Varicose veins: causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Whole legends and stories were written about the beauty of women's legs. Beautiful, slender legs are the property of every girl, but what if all this is overshadowed by unsightly varicose veins? Each disease is subject to this disease and genetic predisposition plays the last role here. Where does it come from and how to treat it with subsequent prevention - we'll talk about all this today.

Varicose veins - causes

Above average growth and long legs are already a risk zone. People with these characteristics are more prone to varicose veins. With overweight, where fat deposits are observed in the abdomen, varicose veins can also develop. This is due to the fact that there is excessive pressure in the legs, and the outflow of blood with problems with weight is very difficult.

In general, according to medical statistics, absolutely healthy veins are observed in only a quarter of women. Others experience problems with them to one degree or another.

Varicose veins are considered a female disease, but men suffer from it just as much. This "rule" exists because the tendency to its occurrence is transmitted with the female X chromosome. It is at the genetic level, in most cases, that there is a predisposition to weak veins.

Another factor that serves as the "impetus" for the disease is hormonal surges, to which the female half of the population is again prone. During menstrual cycle in the body, the level of estrogen and progesterone constantly changes, which significantly affects the venous wall. The situation is aggravated by hormonal birth control pills... Especially when self-designation takes place. Therefore, it is so important that all medications, even those seemingly harmless at first glance, are prescribed by a specialist after carrying out the necessary tests.

The feminine desire for excellence, which often manifests itself in the constant wearing of high heels, is playing a cruel joke. Shoes with a high platform and heels, tight clothes in the abdomen (especially frequent pulling with corsets) - negatively affect the functioning of the venous system.

Often, women "receive" varicose veins as a bonus during the period pregnancy, especially when the kid grows up as a hero. In later stages, the enlarged uterus begins to press on a large vein, which impedes blood flow. He is also "played along" by constantly jumping progesterone, which relaxes the walls of blood vessels.

Symptoms of varicose veins

The sooner varicose veins are detected, the easier it is to cure it. Therefore, it is so important to know the symptoms inherent in the initial stage of the disease. The main harbingers of varicose veins:

• regular appearance of pain in the legs, a feeling of warmth, and sometimes a burning sensation in the veins of the legs;
• feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• swelling is observed in the evenings;
• leg cramps may occur at night;
• dilated veins show through the skin;
• the skin in the lower leg becomes dark in color, seals may occur, in some cases trophic ulcers are noted.

Puffiness can be determined by the marks on the legs, which remain after wearing socks or tight jeans. With normal functioning of the body, traces disappear very quickly, while with edema, they can remain for tens of minutes.

In addition to the above mentioned, the following symptoms can be mentioned:

• the vein that is affected is easily palpable with the fingers;
• if you lie down on the floor and put your legs on the wall, the vein will disappear, and when you take the usual position, it will again fill up with blood and bulge out.

This is the main symptomatology of varicose veins. If you ignore the initial stage of manifestation, the condition is aggravated. Lesions begin to spread throughout the area. The skin becomes dry and bluish.

If you find signs of varicose veins in yourself, be sure to consult a doctor to get timely help and prevent complications.

Types of varicose veins

The scientific community has come to a single agreement, where each stage of varicose veins is spelled out. There are 6 of them:

• Zero. The most mysterious of all. The patient complains of all the symptoms that are characteristic of the disease (swelling, heaviness, pain and cramps), but the legs look absolutely healthy. Moreover, even medical research does not reveal any abnormalities.
• First. The eye becomes noticeable in some places the manifested vascular network and veins. Some complain about part of the symptomatology inherent in the disease.
• Second. If about the two stages described above, doctors are constantly debating whether to classify them in the stages of varicose enlargement, then from the second and above, no one has doubts. A person begins to notice enlarged veins and blue nodules on their legs, which can change in size after prolonged sitting or standing. At this stage, the risk of blood clots increases.
• Third. To the symptoms described in the second stage, edema is added, which practically does not subside, but only increases and decreases depending on the time of day (less noticeable during the day, more in the evening).
• Fourth. Lack of skin nutrition with the necessary substances is manifested in trophic ulcers. Skin color changes and can range from dark brown to black. There are various inflammations on the skin, both dry and weeping.
• Fifth. All the symptoms described above, to which a healed trophic ulcer is added.
• Sixth. The trophic ulcer progresses and does not heal.

How to treat varicose veins

Modern medicine offers many treatment options for varicose veins. This includes sealing, gluing and removing. But most often doctors prescribe:

• Sclerotherapy. Promotes effective removal of so-called spider veins... A specialist, using a thin needle, injects a composition into the affected vessels that glues the walls to each other. The treated vein organizes the cord and over time it simply dissolves. The operation does not cause discomfort, it is done literally in 10-20 minutes, without the use of anesthesia.
• Laser coagulation. It implies the sealing of large vessels. All manipulations are carried out with the participation of local anesthesia. A light guide is placed in the vein, through which laser radiation is then launched. The beam helps to heat the blood, after which the vessel is, as it were, welded. After some time, as in the first case, the vessel dissolves.

Regardless of which of the treatment methods was prescribed by the doctor, it is necessary to follow the general recommendations for the recovery period, which will help to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

After the operation, lifting weights and walking in heels is unacceptable. You will need to regularly wear compression underwear, which the doctor will prescribe. Taking this into account, it is more expedient to carry out treatment in the cold season, when the dense knitwear from which the "medicinal" linen is sewn will be most appropriate.

Alternative treatment of varicose veins

Good results in the treatment of varicose veins are shown by nutmeg. It acts as a pain reliever, improves blood flow, preventing blood stasis. Its unique properties help high-quality regeneration of the skin, which has a positive effect on the speedy healing of trophic ulcers.

Take a few nutmeg nuts and pass them through a coffee grinder. Then place a teaspoon (without a slide) in a glass of boiling water. As soon as the water has cooled down a little - add a spoon honey... Mix well and leave the solution for about half an hour. Drink the composition about an hour before breakfast. The course of treatment is a year, but the visible result is noticeable already on the 30th day.

Nutmeg is a POISONOUS product! An increased dosage of up to 50-100 g at a time can be fatal. For the purpose of safe consumption, no more than 5 g is allowed, i.e. no more than a teaspoon, no slide.

Green tomatoes can also be used as a folk remedy for varicose veins. At night, it is necessary to fix the round slices of the chopped vegetable (cut inward) in problem areas, and remove in the morning. It is recommended to carry out such manipulations throughout the year. During this time, the condition of the legs is seriously improving - the bumps become softer, without causing the former discomfort, and some of them disappear altogether. By the way, in addition to external influences, doctors recommend eating tomatoes inside. Their chemical composition helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, i.e. "Fixes" them from the inside.

After three courses of treatment with horse chestnut tincture, long-awaited improvements will be noticeable. To prepare the tincture, you will need 50 g of chestnut flowers, which are poured with half a liter of alcohol. The container is closed and placed in a dark place for two weeks. Shake the bottle daily. Pass the finished tincture through a sieve and consume a tablespoon daily, three times a day before meals, with water. The treatment is given for 7 days, after which you need to take a two-week break and conduct the course again.

In the treatment of varicose veins, natural freshly squeezed juices show themselves well. Particularly effective are:

• carrot-spinach drink prepared in a 10/6 ratio;
• a cocktail of freshly squeezed juices made from carrots, spinach and beets, in proportions 10/3/3;
• a combination of carrot, celery, spinach and parsley juices, proportions 7/4/3/2.

With varicose veins, it is more important than ever to monitor the amount of water consumed. Lack of fluid is the cause of blood thickening. The correct calculation of the need for water is based on the weight category of the patient. For 1 kg, you should drink 30 ml of water per day. For example, with a weight of 55 kg, 1650 ml is required, which is equivalent to slightly more than 8 glasses of liquid.

Treatment of veins, even with folk remedies, is best done with the permission of a doctor, as an auxiliary factor. In order not to cause even more harm to your body, be sure to consult with a specialist before making any decision on self-medication.

Sports for varicose veins

Since varicose veins are ranked among the common types of the disease, the question of the possibility of playing sports becomes even more relevant. There is an opinion that it is better to avoid sports with dilated veins, and this is partly true. Physical activity is acceptable, but not all types of it.

What you can't do if you have varicose veins:

• Static is a powerful blow to the veins. Exercise that involves prolonged and heavy exertion promotes varicose veins.
• Lunges and squats also have a negative effect on the health of joints and veins. If you need to perform such exercises, you should wear special compression underwear.
• Exercise bikes tend to impair blood flow, so it's best to skip it as well.
• Jumping, strength and step aerobics are also contraindicated in varicose veins.
• You can not start loading abruptly. In this position, it is very important to carry out a long warm-up in order to disperse the blood through the veins.
• Volleyball, football, basketball and other types of wrestling are strictly prohibited.

And now about what kind of sport is permissible for varicose veins.

The best thing a patient can do when choosing a sport is a swimming pool. It can be aqua aerobics, or simple swimming. Such a load has a relaxing effect, helps to get rid of swelling and gives the legs a feeling of lightness. The main load goes to the heart muscle, and the walls of the vessels are gradually strengthened.

If we talk about land sports, then we can recommend calm types of cardio loads. In this case, you should be careful about the well-being of your legs when squatting and swinging. Strive to work out on elliptical machines and treadmills. Watch your breathing - this greatly affects the condition of the veins. Exercise on simulators for no more than 15 minutes.

Normal walking is very helpful. It helps to normalize blood circulation. Use Latin American dance programs.

Prevention of varicose veins

After you have familiarized yourself with the causes of varicose veins, it will not be difficult to understand how and what should be done to prevent the disease.

First of all, it is, of course, movement. Try to move more, walk. Don't neglect your regular walks. This is especially true for those who constantly sit at work and travel by car. If there is no opportunity and time for hiking, try at least during a break to get up and walk around the office, drinking a cup of tea. When standing up, try to roll from time to time on your feet, from toes to heels and vice versa.

At home, and if possible on the street, wear special compression garments, which are usually prescribed by a doctor. In hot weather, when any additional clothing is disgusting, underwear can be replaced with evening electromyostimulation. To perform it in a pharmacy or medical equipment, you need to purchase a small specialized apparatus. Lie in front of the TV, fix the terminals and rest. The muscles will receive an electric shock, from which they will begin to contract. After 1-2 hours of such a session, the legs will be like new.

On vacation, travel, when it is not possible to organize the procedure - do self-massage: rub, pinch and tap your shins. This will be an excellent prevention of blood stagnation.

Avoid wearing too high heels. If only one thought about it is hard for you, then walk in shoes down the street, and in the office, give preference to a small heel. So, for example, a heel height of 7-10 cm looks about the same, but from seven centimeters the harm is much less.

Train yourself to have a contrasting soul. Even if there is no desire to pour cold water on the whole body - do it only with your feet. It will raise the tone of blood vessels and harden the body.

For the general strengthening of the body, including the veins, swimming is very useful. If you can't swim, just stand in the water. The latter exerts the necessary pressure, which has a relaxing and preventive effect.

Do not forget about your legs and then they will delight you with their beauty and health!