Is that blue or dark purple veins bulging out of your skin a reason for embarrassment for you? Are you uncomfortable by that throbbing pain, aching and swelling in your legs?

Well, what you have is varicose veins and in this blog you can find some effective home remedies for managing varicose veins.

Care to know what varicose veins are and how to manage them with home remedies?

Read on to know more.

What Are Varicose Veins?

There are small valves in your veins. They stop the blood from flowing backwards through the veins. So when these valves become weak or damaged, there is a possibility of blood pooling in the vein.

This can make your veins twisted and swollen. They become more noticeable with its blue or dark purple colour. You might also have noticed that varicose veins usually bulge out of your skin.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

The valves in your veins can become weak or damaged. This could be because of :-

• Hormones

• Ageing

• Overweight

• Wearing tight fitting clothes

• Standing for a really long time

So, when these valves become weakened or damaged, blood gets collected in your veins. This causes pressure on the walls of the vein. Your veins become swollen which causes c=varicose.

In short, an increased blood pressure in your veins is the major reason for varicose veins.

What Are The Symptoms Of Varicose Veins?

• Legs feel heavy or achy

• Throbbing/burning sensation in the legs

• Feets and ankles are swollen

• Muscle cramps especially during night

• Affected area is itchy

• Skin discoloration

• Legs feel heavy

• Skin over the varicose vein appears thin, dry or itchy.

Not everyone might experience these symptoms.

If your varicose veins are near the skin, there's a chance of it bursting and leaking.

It may not always bulge to the surface. It could be invisible and could cause you pain and discomfort for a really long time.

Will Home Remedies Work For Varicose Veins?

Usually, the only way to get rid of varicose veins is to either close the vein off or physically remove it. Following are some of the ways to get rid of varicose veins.

• Injection therapy or sclerotherapy

• Laser therapy or endovenous thermal ablation

• Surgery(ligation and stripping)

All these techniques sound like they are quite invasive, don’t they? Don’t worry, even if you cannot completely get rid of varicose veins, there are ways to manage its symptoms.

Some effective home remedies which you could try in your home to manage varicose veins are given below.

Effective Home Remedies To Manage Varicose Veins

You may not be able to get rid of varicose veins without proper medical intervention. But here are some of the effective remedies you can follow at home to manage varicose veins.

Exercise Regularly

• Engaging in exercises like swimming, walking, cycling, and yoga can improve blood circulation in your legs.

• Exercise will also help lower your blood pressure. This will automatically reduce the risk of varicose veins.

Wear Compression Stockings

• Compression stockings apply pressure to the legs, and help in blood circulation and reduce pain and swelling.

• Knee-high compression stockings with a pressure of 18 to 21 mmHg will help you achieve optimal results.

Choose Non-Restrictive Clothing

• Wearing loose-fitting clothes will help you avoid restricting blood flow to the lower body.

• Flat shoes instead of high heels will help in reducing the pressure on the legs.

Keep Legs Elevated

• Elevate your legs above heart level. This will improve circulation and reduce pressure in leg veins.

• If you are someone who sits for long periods, such as during work or rest, elevate your legs in between.

Gentle Massage

• Massage affected areas with gentle oils or moisturisers to improve the blood flow.

• Avoid direct pressure on veins in order to prevent damage to fragile tissues.

Avoid Stationary Position

• Take frequent breaks from sitting or standing for long periods.

• Move around to keep blood flowing smoothly in the legs.

Maintain Healthy Weight

• If you are overweight, reduce your weight.This will help reduce pressure on veins and thus reduce swelling and discomfort.

Reduce Salt Intake

• Limit salty foods to minimise water retention, which could later cause varicose veins.

• Include potassium-rich foods like almonds, lentils, leafy vegetables, and fish in your diet to counter water retention.

Incorporate Flavonoid-Rich Foods

• Consume foods high in flavonoids like onions, bell peppers, citrus fruits, and cocoa to improve blood circulation and reduce vein pooling.

Herbal Remedies

• Herbal supplements like grape seed extract and horse chestnut extract will help to reduce swelling and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.

• Including ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper into your diet will help to improve blood circulation and get rid of varicose vein symptoms.

• Be aware of any potential interactions with medications. And consult with your doctor before using herbal remedies

Maintain an Active Lifestyle

• Regular physical activity, even simple exercises like walking, can alleviate symptoms and improve vein health.

• Elevate legs whenever possible to reduce pressure and improve blood flow.

Dietary Modifications

• Include fibre-rich foods like whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables in your diet to support healthy bowel function and prevent constipation.

• Include potassium-rich foods such as yoghurt, almonds, salmon, and leafy greens to reduce water retention and reduce pressure on veins.

When To Seek Medical Help?

Some of you wouldn’t even know that you have varicose veins. Home remedies will help some of you to deal with varicose veins.

But if you are still in pain, and no remedies could help you get rid of the discomfort, you should contact a doctor. Even if it won’t cause you any severe health problems, if you have any of the following symptoms consult with a doctor immediately :-

• Swelling

• Bleeding

• That area is painful and warm when you touch

• Discoloration.