What are varicose veins (VV)?
Blood flows through the veins of the legs from bottom to top, overcoming the force of gravity.The valves help them.For various reasons, the valve apparatus may malfunction and blood flow is disrupted.Then blood begins to stagnate in the veins, leading to stretching of the vein walls and the formation of knots.
Signs of varicose veins
veins twist and protrude above the surface of the skin
leg pain
heaviness in the legs
burning sensation in the veins
night cramps
dilated veins
pigmentation and thickening of the skin
Causes of varicose veins
Who most often suffers from varicose veins?
Out of 100% of people suffering from varicose veins, 30% are middle-aged women, 50% have given birth and 25% are men over forty.In addition, the risk of disease appears after twenty years.However, despite these depressing statistics, there are effective and fairly simple ways to prevent varicose veins, which we would like to talk about.First, let's list some causes of varicose veins that will help determine if you are at risk.
Heredity
The first and most important factor leading to varicose veins is heredity.In 70 percent of cases, the disease is passed from mother to daughter.Therefore, try to find out if your grandmother and mother suffered from varicose veins, maybe someone even had an operation for this.If a genetic predisposition to the disease is revealed, it is worth thinking seriously before choosing the profession of a hairdresser, teacher or flight attendant.
Working conditions
The fact is that the second risk factor is prolonged standing as well as sedentary and physically demanding work.
Hormonal changes
The next dangerous point may be hormonal changes in the body (for example, taking certain hormonal medications).Endocrine changes and increased body weight also have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the valve apparatus.This may be why pregnant women are at particular risk.
Regular overheating
High ambient temperatures can also lead to the appearance of varicose veins, which places 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 constant muscle tension and increase the load on the leg veins.A heel of 5 centimeters or more is considered high and 2 to 3 centimeters is optimal.One last thing to mention 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 treatment for varicose veins.A timely visit to a doctor will help detect signs of varicose veins in the 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.
Preventing varicose veins at home is not so difficult, but for prevention to produce results, most of the recommendations given by doctors must become a habit.
Do sports
The first thing that all doctors recommend without exception is exercise.It is best to choose a sport in which the muscles of the lower leg contract evenly and intensely.Fitness walking, running, cycling, skiing, horse riding, dancing are very good for your legs.Remember: whatever 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 feel weightless.Walking is a very affordable but effective means of prevention.Even fifteen minutes a day will produce positive results.
If you choose to exercise at the gym, follow a few basic rules:
Favor exercises without weights or with minimal weights (up to 1 kg).
Increase the number of repetitions, not the weight of the projectile.
Perform exercises on specific muscle groups at different times and alternate training days with rest days.
Wherever you exercise, don't overdo it - the load will be useful when it pleases you, and the strength will be useful for more pleasant things.When choosing a sport, remember that no load is suitable for varicose veins.
Tennis, weight training, volleyball and skating are not very effective against varicose veins, these sports that require sudden movements.They may 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 leg exercises that don't require much effort, but are a great way to improve blood circulation.
It is especially recommended to do exercises for those who, due to their profession, are forced to spend a lot of time sitting or standing.Walk by rolling your foot from heel to toe.Then, rise on your tiptoes 20 to 30 times.Do several squats during which you transfer the 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: raise your knees and move your feet back and forth, rotate your feet clockwise and back.Then bend and straighten your fingers until you feel slight tension.Change your position more often and try to get rid of the habit of sitting cross-legged - this will compress the veins and, therefore, harm blood circulation.
Take care of your feet
We are used to paying special attention to our face, but our feet also require care.Rinse them up to the ankles in cold water from the shower for a few minutes in the morning.It is desirable that the flow be stronger.
Several times a week, it is recommended to apply a mud mask to your feet for 20 minutes.Rinse the mask with cold water then apply the cream.These procedures relieve swelling, improve nutrition and blood circulation.After applying the mask, your legs should remain elevated.
Try to make it a habit: When relaxing or watching TV, it is best to keep your legs in an elevated position.Ideally, they will be located above heart level.Doctors advise placing a pillow under your feet even at night.
Among folk remedies there is a proven method for preventing varicose veins.Take a thick block of wood (a regular wax candle will do), place one foot on a chair and then, lightly pressing on the skin, roll it from foot to knee.Also do the exercises with the second leg.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 – a “hedgehog” – on the floor with your foot.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.The basic rule: a maximum of vegetables and fruits, a minimum of salty, fatty and smoked foods.Try replacing animal fats with vegetable fats, as they contain acids that improve blood circulation.Eat more fiber - its benefits are demonstrated by the fact that in Eastern countries, where fiber is the main food, varicose veins practically do not occur.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 containing vitamin P. These are mainly nuts, green tea and rosehips.Foods such as sprouted wheat grains, peas, beans, green onions will enrich the veins with nutrients and make them more elastic.
If possible, limit your coffee consumption to one cup per day, as this drink is not harmless to blood vessels.
Dress properly
High-heeled shoes, as well as tight shoes that put pressure on the foot or lower leg, have a detrimental effect on the condition of the veins.Leave narrow stiletto heels for formal occasions and for everyday wear, choose loose shoes with a small heel.If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, it is best to avoid tight clothing altogether, especially stockings and socks with tight elastics.
Both for the 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 days of unattractively bandaged legs are over and today compression therapy uses stockings and tights with a massaging effect.Such products are much more convenient and practical, without spoiling the appearance.They look like regular women's tights or socks, but they are very tight in some places.
It is recommended to put on elastic stockings in the morning without getting out of bed, raising your leg at an angle of forty degrees.
The stockings will then be able to maintain the veins in a physiological state and ensure the flow of blood to the heart.These products are sold in pharmacies and worn for at least six months.
To the above it should be added that varicose veins are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a serious disease, ignorance of which can lead to complications.Therefore, you should seek professional help at the first suspicion, and the beauty of healthy legs will be a pleasant addition to your good health.