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Natural treatment for the causes of leg ulcers and foot ulcers.

Leg Ulcers

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What are Leg Ulcers?
What Causes Leg Ulcers?
Help for Leg Ulcers
More Information on Leg Ulcers

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What are Leg Ulcers?

The word "ulcer" means a break in the layer of cells forming a surface. Ulcers can occur on any area of the body and have many causes.

Ulcers occur when the skin breaks down allowing air and bacteria to get into the underlying tissue. They usually form as scabs or open wounds with redness and swelling of the surrounding area, most commonly on the lower legs and/or feet.

What Causes Leg Ulcers?

Years of research have shown that the usual causes of leg ulcers are not a problem with the skin itself, but rather with the underlying blood supply to the skin. Therefore successful prevention for leg ulcers and successful treatment for leg ulcers must be directed at correcting the underlying cause, not the ulcer itself.

Because blood supply to the skin is crucial, ulcers can occur as a result of poor circulation and so it is also mostly associated with disorders that affect circulation, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. Leg and foot ulcers can also be worsened by secondary bacterial and viral infections and be associated with surrounding eczema. Ulcers are also commonly associated with depressed or lowered immune systems.

Help for Leg Ulcers

Treatment for leg ulcers should include weight loss if you are overweight and regular exercise to promote good circulation. Body Detox can also help to purify the blood and cleanse the system. Treatment for leg ulcers greatly depends on the factors that cause the ulcer or have prevented healing.

Once the causes of leg ulcers are under control, (for example the blood sugar level in diabetes) the ulcer should heal by itself. Treatment may involve wound cleansing, anti-inflammatory treatment and application of dressings. So long as there is no arterial disease, venous leg and foot ulcers will benefit from elevation and compression dressings.

If an underlying disease is one of the causes of leg ulcers, it's important that it is treated - for example hardening of the arteries. Leg and foot ulcers have a tendency to recur in elderly people, and sometimes may require years of therapy.

Natural Remedies for Leg Ulcers

Many herbal and homeopathic remedies have been formulated with specific ingredients to promote and improve circulation throughout the body. One such ingredient is Ginkgo biloba - an extremely effective herb used to restore the functioning of the circulatory system and improve peripheral blood flow to the extremities.

Zingiber officinalis is another herb known as a strong anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, while Rosmarinus officinale (Rosemary) can help to dilate and strengthen blood vessels. For skin health, Natrium muriaticum, Kalium muriaticum and Kalium sulphate are three homeopathic ingredients hailed for their ability to cleanse blood and lymph, help eliminate waste in the blood and act as a natural anti-inflammatory.

Furthermore, by providing essential oxygen to inflamed or infected cells, Kali. sulph. effectively assists healing, reduces inflammation and removes infected or dead cells. Ferrum phos. is another well known biochemic tissue salt to promote the supply of oxygen rich blood to all cells of the body and will also prove helpful at the first signs of an infection.

More Information on Leg Ulcers

Tips for the Prevention of Leg Ulcers

Activate your calf muscles regularly by walking and exercising.
Reduce the amount of fat in your food. Eat more fruit and vegetables.
Sit with your legs raised whenever you have the opportunity - above heart level if possible.
Avoid sitting with your legs crossed. This impairs blood circulation.
If your work requires a lot of standing or sitting, try to vary your stance as much as possible. Walk about from time to time, if you can.
If you have to stay seated for a long time, move your feet up and down occasionally.
Support stockings may be useful, but talk to your doctor or practice nurse first.