Symptoms:
Visibly distended veins. There may be aching or tiredness, a feeling of fullness in the limbs. The skin may have a tense or burning sensation. Muscle cramps may occur, especially at night. Hemorrhage under the skin may cause the skin to discolor (light brown to bluish). Veins may be abnormally large, bulging, and lumpy looking.

Cause:
The valves of the veins no longer function properly. They become stretched from excess pressure. The deep veins are surrounded by muscles which keep them in shape. But those close to the surface (saphenous veins) are ones which develop these problems.

Contraceptive medications can induce varicose veins, as well as hormonal vasodilation just prior to menstruation. They can occur during pregnancy (especially during the first 3 months).

Straining at the stool, because of the lack of dietary fiber, causes constipation and can result in varicose veins, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, phlebitis, and hiatus hernia.

Treatment:
• If a swollen, painful vein does not disappear within 2 weeks, consult a physician.

• Include niacin in the diet. This B vitamin helps prevent clotting. Vitamin C helps strengthen the walls of veins and arteries. Vitamin E dilates blood vessels, reducing the formation of varicose veins and phlebitis.

• Eat a good nourishing diet of fruits, vegetables, raw nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains.

• Do not eat fried, salty, processed foods; dairy products; or hydrogenated vegetable oils. Do not eat meat.

• A high-protein diet increases blood-clotting factors.

• Use enough fiber in the diet, so you do not have to strain at the stool. Straining increases venous pressure on the legs.

• Maintain a low-fat diet and drink enough water.

• It is now known that food allergies can be involved. Search them out and eliminate them.

• Get regular moderate exercise. This is important. Walking is the best. Regular exercise increases the body's ability to dissolve clots.

• Avoid dangling the feet. Pressure against the popliteal vessels may cause obstruction of blood flow. Do not cross your legs.

• Deep breathing or singing helps empty out the large veins, thus increasing venous circulation.

• Quit tobacco. If you smoke, and seem to keep having recurring phlebitis, you may have Buerger's disease (which see). Its symptoms are severe pain and blood clots, usually in the legs. Smoking constricts the blood vessels.

• Superficial phlebitis inflammation generally is reduced within 7-10 days, but it may be 3-6 weeks for the problem to be entirely gone. It can be treated by elevating the leg and applying warm, moist heat to the area. It is not necessary to rest in bed; but, every so often, rest with the leg 6-10 inches above the heart. This speeds the healing process.

• Take alternating hot and cold sitz baths or apply alternating hot and cold compresses.

• Lie on a slant board with your feet higher than your head for 15 minutes a day, especially if you stand on your feet a lot.

• Do not wear anything tight about the waist, or bands on the legs.

• If you have to travel a distance by car, stop and walk around every so often. Do not let the circulation become sluggish. When it enters a low-flow state, that can lead to a clot.

• Beware of "economy class syndrome." A remarkable number of people who fly in the cramped economy class seats of jets develop thromboplebitis. You are confined to your seat more on planes than in cars or boats. So request an aisle seat and get up every 30 minutes and walk up and down the aisles.

• Wherever you may be, do not sit more than an hour at a time, without getting up and walking around.

• Better yet, every hour exercise the legs for 2 minutes, as if you are riding a bike (lifting the legs), and breathe deep, in and out, 15 times.

• Walking barefoot improves venous blood flow.

• If they help you feel better, use elastic stockings (antiembolism stockings).

• Do not squat (sit back on your heels), except momentarily.

• If you have a history of phlebitis or blood clots, do not take the birth control pill. It will increase the likelihood of deep vein thrombophlebitis by 3-4 times.

• Once you have had phlebitis, or clots of any type, you can have it again. Surgery or prolonged bed rests increase the likelihood that you will have another attack. Keep that in mind when you consider elective surgery.

• Fasting decreases blood coagulation, and can be beneficial when needed.

• If you have to lie in bed for a time, move your legs every so often, to increase circulation. Elevate the foot of your bed several inches, to reduce venous pressure in your legs. This also reduces edema and pain. Do not use pillows under the legs, for doing so elevates the knee above the digestive organs and reduces circulation.