Varicose veins are a very common disease among the adult population. According to the World Health Association, about 40% of people are affected by this disease in varying degrees of severity.
The disease is more typical for women, every fifth representative of the fair sex is susceptible to varicose veins. Men suffer less from this disease and only 10% have this problem.
In the initial stages, the disease causes little concern and is not something dangerous to the patient's life, but later dangerous diseases can develop, for example, thrombophlebitis. Formed blood clots are already a serious threat to life.
Depending on the etiology, two forms of varicose veins are distinguished, they are shown in the table:
| Primary | Secondary | |
|---|---|---|
| Reason | Weakening, violation of the structure of the venous wall | Violation of venous blood flow due to improper functioning of venous valves |
| Aggravating factors | Excess weight, pregnancy, standing work, compression of veins by clothing elements, congenital weakness of venous walls | The development of various types of tumors, disruption due to trauma |
Causes of the disease
The essence of the disease is an abnormal increase in pressure in the superficial veins due to a violation of the valves that facilitate venous blood flow in one direction (toward the heart). When disturbed, the valves weaken and the blood begins to stagnate in the vessels, which causes them to stretch, form knots, etc. formation of tissues and ulcerative processes.
The main causes of the disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- staying in an upright position for a long time;
- limited movement during the day;
- disorders of the endocrine system due to both the disease and the intake of hormonal drugs;
- pregnancy;
- different types of physical activity (at work, in the gym, in the garden, etc. );
- damage to the lower extremities;
- bad habits, especially smoking.
Note.The risk group includes people who stand all day, sit and move little, for example, sellers, teachers, drivers, people who sit at a computer, etc.
The fact is that people who sit for long periods of time constrict the blood vessels, which slows down blood circulation. Therefore, regardless of age, varicose veins develop at this time, and in those who stand for a long time, due to physical laws, the blood creates constant pressure on the veins and, as a result, begins to deform, which causes swelling of the veins. disease development.
Also at risk:
- women wearing high heels;
- persons engaged in sports with loads on their legs (power sports, tennis);
- all people who work on their feet;
- people cross one leg over the other while sitting out of habit;
- people who drink a lot of coffee and alcohol-containing drinks, which contribute to blood clotting and thereby impair its outflow.
How to recognize the disease
The first sign of varicose veins is the appearance of fatigue in the legs at the end of the day, the appearance of swelling, which is why the shoes are tight. Rare cramps and pain in the calf muscles are also possible.
You can visually see the manifestation of the disease by stars, which consist of altered inflamed blood vessels. As varicose veins progress, irreversible pathologies arise in larger diameter veins and they begin to appear under the skin. The knotty appearance of the latter is due to the refinement of the walls in certain places.
Main features
However, in order to more accurately understand whether it is varicose veins, we specifically list the main symptoms of the disease:
- pain and heaviness in the legs;
- unpleasant hot, burning pain extending along the veins;
- swelling of the legs is evident after a working day;
- nocturnal cramps in calves;
- veins are wider, more curved, tight to the touch;
- the epithelium of the legs is denser and darker;
- Trophic ulcers are possible.
Prevention and treatment
If you identify the symptoms of varicose veins, you should consult a specialist. Treatment and prevention of varicose veins requires contact with medical institutions.
Only a doctor should prescribe therapy and eliminate the causes after determining the exact diagnosis. There are a number of simple rules, the observance of which can stop the development of the disease or even in some cases help to prevent the development of the disease.
The main ones are listed below:
Avoid temperature effects on veins . Hot baths, saunas, prolonged exposure to the sun cause a decrease in vascular tone, which causes blood stagnation, especially in the legs;Physical activity . All sports, except those with heavy loads, are beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Light running, aerobics, morning exercises and fitness strengthen the arteries especially well.Excess weight . For a number of reasons, the condition of blood and vessels deteriorates in obese people. A larger volume creates more pressure, the heart has to work harder to pump all the blood, excess cholesterol leads to clogging of blood vessels, the development of atherosclerosis, thrombosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.Advice.If you do not want to have varicose veins and feel cheerful, carefully monitor your weight and prevent the development of obesity.
Tight constrictive clothing inhibits blood circulation . Get rid of stockings, socks and tights with tight elastic bands, do not tighten the belt too much and generally eliminate any compression of the veins.
It should be noted that there are special support stockings and tights to prevent the development of varicose veins.Distribute the load while working , change your position, do not be static for a long time.Do not cross one leg while sitting . This prevents venous blood from passing through the veins.More action . A long static position in sitting, and especially an upright position, leads to the development of the disease due to increased pressure in the legs and slowing down of venous blood flow. Therefore, the more it moves, the better. Take breaks, change positions, etc.Normalization of feces . Both constipation and diarrhea have a negative effect on the vascular system. Therefore, make sure that you have fiber-rich foods in your diet. If you are prone to flatulence, avoid legumes, beer and yeast products.Eat less salt . Drinking salt and then liquid causes bloating.Do limb exercises . Before going to bed and after waking up in the morning, it is good to do finger and toe rotations for a few minutes, this will improve blood circulation.Avoid tight shoes , and with high heels.After a working day at home, make a rule to wash or rinse your feet in cold water.
It should be noted that it is useful to prevent varicose veins by walking barefoot in the dew or soaking your feet in the surf line along the coast.
If there are no manifestations of varicose veins, but there is a tendency to this disease, it will be useful to massage the legs every day. It is very easy to do. The technique consists of stroking and kneading the feet.
Note.Massage is contraindicated if the doctor has diagnosed varicose veins!
Patients are advised to keep their lower limbs elevated while resting or sleeping. To do this, it is advisable to put your feet on a hill, use all available means for this, you can place a pillow or pillow.
A contrast shower for your feet helps, or wash your feet with cool or cold water after taking a hot shower.
Swimming is indicated for varicose veins, it not only forces all muscle groups to work, but also perfectly strengthens blood vessels. Morning jogging, hiking, biking, and skiing are also good options.
Physiotherapy
If you do gymnastics, the treatment and prevention of varicose veins will be successful.
Below are simple exercises that you can do without distraction from work or household chores:
- Raising calves. The instructions to follow are simple. To do this, you need to stand straight, feet together, feet next to each other. Lift up about 30 times, rising to your toes and returning to the starting position. There are three types of exercises:
- toes next to each other, heels next to each other;
- toes together, heels apart;
- heels close, toes apart.
It is recommended to perform all variations 20-30 times for each position;
- Roll on your feet. Stand with your legs straight. Roll from toes to heels. Repeat on the inside and back of the legs. The number of repetitions is arbitrary, spend 2-3 minutes on exercises.
- Bicycle. It can be done both lying down and sitting on a chair. Use your legs to simulate riding a bicycle as shown in the picture. Legs should be fully straightened while performing. 30-40 repetitions will be enough.
Nutrition and diet
Adhering to proper nutrition and diet not only helps to overcome varicose veins, but also has a positive effect on the body as a whole. Enrich your diet with plant foods, especially fruits, exclude fatty, spicy, salty and smoked foods that cause blood thickening and blood clotting.
Vegetarian diets are preferred, but as this is not suitable for everyone, try to favor lean meats, fish and animal proteins of marine origin. Reduce alcohol consumption as much as possible, eat more fortified foods, especially those rich in vitamins A, B, C and E.
The first and last epithelia help to strengthen the vascular walls, and also increase the general immunity of the body. Regular intake of vitamins C and E helps to strengthen the collagen fibers of blood vessels and their valves.
Scientists have proven the positive effect of eating fresh garlic on the cardiovascular system due to its unique chemical composition. Let's just focus on the effect.
Garlic prevents the formation of blood clots and helps dissolve existing ones, prevents the development of atherosclerosis and varicose veins. In addition, it stimulates the body's defense mechanisms and helps prevent colds.
It should be noted that you should not use too much garlic. It is enough to eat one or two cloves a day. If you are too addicted to this spice, you may end up with stomach and heart problems.
Some basic nutritional guidelines:
- lean meat is recommended, baked or boiled;
- lactic acid products such as yogurt, kefir and cheeses are very healthy, especially if they are low in fat;
- increase your consumption of vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They are high in fiber and potassium compounds. First, it helps to fight slag and constipation in the body; potassium regulates channels during water-salt exchange in body tissues. Keep in mind that industrial processing reduces the amount of useful trace elements and eliminates the beneficial properties of fiber;
- it is advisable to minimize the amount of fast (sweet) carbohydrates and salt;
- For cooking, use special coated dishes that allow you to cook without using oil heated on the surface;
- replace animal fats with vegetable oils, do not cook twice in the same oil;
- For salad dressing, use olive oil, low-calorie sour cream, kefir or yogurt.
Treatment of varicose veins
Varicose veins are very difficult to treat, and it is easier to control the development of the disease by preventing their occurrence or slowing down their development. When the disease is diagnosed, according to statistics, about 15-20% of patients recover completely, but you should not despair.
Damaged vessels have a stretched structure, which causes stagnant processes in them. In case of severe vascular lesions, surgical treatment with removal of the ears is required to prevent further spread of the disease to healthy vessels.
Today, there are many ways to treat the disease. In most cases, these are minimally invasive methods, and only in advanced cases does the patient end up on the operating table.
Among the most used ones, we highlight the following:
Sclerotherapy. Simply put, the removal of a vein without direct surgical intervention. The result is that a special drug is injected into the damaged vein through a needle, it glues the walls of the veins, and after about a week it resolves on its own.Laser therapy. A special probe connected to a laser is inserted into the vein through a micro-incision. The vein is burned from the inside, which causes adhesion of its walls and subsequent resorption.
Basic treatment methods
Early detection of the disease contributes to successful treatment if it is started on time. The more varicose veins develop, the more difficult it is to treat the disease.
Among the main methods, therapeutic massage has proven itself well, but under the condition that it is done by a specialist. Due to the correct manipulations in the legs, blood circulation increases and congestion in blood vessels decreases.
Treatment often involves wrapping the limb with elastic bandages or wearing special compression stockings. This helps to avoid the development of the disease and the occurrence of complications such as thrombophlebitis.
The additional pressure created compresses the vessels, their lumen narrows, which creates an increased blood flow and reduces congestion in the vessels. This prevents the blood from thickening and blood clots.
Treatment includes following all the basic preventive measures described above. Among them, strict attention should be paid to diets, fighting excess weight, regular rest and therapeutic exercises.
After consultation with the attending physician, drug treatment and the use of various creams and ointments are prescribed. Medicines taken orally have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, as well as thin the blood and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
The cream for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins gives the same result. The price of such drugs is reasonable, they are sold without a prescription. Their use does not cause complications, but it is still advisable to seek professional advice from a doctor.
Traditional treatment methods
Treatment and prevention of varicose veins using traditional medicine is not a panacea for the disease, but can improve the results of the main treatment and alleviate the symptoms, especially it is convenient to use at home.
The most popular methods are:
- medicinal plants that help strengthen blood vessels and increase blood flow (St. John's wort, chamomile, plantain, etc. ) taking a bath with a decoction;
- compresses with sea buckthorn oil or aloe juice have an excellent wound healing effect and are used to treat eczema and trophic ulcers (honey applications can also be used for this purpose);
- the use of decoctions or tinctures of herbs that help to dilute the blood (hawthorn, licorice or angelica root, sweet clover, etc. ).
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated or not taken seriously, stagnant processes will develop, lead to the development of the disease and cause a number of accompanying pathologies that significantly worsen the general condition and reduce the comfort of life. The nutrition of the epithelial layers of the skin deteriorates.
This leads to the appearance of eczema, necrosis or trophic ulcers, which become chronic. As a result of the formation of blood clots, the vessels become abnormally curved and strongly bulge.
Lime begins to settle in them and the so-called "vein stones" appear. Visible nodes may rupture and bleed. Swelling of the legs becomes permanent and "elephant" appears.