Varicose veins are one of the most common pathologies in which the diameter of the venous lumen expands and its walls become thin, which leads to the appearance of "nodes", which are local expansions similar to aneurysms.
The disease occurs when the venous valves do not perform their functions or are completely absent. When the valves stop working, blood begins to flow through the veins in the opposite direction, gradually pooling in the lower extremities. As a result of these pathological processes, the vein changes its normal shape, after which various complications arise.
Varicose veins are a fairly common condition. According to statistics, it has 1/3 of the world population. Therefore, if a patient is diagnosed with varicose veins in the legs, this question does not arise. Half of stage one patients are not even aware they have a problem.
Varicose veins in men on the legs are three times less common than varicose veins in women. In addition, older women are much more likely to get sick. Only 8% of women under the age of 25 suffer from varicose veins, while in patients over 55 years of age the disease is diagnosed in 65% of cases.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
Symptoms of the disease can vary significantly depending on the stage. So, at the initial stage, it can be asymptomatic. Sometimes dilated veins are visible to the naked eye, but there are no symptoms. With varicose veins, some patients always stick out, and some of them only become visible after serious physical activity. Many people notice varicose veins after walking all day in hot weather.
Note! If you notice thickened veins with nodular extensions that swell when you stand and narrow when you lie down, then it's most likely varicose veins in your legs.
Symptoms of varicose veins include swelling of the legs, which occurs when a person sits, stands, or engages in physical activity. In this case, the swelling usually disappears as soon as the patient assumes a prone position.
Another sign of the disease are pigmented areas of skin on the inside of the lower leg. The skin in this place acquires a painful shine, the hair in this area almost always falls out.
Also characteristic signs are chronic fatigue in the legs, feeling of heaviness and burning. Some people experience pain with varicose veins and cramps. In this case, patients are shown wearing stockings for varicose veins.
causes of the disease
Varicose veins usually appear in people who have to stand for a long time because of their job, e. g. E. g. teachers, hairdressers, cooks. It is important to understand that varicose veins are not just an aesthetic defect that bothers many of the fair sex.
Varicose veins are a pathology that develops over a long period of time. And this happens under the influence of various adverse factors.
Among the main causes of the disease, doctors distinguish:
- overweight;
- Violations of the digestive tract, frequent constipation;
- flat feet;
- weakening of muscle fiber tone as a result of a sedentary lifestyle;
- great physical activity;
- weightlifting;
- constant tightening of the leg muscles.
At the same time, doctors who treat varicose veins consider obesity the main reason for the development of pathology. It creates a heavy load on the legs, as a result of which blood circulation worsens.
Inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs in women, endocrine disorders, prolonged stress, poisoning with toxins and a genetic factor can also lead to varicose veins.
Unfortunately, congenital pathologies of the venous valves are transmitted from parents to the child in 70% of cases. If a parent has varicose veins, the child can develop them at a very young age.
Note! The presence of a predisposition to varicose veins does not 100% mean that a person will develop this disease. A pathology can appear only in the presence of concomitant adverse factors.
Varicose veins in pregnant women
Many pregnant women have such a problem as varicose veins. They feel tired all the time, their legs swell and hurt. According to statistics, circulatory disorders develop in 20-40% of patients during childbirth.
The first pathological symptoms appear in 20-30% of women during the first pregnancy and in 40-60% during the second. After 3 births, the risk of developing pathology increases by 80%. At the same time, women who have a predisposition to this disease most often suffer from varicose veins. This situation is aggravated by the fact that pregnant women should not take pills for varicose veins. In this case, the doctor can only recommend proper nutrition and tights against varicose veins.
Treatment of varicose veins at home
Faced with this disease, patients understand that the treatment will be lengthy, and the first thing that interests them is the question: "Varicosis on the legs: how to treat yourself? ".
First of all, you should answer the question, is it possible to self-medicate with such a serious illness? After all, this is a serious pathology, at the first sign of which it is recommended to consult a doctor. Only a doctor can correctly determine the stage of the disease and prescribe the most effective treatment that will help you choose socks for varicose veins.
However, in some cases, doctors even recommend treating the disease at home. These activities should include therapeutic exercises, the use of various ointments and tinctures. In addition, it is highly recommended to use compression clothing for varicose veins.
To relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, you can wipe the affected areas with ice cubes daily or take cold baths with ice for 5-10 minutes. After that, it is recommended to lie down for 10 minutes and raise your legs over your body. Massage is very beneficial for varicose veins. It improves venous blood flow.
In addition, you can use the following recipes.
Decoction of hop cones
To prepare the medicine, pour 1 tbsp. l. Pour a glass of boiling water over the hop cones and leave in a warm place for 20 minutes. This remedy for varicose veins should be drunk every morning 30 minutes before meals.
A mixture of garlic and honey
To prepare the mixture, crush 250 g of garlic with 400 g of honey and leave for 2 weeks. This mixture should be taken 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals, 1 tbsp. l.
Kohl in the treatment of venous diseases
To heal varicose veins, smear a cabbage leaf with honey and apply to sore spots, wrap everything with cling film and leave for 2-3 hours. This procedure should be carried out regularly 1-2 times a week.
Note! All patients with varicose veins should be monitored by a phlebologist. Folk remedies for treating varicose veins can help prevent the disease or relieve its symptoms. In advanced cases, varicose veins in the legs are treated with medicinal preparations.
Treatment of varicose veins with medication
Drug therapy is an important part of treating varicose veins, especially when they are severe. Properly selected drugs significantly reduce the risk of complications in patients such as pulmonary thromboembolism, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis.
Usually their action is aimed at thinning the blood, improving blood circulation, eliminating swelling and pain.
In addition, drugs help to solve the following problems:
- improvement of vein tone;
- improvement of lymphatic drainage;
- improved blood circulation;
- Elimination of inflammatory processes.
Medicines will not only relieve the patient from unpleasant symptoms, but with regular use, they will completely cure the disease.
Note! Drugs for the treatment of varicose veins may only be prescribed by a doctor after a thorough examination!
Prevention of varicose veins in the legs
To prevent the disease, it is recommended to avoid heavy loads on the legs. When sitting, you need to change posture as often as possible. In addition, you need to do light exercises, such asE. g. tiptoe walking, climbing stairs, jogging 2-3 km a day, cycling. Women are not recommended to often wear heels higher than 4-6 cm, tight jeans and pantyhose, as this can adversely affect blood circulation in the veins of the legs.
Note! The best prevention of this pathology is an attentive attitude to your body. When the first symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible and start treatment.
Only a phlebologist can correctly assess the condition of your veins and determine the stages of varicose veins. Taking into account the disease in the early stages, the doctor will prescribe you treatment for varicose veins without surgery.
Diet for varicose veins
How to get rid of varicose veins with a diet? Phlebologists say that by eating certain foods, a person can both improve his condition and aggravate the course of the disease.
For varicose veins, doctors recommend eating blood-thinning foods as much as possible. These include currants, garlic, onions, olive oil, cherries. If you have the opportunity, consume these foods every day. When cooking, it is recommended to use spices such as cinnamon and ginger.
However, proper nutrition for varicose veins does not guarantee that you will completely get rid of the disease. In addition to proper nutrition, you need to do light physical exercises for varicose veins. They will help you lose weight. After all, varicose veins usually appear in overweight people. The diet should be selected together with the attending physician. Ideally, if it helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels, thin blood and lose weight.
Exercises for varicose veins
No matter how modern and good the drugs are, they will never be able to normalize the pressure in the lower extremities. In this case, only exercises against varicose veins will help.
Note! Before doing exercises for varicose veins, experts recommend putting your feet on a pillow and lying down for 5-10 minutes. This is done to normalize blood flow.
- bicycle. Lie on the floor, press your back and lower back firmly against it, and begin kicking in the air. Choose the speed of the exercise yourself, but overexertion is not recommended.
- Vertical scissors. Lie on the floor and stretch your arms along your body. Cross your legs during the exercise. Try not to breathe at this moment. You can set the pace of the exercise yourself.
- Exercise for the lower legs with varicose veins. Twist your feet in different directions, bend and bend them. You can rotate them clockwise, then counterclockwise, then up and down. This exercise can be done with each leg individually or with both at the same time. The benefit of this exercise is that it can be done under the table during work hours before you take off your shoes.
- half press. Lie on the floor, put your hands behind your head, bend your knees. As you inhale, try to raise your torso as high as possible, and as you exhale, take the starting position. This exercise should be repeated 5-10 times depending on fatigue.
- Onion. Lie on your stomach with your arms outstretched. Try lifting your chest and legs at the same time. Do the exercise 10-15 times.
After performing these exercises, it is recommended to use a contrast shower.
Note! Exercises for varicose veins will benefit only if they are carried out regularly, combined with the use of recipes and drugs of traditional medicine.
Varicose veins are a serious disease that requires complex and long-term treatment. Therefore, it is better to prevent than to treat.