Non-healing Varicose Ulcer treatment in ayurveda (H1)

Varicose ulcer is a serious complication of venous insufficiency which usually occur due to the deformity of the valves in the veins restricting the backflow of the blood. Restricted blood flow eventually increases the pressure in the veins leading to the development of varicose ulcers.

In classical texts of Ayurveda, this condition is correlated with “Vrana” and more specifically with “SirajanyadushtaVrana”, which is defined as the damage of the tissues in the body.Varicose ulcer treatment in ayurveda focuses on repairing the tissue damage by allowing the blood to flow unrestricted. At SSANH we believe a varicose ulcer if recognised in the earlier stage followed by adequate ayurvedic treatment can increase the chances of complete cure.

How can you recognise a non-healing varicose ulcer? (H2)

It is possible to detect non-Healing varicose ulcer at home by conducting a self-test and noticing various symptoms such as;

1. A shallow sore is seen on the affected area, with a red base
2. Severe pain in the leg
3. Uneven borders of the ulcer
4. The infected ulcer has a bad odour along with drainage of the puss
5. Fever or chills can also be observed
6. Increased warmth and swelling near the affected area

Even if you are not sure after this, please make sure to consult a doctor physically and get your sore examined. History of the sore can inform the causes of the sore and help relating your symptoms with the causes of the sore hence facilitating the diagnosis process.

Causes of Non-healing varicose ulcer(H2)

Varicose ulcer can occur due to both internal and external causes like

1. Increased intravenous pressure
2. Deep Venous Thrombosis
3. Chronic constipation
4. Poor blood circulation
5. Obesity
6. Injury or trauma
7. Incision, laceration
8. Occupational causes i.e. standing for long hours
9. Medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension and renal failure etc.

Once varicose ulcer is confirmed, it is time for you to decide the place for its treatment. Ayurveda offers a very good treatment approach allowing the speedy recovery of the tissue damage.

Treatment for varicose ulcers at SSANH(H2)

The Varicose ulcer treatment in ayurveda includesexternaltherapies along with ayurvedic oral medicine whereas the lifestyle changes allow the patient to avoid any recurrences. At SSANH, the treatment plan for varicose ulcer patients consists of:

Draining the accumulated blood (H3)

Best way to detoxify the vein or drain the accumulated blood is “bloodletting” by “leech” which is also known as “Raktmokshana” by “Jalauka”.Leech therapy helps to drain out the impure blood from the patient’s body through oleation and fomentation of the area around the ulcer.

Leech is kept over the non-healing ulcer to suck all of the impure blood and allowing the improvement in blood flow around the affected area. It corrects venous hypertension and reduces venous congestion present in the affected area. Improved blood flowensures reduction of pain, suppuration, inflammation of the ulcer.

Increasing the bowel movement(H3)

Varicose ulcer patients are given oral formulation of herbal mixture to induce bowel movements in larger quantities. This procedure helps in the efficient functioning and boosting of the digestive metabolism. It helps relieve the symptoms like anorexia, oedematous swelling around the foot and also starts forming the granulation tissues around the wound.

As per the classical textbooks of ayurveda, nityaVirechana is indicated in all Pittaj and Raktaj disorders to induce bowel movements. Nitya virechana is a procedure in which patients are given a formulation that is processed in oil or a decoction orally to induce bowel movements.

Detoxifying the rectal route (H3)

In order to facilitate better detoxification of the induced bowel movements via vityavirechana, we need to clear the rectal route. Ayurvedic Enema or Basti Karma is a procedure in which a herbal formulation is administered to the patient via the rectal route. The herbs/drugs used in the formulation are absorbed at the site of the rectal route allowing the detoxification of the site hence facilitating better excretory function and absorption in the body. Some anti-inflammatory herbs are added in the formulation which can be absorbed and transported to reduce the inflammation and aid towards faster wound recovery.

Later, the wound is washed with specific decoctions along with a proper dressing of the ulcer to accelerate the rate of healing.

Duration required for the treatment of varicose ulcer(H2)

Thiscase studysuggests 35-50 days of Varicose ulcer treatment in ayurveda is sufficient for the complete healing of the wound. Moreover, a follow-up was also taken that suggested no recurrence of the wound, and its symptoms were observed even after 18 weeks of follow-up.

We treated chronic case of varicose ulcer, a 20 years old wound which improved significantly within 21 days followed by 3 months of at home treatment. On following up after 2 years the patient’s wound was healed with no pigmentation left on the affected site. You can check out another case study depicting the Varicose ulcer treatment in ayurveda at SSANH

Considering all the previous cases, we can say that 21-45 days of inpatient treatment is required followed by 3-6 months of medicine to ensure complete cure with no remission of varicose ulcer.

Effectiveness of varicose ulcer treatment in ayurveda(H2)

The non-healing varicose ulcer is a very common and recurrent condition found in patients. If right treatment is not given, varicose ulcer patients may develop gangrene over the affected area, leaving amputation of the organ as the only option for survival.

The western medicine system suggests few temporary ways to help recover from this conditionbut the symptoms will surely reappear.:

• Wearing elastic bandages or compression stockings to avoid clots and swelling
• Surgical, chemical, mechanical removal of the dead tissue
• Dressing the ulcer with gels or ointments to promote healing
• Antibiotics and NSAID’s

The inflammation doesn’t stop as the blood flow continues to be restricted and once the condition is favourable for ulcers to flourish in the body, the recurrence takes place.

On the other hand, Ayurvedic treatment for varicose ulcer

• Provides a quick relief by draining out the impure blood from the affected site to recover the blood flowvia raktamokshana
• Ensures a permanent cure by detoxifying the blood hence improving the functioning of the veins all around the body for better blood circulation via virechana
• Helps in accelerating the recovery rate via the anti-inflammatory herbal formulations provided as medicine and during the process of basti
• Helps in reducing the varicosity and hyperpigmentation caused by the non-healing varicose ulcers through external dressing or medicine application on the affected site.

All this when followed by some lifestyle changes to reduce the impact of previous causes allows the patient to recover completely while reducing any chances of going into remission. We at Sreesubramania ayurvedic nursing home ensure taking preventive measures to minimise the chances of recurrence of the ulcer by following up thoroughly and only stopping the non-healing varicose ulcer treatmentonce the blood flow is completely restored.

If you are suffering from varicose ulcer, you can contact us with the image of your wound and a description of your symptoms.