Varicose veins are one of the most common pathologies in which the diameter of the vein lumen expands and the wall thins, resulting in the appearance of a "knot", which is a local expansion like an aneurysm.
This disease occurs when the venous valve does not perform its function or is completely absent. When the valve stops working, blood begins to flow through the veins in the opposite direction, gradually accumulating in the lower part of the leg. As a result of this pathological process, the veins change their 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 in the legs, does this question not arise. Half of the patients in the first stage do not realize that they have a problem.
Varicose veins in men on the legs are 3 times more common than varicose veins in women. Moreover, older women get sick more often. Under the age of 25, only 8% of women suffer from varicose veins, while in patients over 55 years of age, this disease is diagnosed in 65% of cases.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
Symptoms of the disease can vary significantly depending on the stage. So, in the early stages, it can be asymptomatic. Sometimes dilated 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 doing serious physical activity. Many people notice the signs of varicose veins after they spend all day on their feet in hot weather.
Notes! If you find yourself with a thickened vein with nodular dilatation, if it swells when you stand and narrows when you lie in a horizontal position, then it is most likely a varicose vein in your leg.
Symptoms of varicose veins include swelling of the legs, which occurs when a person sits, stands or does physical activity. In this case, the swelling usually disappears as soon as the patient takes a supine position.
Another sign of this disease is a pigmented area 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 fatigue in the legs, heaviness and burning. Some people experience pain with varicose veins and spasms. In this case, the patient is shown wearing stockings for varicose veins.
Cause of disease
As a rule, varicose veins occur in people who, by virtue of their profession, have 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 most of the sexes.
Varicose veins are pathologies that develop over a long period of time. And this happens under the influence of various bad factors.
Among the main causes of this disease, doctors distinguish:
- overweight;
- violations of the digestive tract, frequent constipation;
- Flat feet;
- weakening the tone of muscle fibers due to an inactive lifestyle;
- great physical activity;
- weight lifting;
- constant tension of the leg muscles.
At the same time, doctors who treat varicose veins consider excess weight as the main reason for the development of 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 genetic factors can also cause varicose veins.
Unfortunately, congenital pathology of vein valves is passed from parents to children in 70% of cases. If one of the parents has varicose veins, then the child can get sick with it at a very early age.
Notes! The presence of a tendency to varicose veins does not mean that 100% of a person will suffer from this disease. Pathology can occur only in the presence of concomitant adverse factors.
Varicose veins in pregnant women
Many pregnant women face problems 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.
The first symptoms of pathology in 20-30% of women occur 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 tendency 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 proper nutrition 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 they are interested in is the question: "Varicose on the legs: how to treat yourself? ".
To begin with, you should answer the question, is it possible to treat yourself with such a serious disease? After all, this is a serious pathology, at the first signs 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 doctor himself even recommends treating the disease at home. These activities should include therapeutic exercises, the use of various ointments and tinctures. In addition, it is highly recommended to use compression garments for varicose veins.
To relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, you can daily wipe the affected area with ice cubes or take a cold bath with ice for 5-10 minutes. After that, it is recommended to lie down for 10 minutes, raising your legs above the body. Massage is very beneficial for varicose veins. It improves venous circulation.
In addition, you can use the following recipe.
Boiling hop cones
To prepare the medicine, pour 1 tbsp. l. hop cone with a glass of boiling water and let it brew 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 eaten 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals, 1 tablespoon. l.
Cabbage in the treatment of vein disease
To cure varicose veins, rub cabbage leaves with honey and apply to the sore spot, wrap everything with cling film and leave for 2-3 hours. This procedure should be carried out regularly 1-2 times a week.
Notes! 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. Correctly selected drugs reduce the risk of complications in patients such as pulmonary thromboembolism, varicose eczema, thrombophlebitis.
Usually their actions are aimed at thinning the blood, improving blood circulation, eliminating swelling and pain.
In addition, the drug helps to solve the following problems:
- increased vein tone;
- increased lymph outflow;
- better blood circulation;
- elimination of the inflammatory process.
Medicines will not only relieve the patient from unpleasant symptoms, but with regular use they will completely cure the disease.
Notes! Only a doctor can prescribe drugs for the treatment of varicose veins after a thorough examination!
Prevention of varicose veins in the legs
For disease prevention, it is recommended to avoid heavy loads on the legs, while sitting, you need to change your posture as often as possible. In addition, you need to do light exercise, such as walking on your toes, walking up the stairs, jogging 2-3 km a day, cycling. Women are not recommended to regularly wear high heels more than 4-6 cm, tight and tight jeans, which can affect the blood circulation in the leg veins.
Notes! The best prevention of this pathology is an attentive attitude towards 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 stage of varicose veins. Paying attention to the disease at an early stage, the doctor will prescribe you 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 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 have the chance, eat this food every day. In cooking, it is encouraged to use spices such as cinnamon and ginger.
However, proper nutrition for varicose veins does not guarantee that you will completely get rid of this disease. In addition to proper nutrition, you need to do light physical exercise 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.
Exercise for varicose veins
No matter how modern and good the drugs are, they will not be able to normalize the pressure in the lower part of the foot. In this case, only exercises for varicose veins can help.
Notes! 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 floor with your back and lower back firmly pressed against it, and start pedaling in the air. Choose your own exercise speed, however, it is not recommended to do excessive exercise.
- 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 catch at this point. You can choose your own training pace.
- Exercises for lower legs with varicose veins. Turn your legs in different directions, bend and release them. You can turn it 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 done at work, under the desk before taking off the shoes.
- Half a newspaper. Lie on the floor, put your hands behind your head, bend your knees. While inhaling, try to raise the body 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 stretched along your body. Try to lift your chest and legs at the same time. Do the exercise 10-15 times.
After performing this exercise, it is recommended to use a contrast shower.
Notes! Exercise for varicose veins will be beneficial only if it is done regularly, combined with the use of recipes and traditional medicines.
Varicose veins are serious diseases that require complex and long-term treatment. Therefore, it is better to prevent than to treat.