Varicose veins are one of the most common pathologies in which the diameter of the vein lumen dilates and its walls thin, giving rise to the appearance of "knots", which are local dilations similar to aneurysms.
The disease occurs when the venous valves do not perform their functions or are completely absent. When the valves stop working, the blood begins to flow through the veins in the opposite direction, gradually accumulating in the lower extremities. As a result of these pathological processes, the vein changes its normal shape, after which various complications begin.
Varicose veins are a fairly common disease. According to statistics, 1/3 of the world's population has it. Therefore, if a patient is diagnosed with varicose veins on the legs, this question does not arise. Half of the patients in the first stage are not even aware that they have a problem.
Varicose veins in men on the legs are 3 times less common than varicose veins in women. Also, older women get sick much more often. Less than 25 years, only 8% of women suffer from varicose veins, while in patients older than 55 years, the disease is diagnosed in 65% of cases.
Symptoms and signs of pathology.
The symptoms of the disease can vary significantly depending on its stage. So, in 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 stand out, and some of them become visible only after serious physical activity. Many people notice signs of varicose veins after spending all day on their feet in hot weather.
Note! If you find yourself with thickened veins with nodular dilations, if they swell when you stand up and narrow when you lie down in a horizontal position, it is most likely varicose veins in the legs.
Symptoms of varicose veins include swelling of the legs, which occurs when a person is sitting, standing, or doing physical activity. In this case, the swelling usually disappears as soon as the patient is placed in the prone position.
Another sign of the disease is 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.
Characteristic signs are also chronic leg fatigue, heaviness and burning. Some people experience pain with varicose veins and cramps. In this case, patients are shown to wear stockings for varicose veins.
Causes of the disease
As a rule, varicose veins occur in people who, by virtue of their profession, are forced to stand for a long time, for example, teachers, hairdressers, cooks. It is important to understand that varicose veins are not just an aesthetic defect that bothers many people 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:
- excess body weight;
- violations of the digestive tract, frequent constipation;
- flatfoot;
- weakening of the tone of muscle fibers as a result of a sedentary lifestyle;
- great physical activity;
- Weightlifting;
- constant tension of the leg muscles.
At the same time, doctors treating varicose veins consider excess weight to be the main reason for the development of pathology. It creates a strong 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 provoke varicose veins.
Unfortunately, congenital pathologies of the valves of the veins are transmitted from parents to children in 70% of cases. If one of the parents has varicose veins, then the child can get sick at a very young age.
Note! The presence of a predisposition to varicose veins does not mean 100% that a person will develop this disease. Pathology can occur only in the presence of concomitant adverse factors.
Varicose veins in pregnant women
Many pregnant women face such a problem as varicose veins. They feel constant fatigue, their legs swell and hurt. According to statistics, circulatory disorders during childbearing develop in 20-40% of patients.
The first symptoms of pathology in 20-30% of women occur during the first pregnancy, and 40-60% during the second. After 3 births, the risk of developing pathology increases by 80%. At the same time, women who are predisposed to this disease experience varicose veins more often. 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 pantyhose for varicose veins.
Treatment of varicose veins at home.
Faced with this disease, patients understand that the treatment will be long, and the first thing that interests them is the question: "Varicosis on the legs - how to treat? ".
To begin with, you need to answer the question, is it possible to self-medicate with such a serious disease? After all, this is a serious pathology, at the first signs of which it is recommended to consult a doctor. Only a doctor will be able to correctly determine the stage of the disease and prescribe the most effective treatment, help you choose socks for varicose veins.
However, in some cases, the doctors themselves even recommend treating the disease at home. These activities should include therapeutic exercises, the use of various ointments and tinctures. In addition, the use of compression garments for varicose veins is strongly recommended.
To relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, you can daily wipe the affected areas with ice cubes or take ice-cold baths for 5-10 minutes. After that, it is recommended to lie down for 10 minutes, raising the legs above the body. Massage is very beneficial for varicose veins. Improves venous circulation.
In addition, you can use the following recipes.
Decoction of hop cones
To prepare the drug, pour 1 tbsp. hop yocones with a glass of boiling water and let stand in a warm place for 20 minutes. This remedy for varicose veins should be taken 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 to infuse for 2 weeks. This mixture should be consumed 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals, 1 tablespoon. me
Cabbage in the treatment of diseases of the veins.
To cure varicose veins, smear a cabbage leaf with honey and apply it 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 under the supervision of a phlebologist. Home remedies for the treatment of varicose veins can help prevent the disease or relieve its symptoms. In advanced cases, varicose veins on the legs are treated with medical preparations.
Treatment of varicose veins with drugs.
Drug therapy is an important component in the treatment of varicose veins, especially in severe form. Properly selected drugs significantly reduce the risk of complications in patients such as pulmonary thromboembolism, varicose eczema, thrombophlebitis.
Usually their action is aimed at thinning the blood, improving blood circulation, eliminating swelling and pain.
In addition, the drugs help to solve the following problems:
- improvement of the tone of the veins;
- improvement of lymph outflow;
- improved blood circulation;
- Elimination of inflammatory processes.
Medicines will not only relieve the patient of unpleasant symptoms, but with regular use will completely cure the disease.
Note! Only a doctor can prescribe medication for the treatment of varicose veins after a complete examination!
Prevention of varicose veins in the legs.
As for the prevention of the disease, it is recommended to avoid heavy loads on the legs, while sitting, you need to change your posture as often as possible. In addition, you should do light exercises, such as walking on your toes, climbing stairs, jogging 2-3 km per day, riding a bicycle. It is not recommended for women to frequently wear heels over 4-6 cm high, skinny jeans and stockings, which may affect blood circulation in the leg veins.
Note! The best prevention of this pathology is an attentive attitude to your body. When the first symptoms appear, you should see a doctor as soon as possible and start treatment.
Only a phlebologist can properly assess the condition of your veins and determine the stages of varicose veins. Paying attention to the disease in the early stages, the doctor will prescribe 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 improve his condition and aggravate the course of the disease.
With 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, eat these foods every day. In 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, as a rule, occur in overweight people. The diet should be selected together with the attending physician. Ideally, if it will help strengthen the walls of your blood vessels, it will thin your blood and you will lose weight.
Exercises for varicose veins.
No matter how modern and good the medicines are, they will never be able to normalize the pressure in the lower extremities. In this case, only exercises for varicose veins can help.
Note! Before doing exercises for varicose veins, experts recommend putting your feet up on a pillow and lying down for 5-10 minutes. This is done to normalize blood circulation.
- Bike. Lie down on the floor with your back and lower back firmly pressed against it, and start pedaling in the air. Choose the speed of the exercise yourself, however, it is not recommended to push yourself too hard.
- vertical scissors. Lie down on the floor and stretch your arms alongside your body. Cross your legs during the exercise. Try not to let your breath stop at this point. You can choose the rhythm of the exercise yourself.
- Exercise for the lower part of the legs with varicose veins.. Turn your feet in different directions, bend and bend them. You can turn them clockwise then counterclockwise then up and down. This exercise can be done with each leg separately, or you can do both at the same time. The advantage of this exercise is that it can be done during working hours, under the table before taking off your shoes.
- semi-press. Lie down 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 to 10 times, depending on fatigue.
- Onion. Lie on your stomach with your arms stretched out along your torso. Try to lift 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 performed regularly, combined with the use of prescriptions and traditional medicine drugs.
Varicose veins are a serious disease that requires complex and prolonged treatment. Therefore, it is better to prevent it than to treat it.