Varicose veins are a fairly common disease among the adult population. According to the World Health Association, around 40% of people suffer from this disease in varying degrees of severity.
The disease is more typical of women; one in five representatives of the fair sex is susceptible to varicose veins. Men suffer from this disease to a lesser extent and only 10% face this problem.
In the initial stages, the disease is of little concern and does not threaten the patient's life, but later dangerous diseases may develop, for example, thrombophlebitis. The resulting blood clots already pose a serious threat to life.
Depending on the etiology, two forms of varicose veins are distinguished, shown in the table:
| Primary | Secondary | |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Weakening, alteration of the structure of the venous wall. | Impaired venous blood flow due to improper functioning of vascular valves. |
| Aggravating factors | Excess weight, pregnancy, standing work, compression of veins by clothing, congenital weakness of the venous walls. | Development of various types of tumors, alteration as a result of trauma. |
Causes of the disease
The essence of the disease lies in an abnormal increase in pressure in the superficial vessels due to rupture of the valves that normally facilitate the flow of venous blood in one direction (towards the heart). When they are altered, the valves weaken and blood begins to stagnate in the veins, causing them to stretch, form lymph nodes, etc. In this case, a slowdown in blood flow is observed, which leads to a disturbance in the trophism of cells and tissues and the formation of ulcerative processes.
Main causes of the disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- prolonged stay in an upright position;
- limited movement throughout the day;
- disorders of the endocrine system, both due to diseases and taking hormonal medications;
- the pregnancy;
- physical activity of various types (at work, in the gym, at the dacha, etc. );
- lower limb injuries;
- Bad habits, especially smoking.
Note.The risk group includes people who spend the whole day standing, sitting and moving little, for example, salespeople, teachers, drivers, people sitting at a computer, etc.
The fact is that people who sit for a long time compress the blood vessels and this slows down blood circulation. Therefore, varicose veins develop in this case regardless of age, and in those who stand for a long time, according to physical laws, the blood creates a constant pressure on the vessels and, as a result, they begin to deform, which leads to the development of the disease.
Also at risk:
- women with high heels;
- people who play sports with loads on the legs (strength sports, tennis);
- all people who work standing up;
- people, out of habit, cross one leg over the other when sitting;
- people who drink a lot of coffee and alcohol-containing drinks, which contributes to the thickening of the blood and makes it difficult for it to flow out.
How to recognize the disease.
The first sign of varicose veins is the appearance of tiredness in the legs at the end of the day, the appearance of swelling, for this reason the shoes become tight. Infrequent cramps and pain in the calf muscles are also possible.
You can visually notice the manifestation of the disease by the so-called stars, which consist of modified inflamed blood vessels. As varicose veins progress, irreversible pathologies arise in larger diameter vessels and begin to appear under the skin. The knobby appearance of the latter is due to the refinement of the walls in certain places.
Main features
But to more accurately understand whether these are varicose veins or not, we specifically list the main signs of the disease:
- pain and heaviness in the legs;
- unpleasant, warm, burning pain coursing through the veins;
- after a day of work, the swelling of the legs is clearly visible;
- night cramps in the calves;
- the veins become wider, more tortuous, denser to the touch;
- the epithelium of the legs becomes denser and darker;
- Trophic ulcers may occur.
Prevention and treatment
If you identify symptoms of varicose veins, you should consult a specialist. Treatment and prevention of varicose veins requires contacting medical institutions.
Only a doctor, after determining the exact diagnosis, should determine the therapy and eliminate the causes. There are a number of simple rules, compliance with which can stop the development of the disease or even, in some cases, help prevent the development of the disease.
The main ones are listed below:
- Avoid the effects of temperature on the veins.. Hot baths, saunas and 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 especially strengthen the veins.
- Over weight. For various reasons, the condition of blood and blood vessels worsens in obese people. A greater volume creates a greater pressure, the heart has to work much harder to pump all the blood, excess cholesterol causes blockage of blood vessels, the development of arteriosclerosis, 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 interferes with blood circulation.. Get rid of tight stockings, socks and pantyhose with tight elastic bands, don't tighten the belt too much, and generally eliminate any compression of the veins.
It should be noted that there are special support stockings and pantyhose to inhibit the development of varicose veins. - Distribute the load when working., change your position, don't be static for too long.
- When sitting, do not put one leg over the other.. This interferes with the passage of venous blood through the vessels.
- More movement. A static position for a long time sitting, and especially in an upright position, provokes the development of the disease due to increased pressure in the legs and a slowdown in the outflow of venous blood. Therefore, the more movements, the better. Take breaks, change positions, etc.
- Normalization of stools.. Both constipation and diarrhea negatively affect the vascular system. Therefore, make sure your diet includes foods rich in fiber. Avoid legumes, beer and yeast products if you are prone to flatulence.
- eat less salt. Salt and then drinking liquids causes bloating.
- do limb exercises. Before going to bed and after waking up in the morning, it is good to perform rotation movements of the fingers and toes for several minutes, this will improve blood circulation.
- Avoid tight shoes, and the one with high heels.
- After a day of work, at home, make it a rule to wash or rinse your feet with cold water.
Keep in mind that it is useful to prevent varicose veins by walking barefoot in the spray or along the shore in the surf line, getting your feet wet.
In the event that there are no manifestations of varicose veins, but there is a predisposition to this disease, it will be useful to massage the legs every day. It's very easy to do. The technique consists of stroking the legs and kneading.
Note.Massage is contraindicated if the doctor has diagnosed you with varicose veins!
Patients are advised to keep their lower extremities elevated while resting or sleeping. To do this, it is advisable to place your feet on a hill, to do this use all available means, you can place a pillow or cushion.
A contrast foot shower helps, or after taking a warm shower, rinse your feet with cold or cool water.
Swimming is indicated for varicose veins, it not only forces all muscle groups to work, but also perfectly strengthens the blood vessels. Morning jogging, hiking, biking, and skiing are also good options.
Physiotherapy
The treatment and prevention of varicose veins will be successful if you practice gymnastics.
Below are simple exercises that you can do without being distracted from work or household chores:
- calf raise. The instructions to follow are simple. To do this, you need to stand straight, legs together, feet side by side. Do lifts about 30 times, rising on your toes and returning to the starting position. There are three types of exercise:
- toes side by side, heels side by side;
- toes side by side, heels apart;
- heels together, toes apart.
It is advisable to perform all variations between 20 and 30 times for each position;
- Rolling on your feet. Stand straight with your feet together. Roll from your toes to your heels. Also repeat on the inside and back of the feet. The number of repetitions is arbitrary, spend 2-3 minutes on the exercises.
- Bicycle. It can be done both lying down and sitting in a chair. Use your feet to imitate riding a bicycle, as shown in the photo. The legs should be completely stretched when performing. 30-40 repetitions will be enough.
Nutrition and diet
Proper nutrition and adherence to a diet not only help fight varicose veins, but also have a positive effect on the body as a whole. Enrich your diet with plant foods, especially fruits, and eliminate fatty, spicy, salty and smoked foods, which cause blood thickening and clots.
Vegetarian diets are preferable, but since they are not suitable for everyone, try to give preference to lean meats, 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 the last help to strengthen the epithelial vascular walls, and also increase the general immunity of the body. Regular intake of vitamin C and E helps strengthen the collagen fibers of blood vessels and their valves.
Scientists have proven the positive effect of consuming 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 arteriosclerosis and varicose veins. In addition, it stimulates the body's defense mechanisms and helps prevent colds.
It is important to keep in mind that garlic should not be abused. Eating a couple of cloves a day is enough. If you are too addicted to this condiment, you can end up with stomach and heart problems.
Some basic nutrition rules:
- lean, stewed or boiled meat is recommended;
- products with lactic acid such as yogurt, kefir and cheeses are very healthy, especially when their fat content is low;
- Increase your consumption of vegetables, whole grain products and legumes. They are high in fiber and potassium compounds. The first helps in the fight against excoriation in the body and constipation, potassium regulates the channels during water-salt metabolism in the tissues of the body. Please note that industrial processing reduces the amount of useful microelements and eliminates the beneficial properties of the fiber;
- it is advisable to reduce the amount of fast carbohydrates (sweets) and salt to a minimum;
- For cooking, use dishes with a special coating that allows you to cook food without the use of fat that heats up on the surface;
- replace animal fats with vegetable fats, 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 quite difficult to treat and it is much easier to prevent their appearance 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 there is no need to despair.
Damaged veins have a stretched structure, which causes stagnation of processes in them. In case of severe vascular lesions, they require surgical treatment by removing the ears to prevent further spread of the disease to healthy veins.
Today there are many methods to treat the disease. In most cases these are minimally invasive techniques, and only in an advanced stage does the patient end up on the operating table.
Among the most used we highlight the following:
- Sclerotherapy.In simple words, removal of a vein without direct surgical intervention. The bottom line is that a special medication is injected into the damaged blood vessel with a needle, which 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 microincision. The vein burns from the inside, which causes the adhesion of its walls and their subsequent resorption.
Basic treatment techniques.
Early detection of the disease contributes to the success of treatment if it is started on time. The more developed the varicose veins, the more difficult it is to treat the disease.
Among the main techniques, therapeutic massage has proven effective, but as long as it is performed by a specialist. Thanks to proper manipulations on the legs, blood circulation increases and congestion in the blood vessels decreases.
Treatment usually involves wrapping the limbs with elastic bandages or wearing special compression stockings. This helps prevent the development of the disease and the appearance of complications such as thrombophlebitis.
The additional compression created compresses the veins and their lumens narrow, creating greater blood flow and reducing congestion in the vessels. This prevents the blood from thickening and forming clots.
Treatment also includes compliance with all basic preventive measures described above. Among them, close attention should be paid to diet, the fight against excess weight, regular rest and therapeutic exercises.
After consultation with the attending physician, drug therapy and the use of various creams and ointments are prescribed. Medications taken orally have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, as well as helping to 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 these medications is affordable and they are available without a prescription. Its use does not cause complications, but it is still advisable to consult a professional doctor.
Traditional methods of treatment
Treatment and prevention of varicose veins with traditional medicine is not a panacea for the disease, but it can improve the results of basic treatment and relieve symptoms, especially since it is convenient to use at home.
The most popular methods are the following:
- take baths with decoction of medicinal herbs (hypericum, 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 decoctions or tinctures of herbs that help thin the blood (hawthorn, licorice or angelica root, melilot and others).
Complications of varicose veins.
If varicose veins are not treated or taken seriously, stagnant processes will progress, provoking the development of the disease and giving rise to a number of concomitant pathologies, which significantly worsens the general condition and reduces the comfort of life. The nutrition of the epithelial layers of the skin deteriorates.
This causes the appearance of eczema, necrosis or trophic ulcers, which become chronic. As a result of the formation of blood clots, the veins become abnormally tortuous and become very bulging.
Lime begins to settle on them and the so-called "vein stones" appear. The nodules that appear may rupture and bleed. The swelling of the legs becomes permanent and "elephantiasis" appears.