Today, the problem of varicose veins is topical, because every fourth person faces this disease, which is accompanied by severe symptoms and often leads to a dangerous complication - 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 functioning of the blood vessels that bring blood to the heart is disturbed.The disease mainly occurs in women over 30 years old.Due to the deformation of the venous vessels and the closed valves, the blood cannot circulate normally, which leads to a disturbed blood flow to the heart.
The following factors can 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.Being overweight increases the risk of developing varicose veins by 35%, because the heavy load disrupts the normal blood flow in the veins in the legs.
- Pregnancy.Compression of the retroperitoneal veins by an enlarged uterus and a large volume of circulating blood cause 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 negatively affects blood flow.
In addition, the development of varicose veins can be caused by an unbalanced diet with a lack of coarse fiber, which leads to atypical changes in the structure of the vein walls.The possibility of developing this disease cannot be ruled out due to wearing form-fitting clothing that compresses blood vessels, as well as in the background of frequent stressful situations, alcohol abuse, smoking, leg injuries.
Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.Even before visual signs appear, a feeling of heaviness in the legs appears, which is attributed to normal fatigue.As varicose veins progress, numerous pronounced symptoms are observed: pain in the legs, swelling and cramps in the evening, darkening of the color of the skin of the legs, the appearance of tightness, telangiectasia (spider veins), locally enlarged veins on the legs, itching of the skin, which indicates the imminent development of a trophic disorder.Severe cases of varicose veins are accompanied by dizziness, hyperthermia, bleeding from venous nodes, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and phlebothrombosis.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs
Before prescribing the treatment of varicose veins, the following diagnostic procedures must be performed: ultrasound scanning of the veins on the legs (ultrasound and Doppler examination), as well as duplex angioscanning, reovasography.After confirming the diagnosis, depending on the stage of the pathological process, the phlebologist may prescribe:
- Operation using microsurgical techniques.In the 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 in the initial stage are treated with photocoagulation, and cobwebs are removed with a laser.
- Sclerotherapy is the injection of drugs into the varicose vein that bind the vein walls together.In this case, the patient wears a compression stocking for about 2 months in order to create firm adhesions.
- Conservative treatment that 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 for a month after the procedure, doctors recommend not lifting heavy objects, wearing compression stockings and elastic bandages, as well as reducing static load.At the first symptoms of varicose veins, it is necessary to contact a phlebologist in order to avoid the development of a pathological process that leads to serious complications.
Disease prevention
In order to prevent the pathology in question and alleviate the initial symptoms, it is necessary to adhere to the basic rules of prevention:
- Exercise regularly, swim and move more.An active lifestyle helps to strengthen the vein walls and improve blood circulation.
- Do not overuse hot baths, sun exposure and saunas.Excessive exposure to heat reduces the tone of the veins on the legs and leads to blood stagnation.
- Giving up bad habits is an effective prevention of varicose veins.Many cardiovascular disorders are associated with unrestricted alcohol consumption and smoking.
- Warm up during work that involves 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 10 minutes.
- Wear comfortable, non-tight clothing to avoid squeezing the veins in your legs, impeding blood circulation.Also, you should not wear shoes with heels higher than 5 cm every day.
- Try to keep your weight normal or normalize it with diet.
- Take a contrast shower to improve blood circulation, massage your thighs, legs and feet.While lying down, raise your legs 15 cm above the body more often.
An excellent prevention of varicose veins is a balanced diet.In order 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 rules of prevention, you can avoid the development of varicose veins even with a hereditary predisposition.