Chronic venous insufficiency is a common vein disease that may develop into a venous ulcer or deep vein thrombosis if left untreated. Although there are different medical treatments for this venous disease, many patients also explore Ayurveda treatment as an alternative mode of therapy.
So is Ayurvedic treatment effective for managing chronic venous insufficiency and its symptoms? Additional research is still needed to support the effectiveness of Ayurvedic medicine on patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Ayurvedic treatments may contain chemicals or ingredients that trigger an allergic reaction in some patients, so always make sure to talk to a doctor first before starting this type of treatment.
Living with unwanted veins is a thing of the past, when you can simply schedule a free consultation with Vein Center Doctor and find your ideal solution today.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) happens when damaged leg veins don’t function properly, preventing the blood from flowing back to the heart. This results in increased blood pressure and blood pooling in the lower legs and extremities. It’s also a common vein condition that affects about 2.5 million people in the country.
CVI should be treated immediately before it develops into a more serious health condition that affects the patient’s quality of life. The good news is that most cases of CVI don’t require vascular surgery so patients can be treated with different approaches – one of which is the Ayurvedic treatment.
But like any other alternative medicine, many people are still skeptical about the effectiveness of Ayurvedic herbs and other Ayurvedic treatment methods. To find out how exactly this approach works and whether it might be the solution for you, then it’s better to know more about the health condition and alternative medicine first.
Chronic venous insufficiency can affect different blood vessels in the legs, including superficial veins, deep veins, and perforating veins. Some patients may only feel mild symptoms at first while others may experience severe pain, skin discoloration, skin ulcers, and more.
Here are some symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency to watch out for:
Any vein problem that results in poor blood circulation and venous hypertension causes vein dilation. This eventually leads to broken venous valves and blood pooling inside the affected vein. Blood pressure inside the veins may increase due to a few reasons, such as:
Ayurveda is a type of alternative, ancient medicine from India that promotes the balance of mind, spirit, and body to achieve optimal physical and mental health. It usually involves different approaches like diet, herbal therapies, massages, and meditation to achieve the best results for each patient.
According to the Ayurvedic perspective, the appearance of varicose vein symptoms (varicosis) and chronic venous insufficiency is an indication of a faulty or imbalanced Vata dosha (air and space humor). For the Ayurvedic treatment to work, the diet, Ayurvedic herbs, and other measures should restore balance to the Vata dosha.
Only a few scientific studies explore the use of Ayurvedic treatments for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. Most of the published studies are small projects or focused case studies, so there isn’t conclusive evidence to support the efficacy of this alternative medicine.
One of the more recent studies about Ayurvedic treatment is a 2013 case study about a 61-year-old man with varicose ulcers. The subject’s treatment plan included different Ayurvedic medicines and enema therapy, which led to about 80% improvement over the entire course of the treatment.
Another study about Ayurvedic medicine was published in 2018, but the results weren’t as successful as the previous one. The case was about a 54-year-old man who went to the hospital because of vein swelling or edema. He had a history of ineffective Ayurvedic approaches, but he experienced relief after an endovenous laser ablation procedure.
Some Ayurvedic oil and medicine available online may contain potentially harmful compounds like mercury, lead, and arsenic, so it’s important to always check the label of each medicine before taking them.
Ayurvedic treatment also involves a wide variety of animal and plant products, some of which might cause skin irritation, allergic reaction, or unwanted drug interaction when ingested or applied to the skin. Before trying any type of Ayurvedic treatment, it’s best to consult with a medical professional first so they can advise an individual about the potential side effects and other safety concerns.
Many people also define Ayurveda treatment as “the science of life” that treats diseases using herbs, essential oils, and other natural methods. Here are some of the most common Ayurvedic treatments for varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and other venous conditions:
Diet is one of the biggest factors that affect an individual’s dosha. Treating vein conditions using Ayurvedic treatment involves avoiding different foods that unbalance the Vata dosha, such as:
Traditional Ayurvedic medicines are often taken orally. Some of them are made of various natural products, but others have an extensive list of ingredients to erase varicose veins and treat chronic venous conditions. Here are a few of the most common natural ingredients from Ayurveda that are believed to help treat venous disorders:
Simple physical activities like cycling, stretching, walking, and swimming help improve blood circulation in the legs. But if an individual wants to focus more on yoga poses, here are some useful postures to try:
Abhyanga is one of the most popular massages in Ayurveda that’s believed to restore the balance of doshas in the body. It’s usually performed using warm oil that’s applied on the entire body – from the top of the scalp down to the soles of the feet.
The combination of warm oil and massage strokes in Abhyanga is also thought to promote health and wellness. It’s usually performed by massage therapists, but individuals at home can also carry out a self-massage as long as they have the right type of oil.
The type of oil to use depends on the dosha. Since Ayurveda treatment for chronic venous insufficiency involves bringing back the balance to the Vata, heavy oils from avocado, sesame, and almond are often recommended.
Leech therapy is exactly what it sounds like – medicinal leeches are attached to the patient’s skin to boost blood circulation in the treatment area. These leeches have 3 jaws with tiny rows of teeth that they use to pierce the patient’s skin. They extract blood from an individual for about 20 to 45 minutes while depositing anticoagulants using their saliva.
The anticoagulants in these leeches cause the blood to thin in the problem area of the legs, resulting in better circulation as they feed on the patient’s blood.
Although Ayurvedic medicine might be effective for some patients, it might also be harmful to others because of the use of harmful compounds and allergy-triggering ingredients. If you’re looking for more effective treatment options that were proven to be effective dozens of times, then here’s what we offer at Vein Center Doctor:
Sclerotherapy is one of the most preferred treatments for chronic venous insufficiency because it’s effective and minimally invasive. This procedure involves injecting a sclerosant directly into the affected vein, irritating its walls and causing it to collapse. Once the damaged vein collapses, it’s eventually reabsorbed into the local tissues until it fades away. The blood flow is then redirected into the healthier blood vessels nearby.
VenaSeal is a revolutionary treatment for varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and other vein disorders. It uses an FDA-approved medical glue that closes the damaged veins in the legs or other parts of the body. During the treatment, a small puncture is made on the surface of the skin where the VenaSeal device is inserted. The entire procedure only takes about 30 minutes and patients are allowed to return home after their appointment.
Compression therapy is one of the oldest treatment options for chronic venous insufficiency, but it also remains one of the most effective approaches. It requires patients to wear appropriate compression stockings or socks to improve blood flow in their lower extremities. Aside from being an effective treatment by itself, some doctors also combine compression therapy with other vein treatments to speed up healing and enhance the results of the procedure.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for varicose veins is a minimally invasive vein treatment that erases pesky leg veins while addressing the underlying cause of chronic venous insufficiency. It uses a special catheter to deliver electricity and heat to the damaged veins, causing them to collapse and seal off.
Ayurvedic medicine involves different types of therapies for a more holistic treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. While this alternative medicine seems like the ideal solution for CVI patients who want to experience a more natural approach, Ayurvedic treatments might include harmful compounds and ingredients that bring more harm than good for you.
Find exactly what you need to get rid of your vein-related problems. Dr. Sood and the rest of our team at Vein Center Doctor are ready to help: schedule your free consultation today.
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