Today, the problem of varicose veins is relevant, since every fourth person is faced with this disease, which is accompanied by severe symptoms and often leads to a dangerous complication - thrombophlebitis.This article will tell you about highly effective methods of treatment and prevention of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: causes and symptoms
With varicose veins, the functioning of the vessels that carry blood to the heart is disrupted.The disease predominantly occurs in women over 30 years of age.Due to deformation of the venous vessels and closed valve flaps, blood cannot circulate normally, which leads to impaired 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 suffered from varicose veins due to inferior valves and weak vessel walls, in 70% of cases the child will inherit this disease.
- Obesity.Excess weight increases the risk of developing varicose veins by 35%, since heavy load disrupts the normal blood flow of the veins in the legs.
- Pregnancy.Compression of the retroperitoneal veins by the enlarged uterus and a large volume of circulating blood provoke 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 (hypodynamia) or staying in static positions 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 deficiency 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 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 attributed to normal fatigue.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, telangiectasia (spider veins), locally enlarged veins in the legs, itching of the skin, indicating the imminent development of trophic disorders.Severe cases of varicose veins are accompanied by dizziness, hyperthermia, bleeding of the 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 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:
- An operation using microsurgical techniques.In case of severe varicose veins, phlebectomy is performed - removal of the affected veins using a minimally invasive method.Laser or radiofrequency coagulation of veins can also be used.Varicose veins at the initial stage are treated with photocoagulation, and spider veins are removed with laser.
- Sclerotherapy is the injection of drugs into the dilated vein that glue the venous 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, you need to contact a phlebologist to avoid the development of a pathological process leading to serious complications.
Disease Prevention
To prevent the pathology in question and relieve the initial symptoms, it is necessary to adhere to the basic rules of prevention:
- Exercise regularly, swim and move more.An active lifestyle helps strengthen venous 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 consumption and smoking.
- Do a warm-up during work involving constant static loads.For example, if your professional activity requires constant sitting at a computer, you can walk in place, squat, and stretch your feet every hour for 10 minutes.
- Wear comfortable, non-tightening clothes so as not to squeeze the veins in the legs, disrupting blood circulation.Also, you should not wear shoes with heels over 5 cm every day.
- Try to keep your weight normal 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 disturbances 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 rules of prevention, you can avoid the development of varicose veins even with a hereditary predisposition.