Varicose veins are quite a common disease in the adult population. According to the World Health Association, about 40% of people suffer from 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 are less affected by this disease and only 10% face this problem.
In the initial stages, the disease is less disturbing and does not pose any threat to the patient's life, but later, dangerous diseases can develop, for example, thrombophlebitis. The resulting 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 vascular valves |
| aggravating factors | Excess weight, pregnancy, standing, stretching of the veins by clothing elements, congenital weakness of the venous walls. | Development of various types of tumors, disruption due to trauma |
Causes of the disease
The essence of the disease lies in the pathological increase in pressure in the upper blood vessels due to the violation of the valves, which usually facilitate the flow of venous blood in one direction (toward the heart). During the violation, the valves weaken and the blood begins to stagnate in the veins, which causes them to stretch, the formation of knots, etc. Sh. In this case, the blood flow slows down, which leads to cell trophism disturbance and. Tissues and the formation of ulcerative processes.
The main causes of the disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- a long stay in an upright position;
- limited movement throughout the day;
- disorders of the endocrine system, both due to disease and taking hormonal drugs;
- pregnancy;
- different types of physical activity (at work, in the gym, in the country, etc. );
- lower limb injuries;
- Bad habits, especially smoking.
Note.The risk group includes people who spend the whole day on their feet, sitting and moving a little, for example, salespeople, teachers, drivers, people sitting at the computer, etc. Sh.
The fact is that people who sit for a long time constrict their blood vessels and this slows down blood circulation. Therefore, in this case, varicose veins develop regardless of age, and for those who stand for a long time, according to physical laws, the blood creates constant pressure on the blood vessels, as a result of which they begin to deform, which leads to the development of the disease.
Also at risk are:
- women with high heels;
- persons involved in sports with loads on their legs (power sports, tennis);
- All people who work on their feet;
- People, out of habit, cross one leg over the other while sitting;
- People who drink a lot of coffee and alcoholic beverages, which help to thicken the blood, thereby preventing it from flowing.
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, for this reason the shoes become tight. Rare cramps and pain in the calf muscles are also possible.
Visually, you can notice the manifestation of the disease by the so-called stars, which consist of modified inflammatory blood vessels. As varicose veins progress, irreversible pathologies occur in larger diameter vessels 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 characteristics
But in order to understand more precisely whether these are varicose veins, we will specifically list the main signs of the disease:
- pain and heaviness in the legs;
- An unpleasant warm, burning pain that passes along the veins;
- After a working day, leg swelling is clearly visible;
- nocturnal cramps in the calves;
- veins become wider, more twisted, dense to the touch;
- The epithelium of the feet becomes denser and darker;
- Trophic ulcers are possible.
Prevention and treatment
In case of symptoms of varicose veins, you should consult a specialist. Treatment and prevention of varicose veins requires contact with medical institutions.
Only a doctor, after making an accurate diagnosis, should determine the therapy and eliminate the causes. There are a number of simple rules, the observance of which can stop the development of the disease or even in some cases contribute to the development of the disease.
The main ones are listed below:
Avoid temperature effects on the 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 heavy loads, are beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Light jogging, aerobics, morning exercises and fitness are especially good at strengthening the veins.Excess weight . Due to a number of reasons, the condition of blood and blood vessels deteriorates in obese people. A larger volume creates greater pressure, the heart has to work harder to pump all the blood, excess cholesterol leads to blockage 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 clothing prevents blood circulation . Get rid of tight socks, stockings and pantyhose with tight elastic bands, do not tighten the belt too much and generally eliminate vein compression.
It should be noted that there are special support socks and pantyhose that prevent the development of varicose veins.Distribute the load while working , change the position, do not be static for a long time.Do not cross one leg while sitting . This prevents venous blood from passing through the vessels.more movement . A static position in a sitting position for a long time, and especially a vertical position, provokes the development of the disease due to increased pressure in the legs and slowing down of venous blood flow. Therefore, the more movement, the better. Rest, change positions, etc. Sh.Normalization of stool . Both constipation and diarrhea have a negative effect on the vascular system. Therefore, make sure that your diet includes foods rich in fiber. Avoid legumes, beer and yeast products if you are prone to flatulence.Eat less salt . Drinking salt and then fluid causes swelling.Do limb exercises . Before going to bed and after waking up in the morning, it is good to make rotational movements of the fingers and toes for a few minutes, this will improve blood circulation.Avoid tight shoes , and high heels.After a working day, at home, make it a rule to wash or rinse your feet in cold water.
Note that the prevention of varicose veins is useful by walking barefoot in the dew or along the shore, on the surf line, by getting your feet wet.
In the case when 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 involves stroking and massaging the feet.
Note.Massage is contraindicated if the doctor has diagnosed varicose veins!
Patients are advised to elevate their lower limbs while resting or sleeping. For this, it is advisable to put your feet on the hill, use all available means for this, you can place a pillow or a pillow.
A contrast shower for your feet can help, or after taking a warm shower, rinse your feet with cool or cold water.
Swimming is indicated for varicose veins, it not only forces all muscle groups to work, but also strengthens blood vessels perfectly. Morning jogging, hiking, biking, and skiing are also good options.
Physiotherapy
Treatment and prevention of varicose veins will be successful if you do gymnastics.
Below are simple exercises that you can do without distracting yourself from work or household chores:
- calf raise. The instructions to follow are simple. To do this, you need to stand straight, legs together, feet next to each other. Do the pull-up about 30 times, rise to your toes and return to the starting position. There are three types of exercises:
- toes side by side, heels side by side;
- toes next to each other, heels apart;
- Heels are closed, toes are spread.
It is advisable to perform all variations 20-30 times for each position;
- rolling on your feet. Stand straight with your legs together. Roll from toes to heels. Also 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 performed both lying down and sitting in a chair. Use your legs to simulate riding a bicycle as shown in the photo. Legs should be fully straightened while performing. 30-40 repetitions will be enough.
Nutrition and diet
Eating right and following a diet not only helps to deal with varicose veins, but also has a positive effect on the body as a whole. Enrich your diet with plant foods, especially fruits, and avoid fatty, spicy, salty, and smoked foods that cause blood thickening and blood clotting.
A vegetarian diet is preferable, but since it is not suitable for everyone, try to give preference to lean meat, fish and animal proteins of marine origin. Reduce alcohol consumption as much as possible, eat more fortified foods, especially rich in vitamins A, B, C and E.
The first and last help to strengthen the vascular walls of the epithelium and also increase the overall immunity of the body. Regular intake of vitamin 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, thanks to its unique chemical composition. Let's just focus on the effect.
Garlic prevents the formation of blood clots and promotes the dissolution of existing ones, preventing the development of atherosclerosis and varicose veins. In addition, it stimulates the body's defense mechanisms and helps prevent colds.
It is important to note that you should not use garlic excessively. It is enough to eat a few teeth a day. If you are too addicted to this spice, you may develop stomach and heart problems.
Basic rules of nutrition:
- Lean meat, stewed or boiled, is recommended;
- Lactic acid products such as yogurt, kefir and cheese are very healthy, especially when the fat content is low;
- Increase your consumption of vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They are rich in fiber and potassium compounds. The first one helps to fight against slag and constipation in the body; Potassium regulates channels during water-salt exchange in body tissues. Please note that industrial processing reduces the amount of useful microelements and excludes the beneficial properties of fiber;
- It is advisable to reduce the amount of fast (sweet) carbohydrates and salt to a minimum level;
- For cooking, use dishes with a special coating that allows you to cook food without using fat, which heats up on the surface;
- replace animal fats with vegetable fats, do not cook in the same oil twice;
- To prepare the salad, use olive oil, low-calorie sour cream, kefir or yogurt.
Treatment of varicose veins
Varicose veins are quite difficult to treat, and it is much easier to prevent their occurrence or control the development of the disease by slowing down its progression. When the disease is diagnosed, according to statistics, about 15-20% of patients are completely cured, but you should not despair.
Damaged veins have a stretched structure, which causes stagnant processes in them. In case of serious vascular damage, they require surgical treatment by removing the ear to prevent further spread of the disease to healthy veins.
Today there are many methods of treating the disease. In most cases, this is a minimally invasive technique and only in an advanced state does the patient end up on the operating table.
We highlight the following among the most frequently used ones:
Sclerotherapy. In simple words, vein removal without direct surgical intervention. The conclusion is that a special drug is injected into the damaged blood vessel using a needle, which sticks to the walls of the veins, and after about a week it disappears by itself.laser therapy. A special probe connected to the laser is inserted into the vein through a micro-incision. The vein burns from the inside, which causes sticking of its walls and subsequent resorption.
Basic treatment techniques
Early detection of the disease contributes to successful treatment if it is started on time. The more developed varicose veins are, the more difficult it is to treat the disease.
Among the basic techniques, therapeutic massage has proven itself well, but on the condition that it is performed by a specialist. Thanks to proper manipulations in the legs, blood circulation increases and swelling in blood vessels decreases.
Treatment often involves wrapping the limb with elastic bandages or wearing special compression stockings. This helps to prevent the development of the disease and the occurrence of such complications as thrombophlebitis.
The created additional compression compresses the veins, narrows their lumens, which increases blood flow, reduces swelling in blood vessels. This prevents the blood from thickening and blood clots from forming.
Treatment also includes following all the basic preventive measures described above. Among them, great attention should be paid to diet, fighting excess weight, regular rest and therapeutic exercises.
After consultation with the attending physician, medication therapy and the use of various creams and ointments are prescribed. Medicines taken orally have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, as well as help to thin the blood and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
Varicose veins prevention and treatment cream gives the same result. The price of such drugs is affordable, they are available without a prescription. Their use does not cause complications, but it is still advisable to get professional advice from a doctor.
Traditional methods of treatment
Treatment and prevention of varicose veins using traditional medicine is not a panacea for the disease, but it can improve the results of the main treatment and alleviate the symptoms, especially since it is convenient to use at home.
The most popular methods are:
- taking baths with a decoction of medicinal herbs (St. John's wort, chamomile, plantain, etc. ), which help strengthen blood vessels and increase blood flow;
- 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 herbal decoctions or tinctures that help to thin the blood (hawthorn, licorice or angelica root, sweet clover grass, etc. ).
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated or not taken seriously, then stagnant processes progress, which lead to the development of the disease and give rise to a number of concomitant pathologies, which 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 veins become abnormally twisted and become severely swollen.
Lime begins to deposit in them and e. year"Vein stones". The nodes that appear can burst and bleed. Swelling of the legs becomes permanent and "elephantiasis" appears.