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 results in the appearance of "nodes", which are local aneurysm-like enlargements.
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 fairly common disease. According to statistics, 1/3 of the world's population has it. Therefore, if the patient is diagnosed with varicose veins on the legs, this question is not asked. Half of the 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. Moreover, older women get sick much more often. Under the age of 25, only 8% of women suffer from varicose veins, while in patients over 55 years old, 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 varicose veins are visible to the naked eye, but there are no symptoms. With varicose veins, some patients always bulge, and some become visible only after performing serious physical activity. Many people notice the 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, then it is most likely varicose veins in the legs.
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 assumes a lying position.
Another sign of the disease is pigmented skin areas on the inside of the lower leg. The skin in this place takes on a painful shine, the hair in this area almost always falls out.
Characteristic signs are also chronic leg fatigue, heaviness and burning sensation. Some people experience pain with varicose veins and cramping. In this case, patients are shown to wear stockings for varicose veins.
Causes of 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 disturbs many members of the fairer sex.
Varicose veins are a pathology that develops over a long period of time. And this happens under the influence of various unfavorable factors.
Among the main causes of the disease, doctors distinguish:
- excess body weight;
- disorders of the digestive tract, frequent constipation;
- flat feet;
- weakening of the tone of muscle fibers 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 believe that excess weight is the main reason for the development of pathology. It creates a strong load on the legs, due to which the blood circulation worsens.
Inflammatory diseases of reproductive organs in women, endocrine disorders, long-term stress, poisoning by toxins and genetic factors can also lead to varicose veins.
Unfortunately, congenital pathologies of venous valves are passed from parent to child in 70% of cases. If one of the parents has varicose veins, then the child can get sick from 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 appear only in the presence of accompanying harmful 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 childbirth develop in 20-40% of patients.
The first symptoms of pathology in 20-30% of women appear in the first pregnancy and 40-60% in 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 have varicose veins. This situation is aggravated by the fact that pregnant women should not take pills for varicose veins. In that case, the doctor can only recommend a proper diet 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 veins on the legs: how to treat them? ".
To begin with, you should 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 stockings for varicose veins.
However, in some cases, the doctors themselves recommend treating the disease at home. These activities should include therapeutic exercises, use of various ointments and tinctures. In addition, it is recommended to use compression garments for varicose veins.
To relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, you can wipe the affected areas with ice cubes daily or take cold baths with ice for 5-10 minutes. After that, it is recommended to lie down for 10 minutes, raising your legs above your body. Massage is very useful for varicose veins. Improves venous circulation.
In addition, you can use the following recipes.
Decoction of hop cones
To prepare the medicine, pour 1 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over the hop cones and leave to cook 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 stand for 2 weeks. This mixture should be consumed 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals, 1 tablespoon each. l.
Cabbage in the treatment of vein disease
To cure varicose veins, coat a cabbage leaf with honey and apply it to painful places, wrap everything in cling film and leave for 2-3 hours. This procedure should be carried out 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 alleviate its symptoms. In advanced cases, varicose veins on 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 the severe form. 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, removing swelling and pain.
In addition, medicines help to solve the following problems:
- improvement of vein tone;
- improvement of lymph drainage;
- improved blood circulation;
- elimination of inflammatory processes.
Medicines will not only relieve the patient of unpleasant symptoms, but with regular use will completely cure the disease.
Note! Medicines for the treatment of varicose veins can only be prescribed by a doctor after a detailed examination!
Prevention of varicose veins on the legs
As for disease prevention, it is recommended to avoid heavy loads on the legs, while sitting you must change positions as often as possible. In addition, it is necessary to do light exercises, such as walking on your toes, walking up the stairs, running 2-3 km a day, riding a bicycle. Women are not recommended to often wear heels that are higher than 4-6 cm, tight jeans and tights, which can make it difficult for blood circulation in the veins of the legs.
Note! The best prevention of this pathology is a careful 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 its 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 consuming certain foods, a person can improve his condition and worsen the course of the disease.
For 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 opportunity, consume 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, it is necessary to perform light physical exercises for varicose veins. They will help you lose weight. After all, varicose veins usually 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 high-quality 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 performing 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, overexertion is not recommended.
- 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.
- Exercise for lower legs with varicose veins. Rotate your feet in different directions, bend them and separate them. You can turn them clockwise, then counterclockwise, then up and down. You can do this exercise 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-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 with exhalation, take the initial 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 be beneficial only if they are performed regularly, in combination with the use of prescriptions and medicines of traditional medicine.
Varicose veins are a serious disease that requires complex and long-term treatment. Therefore, it is better to prevent than to cure.