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Varicose veins on the legs: why does it appear and whether it is necessary to wear compression underwear
Debunking myths with an expert about what really hurts our veins.
Natasha’s legs – oh, what legs, but suddenly a treacherous mesh of vessels suddenly appeared on this splendor.
– Life is over! – Natalya, a lover of high heels, short skirts and long walks around the city, said dramatically from the doorway.
– Everything is being treated, – I tried to calm down.
– I am a hundred-a-paradise, – Natasha diffused. – Well, I would have already retired, but here I didn’t even have time to get married.
She refused to visit the doctor, categorically, they say, no longer help. So this text, Natasha, is for you and for those who believe that varicose veins are almost a sentence. Phlebologist, cardiovascular surgeon, candidate of medical sciences Dmitry Rosukhovsky will help us to debunk the myths.
Did you know that the first varicose veins can appear as early as 13-18 years old? This happens with every tenth patient. It’s just that the disease develops gradually, and “the result is obvious” is manifested in adulthood. But, according to the observations of experts, the earlier the disease “debuts”, the faster it develops.
If your mother had varicose veins, it does not mean at all that it will manifest itself in you. The risk of developing the disease is less than fifty percent. Another thing is if varicose veins are found in the mother and father, then the percentage increases to 90. Therefore, in order to exclude heredity, it is better to undergo an examination in advance and make sure that history does not repeat itself with you.
High heels rehabilitated. No matter how long you walk in them, the veins will not “climb”. But the risk of varicose veins increases pregnancy and childbirth, especially if there were several of them. So, you need to be especially careful to monitor the condition of the veins in your legs during pregnancy.
Also, the disease is caused by indifference to sports, frequent and long sitting at the computer, the preference for a car for walking.
Here the verdict is unambiguous – varicose veins can be treated at any time of the year. For example, phlebologists of Israel are actively and successfully engaged in this, and the hot climate does not prevent them from succeeding in this area of medicine. Endovenous laser treatment does not require wearing a compression garment.
Myth 5. You can’t sit cross-legged
This can lead to blood clots, but not varicose veins. Sitting cross-legged, wearing socks and knee-highs with a tight elastic band is absolutely safe. Rather, the problem is not crushing, but prolonged immobility.
- The operation is inevitable
Non-surgical methods do not allow you to get rid of varicose veins, but the classic excision with a scalpel is not the only thing that will help. There are endoscopic technologies, they are easier to tolerate, made under local anesthesia, large and small vessels are removed quickly and efficiently, and recovery takes no more than an hour. We are talking about endovasal laser coagulation and foam sclerotherapy.
- Leeches will help
The leech saliva contains the substance hirudin, it prevents the formation of blood clots. But saliva also contains protein compounds that can be allergic. There are drugs in injections that replace hirudotherapy for thrombophlebitis. But leeches do not cure varicose veins, they only dissolve blood clots, and the effect is temporary.
- Do not play sports
To train leg muscles with varicose veins is not only possible, but also necessary. However, for a while, it is worth excluding basic leg exercises – squats, deadlifts and lunges. They are performed while standing, while the vessels receive the maximum load. In general, much depends on the stage of varicose veins. Sometimes you can leave a couple of exercises, but with little weight. And it is best to train the leg muscles while lying or sitting. So the pressure in the legs is much less. There is only one advice: go to the gym only after consulting a phlebologist.
Truth. Air travel is fraught with blood clots
People with chronic venous disease are primarily at risk. The first sign of thrombosis is leg edema and muscle bursting aching pain. It is urgent to run to the doctor – you cannot do without the help of a professional!