are covered by some medical plans. Remember that it's better to get a lighter pair of nylon support hose and wear them regularly, than to let a heavier pair of elastic stockings prescribed by your doctor sit unused in the drawer.
If you have difficulty putting on heavy elastic stockings, you can put on two lighter pairs of support hose instead.
Walking at least a mile a day to promote the blood return through the pumping action of the muscles is highly recommended.
For severe varicose veins, elastic stockings worn while walking doubles the compression efficiency in returning the blood to the heart.
All women with varicose veins should follow the old advice and keep their legs up whenever they are sitting as much as possible. I also suggest placing your legs against the back of a wall or couch and allowing them to drain completely each night before bed. A slant board may also be used for this purpose (available through health food stores).
Another very useful aid is to raise the foot of your bed, using blocks or books by about nine inches. This greatly aids the veins in draining and helps relieve symptoms. However, you should check with your doctor to make sure you don't have any medical reason to prevent you from using this method.
It is also advisable to wear low heels or negative heels. Some women have found that the German Birkenstock sandal or shoe helps alleviate swelling.
Fortunately, a Canadian woman physician has been a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins. Dr. Guylaine Lanctot has successfully treated over 80,000 patients for varicose veins, with excellent results. She has also trained doctors in her method of diagnosis and treatment. She emphasizes the use of "low tech" diagnostic tools, namely the physicians's hands, over expensive "high tech" diagnostic machines which are usually unnecessary.
Varicose veins involving the large veins of the legs usually require surgery. Medium and smaller sized veins can usually be treated with a non-surgical technique known as sclerotherapy.
Dr. Lanctot has classified large varicose veins according to the degree of incompetence of the largest superficial vein of the leg (the long saphenous vein).
For treatment of the first two categories, the best results are obtained with a combination of stripping and sclerotherapy. The third category is best treated with support stockings and observed carefully over time to see if any signs of larger vein involvement appear.
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