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How can vein
disease be prevented? |
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A healthy lifestyle, that
means a balanced diet rich in vitamins and with plenty of roughage but
little animal fat, plus ample exercise and sports such as walking,
swimming or cycling, does not give a one hundred percent guarantee that
you will not suffer from weak veins at some time, but it will keep the
condition to a minimum. The aim is therefore to avoid obesity and take
plenty of exercise from childhood onwards. |
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What are the early
warning signs of weak veins? |
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The first signs of changes
in the veins can be tired, heavy, swollen legs in the evening, a feeling
of tension in the calves, itching, tingling, aching or even stabbing pains
in the legs. It is typical that the symptoms can be alleviated by raising
the legs, while standing or sitting for long periods usually makes them
worse. |
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What happens if
varicose veins are not treated? |
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A healthy diet and adequate
exercise, such as sport and vein exercises, are a sensible addition to any
treatment. However, if the disease is advanced, doctor and patient must
consider compression treatment or an operation. Without treatment,
life-threatening conditions may arise, such as a pulmonary embolism as a
result of a thrombosis, or a leg ulcer may develop as the final stage of
chronic venous insufficiency. |
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What is oedema and
how does it develop? |
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Oedema comes from the Latin
and means an increased accumulation of water in the tissue, that is to say,
a swelling. This indicates that in the leg the balance in the tissue
between the amount of fluid released by and taken up by the blood
circulation is disturbed. The permeability of the walls of the veins can
be increased by various factors: porous vein walls, valves which are not
working properly, standing for long periods and lack of exercise. The
tissue fluid is no longer exchanged and removed so it collects in the
tissue and the legs swell. Too much water in the leg is always an
important indication of a disturbance of the flow of blood away from the
leg veins (chronic venous insufficiency) and shows that the blood supply
to the tissue is disturbed. |
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Is it true that
vein disorders are hereditary? |
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Although this is frequently
said, it has not yet been proven scientifically. On the other hand, a high
incidence of vein disease has often been observed within a family. In
these cases, however, similar living conditions, habits, diet and
environmental factors must also be considered as possible causes. |
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I go to the sauna
once or twice a week. Now I am developing varicose veins, may I continue
to go to the sauna? |
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No, this would certainly
make the condition worse. The extreme heat in the sauna causes the veins
to dilate, the walls of the veins stretch and become slack and the veins
can no longer transport the blood towards the heart. Alternate hot and
cold showers and pouring cold water over your legs are to be preferred.
For relaxation it is better to go swimming. Exercise in cool water also
exercises and strengthens the veins. |
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Can you go on
holiday by the sea when you have varicose veins? |
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There are no objections
provided you arrange your holiday in such a way that your veins also
benefit. Avoid a humid climate and do not subject your veins to the most
extreme heat or the strongest sunlight. Go swimming regularly and often
instead. Go for walks by and in the water. A firm sandy beach is most
suitable. Walk barefoot, consciously putting your heel down first then the
ball of the foot and finally your toes. |
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I suffer from
chronic venous insufficiency but would like to fly on holiday. May I, or
would you advise against it?.
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All the reports in the media
about the connection between thromboses and flying are enough to make
anyone worried. Of course you may fly on holiday. Only long-haul flights
lasting eight hours or more are dangerous. A flight lasting one to four
hours is just as safe as an equally long trip in a car or a train, as long
as you bear certain things in mind: wear comfortable clothes, drink plenty
of still mineral water, move around occasionally or do 5 minutes of vein
exercises every hour. You can also prepare for your trip by taking
ANTISTAX® capsules. This plant-based medicine for the veins made from the
extract of red vine leaves, AS 195®, supports the vein function from
inside. |
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What effect does
the extract of red vine leaves have on chronic venous insufficiency? I
have stage I CVI, should I try the new 12-week course of treatment with
ANTISTAX® capsules? |
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ANTISTAX® capsules contain
a high concentration of the extract of red vine leaves, AS 195®, in
consistent quality. A scientific study proved that this extract achieved
very good results both in the prevention and in the treatment of chronic
venous insufficiency. The extract of red vine leaves protects and
stabilises the vein walls, eases pain and reduces swelling, has
anti-inflammatory properties, and stimulates blood circulation and
metabolic activity in the tissue. By using the ANTISTAX® pack for a
12-week course of treatment you can successfully recreate the clinical
study for yourself. |
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After an operation
for varicose veins is it possible to operate on the same leg for a second
time? My doctor thinks a second vein stripping is unavoidable. |
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If your doctor considers it
necessary, there is no objection to having the same leg operated on again.
Many people unfortunately repeatedly develop varicose veins which require
surgery. There are enough veins in the leg to take over the work of the
varicose veins which have been removed. |
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I am expecting a
child and have problems with my veins. My legs are always swollen in the
evening. My doctor has advised me to wear compression stockings. Is that
right during pregnancy? |
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It is essential that you
wear compression stockings at this time. Unfortunately varicose veins are
very common during pregnancy because of the hormonal changes and the
pressure of the womb on the veins of the legs. The risk of developing
phlebitis (inflammation of a vein) or thrombosis increases. You can avoid
this danger by wearing compression stockings during the day, putting your
feet up frequently and doing specific exercises. |
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