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 it, photo
Phlebeurism(see photo of varicose veins on the legs) is the scourge of our time; If previously this progressive disease of impaired blood flow and weakening of the valves affected very old people, now the first signs of this disease of the peripheral vessels appear in twenty years.
Spider veins (telangiectasias) appear first. Then the superficial veins become less elastic, twist, become visible, protruding above the skin of the leg and thigh. 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 forming.
And during pregnancy and childbirth, when the level of female hormones that weaken the vascular wall increases rapidly, this pathology of the veins of the lower extremities is diagnosed in every third woman.
However, not only limbs, even at the age of 30-35, varicose veins of the pelvic organs (which begin to develop due to fluctuations in intravascular pressure during contractions), hemorrhoids and varicoceles (dilatation of the veins of the spermatic cordin 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
- In case of varicose veins with inflammation, stagnant dermatitis - 183. 1
- If the first two conditions are combined - 183. 2
- If varicose veins are not complicated - 183. 9
Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower limbs
Nodules, swollen veins in the legs, blue network of small vessels, spider veins, swelling in the evening, throbbing and aching pains along the veins, burning, sometimes itching, heaviness in the legs at the end of the day, appearance of night cramps, paresthesias -goosebumps and numbness.
And with significant progression of the disease, the following often develop:
- thrombophlebitis (which is expressed by the appearance of sharp pain along the vein, redness, local increase in temperature, swelling, sometimes painful areas with a blood clot blocking the lumen of the vessel can be felt, in severe cases, chills begin, a transition of the inflammatory process from superficial to deep veins is observed),
- trophic ulcers in the context of chronic venous insufficiency.
No one will probably like this photo. And then the detachment of a blood clot and the subsequent stroke or heart attack, the tissue necrosis. . . But it's already very sad.
Since to reduce the load on the veins it is unacceptable for us to evolutionarily return to walking on all fours, we will have to look for methods to unload our legs using natural methods.
Causes of varicose veins and predisposing factors
- Genetics (heredity).
- Changes in hormonal levels (pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives).
- Intense physical activity, including static, purely standing or sedentary work.
- Overweight.
- A chronic cough.
- Smoking.
- Leg injuries that damage blood vessel valves.
Women manage to provoke the appearance of varicose veins by standing for a long time, walking in high heels and sitting at a table with their legs crossed.
Wearing thongs and tight synthetic underwear has an unfavorable effect.
Which doctor treats varicose veins of the legs
A phlebologist takes care of the veins. If surgery is already necessary, a vascular surgeon.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
In addition to an external examination of the lower extremities and taking anamnesis (complaints), the following are carried out to make a diagnosis:
- Doppler ultrasound (determines the quality, speed of blood flow, the presence of obstacles in the form of clots, blood clots),
- transillumination (transillumination of veins, even with changes not yet visible to the eye).
In addition, the diagnosis of varicose veins is not complete without a blood test for coagulation.
Modern medicine does not offer an effective way to treat this disease; radical removal of superficial veins does not count. There is also radiofrequency ablation, laser therapy and sclerotherapy, but they are not suitable for everyone, there are contraindications and they are indicated mainly in the early stages of this disease.
But what can we do against varicose veins ourselves at home to counter this unpleasant vascular pathology?
Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins of the legs
Prevention of varicose veins involves, first of all, gymnastic exercises, which is not surprising, since it is enough to train the vessels.
The most advantageous functional position of the legs for varicose veins is elevated, elevated. But it is not possible to spend all your time with your legs in the air, and you need to somehow avoid stagnation of the venous network, because it is this that 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 an office or at a computer; at rest, there is practically no movement of blood, the fluid manages to sweat into the tissue 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, go to the bathroom if possible, climb a few stairs and do some exercises.
Such a warm-up and distraction 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 our legs at the ankles, bend and straighten them to strong tension, then do the same with our toes, each exercise 15-20 times. Also, for varicose veins on the legs, a foot massage will be useful.
- Walk vigorously in place for one minute.
- We stand near the wall, palms at shoulder level, with the focus on the wall. We rise on tiptoes and fall on heels, 10-15 of these rolls.
- Slowly rise onto your tiptoes, feet shoulder-width apart, arms raised.
- "Cycle" with your feet while lying down.
- "Scissors" (cross legs vigorously stretched like scissors).
- Slow swings of the legs from a side position, alternately with the right then with the left.
- Pull your knees up to your chest. Repeat 20 times.
In addition to therapeutic exercises, sports activities for diseases of the veins of the lower extremities are extremely useful - swimming, aqua aerobics (in water the pressure on the veins is reduced by 2 times! ), skiing, cycling, sports walking.
It is also worth considering that some exercises can only harm the veins - strength training with a barbell, skipping rope, long intense running and prolonged exercises on an exercise bike are contraindicated. Team sports with jumping and running - football, basketball, volleyball (the valve apparatus is injured) are not recommended for weak blood vessels in the legs.
Prevention of varicose veins at home
How to prevent varicose veins on the legs?
- In addition to exercises, contrast showers and compression stockings are very useful for blood vessels.
The latter has its drawbacks: on the one hand, it is quite expensive, and on the other hand, after prolonged wear, the vessels become completely soft and stop working independently.
So I wouldn't recommend it for constant wear, but during heavy lifting, standing work, long hikes and during pregnancy.
- It is useful to put tension on your legs by climbing stairs, doing vibration gymnastics or jumping (quickly rising on tiptoes and lightly hitting the floor with your heels two or three times a day, 3060 times, lifting low heels 1-2 cm).
- Do not overdo prolonged exposure to the sun, in public baths or in hot baths.
- Drink at least 2 liters of liquid per day, it is advisable to control your weight and ensure that the plant-vegetable component predominates in your diet. You should give up alcohol, spicy, smoked and salty foods or at least significantly reduce their share in your diet.
- No tight underwear, shoes, socks or socks with tight elastic.
- During the holidays, avoid drinking champagne, it tends to aggravate your illness.
- Don't wear high heels every day. Above 4 cm - already big.
- Don't squat.
- Do not cross your legs, in this position the vessels are pinched and the flow of blood from the extremities, already weak, becomes even more difficult.
- Try not to stand still, even while waiting in line, it is better to move from one foot to the other.
- Remember that vitamin C maintains the elasticity of the vessel wall.