Varicose veins are a fairly common pathology characterized by an increase in lumen diameter, thinning of the walls of blood vessels and the appearance of "knots".
Translated from the ancient Greek, "varicose veins" means "swelling". Theoretically, a similar disease can appear anywhere on the body, but the most common lesions are the legs.
The essence of the problem
The blood vessels in the body play a very important role, representing a network of branched reservoirs that carry blood from the tissues to the heart muscle. In the lower extremities, this network is expressed in the form of deep and superficial vessels connected to the emergency blood supply system.
As a rule, it is noticeably stronger and more voluminous, as the main focus is on the deep veins. On the surface, about 15% of the total work remains.
The heart is the "pump" that carries blood through the arteries. Some of the blood flows through the arteries against gravity (while walking, moving, or squatting). When the muscles are relaxed (on their feet), blood flows under the influence of the same weight. However, not everything is so simple, the valves on the walls of the vessels do not let it back.
When the valves are "broken", the arteries dilate and become inflamed, then they cannot stop the blood flow. This process helps the blood vessels to swell and swell. Harmful blood supply becomes the root where varicose veins begin in the legs.
Causes of varicose veins
There are many reasons for this:
- Varicose veins can be well inherited, ie there is a congenital weakness of the vessel walls.
- The formation of varicose veins can be associated with human activity and immunity.
One thing is certain, the disease does not just occur, something must play a role in the impulse.
Blood stasis occurs in the arteries, or rather during sedentary work in the pelvis, which later manifests itself in health problems. Varicose veins are caused by a sedentary lifestyle, so there is no obstacle to their origin with constant work.
It is no coincidence that this disease is primarily called the occupational disease of salesmen and hairdressers.
Open saboteurs include:
- overweight (obesity),
- Frequent weight lifting
- foot injuries.
Another factor is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The size of the arteries is constantly changing, breathing - the arteries are narrowing, breathing, and vice versa. When a person pushes hard, the arteries are subjected to severe stress and begin to dilate under the pressure created.
Of course, this does not mean that everyone is at risk, but chronic constipation and coughing can lead to varicose veins.Varicose veins during pregnancy
Varicose veins are more common in pregnant women. The ever-growing uterus inevitably puts pressure on the arteries in the legs. In this case, nature protected women from serious consequences and provided the body with enough sex hormone during pregnancy, which makes the walls of blood vessels plastic and elastic. As a rule, here the disease reverses; After childbirth, the arteries return to their previous state.
Methods of prevention
Of course, prevention of any disease is easier than cure, and varicose veins are no exception. Let's look at the main preventive measures:
- Forget tight and uncomfortable shoes. Women should keep in mind that the "daily" heel should not exceed five centimeters. In the evening, massage your feet and ask for a cool bath, then throw up and lie down in this position for 15 minutes.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes without tight elastic bands or belts.
- If possible, walk barefoot on the gravel. Arrange these treatments for yourself, at least while on vacation.
- Control your diet. Eliminate or at least reduce the consumption of spicy, salty and smoked foods. The same goes for alcohol.
- Exercise is an excellent prevention of varicose veins. The exception may be the initial stage of the disease. If you see the first signs and symptoms, the load should be light, and be sure to consult your doctor before starting exercise.
- If you have a sedentary job, try to get up and walk around the room as soon as possible. Do the basic exercises, at least jump a little. Do not cross your legs while sitting, it is very harmful to blood circulation.
- Do not overdo it with baths, saunas and hot tubs. After "hot" procedures, be sure to rinse with cool water.
Stages of development of varicose veins
- The first stage.There is no pain or discomfort, only cosmetic defects. A branched vein pattern appears on the legs, "stars" and "mesh" appear. In the evening, the legs are very swollen.
- The second stage.There is an open swelling in the ankle and severe heaviness in the legs. In the evenings there may be cramps, numbness, pins and needles.
- The third stage.Constant swelling of the feet, seals appear on the skin, pigmentation changes in places, itching and dermatitis appear.
- The fourth stage.Trophic ulcers appear on the skin of the feet.
What measures should be taken at the initial stage
Varicose veins of the lower extremities, if in the early stages, respond well to treatment, it is possible to completely stop the development of a competent "fight".
First, follow all of the above precautions. Examine your wardrobe, remove all "harmful" things if necessary, do the same with shoes. Give your feet a contrasting shower, walk more barefoot and balance your meals.
Second, at the first symptoms, take compression underwear, tights or socks. The principle of their action is to distribute the pressure on the legs in such a way that blood circulation is normalized and symptoms are significantly reduced.
When it comes to consultations, you need to visit not only a phlebologist, but also a gynecologist (for women) and an orthopedist. Most likely, hormonal contraceptives or flat feet can cause circulatory problems.
Prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy
During pregnancy, almost every woman suffers from swelling and circulatory problems in the legs. An enlarged uterus constantly interferes with normal function by pressing on the inferior vena cava.
However, as mentioned above, in this case, the varicose veins recede, the main thing is to take the necessary preventive measures in a timely manner.
- Get comfortable orthopedic shoes so that your feet do not get tired while walking.
- Go for daily walks. Do not sit or stand for long periods of time. Put your feet on a hill while resting to avoid stagnation.
- Wear tight-fitting clothing to prevent swelling.
- Light exercise that covers only the legs is a good help. The simplest foot movements in different directions are enough.
- Vitamin C is very good in preventing varicose veins, reduces the properties of many diseases that will give elasticity to the veins.
Treatment of varicose veins
Complete cure of the disease is possible only through surgery. Medicine and exercise are used as adjuvant methods.
Phlebectomy
Operations are either surgical in nature, but the latest technology can be used. The first is phlebectomy when varicose veins are removed.
Laser
The second group has laser coagulation, no incisions, and heat radiation is applied to the problem area of the body.
Sclerotherapy
Another way to get rid of varicose veins is sclerotherapy. A special solution is injected into the damaged vessel using a thin needle that sticks to the walls of the vessels and then dissolves.
But no matter what doctors want, they are not able to eliminate the main cause of varicose veins - the weakness of the vessel walls. It is up to you to prevent the disease only with preventive measures.
Special exercises
Below we have listed a number of physical exercises that will not take much of your time, but will have a very good effect. You can make them at home.
- Exercise 1.Lie on the floor, raise your feet at an angle of 90 ° to the floor and begin to move your toes "from you to you". Repeat 10 times.
- Exercise 2.Raise your legs in a prone position and "draw" circles with your feet 10 times in each direction.
- Exercise 3.The "birch tree" we know has a good effect. In a prone position, lift your legs and pelvis, put the other on your hands. Lock in this position for a few seconds. Repeat 4 times.
- Tip:Take some time to lie down. First, your body will always be elastic, and second, it will help the blood to move away from the arteries.
- Exercise 4.Lie on the floor with your legs together, knees in different directions. Hold your feet and pull towards you. Stay in this position for a while. Play the exercise 4 times.
- Exercise 5.Lie on your left side and elbow, hold your right foot with your right hand. Do a few bow movements with your hips and back (try to reach your waist with your heels), hold for 10 seconds. Do the same for the left side.
Ointments
The purpose of drugs in the treatment of varicose veins is to give the vessels elasticity and normal condition. The necessary medication will be recommended by a specialist for a complex treatment.
An anticoagulant cream can have a good prophylactic effect. The role of the latter is to anesthetize the affected areas, as well as strengthen blood vessels. Often anti-varicose cream preparations contain a number of vitamins: C, B5 and B1, which significantly reduces the regeneration time.
Pills are also common in treatment:
- improve vascular tone;
- eliminate inflammation;
- accelerates blood flow and lymph flow;
- Eliminate microcirculation disorders.
Tablets are divided into several groups: corticosteroids, phlebotonics, antithrombotic and non-steroidal analgesics.
Folk remedies
Conservative treatment is effective in the early stages of varicose veins, when a person feels heaviness in the legs and sees that there is a venous network in the skin. The sooner corrective action is taken, the sooner and more accurate the results. Below are some simple but effective recipes.
Garlic compress
Gruel is made from grated garlic and oil in a ratio of 1: 2, then applied to the affected areas with paper and bandage. Exposure time - wash your feet with warm water at night and in the morning.
Chestnut
Chestnut tincture for internal use. Pour fifty grams of dry product with 500 ml of alcohol. As a result, the product must be insisted and filtered for 14 days. Take with water three times a day before meals.
Kalanchoe Ointment
Half a liter jar should be filled with leaves and the rest with 70% alcohol. The resulting tincture should be put in a dark place for two weeks, but shake daily. The finished ointment is applied daily to the affected areas.
Love yourself and be healthy!