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, leading to the appearance of "knots", which are local aneurysm-like expansions.
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 is affected by it. Therefore, if a patient is diagnosed with varicose veins in the legs, what is this question does not arise. Half of first-stage patients aren't even aware they have a problem.
Varicose veins in men on the legs are 3 times less common than varicose veins in women. In addition, older women get sick much more often. Under 25, only 8% of women suffer from varicose veins, while in patients over 55, the disease is diagnosed in 65% of cases.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
Symptoms of the disease can vary greatly depending on its stage. So, at the initial stage, it can be asymptomatic. Sometimes enlarged veins are visible to the naked eye, but there are no symptoms. With varicose veins, some patients always protrude, and some of them become noticeable only after performing serious physical activity. Many people notice signs of varicose veins after standing all day in hot weather.
To note! If you end up with thickened veins with nodular dilatations, if they swell when you stand and narrow when you lie down in a horizontal position, it is most likely varicose veins in your legs.
Symptoms of varicose veins include swelling in 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 lying position.
Another sign of the disease is pigmented areas of skin on the inside of the lower leg. The skin in this place acquires a painful sheen, 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 wearing 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 just a cosmetic defect that bothers many people 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 adverse factors.
Among the main causes of the disease, doctors distinguish:
- excess body weight;
- violations of the digestive tract, frequent constipation;
- flat foot;
- weakening of the tone of muscle fibers as a result of a sedentary lifestyle;
- great physical activity;
- bodybuilding;
- constant tension of the leg muscles.
At the same time, doctors who treat varicose veins consider excess weight to be the main reason for the development of pathology. This creates a strong load on the legs, as a result of which blood circulation deteriorates.
Inflammatory diseases of the 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 the venous valves are transmitted from parent to child in 70% of cases. If one of the parents has varicose veins, the child can get sick from it at a very young age.
To note! The presence of a predisposition to varicose veins does not 100% mean that a person will develop this disease. Pathology can occur only in the presence of concomitant adverse 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 childbearing 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. After 3 births, the risk of developing a pathology increases by 80%. At the same time, women predisposed to this disease most often suffer from varicose veins. This situation is aggravated by the fact that pregnant women should not take varicose vein pills. 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 that interests them is the question: "Varicosis of the legs: how to treat it? ".
To begin with, you need to 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 socks for varicose veins.
However, in some cases, doctors themselves even recommend treating the disease at home. These activities should include therapeutic exercises, the use of various ointments and tinctures. In addition, it is strongly recommended to use compression garments for varicose veins.
In order to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, you can daily wipe the affected areas with ice cubes 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 beneficial for varicose veins. It improves venous circulation.
Additionally, you can use the following recipes.
Decoction of hop cones
To prepare the medicine, pour 1 tbsp. I. hop cones with a glass of boiling water and leave to infuse in a warm place for 20 minutes. This remedy for varicose veins should be drunk 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 leave to infuse for 2 weeks. This mixture should be consumed 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals, 1 tbsp. I.
Cabbage in the treatment of venous diseases
To cure varicose veins, spread a leaf of cabbage with honey and apply it to sore spots, wrap everything with cling film and leave for 2-3 hours. This procedure should be carried out regularly 1-2 times a week.
To 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 medication
Pharmacotherapy is an important element in the treatment of varicose veins, especially in 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, eliminating swelling and pain.
In addition, drugs help with the following problems:
- improvement of venous tone;
- improvement of lymphatic outflow;
- improved blood circulation;
- elimination of inflammatory processes.
Medicines will not only relieve the patient from unpleasant symptoms, but with regular use they will completely cure the disease.
To note! Only a doctor can prescribe drugs for the treatment of varicose veins after a thorough 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 need to change your posture as often as possible. In addition, you need to do light exercises, such as walking on your toes, climbing stairs, jogging 2-3 km a day, riding a bicycle. Women are not recommended to often wear heels more than 4-6 cm high, jeans and tight tights, which can impair blood circulation in the veins of the legs.
To note! The best prevention of this pathology is an attentive attitude to one's body. When the first symptoms appear, you need to 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 treatment of 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 both improve his condition and worsen the course of the disease.
With varicose veins, doctors recommend eating blood-thinning foods as much 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 completely get rid of the disease. In addition to proper nutrition, you need 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 selected together with the attending physician. Ideally, it will help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, thin the blood and help you 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.
To note! 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.
- Bike. 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 down on the floor and stretch your arms along your body. Cross your legs during the exercise. Try not to let your breath stop right now. You can choose the rhythm of the exercise yourself.
- Exercise for the lower legs with varicose veins. Rotate your feet in different directions, bend them and unbend them. You can turn them clockwise, 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 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. Inhaling, try to raise the torso as high as possible, and exhaling, take the starting 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 lifting 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.
To note! Exercises for varicose veins will benefit only if they are performed regularly, combined with the use of folk recipes and medicines.
Varicose veins are a serious disease that requires complex and long-term treatment. Better to prevent it than to treat it.