Varicose veins are a fairly common disease in the adult population. According to the World Health Organization, 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 from this disease to a lesser extent and only 10% experience this problem.
In the initial stages, the disease is of little concern and is not something threatening 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 types of varicose veins are distinguished, which are shown in the table:
| Primary | Secondary | |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Weakening, disturbance of the structure of the vein wall | Disturbed outflow of venous blood due to improper functioning of vascular valves |
| Aggravating factors | Excess weight, pregnancy, standing work, compression of veins by items of clothing, congenital weakness of vein walls | Development of various types of tumors, disorder 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 a disruption of the valves, which normally facilitate the flow of venous blood in one direction (toward the heart). When they are disturbed, the valves weaken and blood begins to pool in the veins, resulting in their stretching, the formation of knots, etc. tissues, and the formation of ulcerative processes.
The main causes of the disease:
- genetic predisposition?
- long standing.
- limited movement during the day.
- disorders of the endocrine system, both due to illness and due to taking hormonal drugs.
- pregnancy;
- physical activity of various kinds (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 on their feet, sit and move little, for example, salespeople, teachers, drivers, people who sit at a computer, etc.
The point 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 natural laws, the blood creates a constant pressure on the vessels and as a result they begin to deform, which leads to the development ofdisease.
Also at risk are:
- women wearing high heeled shoes.
- people engaged in sports with loads on the legs (strength sports, tennis).
- all people working standing up.
- people, by habit, cross one leg over the other when sitting.
- people who drink a lot of coffee and drinks containing alcohol, which contribute to the thickening of the blood, thus reducing 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, for this the shoes become tight. Rare cramps and pain in the calf muscles are also possible.
You can visually observe the manifestation of the disease by the so-called stars, which consist of modified inflamed blood vessels. As varicose veins progress, irreversible pathologies appear in larger diameter vessels and begin to appear under the skin. The elegant appearance of the latter is due to the finishing of the walls in some places.
Main characteristics
But in order to more accurately understand whether it is varicose veins or not, we specifically mention the main signs of the disease:
- pain and heaviness in the legs.
- unpleasant hot, burning pain running along the veins.
- after a working day, the swelling of the legs is clearly visible.
- night cramps in the calves.
- The veins become wider, more tortuous, dense to the touch.
- the epithelium of the feet becomes denser and darker.
- Ulcers are possible.
Prevention and treatment
If you detect symptoms of varicose veins, you should consult a specialist. Treatment and prevention of varicose veins requires communication with medical institutions.
Only a doctor, after determining the exact diagnosis, should determine the treatment 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 help prevent the development of the disease.
The main ones are listed below:
Avoid the effects of temperature on the veins . Hot baths, saunas, long-term exposure to the sun lead to a decrease in vascular tone, which causes blood stagnation, especially in the legs.Physical activity . All sports, excluding those with heavy loads, are beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Light jogging, aerobics, morning exercises and fitness especially strengthen the veins.Overweight . For various reasons, the condition of the blood and blood vessels deteriorates in obese people. A larger volume creates more pressure, the heart has to work much harder to pump all the blood, excess cholesterol leads to clogging 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 happy, carefully monitor your weight and prevent the development of obesity.
Tight tight clothing hinders blood circulation . Get rid of tight socks, stockings 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 socks and pantyhose to inhibit the development of varicose veins.Distribute the load during work , change position, don't be static for a long time.When sitting, do not cross one leg over the other . This prevents the passage of venous blood through the vessels.More traffic . A static position for a long time in a sitting position, and especially in a standing position, causes the development of the disease due to the increased pressure on the legs and the slowing down of venous blood outflow. Therefore, the more moves, the better. Take breaks, change seats, etc.Normalization of stools . Both constipation and diarrhea negatively affect the vascular system. So 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 followed by fluid intake causes swelling.Do limb exercises . Before going to bed and after waking up in the morning, it is good to make circular movements of your arms and legs for several minutes, this will improve blood circulation.Avoid tight shoes , and the one with the high heels.After a working day, at home, make it a rule to wash or rinse your feet with cold water.
Note that it is helpful to prevent varicose veins by walking barefoot in the cool 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 is very easy to do. The technique consists of stroking the feet and kneading.
Note.Massage is contraindicated if the doctor has diagnosed varicose veins!
Patients are advised to keep their lower extremities elevated while resting or sleeping. To do this, it is recommended to place your feet on a hill; to do this, use all available means, you can place a pillow or pillow.
A contrast shower for your feet helps, or after taking a hot shower, rinse your feet with cool or cold water.
Swimming is suitable 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
Treatment and prevention of varicose veins will be successful if you do exercise.
Below are simple exercises you can do without distracting yourself from work or household chores:
- Calf lift. The instructions to follow are simple. To do this, you need to stand straight, legs together, feet next to each other. Do pull-ups about 30 times, rising to your toes and returning to the starting position. There are three types of exercise:
- toes next to each other, heels next to each other.
- toes next to each other, heels apart.
- heels closed, toes open.
It is recommended to perform all variations 20-30 times for each position.
- Rolling on your feet. Stand straight with your feet together. Roll from toes to heels. Repeat on the inside and back of the legs as well. The number of repetitions is arbitrary, spend 2-3 minutes on the exercises.
- Bike. It can be performed both lying down and sitting in a chair. Use your legs to imitate riding a bicycle as shown in the photo. Legs must be fully straightened during execution. 30-40 repetitions will be enough.
Nutrition and diet
Proper nutrition and adherence to the 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 eliminate fatty, spicy, salty and smoky foods, which lead to blood thickening and blood clots.
Vegetarian diets are preferable, but since this is not suitable for everyone, try to prefer 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 latter contribute to the strengthening of the epithelial vascular walls 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 result.
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 note that you should not overuse garlic. Eating a couple of cloves a day is enough. If you are too addicted to this spice, you may end up with stomach and heart problems.
Some basic nutrition rules:
- Lean meat, cooked or boiled, is recommended.
- Lactic acid products such as yogurt, kefir and cheeses are very healthy, especially when their fat content is low.
- increase your consumption of vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They are high in fiber and potassium compounds. The first helps fight slag in the body and constipation; potassium regulates channels during water-salt metabolism 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 recommended to reduce the amount of fast (sweet) carbohydrates and salt to the minimum levels.
- For cooking, use dishes with a special coating that allows you to cook food without the use of fat that is heated on the surface.
- Replace animal fats with vegetable fats, do not cook in the same oil twice.
- 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 progression of the disease by slowing 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 severe vascular lesions, they require surgical treatment with removal of the ear to prevent further spread of the disease to healthy veins.
Today there are many methods for treating the disease. In most cases, these are minimally invasive techniques and only in an advanced state does the patient end up on the operating table.
Among the most frequently used we distinguish the following:
Sclerotherapy. Simply put, vein removal without immediate surgery. The bottom line is that a special drug is injected into the damaged blood vessel using a needle, which sticks to the vein walls and after a week or so goes away on its own.Laser treatment. A special catheter connected to a laser is inserted into the vein through a micro-incision. The vein is burned from the inside, which leads to the adhesion of its walls and its subsequent absorption.
Basic treatment techniques
Early detection of the disease contributes to successful treatment if it is started in time. The more developed varicose veins, the more difficult it is to treat the disease.
Among the basic techniques, therapeutic massage has proven itself well, but with the condition that it is done by a specialist. Thanks to the appropriate manipulations on the legs, the blood circulation increases and the congestion in the blood vessels decreases.
Treatment often involves wrapping the limbs with elastic bandages or using special compression stockings. This helps prevent the development of the disease and the occurrence of complications such as thrombophlebitis.
The additional compression created squeezes the veins, their lumens narrow, which creates increased blood flow, reducing congestion in the vessels. This prevents the blood from clotting and forming blood clots.
Treatment also includes compliance with all the basic preventive measures described above. Among them, special attention should be paid to diets, combating 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. Medicines taken by mouth have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and also help to thin the blood and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
The same effect is given by the cream for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins. 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 basic treatment and relieve symptoms, especially since it is convenient to use at home.
The most popular methods are:
- Taking baths with a decoction of medicinal herbs (pericolous, chamomile, plantains, 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 thin the blood (hawthorn, licorice or angelica root, sweet clover herb and others).
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated or not taken seriously, then stagnant processes will proceed, causing the development of the disease and causing a number of accompanying pathologies, which significantly worsen the general condition and reduce 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 greatly enlarged.
Lime begins to deposit in them and the so-called "vein stones" appear. The nodules that appear may break and bleed. Swelling of the legs becomes permanent and "elephantiasis" occurs.