Today, the problem of varicose veins is relevant, since every fourth person faces this disease, which is accompanied by serious symptoms and often leads to a dangerous complication - thrombophlebitis.This article will tell you about highly effective methods for treating and preventing varicose veins.
Varicose veins: causes and symptoms
With varicose veins, the functioning of the vessels that transport blood to the heart is interrupted.The disease occurs predominantly in women over the age of 30.Due to the deformation of the venous vessels and the closing of the valve leaflets, blood cannot circulate normally, which leads to a reduction in blood flow to the heart.
The following factors may be prerequisites for the development of a pathological process in blood vessels:
- Genetic predisposition.If one of the parents suffers from varicose veins due to lower valves and weak blood vessel walls, in 70% of cases the child will inherit this disease.
- Obesity.Excess weight increases the risk of developing varicose veins by 35%, as a heavy load disrupts the normal blood flow of the leg veins.
- Pregnancy.Compression of the retroperitoneal veins by the enlarged uterus and a large volume of circulating blood causes varicose veins.
- Hormonal changes.The risk of developing varicose veins increases due to hormonal disorders that weaken the muscular system and blood vessels.
- Lifestyle.Limiting physical activity (hypodynamics) or remaining in static positions for long periods has a negative effect on blood flow.
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 venous walls.The possibility of developing this disease cannot be ruled out due to the use of shapewear that compress blood vessels, as well as against the background of frequent stressful situations, alcohol abuse, smoking and leg injuries.
Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.Even before the visual signs appear, there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, 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 (varicose veins), locally dilated 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 of venous nodes, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and phlebothrombosis.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs
Before prescribing treatment for varicose veins, it is necessary to undergo the following diagnostic procedures: ultrasound scanning of the leg veins (ultrasound and Doppler examination), as well as duplex angioscanning, rheovasography.After confirming the diagnosis, depending on the stage of the pathological process, the phlebologist may prescribe:
- An operation that uses microsurgical techniques.In case of severe varicose veins, phlebectomy is performed - removal of the affected veins using a minimally invasive method.Laser or radiofrequency vein coagulation may also be used.Varicose veins in the initial stage are treated with photocoagulation, and varicose veins are removed with laser.
- Sclerotherapy is the injection of 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 tight 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 impossible.
During treatment and after the procedures for a month, doctors recommend not lifting heavy objects, wearing compression stockings and elastic bandages, and also reducing static loads.At the first symptoms of varicose veins it is necessary 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 alleviate the initial symptoms, it is necessary to follow the basic prevention rules:
- Exercise regularly, swim and move more.An active lifestyle helps strengthen venous walls and improve blood circulation.
- Do not abuse hot baths, sun exposure and saunas.Excessive exposure to heat reduces the tone of the leg veins and leads to blood stagnation.
- Giving up bad habits is an effective prevention of varicose veins.Many cardiovascular disorders are associated with unlimited alcohol consumption and smoking.
- Perform a warm-up during work involving constant static loads.For example, if your professional activity requires you to constantly sit at the computer, you can walk in place, squat and stretch your feet every hour for 10 minutes.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing so as not to compress the leg veins, interrupting blood circulation.Also, you should not wear shoes with heels higher than 5 cm every day.
- Try to keep your weight within the normal range or normalize it through diet.
- Take a contrast shower to improve blood circulation, massage your thighs, legs and feet.When lying down, raise your legs 15 cm above your body more often.
Also an excellent prevention of varicose veins is a balanced diet.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 who are at risk, experts recommend eating radishes, raspberries, carrots, rice, wheat and buckwheat porridge more often.In general, if you follow all the prevention rules, you can avoid the development of varicose veins even with hereditary predisposition.