Today the problem of varicose veins is relevant, since every fourth person faces this disease, which is accompanied by severe symptoms and often leads to a dangerous complication - thrombophlebitis.In this article you will learn about highly effective methods for treating and preventing varicose veins.
Varicose veins: causes and symptoms
In varicose veins, the function of the vessels that transport blood to the heart is disrupted.The disease predominantly occurs in women over 30 years of age.Due to the deformation of the venous vessels and the closed valve flaps, the blood cannot circulate normally, resulting in 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, which is due to poor-quality valves and weak vascular walls, the child inherits this disease in 70% of cases.
- Obesity.Being overweight increases the risk of developing varicose veins by 35%, as heavy exercise disrupts the normal blood flow to the leg veins.
- Pregnancy.Compression of the retroperitoneal veins by the enlarged uterus and large circulating blood volume lead to varicose veins.
- Hormonal changes.The risk of developing varicose veins increases due to hormonal imbalances that weaken muscles and blood vessels.
- Lifestyle.Restricting physical activity (hypodynamia) or remaining in static positions for a long period of time has a negative effect on 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 vein walls.The possibility of developing this disease cannot be ruled out due to wearing vasoconstricting shapewear, as well as against the background of frequent stressful situations, alcohol abuse, smoking and leg injuries.
The symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.Even before visual signs appear, there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which can be attributed to normal tiredness.As varicose veins progress, a number of pronounced symptoms are observed: pain in the legs, swelling and cramps in the evening, darkening of the skin color of the legs, the appearance of compactions, telangiectasias (spider veins), locally enlarged veins in the legs, itching of the skin, which indicates the imminent development of trophic disorders.Severe cases of varicose veins are accompanied by dizziness, hyperthermia, bleeding from venous nodes, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and phlebothrombosis.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs
Before prescribing treatment for varicose veins, the following diagnostic procedures must be carried out: ultrasound examination of the leg veins (ultrasound and Doppler examination), as well as duplex angioscanning, rheovasography.After confirming the diagnosis, the phlebologist may prescribe the following, depending on the stage of the pathological process:
- An operation using microsurgical techniques.For severe varicose veins, a phlebectomy is performed - the removal of the affected veins using a minimally invasive method.Laser or radiofrequency coagulation of the veins can also be used.Varicose veins in the initial stages are treated with photocoagulation, and spider veins are removed with a laser.
- Sclerotherapy involves injecting drugs into the dilated vein that glue the vein walls together.In this case, the patient wears a compression stocking for about 2 months to form firm adhesions.
- Conservative treatment, which includes taking phlebotonics, antiplatelet agents, antioxidants, anticoagulants and other drugs.This method is relevant in the preoperative period and when surgical removal of veins is not possible.
Doctors recommend not lifting heavy objects, wearing compression stockings and elastic bandages, and reducing static loads during treatment and after procedures for a month.At the first symptoms of varicose veins, you need to contact a phlebologist to avoid the development of a pathological process that leads to serious complications.
Disease prevention
To prevent the pathology in question and relieve the first symptoms, it is necessary to adhere to the basic rules of prevention:
- Exercise regularly, swim and move more.An active lifestyle helps strengthen the vein walls and improve blood circulation.
- Avoid excessive use of hot baths, sun exposure and saunas.Excessive exposure to heat reduces the tone of the veins in the legs and leads to blood congestion.
- Giving up bad habits is an effective prevention of varicose veins.Many cardiovascular diseases are associated with excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
- When working with constant static load, carry out a warm-up training.For example, if your job requires constant sitting at a computer, you can walk in place for 10 minutes every hour, squatting and stretching your feet.
- Wear comfortable clothing that is not too tight to avoid squeezing the veins in your legs and impairing blood circulation.In addition, you should not wear shoes with heels higher than 5 cm every day.
- Try to keep your weight normal or normalize it through diet.
- Take a contrast shower to improve blood circulation, massage your thighs, legs and feet.While lying down, lift your legs 15 cm above your body more often.
A balanced diet is also an excellent prevention against varicose veins.To avoid disorders of venous and vascular blood flow, it is necessary to include foods rich in fiber in the diet and limit salt intake.For those 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 if you have a hereditary predisposition.