Today, the problem of varicose veins is important, since every fourth person faces this disease, which is accompanied by severe symptoms and often leads to a dangerous complication - thrombophlebitis.This article will tell you about very effective methods of treating and preventing varicose veins.
Varicose veins: causes and symptoms
With varicose veins, the functioning of the vessels that carry blood to the heart is interrupted.The disease appears mainly in women over 30 years old.Due to the deformation of the venous vessels and closed valves, blood cannot circulate normally, which leads to impaired blood flow to the heart.
The following factors can be prerequisites for the development of a pathological process in blood vessels:
- Genetic predisposition.If one of the parents suffered from varicose veins due to inferior valves and weak vessel walls, in 70% of cases the child will inherit this disease.
- Obesity.Excess weight increases the risk of developing varicose veins by 35%, as the heavy load disrupts the normal blood circulation of the leg veins.
- Pregnancy.Compression of the retroperitoneal veins by the enlarged uterus and a large volume of circulating blood provoke varicose veins.
- Hormonal changes.The risk of developing varicose veins increases due to hormonal disorders that weaken the muscular system and blood vessels.
- Way of life.Limiting physical activity (hypodynamia) or staying in static positions for a long time negatively affects blood circulation.
In addition, the development of varicose veins can be provoked by an unbalanced diet with a lack of coarse fiber, which leads to atypical changes in the structure of the venous walls.The possibility of developing this disease cannot be excluded due to the wearing of clothing that compresses the blood vessels, as well as against the background of frequent stressful situations, alcohol abuse, smoking and leg injuries.
Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.Even before the visual signs appear, there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which is attributed to normal fatigue.With the progression of varicose veins, a number of pronounced symptoms are observed: pain in the legs, swelling and cramps in the evening, darkening of the color of the skin of the legs, the appearance of compressions, telangiectasia (spider veins), locally enlarged veins in the legs, tropical itching of the skin, imminent developmental disorders.Severe cases of varicose veins are associated with dizziness, hyperthermia, bleeding from venous nodes, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and phlebotrombosis.
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs
Before prescribing treatment for varicose veins, it is necessary to undergo the following diagnostic procedures: Ultrasound scan of leg veins (ultrasound and Doppler examination), as well as duplex angioscan, reovasography.After confirming the diagnosis, depending on the stage of the pathological process, the phlebologist may prescribe:
- An operation using microsurgical techniques.In case of severe varicose veins, phlebectomy is performed - removal of the affected veins using a minimally invasive method.Laser or radiofrequency vein coagulation may also be used.Varicose veins in the initial stage are treated with photocoagulation, while spider veins are removed with a laser.
- Sclerotherapy is the injection of drugs into the enlarged vein that glues the vein walls together.In this case, the patient wears a compression stocking for about 2 months to form tight adhesions.
- Conservative treatment, which includes taking phlebotonics, antiplatelet agents, antioxidants, anticoagulants and other drugs.This method is important in the pre-operative period and when surgical removal of the veins is impossible.
During the treatment and after the procedures for a month, doctors recommend not lifting heavy objects, wearing compression stockings and elastic bandages, as well as reducing static loads.At the first symptoms of varicose veins, you should contact a phlebologist to avoid the development of a pathological process that leads to serious complications.
Disease Prevention
In order to prevent the pathology in question and to alleviate the initial symptoms, it is necessary to adhere to the basic rules of prevention:
- Exercise regularly, swim and move more.An active lifestyle helps to strengthen the venous walls and improve blood circulation.
- Do not overdo it with hot baths, sun exposure and saunas.Excessive heat exposure reduces the tone of the veins in the legs and leads to blood stagnation.
- Giving up bad habits is an effective prevention of varicose veins.Many cardiovascular disorders are related to unlimited alcohol consumption and smoking.
- Do a warm-up during work that involves constant static loads.For example, if your professional activity requires constant standing at the computer, you can walk in place, sit and stretch your legs every hour for 10 minutes.
- Wear comfortable and not tight clothes so as not to squeeze the veins in your legs, disrupting blood circulation.Also, you should not wear shoes with heels higher than 5 cm every day.
- Try to maintain your normal weight or normalize it through diet.
- Take a contrast shower to improve blood circulation, massage your thighs, legs and feet.When lying down, raise your legs 15 cm above your body more often.
Also an excellent prevention of varicose veins is a balanced diet.To avoid venous and vascular blood circulation disorders, it is necessary to include fiber-rich foods in the diet and limit salt intake.For those who are at risk, experts recommend eating radishes, raspberries, carrots, rice, wheat and buckwheat porridge more often.In general, if you follow all the rules of prevention, you can avoid the development of varicose veins even with a hereditary predisposition.