The review, published in the journal Alternative Medicine Review, investigated the effectiveness of traditional and supplement therapies for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Researchers at Thorne Research in Portland, Oregon discuss the fact that the pathology of hemorrhoids and varicose veins is associated with the loss of vascular integrity. Many patients postpone traditional treatment until more aggressive therapies are needed due to the high cost and discomfort of treatment options. Traditional treatment for both conditions include diet, lifestyle changes and hydrotherapy, requiring a high degree of patient compliance.
Mechanical compression stockings are used for varicose veins therapy and over-the-counter topical agents are used for hemorrhoid treatment. Other non-surgical modalities include injection sclerotherapy (for primary varicose veins), cryotherapy, manual dilation of the anus, infrared photocoagulation, bipolar diathermy, direct current electrocoagulation, and rubber band ligation. When non-surgical treatments are ineffective, surgery is often recommended.
The review found that herbal and bioflavonoid supplementation effectively prevents and treats hemorrhoids and varicose veins. These supplements have been shown to improve the vascular integrity of the affected tissues. "Oral supplementation with horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and bioflavonoids may prevent time-consuming, painful, and expensive complications of varicose veins and hemorrhoids," the study author concludes.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 4, 2006 03:27 PM
