What could be more beautiful than slender legs in high heels? Men have always admired the length of women's legs. But what to do when this dignity has a disease called varicose veins. How to treat varicose veins in the legs in women? A very topical question, to which we will try to give a rational answer in this article.
Women and varicose veins, what causes them?
As you know, the female body is significantly different from the male and the reasons are not only in physiology. Consider the root causes found in women that contribute to the occurrence of varicose veins in the weak half of humanity.
sedentary work
Physical inactivity (minimal physical activity) is a direct path to varicose veins. Women, unlike men, mostly work sitting at a computer (accountants, secretaries, operators, etc. ). Such sedentary work contributes to the development of venous blood stagnation.
Genes (heredity)
This is one of the main causes of varicose veins in women. If one of the parents had varicose veins, then the female child cannot avoid this fate. But you should know that it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but the disposition towards it. Therefore, if you follow preventive actions, then it is quite possible to avoid the appearance on your feet.
Hormones
Stable work of hormones is the key to women's health. If the hormonal background is disturbed, malfunctions in the internal systems begin, including the circulatory system. An increase in the level of estrogen and progesterone (sex hormones) leads to a decrease in tone and relaxation of the walls of blood vessels. This entails their stretching when overloaded. This contributes to the appearance of edema and expansion of the veins in the legs. The impetus that will lead to varicose veins can be:
- diseases in which the level of estrogen rises;
- pregnancy;
- taking contraceptives containing hormones, including hormone therapy for menopause.
Excess weight
Obesity leads to a strong load and increased pressure in the entire circulatory system. The legs suffer the most because they need to support the weight of the person. In all overweight people, sooner or later, congestion of venous blood occurs, which leads to varicose veins.
indirect causes
In addition to physiological causes that we cannot influence in any way, there are indirect causes, often to which we are not inclined to pay attention:
- heels. Frequent and prolonged wearing of such shoes gives a tremendous load on the peripheral veins, which leads to varicose veins;
- Food. Eating fatty, fried foods leads to an accumulation of cholesterol in the blood. This contributes to the difficulty of blood flow and can cause thrombosis, which will lead to the expansion of the veins in the legs;
- Bad habits. Tobacco smoking and alcohol increase venous pressure, and this is directly related to the development of varicose veins;
- Blood clotting. People with such a deviation need to be treated 1-2 times a year, since "doing nothing" can cause thrombosis of varicose veins and, at best, only varicose veins, at worst, a heart attack or stroke (up to death).
How to treat varicose veins in women with traditional medicine?
Any treatment pursues the prevention of complications and the removal of pain symptoms. Doctors who should be contacted for the treatment of varicose veins are a phlebologist and an angiosurgeon. Treatment should be aimed at solving such problems:
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
- minimizing the risk of blood clots;
- normalization of the work of peripheral veins.
Traditional medicine offers a fairly large selection of treatments for varicose veins in women. Consider the most popular and effective treatment methods.
External treatment
At the initial stage of the pathology, superficial and then deep blood vessels are affected, which leads to stagnation of blood. At the first symptoms, the treatment of manifestations on the legs will be effective (it is convenient to use for the treatment of legs at home, just apply the substance to the affected area and rub):
- gels;
- ointments;
- creams.
Oral treatment with tablets
Medications intended for oral administration are considered more effective than external agents. They are conditionally divided into three large groups:
- anti-inflammatory- they anesthetize and reduce swelling of the tissues on the legs, inhibiting the adhesion of platelets. Only a doctor should prescribe such drugs (self-medication with such drugs is dangerous);
- phlebotonics- contribute to increased blood flow, improving the tone of the walls of blood vessels. Their main task is to eliminate burning and swelling of the legs. According to the clinical picture obtained, the phlebologist prescribes a course of treatment;
- blood-thinning– with their help minimize the risk of blood clots. Designed to dilute venous blood, improving its currents.
Laser coagulation
If the blood circulation is seriously impaired, then no matter how effective the drug is, it may remain powerless in the treatment of varicose veins in the legs in women.
Achievements in the world of science and medicine have helped to create a device for painless getting rid of pathology - a laser. With its help, radiation is generated (a certain spectrum of waves that generate heat), which is absorbed by the blood and closes the damaged vessel from the inside. This leads to the fact that the blood moves "bypassing" through the deep veins, and at the site of the lesion, its current stops completely. After a certain period of time, the affected tissues recover naturally, and the adhesion site resolves.
Surgical method
With its help, you can competently get rid of the pathology. Resort to this method of treatment, if all of the above did not work. Surgery offers both traditional operations, with a skin incision along the length of the inflamed vein, and minimally invasive ones, the task of which is to cope with the problem with minimal incisions. It all depends on the clinical picture of the disease. The following operations are widely used:
- Phlebectomy. The operation is traditional and is performed with inflammation and expansion of deep veins. A phlebectomy is performed to remove the entire damaged vein. This operation takes about 2 hours.
- Stripping. A thin probe is used here, with which an enlarged vein is removed. The operation involves thin incisions on both sides of the diseased area. The probe is inserted from one side (the diseased vein is fixed) and removed from the other, pulling the diseased vein along with it (as if turning it inside out).
- Microphlebectomy. It is a minimally invasive method and is aimed at removing superficial peripheral veins through small incisions in the skin.
Hydrotherapy
This is an old way of healing. Hydrotherapy is based on the ability of blood vessels to expand and contract under the influence of different temperature regimes (a difference of 20–40 degrees is used for treatment). Such training strengthens the walls of blood vessels, contributes to their elasticity. Such treatment is best carried out in the initial stages of the disease.
Compression underwear
As you know, varicose veins are more of a female disease and this is due to heredity and hormonal disruptions. It was for women that special stockings were developed, which today are the most comfortable way of treatment. They protect the legs from pain, swelling and fatigue. The action of such underwear is justified by compression of the leg, which leads to narrowing of the peripheral veins.
Prevention of foot disease in women
Women are more prone to this disease than men, so they need to follow the rules for the prevention of varicose veins on the legs and adhere to generally accepted recommendations.
In order to normalize the vessels on the legs, a woman needs two of the most important vitamins.
Vitamin E
Improves blood circulation throughout the body. It can be found in the following products:
- greens (parsley, basil, celery);
- vegetables (bell pepper, onion, ginger);
- cereals (whole grain, germinated);
- seaweed;
- all legumes;
- nuts.
Vitamin C
Strengthens the walls of blood vessels. To replenish it in the body, you need to eat:
- citrus fruits (lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit);
- cabbage (white, cauliflower, Beijing);
- berries (black currant, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry).
It is also necessary to introduce sea fish into the menu. It is useful for the cardiovascular system because it contains polyunsaturated fatty acids.
General tips for leading a healthy lifestyle
Generally accepted recommendations for the prevention of varicose veins in women:
- completely forget the habit of sitting with folded legs (leg to leg);
- do not neglect the advice of a doctor, if necessary, seek advice from traditional medicine;
- make a habit of long walks on foot, physical activity on women's legs has a positive effect on the healthy functioning of peripheral vessels;
- use a contrast shower for the legs, this will help strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- "feed" your veins, if possible, replace animal fats with vegetable ones, this will help to avoid problems with excess weight, which is prone to provoke disease. As a bonus, vegetable oils contain acids that improve blood flow.
Now you know how to treat varicose veins in women, as well as what rules you need to follow in order to forget about it. Forewarned is forearmed. Dear women, watch your legs and consult a doctor at the first manifestations of the disease in order to avoid complications.