Varicose veins are a fairly common disease among the elderly population. According to the World Health Association, about 40% of people are affected by this disease in varying degrees of severity.
The disease is more characteristic of women, every fifth representative of the fairer sex is susceptible to varicose veins. Men suffer from this disease to a lesser extent and only 10% face this problem.
In the initial stages, the disease is not particularly dangerous and is not life-threatening for the patient, but later dangerous diseases can develop, for example, thrombophlebitis. The resulting blood clots are now a serious threat to life.
Depending on the etiology, two forms of varicose veins are distinguished, which are shown in the table:
| Primary | Second | |
|---|---|---|
| reason | Weakening, violation of the structure of the venous wall | Impaired outflow of venous blood due to improper functioning of vascular valves |
| Aggravating factors | Overweight, pregnancy, work in an upright position, compression of veins by items of clothing, congenital weakness of the venous walls | Development of various types of tumors, disturbances as a result of trauma |
Causes of the disease
The essence of the disease consists in an abnormal increase in pressure in the superficial vessels due to a violation of the valves, which normally facilitate the outflow of venous blood in one direction (toward the heart). When they are broken, the valves weaken and the blood begins to stagnate in the veins, which leads to their stretching, the formation of knots, etc. In this case, a slowdown in blood flow is observed, which leads to a violation of the trophism of cells and tissues and the formationof ulcerative processes.
Main causes of the disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- long stay in a standing position;
- limited movement throughout the day;
- disorders of the endocrine system, both due to disease and due to taking hormonal drugs;
- pregnancy;
- physical activity of various types (at work, in the gym, at the dacha, etc. );
- lower limb injuries;
- bad habits, especially smoking.
Note.The risk group includes people who spend all day on their feet, sit and move a little, for example, salespeople, teachers, drivers, people sitting at a computer, etc.
The thing is that people who sit for a long time compress the blood vessels and this slows down blood circulation. Therefore, varicose veins develop in this case regardless of age, and in those who stand for a long time, according to physical laws, the blood creates constant pressure on the vessels, and as a result, they begin to deform, which leads to the development of the disease.
Also at risk are:
- women wearing high heels;
- people engaged in sports with loads on the legs (strength sports, tennis);
- all people who work standing;
- people habitually cross their legs over each other when sitting;
- people who drink a lot of coffee and alcoholic beverages, which contribute to thickening of the blood, thereby disrupting its outflow.
How to recognize the disease
The first sign of varicose veins is the appearance of fatigue in the legs at the end of the day, the appearance of swelling, for this reason the shoes become tight. Rare cramps and pain in the calf muscles are also possible.
Visually, you can notice the manifestation of the disease through the so-called stars, consisting of modified inflamed blood vessels. As varicose veins progress, irreversible pathologies occur in vessels with a larger diameter and they begin to appear under the skin. The knotty appearance of the latter is due to the ennoblement of the walls in certain places.
The main functions
But in order to understand more precisely whether these are varicose veins or not, we list the main signs of the disease specifically:
- pain and heaviness in the legs;
- unpleasant warm, burning pain running through the veins;
- after a working day, the swelling of the legs is clearly visible;
- nocturnal cramps in the calves;
- veins become wider, more curved, dense to the touch;
- the epithelium of the legs becomes denser and darker;
- Trophic ulcers are possible.
Prevention and treatment
If you find symptoms of varicose veins, you should consult a specialist. Treatment and prevention of varicose veins requires contact with medical institutions.
Only a doctor, after making the correct diagnosis, should determine the therapy and remove the causes. There are a number of simple rules, the observance of which can stop the development of the disease or even in some cases help prevent the development of the disease.
The main ones are listed below:
Avoid temperature effects on the veins . Hot baths, saunas, long exposure to the sun lead to a decrease in vascular tone, which causes blood stagnation, especially in the legs;Physical activity . All sports, except those with heavy loads, are beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Light running, aerobics, morning gymnastics and fitness strengthen the veins especially well.Overweight . For a number of reasons, the condition of the blood and blood vessels deteriorates in obese people. The larger volume creates greater pressure, the heart has to work much harder to pump all the blood, excess cholesterol leads to clogging of blood vessels, the development of atherosclerosis, thrombosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.advice.If you do not want to have varicose veins and feel cheerful, carefully monitor your weight and prevent the development of obesity.
Tight constricting clothes hinder blood circulation . Get rid of tight-fitting socks, stockings and tights with thick elastic bands, do not tighten the belt too much and generally eliminate any compression of the veins.
It should be noted that there are special support socks and tights that prevent the development of varicose veins.Distribute the work load , change your position, do not stand still for a long time.When sitting, do not cross one leg over the other . This prevents the passage of venous blood through the vessels.More movement . The static position for a long time in a sitting and especially standing position provokes the development of the disease due to increased pressure in the legs and a delay in the outflow of venous blood. Therefore, the more moves, the better. Take breaks, change positions, etc.Normalization of stools . Both constipation and diarrhea negatively affect the vascular system. So make sure your diet includes foods rich in fiber. Avoid legumes, beer and yeast products if you are prone to gas.Eat less salt . Salt and then drinking fluids causes swelling.Do limb exercises . Before going to bed and after waking up in the morning, it is good to make rotating movements of the fingers and toes for a few minutes, this will improve blood circulation.Avoid tight shoes , and the one with high heels.After a working day, at home, make it a rule to wash or rinse your feet with cold water.
Note that it is helpful to prevent varicose veins by walking barefoot through the dew or along the shore of the surf line by getting your feet wet.
In the event that there are no manifestations of varicose veins, but there is a predisposition to this disease, it will be useful to massage the legs every day. It's very easy to do. The technique consists of stroking the feet and kneading.
Note.Massage is contraindicated if the doctor has diagnosed varicose veins!
Patients are advised to keep their lower limbs elevated while resting or sleeping. To do this, it is recommended to put your feet on a hill, to do this, use all available means, you can put a pillow or pillow.
A contrast shower for the feet helps, or after a warm shower, rinse your feet with lukewarm or cold water.
Swimming is indicated for varicose veins, it not only forces all muscle groups to work, but also perfectly strengthens blood vessels. Morning jogging, hiking, biking, and skiing are also good options.
Physiotherapy
Treatment and prevention of varicose veins will be successful if you do gymnastics.
Below are simple exercises that you can do without being distracted by work or housework:
- Calf raise. The instructions to follow are simple. To do this, you need to stand straight, legs together, feet together. Do pull-ups about 30 times, lifting yourself up on your toes and returning to the starting position. There are three types of exercises:
- toes together, heels together;
- toes together, heels apart;
- heels closed, toes apart.
It is recommended to perform all variations 20-30 times for each position;
- Leg rolling. Stand straight with your feet together. Roll from your toes to your heels. Also repeat on the inside and back of the legs. The number of repetitions is arbitrary, spend 2-3 minutes for the exercises.
- A bicycle. It can be performed either lying down or sitting on a chair. Use your legs to imitate riding a bicycle as shown in the picture. The legs must be fully straightened when performing. 30-40 repetitions will be enough.
Nutrition and diet
Proper nutrition and adherence to a diet not only help to deal with varicose veins, but also have a positive effect on the body as a whole. Enrich your diet with plant foods, especially fruits, and eliminate fatty, spicy, salty and smoked foods that lead to blood thickening and blood clots.
Vegetarian diets are preferable, but since this is not suitable for everyone, try to give preference to lean meat, fish and animal proteins of marine origin. Reduce alcohol consumption as much as possible, eat more fortified foods, especially rich in vitamins A, B, C and E.
The first and last help to strengthen the epithelial vascular walls, and also increase the overall immunity of the body. Regular intake of vitamin C and E helps to strengthen the collagen fibers of blood vessels and their valves.
Scientists have proven the positive effect of fresh garlic consumption on the cardiovascular system, thanks to its unique chemical composition. Let's just focus on the effect.
Garlic prevents the formation of blood clots and promotes the dissolution of existing ones, preventing the development of arteriosclerosis and varicose veins. In addition, it stimulates the body's defense mechanisms and helps prevent colds.
It is important to note that the use of garlic should not be overdone. Eating a few cloves a day is enough. If you are too addicted to this spice, you may face stomach and heart problems.
Some basic rules of nutrition:
- lean meat, stewed or boiled, is recommended;
- lactic acid products such as yogurt, kefir and cheese are very useful, especially when their fat content is low;
- increase your consumption of vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They are high in fiber and potassium compounds. The first helps in the fight against slags in the body and constipation, potassium regulates the channels during the water-salt metabolism in the tissues of the body. Please note that industrial processing reduces the amount of useful trace elements and eliminates the beneficial properties of fiber;
- it is recommended to reduce the amount of fast (sweet) carbohydrates and salt to minimum levels;
- For cooking, use dishes with a special coating that allows you to cook food without using fat, which heats up on the surface;
- replace animal fats with vegetable, do not cook twice in the same oil;
- For salad dressing, use olive oil, low-calorie sour cream, kefir or yogurt.
Treatment of varicose veins
Varicose veins are quite difficult to treat and it is much easier to prevent their appearance or to control the development of the disease by slowing down its progression. When the disease is diagnosed, according to statistics, about 15-20% of patients are completely cured, but you should not despair.
Damaged veins have a stretched structure, which causes stagnant processes in them. In the case of serious vascular lesions, they require surgical treatment by removing the ear to avoid further spread of the disease to healthy veins.
Today there are many methods of treating the disease. In most cases, these are minimally invasive techniques, and only in an advanced state does the patient end up on the operating table.
Among the most frequently used, we highlight the following:
Sclerotherapy. In simple words, removal of a vein without direct surgical intervention. The conclusion is that a special drug is injected into the damaged blood vessel with the help of a needle, which sticks to the walls of the veins and dissolves by itself after about a week.Laser therapy. A special probe connected to a laser is inserted into the vein through a microincision. The vein is burned from the inside, which leads to adhesion of the walls and its subsequent resorption.
Basic treatment techniques
Early detection of the disease contributes to successful treatment if it is started promptly. The more developed the varicose veins, the more difficult the disease is to treat.
Among the main techniques, therapeutic massage has proven itself well, but on the condition that it is performed by a specialist. Thanks to the correct manipulations in the legs, blood circulation increases and congestion in the blood vessels decreases.
Treatment often involves wrapping the limb with elastic bandages or wearing special compression stockings. This helps to avoid the development of the disease and the occurrence of complications such as thrombophlebitis.
The created additional compression compresses the veins, their lumens narrow, which creates increased blood flow, reducing congestion in the vessels. This prevents blood thickening and blood clots.
Treatment also includes compliance with all the basic preventive measures described above. Among them, great attention should be paid to diets, the fight against excess weight, regular rest and therapeutic exercises.
After consultation with the attending physician, drug therapy and the use of various creams and ointments are prescribed. Medicines taken orally have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, and also help to dilute the blood and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
The cream for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins gives the same result. The price of such drugs is affordable, they are available without a prescription. Their use does not cause complications, but it is still recommended to get professional advice from a doctor.
Traditional methods of treatment
Treatment and prevention of varicose veins using traditional medicine is not a panacea for the disease, but it can improve the results of the main treatment and relieve symptoms, especially since it is convenient to use at home.
The most popular methods are the following:
- taking baths with a decoction of medicinal herbs (John's wort, chamomile, plantain, etc. ), which help to strengthen blood vessels and increase blood flow;
- compresses with sea buckthorn oil or aloe juice have an excellent wound healing effect and are used to treat eczema and trophic ulcers (applications with honey can also be used for this purpose);
- the use of decoctions or tinctures of herbs that help thin the blood (hawthorn, licorice root or angelica, sweet clover herb, and others).
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated or not taken seriously, then the stagnant processes will progress, causing the development of the disease and causing a number of concomitant pathologies, which significantly worsens the general condition and reduces the comfort of life. The nutrition of the epithelial layers of the skin deteriorates.
This causes the appearance of eczema, necrosis or trophic ulcers, which become chronic. As a result of the formation of blood clots, the veins become abnormally curved and highly bulging.
Limestone begins to deposit in them and the so-called "vein stones" appear. The nodes that appear can burst and bleed. Swelling of the legs becomes permanent and "elephantiasis" appears.