Tired Legs and Painful Ulcers? Discover Ayurvedic Relief for Varicose Ulcers

Varicose ulcer, is formed over the lower part of the lower extremities especially over the ankle region. It’s a common painful leg ulcer associated with discoloration of the skin. Commonly in elderly people. It’s an ulcer which is shallow and flat in shape, having a thin margin, sloping edge, floor with granulation tissue which are pale in colour, sometimes with profuse discharge and pus. The ulcers can adversely affect the life of a person.

Causes & Risk factors

1. 1. Veneous Hypertension- it may happen due to the valve Dysfunction, the valve gets damaged, and weakens.
   2. Calf Muscle Pump failure, which results in the venous obstruction and thus discolouration occurs later formation of ulcer.
      Localised ischemia
   3.  smoking
   4.  varicose veins-bulged veins over the lower extremities.
   5. Venous Reflux- where regurgitation happens, and thus damage the veins.

It can also occur due to prolonged standing, improper dietary habits or any trauma to the veins.
Those people who are having Deep Vein thrombosis, Familial history of venous disease
Sedentary life style, Obesity are under the risk category.
According to ayurveda, Varicose ulcer is mentioned under the Dushta Vrana, ie; chronic ulcer, associated with severe pain, discharge and smell, the dosha predominance is pitha pradana tridosha.

Clinical features

• • Itching
  •  Irregular margined ulcer
  •  Discolouration of surrounding skin-hyperpigmentation.
  • Swelling
  • Pus or fluid oozes out
  •  Dull pain

Investigation –
Doppler scan- The study which help to confirm it, caused due to any Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Varicosity can be done by the physical examination by Trendelenburg test.

Importance of venous ulcer

If the venous ulcer left untreated as it’s a chronic ulcer it will not heal by its own. Later ,it can cause the permanent tissue damage, and affect the neighbouring healthy tissues also and form gangrene. It will be life threatening and the limb may have to amputate.
Venous ulcer is a serious condition, if untreated it can be limb threatening.

Complications

If the disease is not treated properly, it can lead to some secondary bacterial infection, squamous cell carcinoma,osteomyelitis.

Treatment

The ayurvedic treatments include the vrana shodhana, vrana ropana, intake of internal medicines, lifestyle and diet modifcations.

1. 1. Wound Debridement– The wound, must cleaned, the dead cells surrounding, pus cleaned later dressing has to be done every 2days.
   2. Internal medicine – medicines which help to heal the wound internally, and amapachana such as some decoction, and guggulu preparations
      Guduchyadi Kashaya
      • Kaishora guggulu
      • Patoladi Kashaya
      • Manjishtadi Kashaya
      These above medicines help to balance the vitiated pitta and raktha and also help to relives the pain.
   3. External treatment
      • Lepana- that is application of herbal paste over the ulcer., Appliation of Jathyadi tailam, dashanga lepa.
      • Prakshalana- Washing the wound by those herbs which are anti-microbial, anti-bacterial such as, triphala Kashaya, pancha kola Kashaya.
      • Jalouka avacharana – The leech therapy can also be performed to remove the vitiated or impure blood from affected area, which improves the blood flow and reduces the venous congestion, pain, inflammation of the ulcer
      • Siravyadha – the venesection can also do to remove the vitiated blood from the surrounding area; it improves the blood circulation.
   4. Panchakarama – Virechana , purgation in which the vitiated pitta can be alleviated by purgation with Vara choornam, Avippattikara choornam.
       Conservative treatment –
      • Exercise-The physical activity increases the circulation of the legs, some of the exercise advised are ;
      i. Foot pump – Done in sitting position, flex the ankle in upward, and next toes away from the body. And repeated 4-5 times.
      ii. Calf Raise- done in standing position, keep feet flat on the ground and with the help of toes, raise up and hold this position for about 5sec, and release. Repeat the same.
      iii. Marching- In standing position, lift one-foot upto 90 degree and lowers it down .and then the next foot. Repeat this for 10 times.
      • Massage -oil massage on upward direction on the calf area.
      • Compression therapy – it helps to reduce venous wall tension, hypertension decreases. And improves micro circulation and prevent further damage. It can be done by using compression socks. In some people it may irritate the skin, and discomfort.
      • Leg elevation- It helps to reduce the swelling and pain, can be elevated with the help of a pillow on supine position.

Diet and life style

• • Avoid those food which are dry, spicy, fermented, and difficult to digest.
  •  Have those foods which are rich in Vit K, such as leafy vegetables, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale.
  •  Advised to keep hygiene, and do the dressing on every 2 days.
  •  Avoid long standing, walking for long hours.
  •  Always try to keep the legs elevated while sitting.
  •  Exercises which improve the circulation in the foot.