Varicose veins are one of the most common pathologies, in which the diameter of the lumen of the vein expands and its walls become thinner, which leads to the appearance of "nodules", which are aneurysm-like local expansions.
The disease occurs when the venous valves do not perform their functions or are completely absent. When the valves stop functioning, blood begins to flow through the veins in the opposite direction, gradually accumulating in the lower limbs. 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 the patient is diagnosed with varicose veins of the legs, what is this question, does not arise. Half of patients in the first stage do not even realize they have a problem.
Varicose veins in men on the legs are 3 times less common than varicose veins in women. In addition, elderly women get sick much more often. Under the age of 25, only 8% of women suffer from varicose veins, while 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 greatly depending on its stage. So in the initial stage it can be asymptomatic. Sometimes varicose 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 performing 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, if they swell when you stand and narrow when you lie in a horizontal position, these are most likely varicose veins of the legs.
Symptoms of varicose veins include swelling of the legs that occurs when a person sits, stands or performs physical activity. In this case, the swelling usually disappears as soon as the patient takes a lying position.
Another sign 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 signs are chronic leg fatigue, heaviness and burning. Some people experience varicose vein pain and cramping. In this case, patients are shown to wear stockings for varicose veins.
Causes of the disease
As a rule, varicose veins appear 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 only an aesthetic defect that upsets many women.
Varicose veins are a pathology that develops over a long time. And this happens under the influence of various adverse factors.
Among the main causes of the disease, doctors distinguish:
- overweight;
- disorders of the digestive tract, frequent constipation;
- flat feet;
- weakening of muscle fiber tone as a result of a sedentary lifestyle;
- great physical activity;
- weight lifting;
- constant tension in the leg muscles.
At the same time, doctors who treat varicose veins consider excess weight to be 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.
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, in 70% of cases, congenital pathologies of venous valves are passed from parent to child. If one of the parents has varicose veins, then the child can get it at a very young age.
Note! Having a predisposition to varicose veins does not mean 100% that a person will develop this disease. Pathology can occur only in the presence of accompanying 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 pregnancy develop in 20-40% of patients.
The first symptoms of pathology in 20-30% of women appear 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 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 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: "Varicose veins on the legs: how to treat yourself? ".
First, 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 highly recommended.
To relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, you can wipe the affected areas with ice cubes daily or take cold ice baths for 5-10 minutes. After that, it is recommended to lie down for 10 minutes, raising your legs above the body. Massage is very useful for varicose veins. Improves venous circulation.
You can also use the following recipes.
Decoction of hop cones
To prepare the remedy, pour 1 tablespoon of hop cones with a cup of boiling water and leave to infuse in a warm place for 20 minutes. This medicine 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 let it infuse for 2 weeks. This mixture should be consumed 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals, 1 tablespoon. l.
Cabbage in the treatment of venous diseases
To cure varicose veins, smear a cabbage leaf with honey and apply it to the sore spots, wrap everything with cling film and leave 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 relieve symptoms. In advanced cases, varicose veins of 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 diluting the blood, improving blood circulation, eliminating swelling and pain.
In addition, the 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 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 of the legs
As for the prevention of the disease, it is recommended to avoid heavy loads on the legs while sitting, you should change positions as often as possible. In addition, you should do light exercises, such as walking on your toes, climbing stairs, jogging 2-3 km a day, cycling. Women are not recommended to frequently wear heels with a height of more than 4-6 cm, tight jeans and tights, 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 consult 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 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 diet? Phlebologists say that by eating certain foods, a person can both improve his condition and worsen the course of the disease.
For varicose veins, doctors recommend eating as many blood-thinning foods as possible. These include currants, garlic, onions, olive oil, cherries. If you can, 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 should perform light physical exercises for varicose veins. They will help you lose weight. After all, varicose veins, as a rule, appear in overweight people. The diet should be chosen together with the attending physician. Ideally, if this will help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, dilute the 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 varicose vein exercises can help.
Note! Before doing exercises for varicose veins, experts recommend placing your feet on a pillow and lying down for 5-10 minutes. This is done to normalize blood circulation.
- A bicycle. Lie 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, but it is not recommended to overload.
- Vertical scissors. Lie on the floor and stretch your arms along your body. Cross your legs during the exercise. Try not to hold your breath at this point. You can choose the pace of the exercise yourself.
- Exercises for the lower legs for varicose veins. Rotate your legs in different directions, bend them and unfold them. You can rotate them clockwise and then counterclockwise, then up and down. This exercise can be done with each leg separately, or with both at the same time. The advantage of this exercise is that it can be performed during working hours, under the table, before undressing.
- Semi-press. Lie on the floor, put your hands behind your head, bend your knees. While inhaling, try to raise the torso as high as possible, and while exhaling, take the starting position. This exercise should be repeated 5-10 times, depending on fatigue.
- Onion. Lie on your stomach with your arms extended along your torso. 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 only be beneficial if they are performed regularly, combined with the use of prescriptions and medicines from traditional medicine.
Varicose veins are a serious disease that requires complex and long-term treatment. Therefore, prevention is better than cure.