Fissure In Ano :: Tips / Treatment Options - Chronic Anal Fissure


Jan 3, 2009

Anyway, I was at uni and going through a bad time in my life, whenever I get stressed my guts go into turmoil. As a result I was off uni for a week with severe rectal pain and feeling lower than a snake's belly. I booked an appointment with my GP as I had experienced similar symptoms before.

My GP recognised the symptoms immediately, I thought I had piles, she said I was too young so had a look. The digital examination wasn't fun, in fact she said she had never seen anyway change colour so quickly but it was worth it because I was referred to a colorectal surgeon.

I took my sick note back into my tutor and as I was doing a clinical degree, he said straight away that fissures were worsened and sometimes caused by stress. The penny dropped.

As I said I was going through a very very bad time in my life which necessitated me going on antidepressants (Cipralex) for my emotional state. When this was added to wall climbing agony due to fissures I was near breaking point. I remember after one bowel movement almost fainting with the pain, I was lying at the top of the stairs at my mum's house and clawing at the wallpaper with my fingernails - I have had a broken leg and in terms of pain that fissure was far worse, trust me.

I went to see the colo-rectal surgeon a few weeks later, I was terrified, but he was a lovely man, very very considerate. He told me that I had a large fissure that could be helped with an ointment. I told him my background so he talked a bit more openly and said that fissures are an incredibly debilitating condition. He once had a 16 stone rugby player openly weeping on his consulting couch with the pain - I can understand why.

I was prescribed GTN ointment and started using it as directed. I had a slight headache which I could live with, but this was far better than the agony of the fissure and this headache was pretty much gone after the first week. After a week of use the pain from the fissure had also subsided to nothing. After six weeks I went back to the surgeon and I was healed.

I wish that was the end of the story but it isn't, I have probably had four or five bad flare ups since and dozens of other twinges, spasms, bleeds and itches since but I am nowhere near as bad as the first time - I can live with this now. I have seen the surgeon twice since and he has offered surgery but my frame of mind precluded me from that, I was simply terrified.

My GP is very understanding and I can get GTN on prescription whenever I need it. I was prescribed Anoheal by the surgeon as well but this didn't work as well as GTN for me, but I have seen cases in work where this has been incredibly effective.

As I said earlier, I was doing a clinical degree, which I have now passed, so I feel that I am pretty well qualified to offer a bit of advice, so here it is.

1. Go and see your GP. Don't be embarrassed, your doctor has seen dozens of these - they are very very common. If you get fobbed off or feel that you haven't got anywhere, go back and tell him/her that you are not happy and you will go elsewhere i.e. change your GP. Changing your GP hits their bank balance, and as GPs are notoriously greedy, they will do something. Nobody should have to suffer with this.

2. Take something for the pain but NOT codeine. Ibuprofen worked best for me.

3. Drink plenty of fluids and lay off the alcohol while you are healing.

4. Eat lots of fibre and fresh fruit and veg, switch to brown bread and have something like Weetabix for breakfast. This softens stools and makes them easier to pass - less pain and less damage to existing fissures.

5. Use a stool softener, one Movicol sachet daily really really helped me. You can buy these over the counter from your local Pharmacist but tell them what it is for. Alternatively get them on prescription from your GP.

6. Lay off the red meat, there is some science to this as meat increases the residence time in the gut and predisposes to harder stools. This really helped me and I have seen a few accounts here where sufferers also say that.

7. Try to relax, easier said than done, but try simple things like having a hot bath instead of a shower. If anything helps you, no matter how crazy or off the wall it may sound, carry on doing it. Going out for a drive helped me. Staying active also helps constipation and makes you feel better. Don't stay in and stew - stay positive.

8. Stick to the doctor's directions of any drugs you are given. If you are told to apply a cream for 6 weeks into the anus, then make sure it goes into the anus for 6 weeks. And into the anus means into the hole - not nice, but a lot nicer than the agony from an untreated fissure.

Remember you are not alone, these things can be cured. You will feel terrible and you will feel like nobody else understands what you are going through but believe me, these things are very very common.

And if all the above doesn't help there is a simple operation that can be done on a day case basis that has a 95% chance of curing it for good.

If you are reading this you are no doubt feeling horrible but believe me, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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Anal Fissure Cured - Here Is My Treatment Experience

I can tell you how to cure Anal Fissures quickly...

Firstly, my experience was horrible just like everyone else. I have read that it can be more painful than childbirth! Mine started from an overly large bowel movement that ripped me in 3 places. The pain was so bad that i passed out on my bathroom floor with blood and feces hanging out of me when i woke up. The doctor gave me suppositories and anesthetic cream but nothing was working. I have concocted a regime that has cured it in nearly three days. When i read on forums that it can take a few weeks i said to my self 'There is no way i'm living with this pain for that long'! EVERYTHING HURTS.... Sneezing, Laughing, Coughing, Walking, Sitting, Lying down... the list goes on... follow these steps and it cleared up 3 days.

1. You're going to need a few things from the shop - The first is Anusol Cream (despite people saying its not as good as preparation H and other stuff its has worked wonders for this regime and is designed for anal fissures and hemorrhoids. The second is COCONUT OIL (MAGIC STUFF).... Ancient chinese cultures still use this to heal wounds of all kinds and this really was the turnaround stuff for me. Thirdly... Ibuprofen for temporary pain relief and lastly Dulcolax tablets... I will show you how to use all these products for a quick repair in a minute...

2. Psychology ... DO NOT sit at home and wallow in pain and sadness. Go to work, see your friends, live a normal life but be careful. Positive mentality keeps you relaxed and promotes healing. When i was at work i barely felt any pain because i was so distracted, but when i was at home it was constant pain. Make sure you do this, i'm certain this has really helped. Also do not be afraid to tell people exactly whats wrong with you, i have found great amusement talking to people about it and 6/7 of the people i spoke to had been sufferers too, it's nice to know your not the only one and you can see them well and happy!

Here is my regime that saved me:

1. The night before take 1-2 of the Dulcolax, it doesn't kick in until the morning but you need this so you don't damage yourself further. It is not a laxative it makes it all soft and squidgy and it just falls outta you. Minimal pain.

2. In the morning you're gonna need to have a bowel movement, before you do. Run a bath and put a few tablespoons of coconut oil in it. (hot bath), then have your bowel movement. Mine was too painful to wipe so as soon as i finished i hopped in the bath and the water IMMEDIATELY relives the pain (BLISS).. and the coconut oil moisturises and heals. Stay in there for a good 10-20 minutes and then i promise you it wont be hurting as much now so now you can apply the anusol cream. 

3. Before you head off to work or start your day, take 2 ibuprofen. After all this, it will sting a little but by day 3 you can barely feel anything. 

4. Make sure you take your ibuprofen after breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had high fibre cereal for breakfast, water all day normal lunch and whatever for dinner. 

5. Make sure you re-apply cream if you have a bowel movement during the day. I tried to just have one in the morning so i could not aggravate my anus too much. 

6. After dinner, take your ibuprofen, run a bath with coconut oil and just sit and relax for as long as you can (make sure you put NOTHING in your bath except the coconut oil as soaps and stuff can dry you out and make it worse).

7. Before bed, take your dulcolax again drink plenty of water and get good nights sleep.

This regime has fixed me in 2 1/2 days pretty much which i found amazing (i think it was the coconut oil, which stings like a bitch but is AMAZING, i doesn't numb pain but it promotes healing). I am so pleased to be living a normal life again so quickly as i thought i would never be the same again. It is really important you don't fester at home doing nothing as it will only make it worse, go out, see the world and forget that it's there.

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Anal Fissure Or Hemorrhoids?

So I'm in a spot of bother. But first a brief back story (excuse the pun!):

I live in South Korea and around 3 months ago i had really bad stomach pains, vomiting blood, feeling like death etc. Now, being in a foreign country where English isn't spoken too much i was very scared and went to A&E straight away and pretty much got a whole menagerie of tests including a colon and endoscopy. The doctors had a good look around and found nothing wrong. The vomiting stopped almost as quickly as it began and my stomach pain vanished. 

However, a few weeks later i started passing stool that was very painful and then started seeing a lot of blood. It was everywhere; in my stool, when i wiped and even (and most alarmingly) dripping straight from my anus. This was a very distressing time for me, I couldn't even get intelligible feedback from the doctors (no ones fault i should add!). Anyway, after another round of 'scopys they found I had a Hiatal Hernia! 

- My first question is has anyone else here been diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia??

So this explained the stomach pain and through my own research/assumption/vague doctor explanation this most probably caused constipation, stress, straining and eventually resulted in blood flowing freely from my back side. The doctors previously couldn't see hemorrhoids or anal fissures. But after one particularly bloody episode I returned to AE and they said, without tests being carried out, i had either internal hemorrhoids or an acute anal fissure.

So my questions are;

-How do you know the difference?

-Without another (expensive) colonoscopy will I be able to tell?

-Do Hemorrhoids exaggerate into (or cause) anal fissures? 

-Are the treatments for each condition different?

-Is this a lifetime issue now I've got it?

I know what you're thinking; why don't i ask a doctor. Well its not that easy (or cheap) and i figured someone here probably had the same questions and got decent answers (in english) they might want to share?

Also, happy(ish) ending; I rarely see blood anymore, except after a particularly hard stool, and only then its when i wipe and no dripping. I put this down to a few things.I started eating a LOT more fiber, i was trying to maintain 35g of the stuff a day which equated to 1 banana, 2 large apples (200g) and 300g of sweet potato (skin on). 3 - 4 litres of water a day too. At the height of my pain i would have a spoonful of olive oil first thing in the morning, followed by a sitz bath and the MAIN thing is squatting while passing, i cannot recommend this last point enough!

I'm actually experiencing a bit of pain at the moment but i'm putting this down to having a couple of weeks off my regime. Alcohol and fried/salty food should be avoided for prolonged periods it seems! Also for those of you that work out, avoid lower back exercises, or at least go light on the weights in that area.

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Anal Fissure After Surgery For Hemorrhoids

I have been experiencing some constipation for several years but  last june probleme get aggravated and I start having some blood in my stool  and I thought was just hemorrhoid but one day I tried to use the bathroom I couldn't go easy it took me 2 hours to empty my bowel,I  was in agony then went to my GD who refer me to CRS and confirm that I have a fissure with 3 skin tags , prescribe  for me nifedipine ointment 3 time a day and change my diet( fruit veg fiber...) and drink lot of water, after a month staff get worse then went back to CRS he want me to do colonoscopy to figure out what a heck is going on , but thank God nothing bad beside a fissure and 3 skin tags , at that time I couldn't keep my mind straight cuz I was in so much pain on sep 3 I decided to go  for the other option IS surgery with removal of the skin tag. but unfortunately after 11 days post-op I develop a fistula I don't know why it happened it was the most painful pain I have experienced in my life so went to CRS and immediately admit me for 2nd surgery fistulotomy , so today 3 day so far I still have some pain but not as bad as before, I know it is going to take longer to heal but I'm taking it day by day , and this is my story

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Anal Fissure/hemorrhoids - Low Sex Drive?

My boyfriend was continually turning me down weeks on end until he finally had to tell me why - he had an anal fissure, it was painful, so he never felt in the mood. I completely understood that and no longer nagged him for sex. But that was at least 2 months ago, and I am really in need of some good old sex like we use too!

But...he still hasn't really showed he is keen. We've done it a few times but he has never climaxed. I've seen in the cupboard he has got some creams etc which I can tell he uses every few weeks because the packet moves positions. So I assume from this he has his good and bad days?

He is now also watching a lot of porn (I checked his history because I wanted to know if he still had any sex drive at all) so I assume he is still horny... so that comes to my question.

does an anal fissure lower sex drive or cause a man not to be able to cum?

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Severe Pain - Hemorrhoid Or Anal Fissure?

Let's start with more information. I am a 17 year old male (5 foot and 5 inches tall). I've had many health issues in the past including Bile Reflex (at least I think that was the case). I am 81 pounds overweight. However, I do not eat much but I doubt I have a healthy diet. Honestly, I rarely exercise either. I am a computer coder. Therefore, I don't do many things physically and spend a lot of time on the computer. However, I do plan on exercising in the future hoping it will reduce my health issues.

Now, let's get to the main subject. Whenever I go to the bathroom (passing a stool), I experience major pain. In the past, it used to rarely occur (only if I was passing a very large stool), but now it's every time I pass a stool. I've tried stool softener which did slightly reduce the pain. However, it was still extremely painful. Currently, I have no more stool softener pills left and the pain has worsen. It has been an hour and a half since I last pasted a stool and I am still experiencing a bit of pain whenever I sit down. The other symptoms also occur (bloody stool, itching, etc).

This to me sounds very severe and I will admit, I rarely visit the doctor. The last visit was when I was trying to diagnose another type of condition I kept having in episodes (I think it was Bile Reflux). I visit the doctor probably once a year at the most. However, with the amount of health issues I am experiencing, I should start visiting the doctor much more often.

Overall, I was wondering what you thought about this. I am still trying to figure out if this is Hemorrhoids or Anal Fissure (I surely hope it isn't Colon Cancer). I also think I am very young to be experiencing these type of issues. I do realize my best bet would be to ask a doctor. However, the power of the Internet can be very useful.

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Anal Fissure, Skin Tag And Hemorrhoids, Botox?

I am 25 female and have been suffering with hemorrhoids for years, 8 I think now, they resulted in a nasty skin tag and when I thought it couldn't get worse, I have now had a fissure for over a year.

Anyway, after many GP visits etc, and fainting from pain, I finally got put on the NHS waiting list for botox and skin tag removal. I thought to myself this is great to get this done and will solve all my problems, as I can't continue life as it is now, right? I got a date sent to me last week for the surgery, meant to be today, much quicker than I thought (Surely they would have wanted to review before, the Surgeon hasn't seen me in over 6 months?!) but after reading so many horrible posts about Botox I postponed it, so they will be sending a new date.  But before I go ahead I really hope lots of you can advise me on your experience and give me information.

It is painful for me every day, I almost faint sometimes from the pain.  And for some reason for the past 2 weeks, I have lots of blood during EVERY SINGLE BM - why now??  And is this something I should be worried about if it is every single time?

I am tip top about diet and exercise, I only weigh 54kg, I am healthy and active all the time!

The advice that I really want from you all - should I do this botox?  Or should I accept life as it is now?? [sad] could things get a lot worse if I go for Botox?

Also I don't know if I get 'spasms', what are spasms?  I am in pain for a long while after a BM is that what they are?

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Anal Herpes Vs. Anal Fissure?

I'm kinda freaking out and would like some advice before I head to the doctor in a couple days.  Felt a sore on my anus when wiping and looked and saw what looked like a small cut when checking and thought it was from aggressive wiping or from when I was doing squats at gym.  Couple days later cut is still there maybe bigger, but that may be from irritating it every time I have to wipe.  Do also have what appears to be a hemorrhoid, and itches occasionally though that might just be because I can't stop think about it.  I am sexually active but have always been safe and never shown symptoms anywhere else on body before. 

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Pregnancy :: Blood In Stools - Piles? Anal Fissure?

This is my Second pregnancy and since i was 11 weeks i noticed some bleeding after passing a stool so went to see the nurse who did an examination down there and confirmed it was piles, i suffer with health anxiety so i wasn't settled with the diagnosis, anyway i relaxed and only had a couple of bleeding episodes, i'm now 24 weeks pregnant and recently have been have some bleeding when i wipe after a bowel movement, it also feels quite sharp when i poop like i'm tearing the skin and a small amount of bright red blood is seen on the paper ( there is none mixed in with the stool) i've had a look down there and i can see what i think is a pile, and also a tear i think, it feels sore now has anyone had any experience with this problem and should i be worried? All i think about is what if its cancer ...

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Skin :: Annoying Anus Tingling After Anal Fissure

About a month ago i had an anal fissure but it is heald. But weeks after it healed there is a tingling feeling. It does not hurt but it is annoying. i was wondering what could be causing this and how to get rid of that feeling for good.

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Bumpy Pimple Like Rim On Anus After Anal Fissure Healing

I noticed while I was taking care of myself to get rid of my anal fissure (fancy word for anal rip, which healed) that I have a bumpy pimple like thing on the rim of my anal. I also noticed it because it bleed a little, but stop after I went without having a bowel for a few days. I just want to know what it is and if it is harmful. 

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External Hemorrhoids :: THD, Sphincterotomy Of Fissure Experience

It's day eight after my procedures. I barely am feeling the slightest bit better. As the subject states I had THD, sphincterotomy For an anal fissure, and external hemorrhoids. Pain medications are my only relief at this point with a little sleep in between. Hey bowel movement consistent little bit of prep work. I was given 5% lidocaine ointment to put on before the bowel movement and for after. This is only a short time of relief. My prescriptions include hydrocodone, Nucynta, Valium, and Flomax. The first two for the pain, the Valium for the spasms in the rectum, and Flomax for the swollen prostate from the procedure. Even urinating is a difficult task. It seems like I can't do one without doing the other, Although this seems to be getting better so I do believe my prostate is beginning to shrink back to normal. In these eight days I've lost right at 14 pounds and I am eating very little every day. I am forcing myself to drink as much water as possible and I'm taking non laxative stool softeners twice per day. I can answer any question that you might have of me for more information. I'm just looking for someone else that's had similar recovery time and issues.

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HIV Prevention :: A Small Cut / Fissure On Anus After Fingering

About 5 weeks ago (i'v already submitted blood for testing) i met a guy who fingered me. What concerns me is that i noticed a small cut on my anus (on the outer pink area), but i'v never noticed it bleeding or anything.

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Fissure In Ano :: Diltiazem Cream, Nifedipine Suppositories, Wheat Bags ?

My daughter has tried the Diltiazem cream again recently - but this time she has come out in a very itchy rash so had to stop this. I spoke to the pharmacist & they have changed the brand of Diltiazem tablets they use - so I am wondering whether she is allergic to a different ingredient that the different brand is made from ? Again if anyone has had this issue - please reply. She has been getting some relief (after painful bowel movements) with a warm wheat bag (it is long with 3 sections - so can be moved to fit the painful area) I have just been reading about Nifedipine suppositories - does anyone have any experiences with these ? Thanks for any info - in fact it is so helpful to read anyones stories of what works/doesn't work

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Hemorrhoids Or Fissure? Painful Bowel Movement And Occasional Blood Spotting

I delivered 5 weeks ago and ended up with very bad anal pain.. Not sure if it's hemorrhoids or fissure...

The symptoms are painful bowel movement and pain remains for at least 5 - 6 hours and blood spotting sometimes...

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Neurological Disorders :: Choroidal Fissure Cyst Loss Of Taste, Hearing Loss

Last year(2014) I started having some health issues. In March I was diagnosed with Mastoiditis. After that I began to have vision issues with pain and was diagnosed with Optic Neuritis in my left eye. I did 3 days of Solumedrol at home and followed with oral steroids. Since then I have had on and off hearing loss on left side and have lost my sense of taste 3 times for a few weeks. I recently had a mri and they found a 12mm choroidal fissure cyst on my left side. I also have tingling and numbness in my left foot and leg. I still have blurry and double vision in my left eye at times. I had previous ct scans and mris and there was no cyst present. Could this newly found cyst be causing my issues?

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Sjogren's Syndrome :: No Treatment Options

i have had sjogrens since I was 41 years old, I'm now 74 . I've been told there's nothing can be done for it, it's just as I've got older I ache more and get extremely tired,I do go out walking with my dog to get some exercise, have a sit down , then do a few jobs , then sit down and so forth , sjogrens is not life threatening, but it changes your life completely .but it's nice to keep in touch with people who has this horrible condition.

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Interstitial Cystitis - Treatment Options?

I developed excruciating burning in my bladder within the last two weeks. After ruling out a bladder infection, and after doing much Internet research, my symptoms (burning 24/7) seem to match interstitial cystitis. Has anyone received this diagnosis? It appears that the condition is chronic and very very difficult to treat, and that there are no proven treatment. There are treatments but they are pretty extreme (you can Google them under treating Interstitial Cystitis.) 

So what a low blow. Can anyone out there help me? I see a urologist for the first time tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what I am in for to cure this horrible burning?

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Fissure In Ano :: Years Of Dull Pain To Excruciating Pain?

I just want to know your experiences with the time it took from you felt a "dull" pain till it becomes large and really painful?

I have had a small tender firm swelling on the side of anus now for 4-5 days - which my physician says is "probably just a hemorrhoid". There is no change in colour and it's more a firm area than a nodule it seems. 

The pain isn't unbearable - painkillers do their job well so far.

I was thinking perhaps anal abscesses develop over 1-2 days rather than 4-5 days from onset of dull pain to excruciating pain?

Also, sorry for hijacking the fistula forum - there is none of anal abscess and most of you guys must have had it at some point.

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Thick Uterus Lining And Treatment Options

I was having some bleeding for about 3 weeks and it is being investigated now. I had ultrasound, biopsy (awaiting results) but I am just looking for my options. If they find something bad in the biopsy of course it looks like a hysterectomy. But if nothing shows I,m still stuck with the thick lining and bleeding. I have heard horror stories about the ablation, and I have heard its not a good idea with a previous C-section. My doctor thought I may be lacking progesterone or in fact estrogen dominant. I am currently taking progesterone to help with the bleeding for 10 days. It is working well and I feel great, and other symptoms I was having have stopped. Anyone have a D @ C with or without hormone therapy and did it help. I am 47.5 years old and if I can just coast for a few years until menopause I may be able to avoid a hysterectomy.

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Varicose Veins :: An Overview And Treatment Options

Varicose veins are in some cases unavoidable.  Many times, there are ways to naturally prevent and soothe them.

Get plenty of exercise to get your blood circulating, Elevate your legs on pillows daily for 10 minutes or more, Avoid excess weight gain, Dry-brush your legs daily to improve circulation. (This can prevent varicose veins from forming.) Use a natural-bristle brush with a long handle that allows you to reach all parts of your body. Gently brush your legs from the ankles up in a circular motion. Do this before you shower, so you can wash off any dead skin you brush off. Follow with moisturizer or body oil. Don't brush areas with existing varicose veins because you may irritate them.

Take sociable garlic and vitamin E capsules to improve circulation and vitamin C and B-complex vitamins to strengthen your blood vessels, Massage your legs with upward strokes, flushing your blood up to your heart. Use a massage oil made with 3 drops of lavender oil and 1 drop of peppermint oil in a coconut oil base (use unscented coconut oil), or put only the essential oils into a small spray bottle filled with water and spray directly on your legs.
St. John's wort oil helps with inflammation of veins. Avoid sitting for too long, especially with your legs crossed,
Wear loose clothing.

Try acupuncture or reflexology treatments to get your circulation moving and to move any stagnant energy.

After a bath, apply castor oil directly onto the veins. Massage using upward strokes from your feet straight up your legs. Avoid standing for prolonged periods of time.

Apply a cool compress soaked in witch hazel on your legs. Add a few drops of rosemary oil to stimulate circulation.

Flex your feet up and down and circle your ankles to the left and to the right twice a day.

To help varicose veins, make sure you're getting enough of the following:

Calcium-rich foods, since varicose veins are aggravated by a calcium deficiency

Pineapple, to reduce swelling and inflammation.

Berries such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cherries, as they contain a pigment that strengthens the walls of the veins

Foods high in fiber Plenty of water, to keep your bowels moving.

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