Varicose veins are one of the most common pathologies in which the diameter of the lumen of the vein expands and its walls thin, resulting in the appearance of "nodules", 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 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 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, what is this question does not arise. Half of patients in the first stage are not even aware that they have a problem.
Varicose veins in men's legs are 3 times less common than varicose veins in women. In addition, older women get sick much more often. Under the age of 25, 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
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 get out, and some of them become visible only after performing a heavy 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 thick veins with nodular enlargements, if they swell when you stand and narrow when you lie down, then most likely it is about 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 takes a prone position.
Another sign of the disease is the 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 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, due to 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 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 negative factors.
Among the main causes of the disease, doctors distinguish:
- excess body weight;
- violation 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 leg muscle tension.
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 worsens.
Inflammatory diseases of 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 vein valves are transmitted from parent to child in 70% of cases. If one of the parents has varicose veins, then the child can get it at a very early 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 associated negative factors.
Varicose veins in pregnant women
Many pregnant women face a problem such as varicose veins. They feel constant fatigue, their feet swell and hurt. According to statistics, blood circulation disorders during childbirth 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 pregnancy. 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 experience 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 the right food 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: "Varicose veins in the legs: how to treat yourself? ".
To begin with, you need to answer the question, is it possible to self-medicate 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 stockings for varicose veins.
However, in some cases, the doctors themselves 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 wipe the affected areas with ice cubes every day or take cold ice 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.
Boiling hop cones
To prepare the medicine, pour 1 tbsp. l. hop cones with a glass of boiling water and leave 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 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 vein diseases
To cure varicose veins, smear a cabbage leaf with honey and apply it to the painful spots, wrap everything with cling film and leave it for 2-3 hours. This procedure should be performed 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 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 forms. 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, medicines help to solve the following problems:
- improvement of vein tone;
- improvement of lymph flow;
- 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 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 should change positions as often as possible. In addition, you should do light exercises, such as walking on your toes, walking on the stairs, running 2-3 km a day, cycling. Women are not recommended to often wear heels higher than 4-6 cm, tight jeans and tights, which can damage the blood circulation in the veins of the legs.
Note! The best prevention of this pathology is an attentive attitude towards 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 a 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 worsen the course of the disease.
With 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 get rid of the disease completely. 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, occur in overweight people. The diet should be chosen together with the attending physician. Ideally, if it will help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, thin 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 exercises for varicose veins 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.
- 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, however, it is not recommended to overdo it.
- Vertical scissors. Lie on the floor and stretch your arms along your body. Cross your legs during the exercise. Try not to let your breathing get in the way at this point. You can choose the pace of the exercise yourself.
- Exercises for the lower part of the legs with varicose veins. Rotate your legs in different directions, bend and unbend them. You can rotate them clockwise and 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 performed during working hours, under the table before taking off your shoes.
- Semi oppressive. Lie on the floor, put your hands behind your head, bend your knees. During inhalation, try to raise the torso as high as possible and during exhalation take 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 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 benefit if they are performed regularly, combined with the use of traditional medicine prescriptions and medicines.
Varicose veins are a serious disease that requires complex and long-term treatment. Therefore, prevention is better than cure.