Varicose veins are one of the most common pathologies, resulting in the appearance of "knots", which are local expansions similar to aneurysms, in which the diameter of the lumen of the vessel expands and its walls become thinner.
The disease occurs when the venous valves do not perform their functions or are completely absent. When the valves stop working, blood starts to flow through the veins in the opposite direction, gradually accumulating in the lower extremities. As a result of these pathological processes, the vessel changes its normal shape, after which various complications begin.
Varicose veins are a very common disease. According to statistics, 1/3 of the world's population has it. Therefore, if a patient is diagnosed with varicose veins in 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 the legs are 3 times less common in men than in women. Moreover, older women get sick more often. Only 8% of women under the age of 25 suffer from varicose veins, and in patients over the age of 55, the disease is diagnosed in 65% of cases.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
Symptoms of the disease can vary significantly depending on its stage. Thus, it can be asymptomatic in the initial stage. Sometimes dilated veins are visible to the naked eye, but there are no symptoms. Some patients with varicose veins always come forward, while others appear 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 enlargements, which swell when you stand up and narrow when you lie flat, it is 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 symptom of the disease is pigmented areas of the 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 symptoms are also chronic fatigue, heaviness and burning in the legs. Some people experience pain with varicose veins and cramps. In this case, patients are advised to wear stockings for varicose veins.
Causes of the disease
As a rule, varicose veins occur in people who are forced to stand for a long time due to their profession, for example, teachers, hairdressers, cooks. It is important to understand that varicose veins are not only an aesthetic defect that worries 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 negative factors.
Among the main causes of the disease, doctors distinguish the following:
- excess body weight;
- disorders of the digestive system, frequent constipation;
- straight legs;
- weakening of the tone of muscle fibers as a result of a sedentary lifestyle;
- great physical activity;
- weight lifting;
- constant tension of the muscles of the legs.
At the same time, doctors who treat varicose veins consider excess weight as the main reason for the development of the pathology. It creates a strong load on the legs, as a result of which blood circulation deteriorates.
In women, inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs, endocrine disorders, prolonged stress, poisoning with toxins, and genetic factors can also cause varicose veins.
Unfortunately, congenital pathologies of vascular valves are transmitted from parent to child in 70% of cases. If one of the parents has varicose veins, the child can get it at a very early age.
Note! Having a tendency to varicose veins does not mean 100% that a person will develop this disease. Pathology can occur only in the presence of accompanying negative factors.
Varicose veins in pregnant women
Many pregnant women face a problem such as varicose veins. They feel constant fatigue, their legs swell and hurt. According to statistics, circulatory disorders during childbirth develop in 20-40% of patients.
In 20-30% of women, the first symptoms of pathology occur in the first pregnancy, and in 40-60% in the second. After 3 births, the risk of developing pathology increases by 80%. At the same time, women prone to this disease are most often faced with varicose veins. This situation is aggravated by the fact that pregnant women do 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
Patients who encounter this disease understand that the treatment will be long, and the first thing they are interested in is the question: "Varicose veins on the legs: how to treat yourself? ".
To begin with, you need to answer the question, is it possible to self-treat such a serious disease? After all, this is a serious pathology that is recommended to consult a doctor at the first signs. Only a doctor will be able to correctly determine the stage of the disease and prescribe the most effective treatment, will help to choose stockings for varicose veins.
However, in some cases, doctors themselves recommend treating the disease at home. Therapeutic exercises, various ointments and tinctures should be used for these activities. In addition, the use of compression garments for varicose veins is strongly recommended.
To relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, you can wipe the affected areas with ice cubes every day or take a cold bath with ice for 5-10 minutes. After that, it is recommended to stretch your legs for 10 minutes. Massage for varicose veins is very useful. Improves venous circulation.
In addition, you can use the following recipes.
Decoction of hop cones
To prepare the medicine, pour 1 tbsp. l. pour hop cones with a glass of boiling water and brew 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 to brew for 2 weeks. This mixture should be taken 1 tablespoon 30 minutes before meals 2 times a day. l.
Cabbage in the treatment of vascular diseases
To treat varicose veins, spread a cabbage leaf with honey and apply it to painful places, wrap everything with cling film and leave it for 2-3 hours. This procedure should be done regularly 1-2 times a week.
Note! All patients with varicose veins should be under the supervision of a phlebologist. Folk remedies for the treatment of varicose veins can help prevent the disease or eliminate its symptoms. In advanced cases, varicose veins in 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. Correctly 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, and eliminating swelling and pain.
In addition, drugs help to solve the following problems:
- improvement of vascular tone;
- improvement of lymph flow;
- improved blood circulation;
- elimination of inflammatory processes.
Medicines will not only save the patient from unpleasant symptoms, but with regular use they will completely cure the disease.
Note! Only a doctor can prescribe drugs for the treatment of varicose veins after a thorough 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, it is necessary to change postures as often as possible. In addition, you should do light exercises such as walking on your toes, climbing stairs, running 2-3 km a day, cycling. Women are often not recommended to wear heels, tight jeans and tights with a height of more than 4-6 cm, which can disrupt blood circulation in the veins of the legs.
Note! The best prevention of this pathology is a careful 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 adequately assess the condition of your veins and determine the stages of varicose veins. Paying attention to the disease at an early stage, the doctor will prescribe you the treatment of varicose veins without surgery.
Diet for varicose veins
How to get rid of varicose veins with diet? Phlebologists say that by taking certain foods, a person can both improve his condition and worsen the course of the disease.
With varicose veins, doctors recommend eating foods that thin the blood as much as possible. These include currants, garlic, onions, olive oil, cherries. If you can, consume these foods every day. It is recommended to use spices such as cinnamon and ginger when cooking.
However, proper nutrition for varicose veins does not guarantee that you will get rid of the disease completely. In addition to proper nutrition, it is necessary 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 helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, thins the blood and loses weight.
Exercises for varicose veins
No matter how modern and high-quality drugs 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 on a pillow and lying down for 5-10 minutes. This is done to normalize blood circulation.
- Bicycle. Lie on the ground with your back and lower back firmly pressed against it and start pedaling in the air. Choose the speed of the exercise yourself, but overloading is not recommended.
- Vertical scissors. Lie on the floor and stretch your arms along the body. Cross your legs during the exercise. Try not to let your breath stop at this point. You can choose the speed of the exercise yourself.
- Exercise for lower legs with varicose veins. Turn your legs in different directions, bend and open 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.
- Half press. Lie on the floor, put your hands behind your head, bend your knees. While inhaling, try to raise the trunk as high as possible, and while exhaling, hold the starting position. This exercise should be repeated 5-10 times depending on fatigue.
- onions. Lie on your stomach with your arms stretched across your body. Try to lift your chest and legs at the same time. Perform the exercise 10-15 times.
After performing these exercises, it is recommended to use a contrast shower.
Note! Exercises for varicose veins will be beneficial only if they are carried out regularly along with the use of traditional medical prescriptions and medicines.
Varicose veins are a serious disease that requires complex and long-term treatment. Therefore, prevention is better than cure.