Cardiovascular Health - Varicose Veins and Haemorrhoids: Flashcards
Q: What are varicose veins?
A: Varicose veins are dilated and distorted superficial veins, typically found in the lower limbs, where the pressure is higher due to gravity.
Q: What are the signs and symptoms of varicose veins?
A:
Visible vein dilation
Aching, burning, throbbing, and heaviness in the affected area
Symptoms worsen with prolonged standing or at the end of the day
Q: What are the complications of varicose veins?
A:
Increased venous pressure can cause fluid leakage into surrounding tissues, leading to “varicose eczema.”
Slow-healing varicose ulcers.
Q: What are haemorrhoids?
A: Haemorrhoids are dilated veins in the anal canal, which can be internal or external.
Q: What are the signs and symptoms of haemorrhoids?
A:
Bright red blood with bowel movements
Protruding haemorrhoids
Anal itching
Q: What are the causes and risk factors for varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
A:
Increased abdominal pressure: Due to constipation, obesity, pregnancy, childbirth, ascites.
Inherited valve defects: Absence of some valves or faulty valves.
Cigarette smoking: Causes hypoxia, endothelial damage, and vessel wall inflammation.
Sedentary lifestyle: Increases venous pressure.
Dietary factors: Low vitamin C and bioflavonoids can reduce connective tissue integrity.
Portal hypertension: Increased pressure in the portal vein (e.g., due to liver cirrhosis).
Increased blood viscosity: Due to dehydration, liver congestion, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Structural factors: Poor diaphragm motion or weak pelvic floor muscles (e.g., due to pregnancy).
Q: What is the natural approach to treating varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
A:
Supportive diet: Include vitamin C-rich foods (to support collagen synthesis), and bioflavonoids (rutin, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins) found in foods like buckwheat, grapes, blueberries, figs, and green tea.
Herbs:
Horse Chestnut (400 mg or tincture) to improve venous tone.
Gotu Kola (500 mg twice daily) to support connective tissue and blood flow.
Butcher’s Broom (300–500 mg twice daily) to vasoconstrict and reduce vein diameter.
Pycnogenol (150–300 mg daily) for collagen stabilization and vein elasticity.
Exercise: Regular physical activity and weight loss (if needed) to improve circulation and reduce venous pressure.
Liver function: Optimise liver function to alleviate downward pressure and promote venous health.
Leg elevation: Raise feet above heart for 20 minutes daily to reduce blood pooling.
Lymphatic drainage/massage: Improves circulation and reduces blood pooling.
Dietary fibre: Ground flaxseed or psyllium husk (15–30 g daily) to reduce venous pressure through bowel movement.
What diet supports varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
Supportive diet: Include vitamin C-rich foods (to support collagen synthesis), and bioflavonoids (rutin, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins) found in foods like buckwheat, grapes, blueberries, figs, and green tea.
What herbs supports varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
Herbs:
Horse Chestnut (400 mg or tincture) to improve venous tone.
Gotu Kola (500 mg twice daily) to support connective tissue and blood flow.
Butcher’s Broom (300–500 mg twice daily) to vasoconstrict and reduce vein diameter.
Pycnogenol (150–300 mg daily) for collagen stabilization and vein elasticity.
Why does exercise help varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
Exercise: Regular physical activity and weight loss (if needed) to improve circulation and reduce venous pressure.
How does lymphatic drainage help varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
Lymphatic drainage/massage: Improves circulation and reduces blood pooling.
How does liver function help varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
Liver function: Optimise liver function to alleviate downward pressure and promote venous health.
Leg elevation: Raise feet above heart for 20 minutes daily to reduce blood pooling.
How does fibre help varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
Dietary fibre: Ground flaxseed or psyllium husk (15–30 g daily) to reduce venous pressure through bowel movement.
What are Some Supplements for Varicose Veins and Haemorrhoids?
A:
Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (1.5–2 g daily): Support connective tissue integrity and collagen synthesis.
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum): 400 mg or 15 drops of tincture 3 times daily.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica, 500 mg twice daily): Supports connective tissue and blood flow.
Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus): 300–500 mg twice daily for its vasoconstrictive effects.
Pycnogenol (Pinus pinaster): 150–300 mg daily for stabilizing collagen and improving vein elasticity.
Q: How can lifestyle changes help treat varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
A:
Regular exercise: Helps improve circulation and reduce pressure on veins.
Weight loss: Address underlying causes and exercise regularly.
Support stockings: Especially helpful for prolonged standing.
Leg elevation: Periodically raise legs to improve venous return.
Avoid hot baths: Hot water can cause venous dilation.
Q: What are some homeopathic remedies for varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
A:
Hamamelis 3x: For large, sore, easily irritated veins, prone to bleeding.
Aesculus 3x: For congested, purple haemorrhoids, with sharp pain radiating upwards from the rectum.
Nux Vomica 6C: For haemorrhoids that are relieved by warmth and passing stool, with a history of overindulgence in alcohol or stimulants.
Q: What is the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach to treating varicose veins and haemorrhoids?
A:
TCM associates varicose veins and haemorrhoids with Blood stagnation and Spleen Qi deficiency.
Treatment involves supporting Spleen Qi (e.g., through nutrition), stirring blood circulation, and resolving blood stasis.
Foods and herbs such as chives, leeks, dark leafy greens, and beetroot are included in the diet.
A tea with equal parts cinnamon, ginger, and tangerine peel can stimulate Qi and blood circulation.
