Today, the problem of varicose veins is relevant, because every fourth person is faced with this disease, which is accompanied by severe symptoms and often leads to dangerous complications - thrombophlebitis.This article will tell you about very effective methods of treatment and prevention of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: causes and symptoms
With varicose veins, the function of the vessels that carry blood to the heart is disrupted.This disease mostly occurs in women over 30 years old.Due to the deformation of the venous vessels and closed valve flaps, blood cannot circulate normally, which leads to disruption of blood flow to the heart.
The following factors may be prerequisites for the development of pathological processes in blood vessels:
- Genetic predisposition.If one of the parents has varicose veins due to inferior valves and weak vessel walls, in 70% of cases the child will inherit this disease.
- Obesity.Being overweight increases the risk of developing varicose veins by 35%, because the heavy load interferes with the normal blood flow of the veins in the legs.
- Pregnancy.Compression of the retroperitoneal veins by the enlarged uterus and a large amount of circulating blood triggers varicose veins.
- Hormonal changes.The risk of getting varicose veins increases due to hormonal disorders that weaken the muscular system and blood vessels.
- Lifestyle.Limiting physical activity (hypodynamia) or remaining in a static position for a long time 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 vein wall.The possibility of developing this disease cannot be ruled out due to wearing shapewear that compresses 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 visual signs appear, there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which is associated with normal fatigue.When varicose veins develop, some noticeable symptoms are observed: pain in the legs, swelling and cramping in the evening, the color of the skin of the legs darkens, the appearance of compaction, telangiectasia (spider veins), locally enlarged veins in the legs, itching of the skin, indicating the development of trophic disorders that will occur.Severe cases of varicose veins are accompanied by dizziness, hyperthermia, venous node bleeding, 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 veins in the legs (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:
- Surgery using microsurgical techniques.In severe cases of varicose veins, phlebectomy is performed - removal of the affected vein using a minimally invasive method.Laser or radiofrequency vein coagulation can also be used.Varicose veins in the early stages are treated with photocoagulation, and spider veins are removed with a laser.
- Sclerotherapy is the injection of medication into the dilated vein that glues the vein walls together.In this case, the patient wears compression stockings for about 2 months to form a tight adhesion.
- Conservative treatment, which includes taking phlebotonics, antiplatelet agents, antioxidants, anticoagulants and other drugs.This method is relevant in the pre-operative period and when vein removal surgery is impossible.
During treatment and after the procedure 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, you need to contact a phlebologist to avoid the development of a pathological process that leads to serious complications.
Disease Prevention
In order to avoid the pathology in question and relieve early symptoms, it is necessary to observe the basic rules of prevention:
- Exercise regularly, swim and move more.An active lifestyle helps strengthen the vein walls and improve blood circulation.
- Do not overuse hot baths, sun exposure and saunas.Excessive heat exposure reduces the tone of the veins in the legs and leads to blood stagnation.
- Giving up bad habits is an effective prevention of varicose veins.Many cardiovascular disorders are associated with unlimited alcohol and smoking.
- Do a warm-up during work that involves constant static loads.For example, if your professional activity requires constant sitting in front of a computer, you can walk in place, squat and stretch your legs every hour for 10 minutes.
- Wear comfortable and non-tight clothing so as not to squeeze the veins in the legs, disrupting blood circulation.Also, you should not wear shoes with a heel higher than 5 cm every day.
- Try to keep your weight normal or normalize it through diet.
- Contrast bath to improve blood circulation, massage your thighs, legs and feet.When lying down, raise the legs 15 cm above the body more often.
Also an excellent prevention of varicose veins is a balanced diet.To prevent venous and vascular blood flow disorders, it is necessary to include foods rich in fiber in the diet and limit salt intake.For those at risk, experts recommend eating turnips, 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 with a hereditary predisposition.