Varicose Veins and Haemorrhoids

Question 1

Varicose Veins

Answer 1

• Dilated / distorted superficial veins in the lower limbs where the pressure is higher due to gravity.
• Signs and symptoms: Visible vein dilation; aching, burning, throbbing, heaviness. Worse for prolonged standing and at the end of the day.
• Complications: ↑ venous pressure = fluid leakage into surrounding tissues (‘varicose eczema’). Slow healing varicose ulcers.

Question 2

Haemorrhoids

Answer 2

• Dilated veins in the anal canal. Internal or external.
• Signs and symptoms: Bright red blood with blood movements, protruding haemorrhoids, anal itching.
  *

Question 3

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Causes and Risk Factors

Answer 3

• Increased abdominal pressure ― constipation, obesity, pregnancy, childbirth and post-labour, ascites.
• Inherited valve defects ―an absence of some valves or faulty valves.
• Cigarette smoking (= hypoxia, which results in endothelial damage, vessel wall inflammation and a loss of elasticity).
• Being sedentary (increasing venous pressure).
• Lack of dietary connective tissue support, e.g., low vitamin C (increases type I collagen synthesis), low bioflavonoids (support connective tissue integrity).
• Portal hypertension ―increased portal vein pressure e.g., due to liver cirrhosis and heart failure.
• Increased blood viscosity and stagnation ―dehydration, liver congestion, sedentary lifestyle. Additional signs / symptoms: haemorrhoids, post-food fatigue, purple tongue, thick white / yellow tongue coating.
• Abdominal bloating (not obesity) ―distended and uncomfortable. E.g., associated with SIBO.
• Structural ―e.g., poor diaphragm motion (consider causes such as stress, asthma etc.), weak pelvic floor (consider pregnancy).

Question 4

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Natural Approach

Answer 4

Reduce inflammation, increase blood flow and speed up repair of damaged veins / valves. Correct root causes!
* Vitamin C-richfoods (to support collagen synthesis).
* Bioflavonoids such as rutin, proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins which improve the integrity of ground substance and the vascular system, whilst also acting as antioxidants. Food source examples: buckwheat (highest source of rutin) grapes, apples, cranberry, blueberry, figs, blackcurrants, capers, asparagus,green tea.
* Enhance fibrinolytic activity —garlic, onions, ginger, cayenne. Include bromelain sources to increase plasminogen activator status.
* Optimise liver function —alleviate downward pressure. Fibre-rich plant foods: Reduce venous pressure with defecation. Ground flaxseed, or psyllium husk (15–30 g / day).See detox lecture.
* Raise feet above heart (20 mins / day) —reduces blood pooling and improves venous return.
* Lymphatic drainage / massage —for mild cases only —aids circulation and avoids blood pooling. Consider dry brushing.
* Reduce weight: Address cause and exercise!

Question 5

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Nutrients

Answer 5

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
Horse Chestnut
Gotu Kola
Butcher’s Broom
Pycogenol

Question 6

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Vitamin C with bioflavonoids

Answer 6

Dose: 1.5-2g/day

Support connective tissue integrity ― increases collagen synthesis and ground substance integrity.

Question 7

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Horse Chestnut

Answer 7

Dose: 400mg seed daily

An astringent herb that ↑venous tone by increasing the production of prostaglandin F2, which regulates the contractile action of veins, and inhibits the catabolism of venous tissue mucopolysaccharides. Also likely through its effects on 5-HT2A receptors.
Inhibits enzymes that destroy venous structures, e.g., collagenase, hyaluronidase, and elastase,

Question 8

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Gotu Kola

Answer 8

Dose: 500mg x2/day

• Contains triterpenic acids that are thought to be responsible for its supportive effects on connective tissue.
• Stimulates glycosaminoglycan and collagen synthesis, which supports vein structure and improves blood flow.

Question 9

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Butcher’s Broom

Answer 9

Dose: 300 - 500mg x2/day

Vasoconstrictive and astringent (its ruscogenin content has anti-elastase activity, which ↓ the diameter of veins).

Question 10

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Pycnogenol

Answer 10

Dose: 150 - 300mg/day

Contains proanthocyanidins and has collagen stabilising properties.Decreases passive dilation and stretching and gives vein walls a greater tonic recovery and elasticity.

Question 11

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Topical applications

Answer 11

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Witch hazel(Hamamelis virginiana)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Question 12

Varicose Veins/Haemorrhoids: Tissue Salts

Answer 12

Calc. fluor. (tissue strengthening).
If bleeding add ferrum. phos. 4 pills x 3 daily.