Conquering varicose veins

10:59am Friday 16th May 2008

HELEN Spath and her team at Tullivers Health Store, in York, write a regular column to advise on the spectrum of health issues and how to treat them with natural remedies.

Q: I have one or two unsightly veins at the back of my knee and my legs are sometimes quite painful, especially if I've been on my feet all day. Is there anything that might help?

A: Varicose veins - veins that are permanently dilated - are unfortunately very common, especially if you spend a lot of time standing. They occur mainly in the lower extremities because of the greater pressure exerted on them. Muscles in the foot, calf and thigh act as pumps to push blood from the foot to the heart.

Valves in the vein close like gates if blood tries to run in the wrong direction, but if these valves fail to work properly, blood is forced to flow back down the leg causing superficial veins under the skin to bulge.

In effect, the varicose veins you see in your legs are due to blood damming up in superficial veins and their branches. Why these veins fail is not completely understood but it may be due to a weakness in the valve itself or in the vein wall.

In addition to the veins themselves, legs can often feel tired and heavy and may be prone to swelling and cramping.

In severe cases surgery is the sensible option, but if you take care of your legs before they get to such a serious stage, then less drastic treatments can go a long way.

One herbal remedy that has proven effective is A.Vogel's Venaforce Horse Chestnut tablets.

Made from the fruit of the horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum (that's the humble conker to you and me), Venaforce can help to relieve the symptoms of varicose veins, including tired, heavy, painful legs, leg cramps and swollen ankles.

Published clinical research confirms that it can work within two weeks, helping to reduce pain and inflammation. It also helps to strengthen vein walls and seal' the leaky capillaries that lead to varicose veins.

Venaforce is not suitable for those with peanut or soya allergies.

For further advice, ask at your local health store.

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