Varicose veins or varicoses triggered by weak valves in the veins of the legs, refers to a condition wherein your veins become swollen, dilated and overfilled with blood.
The condition is generally caused by excessive pressure and burden on the legs or the abdomen. All veins have one-way valves to ensure that the blood flows towards the heart. Malfunctioning of these valves allows blood to flow backwards down the veins and results in an overload of pressure when standing. This excess pressure leads to widening of the veins which in turn results in valves not getting closed properly, blood then flows back into the leg and causes varicose veins to develop. Varicose veins may be dark in colour or may retain their original colour, ranging from a light purplish-red to almost a navy blue.
Ayurvedic Understanding of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins is known as Sira granthi in Ayurveda and is caused due to the vitiation of Vata dosha. The imbalanced Vata dosha creates increased pressure that affects the valves and elasticity of the veins resulting in the condition.
Factors that cause Varicose Veins According to Ayurveda
A number of things can increase your likelihood of developing varicose veins, including:
1. Activities bearing excessive pressure on the veins like weight lifting, excessive walking, standing for long periods of time etc.
2. Age – People with age more than 50 are prone to the condition more.
3. Gender – Women are more prone to have the condition
4. Sudden weight rise during Pregnancy
5. Overweight
6. Family history
Symptoms of Varicose Veins according to Ayurveda
1. Aching pain in the legs
2. Numbness in the limbs
3. Veins that appear twisted and bulging
4. Burning or throbbing sensation in your legs
5. Discoloration of the veins or skin
6. Dry, itchy and thin skin over the affected vein
7. Tiredness in legs
Management of Varicose Veins According to Ayurveda
As varicose veins is a condition due to the vitiation of Vata dosha, Ayurveda recommends treatments directed towards pacifying vata dosha. A vata-pacifying diet regimen is advised with a practice of carefully chosen yoga asanas and physical exercises.
Along with herbal medications, treatments such as Dhara over the legs, Abhyanga (Ayurveda Therapeutic massage over the area) Vataraktha chikitsa, Sira Vyadha (blood-letting treatment), leech therapy etc. play an important role in normalizing the circulation.