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Every woman wants her legs to always be in great shape. But what if one day, standing in front of the mirror, you found that your legs were covered with unsympathetic vascular “stars”? Disguise will not work. It is impossible to ignore it, as further these “decorations” will only become brighter and larger. The fight against varicose veins of the lower extremities, although not easy, is necessary. After all, to put on trousers forever, you see, is not the most tempting prospect.
Varicose veins in the legs are a serious condition in which the veins lose their elasticity, stretch, dilate and bend.
Varicose veins on the legs have been known for a long time as a serious disease. By and large, in such a not very pleasant way, we pay for the opportunity to walk on two legs. The impact of various unfavorable factors leads to weakness of the venous walls and stagnation of blood in the lower half of the body.
As a result, the vessels are overloaded, and the venous valves are working worse and worse. The result – the legs get tired, hurt, there is a feeling of heaviness, the feet and ankles swell. A little later, other symptoms are added in the form of cosmetic imperfections. In the future, more severe complications are possible.
Previously, it was believed that varicose veins in the legs is a disease of people of “standing” professions, and the first symptoms appear about 35 years old. This is partly true. But today varicose veins are rapidly getting younger. It can be stated that the disease has already become a problem for the 20-30-year-old “computer generation”.
Unfortunately, there are no clear-cut symptoms of approaching varicose veins on the legs. But if your legs begin to hurt and get tired, there is a heaviness in your legs and you have cramps – this is a reason to be on your guard.
And the appearance of barely noticeable bluish veins familiar to many – vascular networks, which later, if they are not treated, will become more noticeable – is a signal for action. It is worth sounding the alarm when whole clusters of saphenous veins have already appeared on the surface of the legs, because the outcome of the disease is ugly blood clots and ulcers, which are very difficult to fight. Treatment of varicose veins on the legs can last for decades.
The most dangerous consequence of varicose veins is the development of thrombophlebitis – the formation of a blood clot in a vein.
The inflammatory process accompanying the disease creates the risk of a thrombus tearing off the vessel wall. And this, in turn, can lead to the development of pulmonary embolism, when a thrombus enters the vessels of the lungs, partially or completely disrupting the functioning of the respiratory system. And it can even lead to death.
Varicose veins on the legs: does it threaten me?
Unfortunately, it is difficult to name the exact cause of the appearance of varicose veins on the legs. This disease is a consequence of various factors. And each of us faces some of them every day.
Reason 1. Heredity
Phlebologists say that varicose veins are a “family” disease. If a mother or grandmother suffered from this disease, then in 90 percent out of 100 it can be argued that you are at risk. Through genes, the features of the structure of blood vessels are transmitted to us. And if the walls of the veins are weak, then the influence of any of the provoking factors is enough for the disease to make itself felt.
Reason 2. Pregnancy
Carrying a child is one of the most important provoking factors in the development of varicose veins, since changes in hormonal levels lead to a decrease in venous tone. In addition, during pregnancy, the veins are almost always compressed by the growing uterus. Plus, the weight increases. But our veins experience the greatest pressure during childbirth. According to statistics, in 50 percent of women, previously dozing varicose veins manifests itself at this particular time.
Reason 3. Uncomfortable clothes and shoes
Uncomfortable, tight clothing, such as skinny jeans, can cause varicose veins. No less harmful are tight shoes and high heels. The wider the sole of the boots, the less stress on the feet. Balancing on thin stilettos, we subject our veins to an enormous load. And if you also carry heavy bags of groceries in your hands, then you can say goodbye to beautiful legs forever.
Reason 4. Working conditions and bad habits
Do not forget about the people who hold the classic “standing” professions (salesmen, waiters, hairdressers, stewardesses and many others). They have varicose veins – almost an occupational disease. A whole army of office workers is approaching them, since any prolonged stay in one position (even sitting, even standing) does its dirty deed. And if you add to this such bad habits as smoking, snacking on buns and sandwiches, which leads to excess weight, then varicose veins will not keep you waiting. Yes, of course, this also includes the love of many to sit cross-legged.
Reason 5. Sports overload
Not all fitness is good. Lovers of sipping a barbell in the gym are at serious risk. Lifting weights is one of the causes of varicose veins. If you have a predisposition to varicose veins, you should not overload your legs with excessive exercise. Strength training and martial arts lessons are not for you.
Diagnostics and treatment of varicose veins
As already clear, varicose veins in the legs are not a cosmetic defect, therefore, with the appearance of the first unpleasant sensations in the legs, it follows immediately consult a phlebologist.
If necessary, the doctor can prescribe Doppler ultrasound, which will determine the quality of blood flow in the vessels and show if there are any obstacles for it, and transillumination – transillumination of superficial veins using a special light, which allows the specialist to easily distinguish a damaged vein from a normal one. These necessary measures will make it possible to identify the incipient disease in time and take the necessary measures in a timely manner.
If we talk about the treatment of varicose veins, then modern medicine knows several ways to deal with varicose veins:
Local remedies (ointments, gels): relieve fatigue and a feeling of heaviness in the legs, have a pleasant soothing effect. This method of treatment will not bring instant relief, since the active substance penetrates through the skin in small doses. The beneficial effect is only on the superficial saphenous veins. However, with regular use, ointments and gels can correct the situation at the initial stage of varicose veins on the legs.
Venotonics: drugs used for venous insufficiency (prescribed only by a doctor). These medicines help reduce swelling, relieve leg pain, and also strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood flow. Venotonics perfectly complement the action of local remedies to achieve maximum effect in the treatment of deep veins.
Endovasal laser coagulation (EVLK): a method of treating “stars” and vascular “nets”, harbingers of varicose veins in the legs. The doctor acts on the diseased vessel with a laser and the “asterisk” disappears. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. After a couple of weeks, there are no reminders of the manipulation on the skin.
Sclerotherapy: a procedure when substances – sclerosants – are injected into the problem vein with a syringe, and the affected vein seems to stick together from the inside and stops working, and the blood begins to flow through healthy veins. But this procedure is not suitable for everyone. It is prescribed if the nodes are not very large.
Ozone therapy: a new method of treating varicose veins, which is used to eliminate spider veins. Ozone is injected with a small needle directly into the lumen of the vessel and causes it to stick together. To achieve a visible effect, several procedures are enough.
Phlebectomy: surgical intervention, when the diseased vein is removed, is one of the most effective methods of treatment. The day after the operation, you can go home, but for at least another month you need to wear special tights or bandage your leg. During the operation, small punctures are made in the leg, which after a while are almost invisible.
It is widely believed that hirudotherapy or treatment of varicose veins with leeches helps to get rid of varicose veins on the legs. In fact, the substance that leeches secrete when bitten, hirudin, helps reduce blood clotting. Neither spider veins nor veins disappear anywhere. Moreover, ulcers can form at the site of the bite, which are then difficult to cure.
Prevention is the best treatment for varicose veins: 5 steps to vein health
A healthy lifestyle is the best way to say no to varicose veins and many other diseases!
Step 1. Movement is life.
Swimming is a universal type of physical activity, practically devoid of contraindications. Water procedures are best suited for the prevention of varicose veins, as they well tone the blood vessels. Walking is also a good way to fight vein disease. For example, up an escalator or stairs. No heavy bags, please. It is better to walk two stops to the metro than to go by transport. And at home you can do the most elementary exercise “bicycle” in the supine position.
Step 2. Elegant helpers.
Modern compression knitwear: knee-highs and tights will help against fatigue and heaviness in the legs. They are sold in pharmacies and are selected strictly individually by the doctor based on the parameters of the leg. In appearance, medicinal tights are no less beautiful and fashionable than ordinary ones. In addition, they help the vessels to better cope with the increased load.
Step 3. Delicious and healthy.
Firstly, excess weight gives a serious load on blood vessels. So if you have a couple of unnecessary pounds, then it is better to get rid of them. Secondly, nutrition in order to prevent varicose veins should be aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels. This is facilitated by vitamins such as ascorbic acid and rutin contained in sea buckthorn, raspberries, citrus fruits, chokeberry, strawberries, rose hips and mountain ash. And ordinary buckwheat is rich in the natural antioxidant quercetin, which not only strengthens blood vessels, but also has anti-cancer properties.
Step 4. Beauty without sacrifice
Comfortable shoes with heels no higher than 4 centimeters are the best choice for every day. In high-heeled shoes, the foot is in a forced bent state, as a result, the nutrition of the small vessels of the toes is disturbed, venous congestion occurs, swelling in the ankles and calves.
Step 5. Care and maintenance
To prevent varicose veins on the legs, it is useful to rinse your legs with cold water after a shower. You can do a massage yourself: stroking movements from the bottom up from the foot to the groin. Overheating is dangerous for the veins, so if there is a predisposition to varicose veins on the legs, it is better to exclude the bath and sauna from your life. And also do not overuse sunbathing. Ultraviolet light reduces the elasticity of tissues and venous walls, and leads to varicose veins. You can sunbathe, but not at noon, but until 11 am and after 17 pm.
Yes, varicose veins in the legs are a chronic condition. However, timely prevention of varicose veins will help to avoid the occurrence of the disease and reduce the risk of developing possible complications.