Veinophil (TM) About Varicose Veins and Hemorroids

Support for the Health of Veins and Arteries

Section 2 - About Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Varicose veins are permanently dilated veins in which the valves no longer properly prevent the flow of blood from being reversed, usually by gravity. These veins are usually surface veins and are referred to a saphenous veins, meaning "obvious." Primary varicosities are those which arise from defects in the veins themselves. A tendency toward varicose veins runs in families, therefore certain weaknesses would appear to be heritable. Secondary varicosities are those which come about as a result of some other issue, such as a clot in the deep veins in the legs or damage to the valves in the veins. Prolonged standing and pregnancy are two typical sources of damage to the these valves. The following figures show the differences between a healthy vein and a varicose one.

In the healthy vein on the left, one-way valves prevent blood from flowing back toward the extremities and away from the heart. In the varicose vein, these valves are damaged and no longer block the reversal of blood flow.

The valves in the veins are particularly important in the legs. The blood in the legs must be pushed back up the body until it reaches the heart. This flow is against the pull of gravity as long as a person is either standing of seated. The valves of the veins allow the blood to be moved in stages and prevent its flowing backward. During walking and other similar rhythmic exercise, the muscles of the legs aid in pushing the blood heartward. However, if a valve fails, the blood in its section of vein can move backward and bring additional pressure to bear on the previous segment of vein. The resultant pooling of the blood eventually can cause the walls of the vein to stretch and bulge––to dilate. When the bulge results in a lasting structural deformation of the wall of the vein, a varicosity has been formed.

Some authors prefer to explain varicose veins as the result of a genetic weakness of the veins or venous valves, and there is no doubt that ones genetic inheritance likely governs how susceptible one is to other factors. However, inasmuch as varicose veins are so much more common in industrialized countries than in other parts of the world that most authorities insist that non-genetic factors must be at work, as well. One suspected dietary culprit is a lack of fiber. The argument is that excessive venous pressure due to a low-fiber induced increase in straining during defecation damages the valves of the veins. Those already genetically predisposed to valvular weakness clearly are those most at risk.

Another explanation for the greater propensity toward varicosities in industrialized nations is a relative paucity in the diet of flavonoids and other phenolic substances. Inflammation can damage the structural components of the veins and thus weaken them. Flavonoids, such as catechin and catechin derivatives (found in green tea and grape seed extracts as well as in other foods and supplements), appear to be capable of decreasing inflammation’s enzymatic attack upon the fibrous proteins of the veins and to halt the accumulation of proteoglycans in tissues which normally would have a higher content of collagen. This positive result could be due to the interactions between flavonoids and the cells of the venous walls and fibrous proteins. Veinophil, among its other benefits, powerfully inhibits the attack of certain collagen-degrading enzymes.

Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Dilated superficial veins in the lower extremities are the most common diagnostic criteria for chronic venous insufficiency. Chronic venous insufficiency is found in at least two-thirds of patients with leg ulcers, and therefore this condition should not be dismissed as being merely cosmetic. Other symptoms may include leg fatigue, aching discomfort, a feeling of heaviness, or pain. Edema is not uncommon in older patients. Along with ulceration, there may be pigmentation of the affected sites. Medical assessments may find abnormal phlebography, phlethysmography, and Doppler ultrasonography assessments. Localized inflammation is concomitant with many of these symptoms.

By toning up the venous system, i.e., by improving the quality of the walls of the vessels, it is usually possible to relieve the symptoms of varicose veins. Once established, the tendency toward varicosities will continue although their effects can be reduced or even eliminated. VEINOPHIL™ thus offers the possibility of long term relief.

Hemorrhoids

It is often claimed that hemorrhoids are really a special type of varicose vein. However, these blood vessels do not contain the one-way valves which are typical of veins. Rudolf Weiss in his book Herbal Medicine observed that experiments suggest that hemorrhoids have some relation to the arterial system and, for this reason, can be more difficult to treat than are varicose veins. Modern anatomy finds that hemorrhoids do, in fact, involve vessels which are returning blood to the heart and thus are veins, albeit unusual ones.

Robert M. Giller and Kathy Matthews in their book Natural Prescriptions (Ballantine Books, 1994) claim that four out of five Americans will suffer from hemorrhoids during their lives. Julian Whitaker in Dr. Whitaker’s Guide to Natural Healing (Prima Publishing, 1995) places the figure as one out of three Americans, with the proportion rising to nearly one in two for those who are over fifty years of age. Whatever their correct anatomy, hemorrhoids are very common.

As is true of varicose veins, hemorrhoids have many possible causes. The lack of fiber and the refinement of the diets found in Western industrialized societies appear to be strongly contributory to the development of hemorrhoids because this type of diet induces an increase in straining during defecation. Other possible factors are any which might push the pressure in the rectum beyond its capacities. These include pregnancy, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, sneezing, physical exertion, portal hypertension due to cirrhosis of the liver, even excessive standing or sitting. Plant antioxidants which have a protective affinity for collagen-based structures, such as the veins and the arteries, may be important for preventing the development of hemorrhoids just as they are protective against other venous problems. VEINOPHIL™ has shown itself to be particularly useful as a general venous or vascular tonic, especially when used in conjunction with other conservative treatments, including changes in diet.