Deep vein thrombosis Alternative Medicine

Varicose veins on female legs

Deep vein thrombosis: Alternative Medicine

 

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1. Check your vitamin K intake

Doctors often prescribe blood thinners like Warfarin, Coumadin etc., to treat deep vein thrombosis. Vitamin K promotes blood clotting, and foods enriched with this vitamin can interfere with the action of the blood thinners. Broccoli, soy products, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, kale, spinach and canola oil are some foods which have high content of vitamin K. Check for the vitamin K levels in dressings you want to add to your meals. Canola and soybean oil are widely known for their multiple heath benefits, but consume these oils in restricted amounts while treating deep vein thrombosis.

2. Special exercises for your leg muscles

Exercise your leg muscles frequently to enhance blood circulation. Take short walks in between working hours. You can try this while traveling too. Exercising the muscles of the lower legs is very important as it pumps the blood through the veins, effectively reducing the blood clots. You can also try other simple exercises like bending and stretching of lower calf muscles or bending the ankles and toes. If you are unable to get down from the bed, raise your heels and lower them frequently, lying on the bed. You can also practice specific stretching and bending exercises of leg muscles.

3. Use compression stockings

You may need graduated compression stockings (GCS) to treat deep vein thrombosis in addition to anti-coagulant medications. These specially designed stockings apply a high pressure (about 30-40 mm Hg) at the ankles, and a much lower pressure below the knees. You should start using these stockings as soon as you start DVT treatment with anti-coagulants. This combination therapy is often prescribed by doctors in order to prevent post thrombotic syndrome and the recurrence of DVT. Initially, you may not feel comfortable to wear these tight fitting stockings. The fittings of the stockings should be properly assessed by your doctor or health care provider. You may need to continue wearing these stockings for two years, depending upon the condition.

4. Include Nattokinase in your diet

Use of Nattokinase is one of the effective natural remedies to treat deep vein thrombosis. This is a special enzyme extracted by the Japanese from a food called Natto. Pre boiled soybeans are fermented under suitable conditions in the presence of a bacterium bacillus natto to produce this food. Nattokinase enzyme, produced by the fermentation of soybeans, is widely used as a natural remedy for a number of circulatory and cardiovascular disorders like heart attacks, angina and stroke. This enzyme is not present in ordinary soy products. Several clinical studies have proved the efficacy of this enzyme in dissolving the blood clots.

5. Adjust your lifestyle

Smoking and drinking habits can aggravate the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. Quit smoking immediately. Prolonged smoking habit narrows the blood vessels affecting blood circulation of the body. It promotes the formation of blood clots, aggravating the condition. Reduce your alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol consumption, along with anti-coagulant medications may cause rectal bleeding. Drink in moderation. Avoid over consumption of alcohol at a time. Obesity is another major factor that aggravates DVT. Obese men and women below 40 have fair chances of developing DVT than the non-obese ones. Adopt moderate physical activities to check your body weight. Try to maintain your BMI below 30.

6. Be on the move

The symptoms of deep vein thrombosis worsen while sitting or lying idle for long hours. People suffering from this disorder should always opt for short walks or short exercise schedules throughout the day. This will enhance blood circulation in the legs and help in thinning of the blood clots. DVT is often observed post surgery when a person is advised full bed rest. In such cases, special exercises of the leg muscles are often recommended by the physicians. Those having a history of DVT should avoid long hours of sitting while traveling or working at the desk. Airline passengers are often suggested short walking schedules on board during long flight hours. While treating DVT, the focus should be always in improving the blood circulation throughout the body to prevent the formation of blood clots.

7. Try garlic

Garlic is also a natural blood thinner that effectively reduces the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. Chew 1-2 fresh garlic cloves every morning to improve blood circulation in your body. Garlic supplements are equally effective in diluting the blood clots. The organo sulfurous compounds and allicin present in garlic prevent the blood platelets from turning sticky and forming clots. Cut and chopped garlic produces more allicin, beneficial for the health. Those having a tendency of DVT can consume garlic to prevent blood clots. Regular intake of garlic may interfere with the blood thinner medications. Consult your doctor before opting for garlic or its supplements.

8. Treatment with lime

The juice of this citrus fruit is also very effective in treating a special type of DVT known as “economy class syndrome”. This condition is observed in airline passengers while flying for long hours. Opt for a lime juice cocktail instead of other hard drinks while flying. Doctors often recommend airline passengers to consume a lemon drink after every five hours in long duration flights. Two potential ingredients present in lime namely citric acid and lemon polyphenol helps in maintaining the normal blood circulation in your legs and prevents the formation of clots. Researches have proved that blood circulation in the body improves by 20% after consuming lime juice.

9. Ginger root can dilute clots

Ginger root is another useful herb that can significantly reduce the blood clots in DVT. The active ingredients, gingerols and shogaols, present in this herb prevent stickiness of the platelets, reducing the chances of forming blood clots. You can chew chopped ginger roots or add it in your favorite dishes. Always opt for fresh ginger roots for better effects. This relaxes the muscles around the veins, enabling the blood to flow freely in the legs. This herb is often termed as “natural aspirin” as its functions are almost similar to the commonly used aspirin. People with a high risk of DVT can carry ginger root supplements while flying for long hours, in order to prevent the formation of blood clots.

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