The unsightly condition that is varicose veins

The bulging, bluish blood vessels that can pop up on the legs are often unsightly and painful. You may be able to avoid invasive surgery by eating the right foods, making a few lifestyle changes, taking an adequate supply of vitamins and using some helpful herbs.

What It Is
Normal veins - the vessels that carry blood to the heart - contain valves that open and close to permit blood to flow in only one direction. If these valves become weak and don't fully close, blood flows backwards and collects, resulting in bulging veins. Commonly referred to as varicose veins, they almost always develop in the legs (although haemorrhoids are actually varicose veins in the anus).

In most people, varicose veins produce only mild discomfort. In severe cases, however, blood and other fluids leak out of the veins into the surrounding tissue, causing scaly, itchy skin or swelling in the ankles from the fluid that has pooled in the legs. Sometimes the legs ache or feel heavy, particularly after extended periods of standing. Without treatment, varicose veins tend to worsen over time.

What Causes It
Genetic and hormonal factors play key roles in the occurrence of varicose veins. The condition tends to run in families, and is four times more common in women than men.

Other possible causes include obesity, pregnancy or frequent heavy lifting, all of which can create excessive pressure on the veins. Pregnancy also produces hormonal changes believed to weaken the veins in the legs. Varicose veins tend to affect people who spend a lot of time on their feet, who habitually cross their legs or who get too little exercise. Also at risk are people with congestive heart failure (an inability of the heart to pump blood properly) or liver disease.

Symptoms

• Swollen, snake-like purple veins, usually on the calf, behind the knee, or inside the thigh.
• Painful, aching legs, especially after long periods of standing.
• In severe cases, swollen ankles.

When to Call a Doctor

• If the area around the varicose veins turns red - this could be a sign of vein inflammation, which can be serious.
• If pain makes it hard to walk.
• If skin around the vein is discolored or peels.
• If a small, persistent sore develops over a varicose vein.
• If ankles are swollen - a possible sign you're retaining water.
• Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

How Supplements Can Help
If you have varicose veins, taking vitamin C with flavonoids (which help the body use vitamin C) and vitamin E can improve blood circulation and strengthen the walls of the veins and capillaries. The herb gotu kola can be added to these vitamins, and is probably the most valuable botanical for this condition. Gotu kola enhances blood flow, increases the tone of the connective tissue surrounding the veins and keeps the veins supple. Bilberry complements gotu kola; in fact, these two herbs are often sold in a single supplement. Horse chestnut can be used in place of gotu kola and bilberry. This herb appears to control inflammation and swelling and to reduce the accumulation of fluid. If you can't find the standardized extract of horse chestnut, you can substitute the herb butcher's broom. It may take up to three months to see results. You can take the vitamins and herbs that work best for you indefinitely.

What else you can do

• Exercise regularly but avoid high-impact activities. Walk, cycle or swim rather than jog. If you lift weights, don't use very heavy ones.
• Elevate your legs whenever possible. This helps prevent the blood from pooling in the veins.
• Avoid prolonged standing or sitting, and don't cross your legs.
• Don't wear tight clothing, including shoes, pantyhose or belts. These items can constrict veins in and around the legs and make it hard for blood to move upward as it should.

Case Study

Great legs over 40
More than most of her friends, Susie B dreaded turning 40. This was the age when the varicose vein problem would begin - the one that plagued all the women in her family. She looked at her own spidery blue veins and then nervously at the huge, ropy veins of her mother and aunts, some of whom also had swollen legs, deep color changes and open sores.

Susie made varicose vein prevention her pet project. She exercised regularly, wore support stockings, changed her diet, avoided prolonged standing and leg crossing, and took gotu kola, bilberry and other supplements she'd read about for 'optimal vein health'.

Susie is now 45, and her varicose veins are virtually gone. When she looks at them she can't believe her eyes. 'No doubt about it', she says. 'Simple changes have given my legs a new lease of life'.

Facts and Tips

• Gotu kola was found to strengthen veins in a recent Italian study of 87 people. Compared with those receiving a placebo, people given gotu kola showed measurable improvements in the functioning of their veins after taking the herb for two months. No adverse side effects were reported.
• Compression stockings are often recommended for varicose veins. They do ease symptoms, but are expensive and uncomfortable. A recent German study found that horse chestnut produced the same benefits as compression stockings in people at risk of varicose veins.