Varicose veins are a common vein disease that mainly affects women's legs. Its essence lies in the expansion or elongation of the veins of the lower extremities, which ultimately leads to thinning of the venous walls.
The disease cannot be ignored as it can lead to serious complications such as venous insufficiency of the legs, thrombosis, bleeding and gangrene.
Gangrene is dangerous because if left untreated, it can lead to amputation of the legs, to thrombosis, and even death of the patient - a separate blood clot reaches the heart, which will cause it to stop. It is necessary to treat the disease early, before complications occur.
Reasons
Scientists have proven that the tendency to varicose veins is inherited. If your relatives have been diagnosed with a varicose vein, then it is likely to develop in you.
The following reasons may cause its development:
- hormonal disorders;
- pregnancy;
- heavy loads on the legs;
- bad habits;
- hypodynamics.
The main natural cause of varicose veins in the legs is increased vascular load. Exercise can occur due to both physical inactivity and increased physical activity.
Often the office lifestyle leads to varicose veins - huge amounts of time spent sitting or standing. In that case, the blood circulation is disturbed, standing areas are created, which subsequently leads to vascular degradation.
An unhealthy diet also increases the chance of varicose veins. The cause of the disease can be increased consumption of fatty foods, fast food, cholesterol, caffeine. All this negatively affects the health of the veins. Excessive physical activity is also harmful.
Pregnant women are also at risk. The physical characteristics of pregnancy interfere with the proper blood supply to the legs, which often causes the development of varicose veins. In addition to insufficient blood supply to the legs, the hormonal status in pregnant women changes, which can also cause disease. During this period, it is advisable to regularly check the condition of the legs, and in case of pain, consult a doctor immediately. Inflamed veins can disappear after the birth of a child, but for prevention you can wear special underwear for draping.
Symptoms
You may suspect the development of varicose veins using different symptoms:
- Swelling of the legs. Strengthening towards the end of the working day is a common feature.
- Calf pain is an early sign.
- Sudden leg cramps.
- Prolonged healing of wounds and bruises is a late symptom.
- An increase in the size of the veins, the appearance of winding paths or knots is an early sign.
- Loss of hair from the inner surface of the legs, thickening of the skin in this area is a late symptom.
An important feature of the manifestation of symptoms is their intensification in the evening or after a long stay on your feet or without movement. If you find at least one symptom of the disease, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. The diagnosis of varicose veins is performed by phlebologists - specialists in veins. Routine examination is not enough to establish the diagnosis, Doppler ultrasound is needed. If necessary, varicose veins can be confirmed by radionuclide or radiopacking. In this case, the distribution of the specially introduced substance in the vessels will be investigated.
Treatments
The prevalence of varicose veins has prompted the creation of many options for its treatment, both medical and folk. If possible, consult your doctor who will tell you exactly how to treat based on your individual characteristics. It is recommended to use folk methods only in the absence of the possibility of professional treatment. They alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but do not eliminate its cause.
Medications
All drug treatment is divided into two major groups: topical and general drugs. It should be understood that drug treatment is relevant only in the early stages of the disease. In advanced cases, drug treatment is also used, just to prevent the spread of the disease.
Anticoagulants are the most popular treatment. They dilute the blood, prevent vasodilation, which reduces the risk of blood clots. They can be taken both orally and in the form of gels and ointments or injections. Dosage and choice of a particular drug can be trusted only by the attending physician. Angioprotectors help to improve vascular microcirculation, thus eliminating the cause of the disease.
Leeches are also used to treat varicose veins. When they bite, a natural special substance, hirudin, enters the body.
This dilutes the blood, which reduces the risk of blood clots. This method is less effective than drugs, but for some it is the only possible way. Treatment of leeches is cyclical.
Surgical treatment
The essence of surgical treatment is to exclude or completely remove diseased veins from the vascular system. Most often, such procedures are injected into a vein with a special substance that is beautiful on the inside. The most effective method that is not dangerous to health is surgical removal of damaged veins. At the same time, the general condition of the vascular system will practically not suffer. The veins that caused varicose veins pass through them to only 10 percent of all the blood flowing in the legs. Removing them will burden the rest of the veins, but will not cause significant damage to health.
Alternative treatment
Varicose veins can be treated with folk remedies, but at your own risk. Most of these methods are ineffective in the early stages of the disease, and ineffective in the later stages. Alternative methods of treatment alleviate the symptoms of varicose veins, but do not cure them, which is especially dangerous in advanced cases. Such a trip is dangerous for your health.
Among the most popular folk recipes that can be used to treat varicose veins are:
- Apple cider vinegar
- wormwood;
- nettle;
- garlic.
Apple cider vinegar is able to heal veins from the outside, alleviating the appearance of the phenomenon even in young people. Painful places are treated twice a day. The vinegar is diluted in a bath, the feet are put into it for 5 minutes. After such procedures, it is advisable to dry the feet on their own. Garlic is used as an ointment. For its preparation, one part of garlic is mixed with two parts of butter. The resulting slurry is applied to the affected areas at night.
Prevention
Prevention is general and allows not only to prevent varicose veins, but also to raise the overall level of health, eliminate symptoms and, as a result, improve well-being.
Key preventive measures:
- healthy food;
- playing sports;
- Absence of heavy loads on the veins.
Healthy food includes the use of fruits and vegetables in the diet, especially raw. Eating nuts and seafood also has a beneficial effect on vein health. In this case, it is necessary to forget about very fatty and salty foods, alcohol and products that contain caffeine.
Regular exercise improves blood flow in the legs, which has a positive effect on vein health. Don’t exercise too much - running and moderate cycling are great. It is important, even during sedentary work, to exercise occasionally, not allowing blood to stagnate. Crossed legs are contraindicated in sedentary work.
Varicose veins are a disease that is important for treatment in the early stages. Don’t be afraid to visit your doctor at the first symptoms. Today, the treatment of varicose veins on women's legs is not as expensive as it used to be and is not dangerous for the body. With previous treatment, you will provide yourself with health and comfort in your legs for many years.