Today we will talk about varicose veins of the legs, varicose veins of the lower extremities - a very common vascular pathology, causes, symptoms, disease prevention, therapeutic exercises with a set of exercises.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) - what kind of disease is this, photo
Phlebeurism(see the picture of the manifestations of varicose veins on the legs) is the scourge of our time; if earlier this progressive disease of blood flow disorders and weakening of the valves affected very old people, now the first signs of this disease of peripheral vessels appear in twenty-year-olds.
Spider veins (telangiectasias) appear first. Then the superficial veins become less elastic, twist, become noticeable, protrude above the skin of the legs and thighs. Blood flows more slowly and rises poorly. Venous stagnation and swelling develop, which disappear after a night's rest. There is a risk of blood clots.
And during pregnancy and childbirth, when the level of female hormones that weaken the vascular wall increases sharply, this pathology of the veins of the lower extremities is diagnosed in every third woman.
However, not only the limbs, even up to the age of 30-35, varicose veins of the pelvic organs (begin to develop as a result of fluctuations in intravascular pressure during contractions), hemorrhoids and varicoceles (dilation of the veins of the spermatic cord in men) appear en masse.
There are varicose veins of the esophagus and stomach.
Varicose veins - ICD-10 code
The ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) code for this disease is 183
- If varicose veins are complicated by an ulcer - 183. 0
- If the veins are enlarged with inflammation, stagnant dermatitis - 183, 1
- If the first two conditions are combined - 183. 2
- If varicose veins are uncomplicated - 183, 9
Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Nodules, swollen veins on the legs, blue network of small veins, spider veins, swelling in the evening, torture, pain along the veins, burning, sometimes itching, heaviness in the legs at the end of the day, the appearance of night cramps, paresthesias - goosebumps and stiffness.
And with significant progression of the disease, the following often develop:
- thrombophlebitis (expressed by the appearance of sharp pain along the vein, redness, local increase in temperature, swelling, sometimes you can feel painful areas with a blood clot blocking the lumen of the vessel, in more severe cases, chills begin, the transition of the inflammatory process from superficial to deep veins is observed),
- trophic ulcers on the background of chronic venous insufficiency.
No one will probably like this picture. And then the separation of the blood clot and the subsequent stroke or heart attack, tissue necrosis are still visible. . . But this is already pretty sad.
Since it is unacceptable to evolutionarily return to walking on all fours to reduce the load on the veins, we will have to look for methods to relieve the load on the legs using natural methods.
Causes of varicose veins and predisposing factors
- Genetics (heredity).
- Changes in hormonal levels (pregnancy, hormonal contraception).
- Heavy physical activity, especially static, purely standing or sitting work.
- Excess weight.
- Chronic cough.
- Smoking.
- Leg injuries that damage the valves in the blood vessels.
Women successfully provoke the appearance of varicose veins by standing and walking in high heels for a long time and sitting cross-legged at the table.
Wearing thongs and tight synthetic underwear has an adverse effect.
Which doctor treats varicose veins on the legs
A phlebologist deals with veins. If surgical intervention is already required - a vascular surgeon.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
In addition to the external examination of the lower extremities and the collection of anamnesis (complaints), a diagnosis is also made:
- Doppler ultrasound (determines the quality, speed of blood flow, presence of obstacles in the form of clots, blood clots),
- transillumination (transillumination of veins, even with changes not yet visible to the eye).
Also, the diagnosis of varicose veins is not complete without taking blood for clotting.
Modern medicine does not offer an effective way of treating this disease, radical removal of superficial veins does not count. There are also radiofrequency ablation, laser therapy, and sclerotherapy, but they are not suitable for everyone, there are contraindications, and they are indicated mostly in the early stages of this disease.
But what can we do for varicose veins at home to combat this unpleasant vascular pathology?
Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins on the legs
The prevention of varicose veins primarily involves gymnastic exercises, and this is not surprising, because the blood vessels simply need to be trained.
The most favorable functional leg position for varicose veins is elevated, elevated. But it is not possible to spend all the time with your legs in the air, and stagnation in the venous network must somehow be avoided, because this leads to heaviness in the legs, cramps and swelling.
And it turns out that it is more useful for a person to walk and even run than to sit for hours in the office or in front of the computer; at rest, there is practically no blood movement, the liquid manages to sweat into the tissues, and the swelling increases.
That's why we don't go crazy at work, we often take breaks during work, get up, stretch, walk around the table, preferably walk to the toilet, climb a few stairs and do some exercises.
Such warming up and dissuading from sedentary work is also useful for diseases of the eyes and spine (the neck and lower back are most affected).
A set of exercises for varicose veins
- We sit on a chair so that our feet do not touch the floor. We rotate the legs in the ankles, bend and straighten them until strong tension, then we do the same with the toes, each exercise 15-20 times. Also, with varicose veins on the legs, a foot massage will be useful.
- Walk briskly in place for a minute.
- We stand against the wall, palms at shoulder level, emphasis on the wall. We rise on our toes and fall on our heels, 10-15 such rolls.
- Slowly rise onto your toes, feet shoulder-width apart, arms up.
- "Bicycle" with the legs from a lying position.
- "Scissors" (cross your strongly straightened legs like scissors).
- Light swings of the legs from the position on the side, alternately with the right and then the left.
- Pull your knees all the way to your chest. Repeat 20 times.
In addition to therapeutic exercises, sports activities are extremely useful for diseases of the veins of the lower extremities - swimming, aqua aerobics (in water, the pressure on the veins is reduced by 2 times! ), skiing, cycling, jogging.
It is also worth considering that some exercises can only harm the veins - strength training with a barbell, jumping rope, long and intense running and long exercise on an exercise bike are contraindicated. Team sports with jumping and running - football, basketball, volleyball (the valve is injured) are not recommended for weak blood vessels in the legs.
Prevention of varicose veins at home
- In addition to exercises, contrast showers and compression stockings are very beneficial for blood vessels.
The latter has its drawbacks: firstly, it is quite expensive, and secondly, after prolonged wear, the containers become completely soft and stop working independently.
That's why I would recommend it not for constant wear, but during heavy loads, work in a standing position, long hikes and during pregnancy.
- It is useful to load the legs by walking up the stairs, vibration gymnastics or jumping (quickly rising on the toes and lightly hitting the heels on the floor two or three times a day, 30-60 times, raising the heels low by 1-2 cm).
- Prolonged exposure to the sun, in the bathroom or in hot baths should not be abused.
- Drink at least 2 liters of liquid per day, it is advisable to control your weight and ensure that the plant-plant component prevails in your diet. You should give up alcohol, spicy, smoked and salty foods or at least significantly reduce their component in the diet.
- No tight underwear, shoes, socks or stockings with a narrow elastic band.
- During the holidays, avoid drinking champagne, as it can make your illness worse.
- Don't wear high heels every day. Over 4 cm - already tall.
- Don't crouch.
- Do not cross your legs, in that position the vessels are constricted and the outflow of blood from the extremities, already bad, becomes even more difficult.
- Try not to stand still, not even in line; it is better to switch from foot to foot.
- Remember that vitamin C maintains the elasticity of the vascular wall.