What are varicose veins (VV)?
Blood flows through the veins of the legs from the bottom up, overcoming the force of gravity.Valves help them in this.For various reasons, valve apparatus failure and impaired blood flow can occur.Then the blood begins to stagnate in the veins, which leads to the stretching of the vein walls and the formation of knots.
Signs of varicose veins
veins twist and protrude above the surface of the skin
pain in the legs
heaviness in the legs
burning sensation along the veins
nocturnal cramps
varicose veins
pigmentation and thickening of the skin
Causes of varicose veins
Who most often suffers from varicose veins?
Of the 100% of people who suffer from varicose veins, 30% are women in their mature years, 50% have given birth, and 25% are men over forty.Moreover, the risk of the disease arises after twenty years.However, despite such depressing statistics, there are quite simple effective ways to prevent varicose veins, which we would like to talk about.First, let's list a few causes of varicose veins to help you determine if you're at risk.
Heredity
The first and most important factor that leads to varicose veins is heredity.In 70 percent of cases, the disease is transmitted from mother to daughter.Therefore, try to find out if your grandmother and mother suffered from varicose veins, maybe someone had surgery for it.If a genetic predisposition to the disease is detected, you should think seriously before choosing a profession as a hairdresser, teacher or flight attendant.
Working conditions
The fact is that another risk factor is prolonged standing, as well as sedentary and physically demanding work.
Hormonal changes
The next dangerous point can be hormonal changes in the body (for example, taking certain hormonal drugs).Endocrine changes and increased body weight also have a bad effect on the functioning of the valvular apparatus.This may be the reason why pregnant women are particularly at risk.
Regular overheating
High ambient temperatures can also lead to varicose veins - this becomes an additional burden on the veins.Therefore, too hot baths, saunas and exposure to the sun for more than 40 minutes are undesirable.
Uncomfortable shoes
You're also at risk if you wear high-heeled shoes all the time (although completely flat soles aren't very good for your feet either).High-heeled shoes cause the muscles to be constantly tense and increase the load on the leg veins.A heel of 5 centimeters or more is considered high, and 2-3 centimeters is optimal.The last thing worth mentioning is smoking.It's hard to say exactly how many cigarettes you smoke pose a risk, but there is definitely a link between varicose veins and smoking.
How to treat varicose veins
Do not delay the treatment of varicose veins.A timely visit to the doctor will help detect the signs of varicose veins in the very early stages.There are several modern methods for examining varicose veins, most of which are absolutely painless and safe.This is primarily an ultrasound examination (Dopplerography).It shows the condition of the veins, the mass of circulating blood and the speed of circulation.
Prevention of varicose veins at home is not so difficult, but for prevention to give results, most of the doctor's recommendations must become a habit.
He plays sports
The first thing that all doctors without exception recommend is exercise.It is better to choose a sport in which the calf muscles contract evenly and intensively.Walking, running, cycling, skiing, horse riding, dancing are very good for your legs.Don't forget: no matter what sport you choose, your shoes should be loose and comfortable.The best sport for varicose veins is swimming: there is no pressure on the veins, they are as if in weightlessness.A very affordable, but effective way of prevention is walking.Even fifteen minutes a day will give positive results.
If you decide to exercise in the gym, follow a few basic rules:
Give preference to exercises without weights or with minimal weights (up to 1 kg).
Increase reps, not projectile weight.
Perform exercises on specific muscle groups at different times and alternate training days with rest days.
Wherever you exercise, do not overdo it - the load will be useful when it gives pleasure, and the strength will benefit you for more pleasant things.When choosing a sport, keep in mind that no load is suitable for varicose veins.
Tennis, bodybuilding, volleyball and skating are not very good for varicose veins - those sports that require sudden movements.They can not only not be useful, but even harm health.Even if you don't have time to exercise regularly, don't despair.
There are simple exercises for the legs that do not require much effort, but are a great way to improve blood circulation.
Exercises are especially recommended for those who, due to their occupation, are forced to spend a lot of time sitting or standing.Walk by rolling your foot from heel to toe.Then rise on your toes 20-30 times.Do a few squats, during which you transfer your weight to the edges of your feet.
If you have to sit a lot, you can stretch your legs from time to time like this: lift your knees and move your feet back and forth, rotate your feet clockwise and back.Then bend and straighten your fingers until you feel a slight tension.Change your position more often and try to get rid of the habit of sitting with your legs crossed - this will compress the veins and, as a result, disrupt blood circulation.
Take care of your feet
We are used to paying special attention to our face, but our feet also require care.Wash them up to your ankles with cold water in the shower for a few minutes in the morning.It is desirable that the stream is stronger.
Several times a week, it is recommended to apply a mud mask to the feet for 20 minutes.Wash off the mask with cold water and then apply the cream.These procedures relieve swelling, improve nutrition and blood circulation.After applying the mask, the legs should be raised.
Try to make it a habit - when you relax, watch TV, it is better to have your legs in an elevated position.Ideally, they should be above the level of the heart.Doctors advise to put a pillow under your feet even at night.
Among folk remedies there is a proven method for the prevention of varicose veins.Take a thick wooden block (an ordinary wax candle will do), place one leg on the chair and then, gently pressing the skin, roll it from the foot to the knee.Do the exercises with the other leg as well.This exercise is very useful for strengthening blood vessels.You can help your feet relax after a hard day with a simple massage.Massage each toe, roll a rubber ball on the floor with your foot — "hedgehog".Even a few minutes of such exercises will perfectly restore blood circulation.
Watch your diet
Nutrition should be rational, because, as already mentioned, weight fluctuations negatively affect the condition of the legs.Basic rule: more vegetables and fruits, less salty, fatty and smoked foods.Try replacing animal fats with vegetable fats, as they contain acids that improve blood flow.Eat more fiber - its benefits are proven by the fact that in eastern countries, where fiber is the main food, varicose veins practically do not appear.Large amounts of fatty, fried and spicy foods change the composition of the blood, which can lead to the formation of blood clots.Alcohol also has a negative effect on the veins.
Also try to eat foods that contain vitamin P. These are primarily walnuts, green tea and pomegranate.Foods such as sprouted wheat grains, peas, beans, green onions will enrich the veins with nutrients and make them more elastic.
If possible, limit coffee consumption to one cup a day, as this beverage is not harmless to blood vessels.
Dress properly
Shoes with a high heel, as well as narrow shoes that put pressure on the foot or lower leg, adversely affect the condition of the veins.Leave narrow heels for formal occasions, and choose wide shoes with a small heel for every day.If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, it is better to completely avoid tight clothing, especially socks and stockings with narrow elastic bands.
For both prevention and treatment of varicose veins, doctors recommend wearing special compression stockings.This creates pressure on the veins from the outside, which reduces blood stagnation and maintains the normal size of the veins.In the past, elastic bandages were used to achieve the same effect, but fortunately, the time of unattractive bandaged legs has passed, and today compression therapy uses socks and tights with a massage effect.Such products are much more convenient and practical, and do not spoil the appearance.They look like regular women's tights or thigh-highs, but they are very tight in some places.
It is recommended to wear elastic socks in the morning without getting out of bed, raising the leg at an angle of forty degrees.
Then the socks will be able to maintain the veins in a physiological state and ensure the outflow of blood towards the heart.Such products are sold in pharmacies and are worn for at least six months.
In addition to the above, it is worth adding that varicose veins are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a serious disease, the neglect of which can lead to complications.Therefore, you should seek professional help as soon as the first doubts appear, and the beauty of healthy legs will be a pleasant addition to your health.