Varicose veins are a common venous disease that predominantly affects the legs of women. Its essence lies in the expansion or lengthening of the veins of the lower extremities, which ultimately leads to a thinning of the venous walls.
The disease cannot be ignored as it can lead to serious complications such as venous insufficiency of the legs, thrombosis, bleeding and gangrene.
Gangrene is dangerous because if left untreated, it can lead to amputation of the legs and thrombosis and even death of the patient: a detached blood clot reaches the heart, causing it to stop. It is imperative to treat the disease early, before complications develop.
Reasons
Scientists have shown that the predisposition to varicose veins is inherited. If your family members have been diagnosed with varicose veins, it is likely to develop in you.
The following reasons can cause its development:
- hormonal disorders;
- pregnancy;
- high loads on the legs;
- bad habits;
- hypodynamic.
The main natural cause of varicose veins in the legs is an increased load on the vessels. Loading can occur both from physical inactivity and from increased physical activity. 
Often times, the office lifestyle leads to varicose veins, a large amount of time spent sitting or standing. In this case, blood circulation is disrupted, stagnant areas are formed, which subsequently leads to vascular degradation.
An unhealthy diet also increases the chance of varicose veins. The cause of the disease can be increased consumption of fatty foods, fast food, cholesterol, caffeine. All this negatively affects the health of the veins. Excessive physical activity is also harmful.
Pregnant women are also at risk. The physical characteristics of pregnancy interfere with the proper blood supply to the legs, often leading to the development of varicose veins. In addition to insufficient blood supply to the legs, the hormonal status in pregnant women changes, which can also cause disease. During this period, it is advisable to regularly check the condition of the legs and, in case of pain, immediately consult a doctor. Inflamed veins may disappear after the birth of a child, but for prevention, you can wear special draped underwear.
Symptoms
You can suspect the development of varicose veins through a variety of symptoms:
- Swelling of the legs. Strengthening towards the end of the workday is a common characteristic.
- Calf pain is an early sign.
- Sudden leg cramps.
- Prolonged healing of wounds and bruises is a late symptom.
- The enlargement of the veins, the appearance of winding paths or nodules is an early sign.
- Loss of hair from the inner surface of the legs, thickening of the skin in this area is a late symptom.
An important characteristic of the manifestation of symptoms is their intensification at night, or after a long stay on their feet or without movement. If you find at least one symptom of the disease, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. The diagnosis of varicose veins is carried out by phlebologists, vein specialists. To establish a diagnosis, a routine examination is not enough, a Doppler ultrasound is necessary. If necessary, varicose veins can be confirmed with a radionuclide or radiopaque method. In this case, the distribution of the specially introduced substance in the containers will be investigated.
Treatments
The prevalence of varicose veins has stimulated the creation of many options for their treatment, both medical and popular. If possible, contact your doctor, who will tell you exactly how to treat it, based on your individual characteristics. It is advisable to use folk methods only in the absence of the possibility of professional treatment. They alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but do not eliminate its cause.
Medications
All pharmacological treatment is divided into two large groups: topical and general drugs. It should be understood that drug treatment is relevant only in the early stages of the disease. In advanced cases, drug treatment is also used, just to prevent the spread of the disease.
Blood thinners are the most popular treatments. They thin the blood, prevent vasodilation, which reduces the risk of blood clots. They can be taken both orally and in the form of gels and ointments or injections. Only the attending physician can trust the dosage and choice of a specific drug. Angioprotectors help improve vascular microcirculation, thus eliminating the cause of the disease.
Leeches are also used to treat varicose veins. When they bite, a special natural substance, hirudin, enters the body.
This thins the blood, reducing the risk of blood clots. This method is less effective than medication, but for some it is the only possible way. Leech treatment is cyclical.
Surgical treatment
The essence of surgical treatment is to exclude or completely eliminate diseased veins from the circulatory system. Most often, these procedures are performed by injecting a special substance into the vein, which sticks it from the inside. The most effective method, which is not dangerous to health, is the surgical removal of damaged veins. At the same time, the general condition of the circulatory system will practically not be affected. The veins that caused varicose veins pass through themselves only up to 10 percent of all the blood that flows in the legs. Removing them will load the rest of the veins, but will not cause significant damage to health.
Alternative treatment
It is possible to treat varicose veins with home remedies, but at your own risk. Most of these methods are ineffective in the early stages of the disease and ineffective in the later stages. Alternative treatment methods alleviate the symptoms of varicose veins, but do not cure it, which is especially dangerous in advanced cases. Such a trip is dangerous for your health.
Among the most popular recipes that can be used to treat varicose veins are:
- Apple cider vinegar
- absinthe;
- nettle;
- garlic.
Apple cider vinegar can heal external veins, relieving breakouts even in young ones. The sore spots are treated twice a day. Vinegar is diluted in the bath, the feet are placed in it for 5 minutes. After such procedures, it is recommended to let your feet dry on their own. Garlic is used as an ointment. To prepare it, mix one part garlic with two parts butter. The resulting gruel is applied to the affected areas of the legs at night.
Prevention
Prevention is general and allows not only to prevent varicose veins, but also to raise the general level of health, eliminate symptoms and, as a result, improve well-being.
Key preventive measures:
- healthy food;
- playing sports;
- absence of high loads on the veins.
Healthy foods involve the use of fruits and vegetables in the diet, especially raw. Eating nuts and shellfish also has a beneficial effect on vein health. In this case, it is necessary to forget about very fatty and salty foods, alcohol and products containing caffeine.
Regular exercise improves blood flow in the legs, which has a positive effect on vein health. Don't exercise too much - moderate running and cycling are great. It is important, even during sedentary work, to exercise periodically, not allowing the blood to stagnate. Crossed legs are contraindicated in sedentary work.
Varicose veins are a disease that is important to treat in the early stages. Don't be afraid to see your doctor at the first symptoms. Today, treating varicose veins on women's legs is not as expensive as it used to be and it is not dangerous for the body. By receiving treatment in advance, health and comfort in the legs will be provided for many years.