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Varicose Veins
	After the blood has delivered oxygen throughout the body, veins carry it back toward the heart. Obesity, menopause, aging, constipation and repeated abdominal strain, as well as heavy lifting, may contribute. Long periods of standing and sitting with the legs bent and crossed make them worse. Varicose veins develop when blood flow slows or backs up, causing veins near the surface of the leg to swell and bulge. Some risk factors may be inherited, such as missing or malfunctioning valves within the veins, or unusually "stretchy" veins. Treatment & Prevention The most widely-used treatment for varicose veins is sclerotherapy, which consists of injecting a solution into the varicose vein. The treatment can be performed in a physician's office, though several visits may be required for complete removal. After stripping, the smaller veins nearby are eliminated with sclerotherapy. These operations can be performed under local anesthesia as same-day outpatient surgery. In this procedure, a special catheter is inserted into the affected vein. The catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to seal shut. Be suspicious if offered laser therapy. If you have varicose veins: Minor problems may improve if you take regular walks, avoid long periods of standing, don't use high heels, don't sit with crossed legs, and rest with your feet elevated. Don't wear tight garters, jeans, or other garments that cut off circulation to the groin or legs. The aching, burning, tingling, or fatigue that sometimes accompanies varicose veins can be relieved by elevating the leg or wearing support hose. Try wearing elastic or support hose -- the kind sold in pharmacies, not just "support" pantyhose sold in department stores. Look for graduated-compression stockings, which are tightest at the ankle and looser higher up the leg. Put them on right away in the morning before blood and fluid have pooled in your feet and ankles. Avoid constipation, preferably with a high-fiber diet. Straining can worsen varicose veins. Along with a high fiber diet and regular exercise, enhancing fibrinolytic activity can help. They help keep tissues from falling apart. Varicose veins, hemorrhoids, bleeding between periods, and lymphedema can be aided by flavonoids. Rutin has only a little collagen-stabilizing effect. Two double-blind studies have compared aortic GAGs to bilberry and HER (a flavonoid preparation like rutin and citrus bioflavonoids). The aortic extract produced far better results in both hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) (25% anthocyanosides) 80-160mg tid. Mild problems are easier to treat than severe ones, so be sure to deal with your symptoms early. Varicose veins very seldom pose any danger.
Varicose Veins is linked to:
	Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement Phlebitis / Thrombophlebitis Constipation