Ayurvedic Treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Abstract

CVI is a condition in which there alteration in the physiological function of the veins. In Ayurveda it is considered as vatarakta and variants of ulcers. It is a common disease and manageable disease. But if it is not treated at a proper time it can produce dangerous complications. It is medical condition in which veins are unable to properly transport blood from the legs back to heart.

Introduction

CVI means chronic venous insufficiency. It is a common condition in which venous valves in the leg do not function effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs.

Veins are basically the blood vessels which carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart. Though Ayurveda does not describe CVI as a unique disease but according to studies it can be considered as vatarakta and variant of ulcers.

Symptoms of CVI

If any person develops medical condition like chronic venous insufficiency then the symptoms can grow from minor to major if left untreated. So it's very important to treat chronic venous insufficiency at early stage. Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency are described below:

• Heaviness and swelling, especially in the lower legs and ankles
• Skin looks like leather
• Pain that gets worse, when you stand and gets better when you raise your legs
• Itchy legs
• Weak legs
• Varicose veins
• Stasis ulcers (or Venus stasis ulcers)

If chronic venous insufficiency is not treated, the pressure and swelling increases until the tiniest blood vessels in the legs (capillaries )burst and when this condition arises the overlying skin become reddish Brown and becomes very sensitive to been broken if scratched. Now, these blood capillaries causes inflammation in local tissues and internal tissues and damages them. At worst stage this leads to ulcers, open cellulitis.

Causes of CVI

CVI can be caused by long-term blood pressure that is higher than normal inside the leg veins. The following factors are more likely to cause venous insufficiency:

1. Having a family history of the condition
2. Having blood clots
3. Having obesity
4. Having varicose veins
5. Sitting or standing for long periods of time
6. Being pregnant
7. Not doing enough exercises
8. Persons over 50 years old have a higher risk of developing chronic venous insufficiency

Complications of CVI

Poor circulation in the lower extremities may cause chronic venous insufficiency which left untreated can evolve severe complications which are as follows:

1. Venous Ulcers: This is one of the complication of CVI which is the dangerous condition. These ulcers may be painful and slow to heal if they are not handled with proper care, these ulcers can eventually become infected.
2. Blood Clots: Blood clots are formed due to reduction in blood flow in the legs. Chronic venous insufficiency is sometimes linked to deep vein thrombosis. DVT is formed when a blood clot forms in one of the deep vein of the leg.
3. Bleeding: Circulation ability may affect the procedure of injury healing. If the medical condition like chronic venous insufficiency persists within you and you got injured then you may bleed heavily. Uncontrolled blood loss can sometimes be life-threatening.

Diagnosis of CVI

To diagnose chronic venous insufficiency, doctor will perform a complete medical history and physical examination. During the physical examination, the doctor will carefully examine your legs. And imaging test called a duplex ultrasound may also be done. This looks at blood flow and the structure of leg veins. It checks the speed and direction of blood flow in the blood vessels.

But history and examination by doctor for characteristics signs and symptoms are sufficient in many cases in ruling out systemic cause of venous hypertension such as hypervolemia and heart failure.

Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is an establishes herbal company that is emerging in the international market as well for its best quality herbal products that are prepared from best quality herbs that effective enough in treating various ailments. For CVI also Planet Ayurveda offers combination of herbal medicines that help in treating this disease gradually.

1. Kanchnaar Guggul

The word Guggul originate from the Sanskrit word Guggulu means "protection from the disease". It promotes the functioning of lymphatic system and helps in getting rid of toxins.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water.

2. Gotukola Capsules

Centella asiatica, commonly known as Indian pennywort or Asiatic pennywort or gotukola is a herbaceous Frost tender perennial plant in the flowering plant family Apiaceae.

Pegged as the herb of longevity, gotukola is a staple herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It helps in improving the blood circulation and maintains effective functioning of valves as well.

Benefits

1. Support healthy blood circulation
2. Maintain healthy metabolism
3. Maintain healthy brain
4. 100% natural product

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily after half an hour of meal with plain water.

3. Arjuna Capsule

Arjuna is one of the most famous Herbs known today. It has many effective medicinal uses especially for the heart and circulatory system which make it such a valuable herbal component in the treatment of heart problems and circulatory ailments in Ayurveda.

Benefits

1. Balance all three doshas in the body
2. Maintain healthy heart
3. Supports healthy blood circulation
4. 100% natural product

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily after half an hour of meal with plain water.

4. Manjishta Capsules

Rubia cordifolia is also known as common madder for Indian madder. Manjishtha is an Ayurvedic Herb that is perhaps best known as lymph mover and blood purifier.

Benefits

1. Enhance the complexion of skin.
2. Works as blood purifier.

Dosage: 1-2capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

5. Fenugreek Capsules

Fenugreek is known as Trigonella foenum. Common Indian name is methi which is very commonly used in Indian Kitchen. Fenugreek seeds are rich in vitamin A, folic acid, thiamin, niacin, potassium, zinc, manganese etc.

Benefits

1. Support healthy blood circulation.
2. Supports healthy muscles.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice times daily after half an hour of meal with plain water.

Home Remedies, Diet and Lifestyle Recommendation for CVI

A range of home treatment may help to reduce the pain produced in chronic venous insufficiency. If a person is suffering from this medical condition, they can try the following home remedies, diet and lifestyle tips which can support in managing the condition and improves the symptoms.

1. Exercise: Regular exercises helps the blood to circulate in a better way in the legs, which also helps to push along the blood that has collected in the
2. Compression Stockings: Compression stockings are available from most pharmacies and can help by applying pressure to the legs.
3. Dietary Changes: Salty or sodium-rich food can cause the body to retain water and may worsen the symptoms, so cutting down on salty food can minimise water retention. Foods high in potassium can help to reduce water retention.
4. Eat More Flavonoids: Flavonoids improve blood circulation, which keep the blood flowing, and make it less likely to pool in the veins. Foods that contain flavonoids are onion, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, citrus fruits, garlic etc.
5. Choose Non-Restricting Clothing: Tight fitting clothes can restrict blood circulation. A person should prefer to wear loose fitting clothes so that their circulation remains proper.

Precautions to Be Taken

Some precautions are needed to be taken for a person suffering from chronic venous insufficiency:

• The severity of chronic venous insufficiency is closely related to the magnitude of venous hypertension. So regularly monitor the BP and if it is coming in higher limits then practice the measures which are able to control it.
• The initial management of chronic venous insufficiency, involves conservative approaches to reduce symptoms and prevent development of secondary complications.

Some of the yoga poses help to manage chronic venous insufficiency which are as follows:

• Mountain pose
• Fish pose
• Boat pose
• Standing forward bend
• Supported shoulder stand

Conclusion

Chronic venous insufficiency is a medical condition in which there is improper circulation in lower extremities due to abnormal functioning of venous valves. Lots of factors are responsible for this condition which are elaborately discussed above but it can be cured by proper clinician advice, proper diet, medicine and exercises. Planet Ayurveda provides effective herbal medicines which are capable to treat this disease successfully. Also the formulations are formed under the guidance of MD doctors which are 100% natural sores on the skin surface. This venous stasis is difficult to heal and can become infected, and if the infection is not controlled it can spread to surrounding tissues.