What are varicose veins (VV)?
Blood flows from the bottom up through the veins of the legs, overcoming the force of gravity.Valves help them in this.For various reasons, the valve apparatus may malfunction and the outflow of blood may be interrupted.Then the blood begins to stagnate in the veins, which leads to the stretching of the walls of the veins and the formation of nodes.
Signs of varicose veins
the veins twist and rise above the surface of the skin
leg pain
heaviness in the legs
burning sensation along the veins
nocturnal cramps
varicose veins
skin pigmentation and thickening
Causes of varicose veins
Who most often suffers from varicose veins?
100% of people with varicose veins, 30% are women of the first age, 50% have given birth, and 25% are men over forty.Moreover, the risk of the disease appears 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 some causes of varicose veins that will help you determine if you are at risk.
Inheritance
The first and most important factor leading to the development of varicose veins is heredity.In 70 percent of cases, the disease is transmitted from mother to daughter.Therefore, try to find out whether your grandmother and mother suffered from varicose veins, or whether someone had surgery for it.If you have a genetic predisposition to the disease, you should think carefully before choosing a career as a hairdresser, teacher or flight attendant.
Working conditions
In fact, the second risk factor is prolonged standing and sedentary and physically demanding work.
Hormonal changes
The next dangerous point can be hormonal changes in the body (say, taking certain hormonal drugs).Endocrine changes and increased body weight also have a bad effect on the functioning of the valve apparatus.This is why pregnant women are particularly at risk.
Regular overheating
High ambient temperatures can also lead to the formation of varicose veins - this means an additional burden on the veins.Therefore, too hot baths, saunas and sunbathing for longer than 40 minutes are not desirable.
Uncomfortable shoes
You are also at risk if you wear high heels all the time (although completely flat soles are not very good for your feet either).High-heeled shoes constantly strain the muscles and increase the load on the blood vessels of the legs.A heel of 5 centimeters or more is considered high, and 2-3 centimeters is optimal.One last thing worth mentioning is smoking.It is difficult to say exactly how many cigarettes we smoke risk, but there is certainly a connection between varicose veins and smoking.
How to treat varicose veins
Do not delay the treatment of varicose veins.A timely visit to the doctor helps to recognize the signs of varicose veins in the early stages.There are many modern methods for examining varicose veins, most of which are completely 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 that difficult, but for the prevention to bring results, most of the recommendations given by doctors must become a habit.
Do sports
The first thing every doctor recommends, without exception, is exercise.It is better to choose a sport in which the lower leg muscles contract evenly and intensively.Competitive walking, running, cycling, skiing, horse riding and dancing are very good for your feet.Remember: 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 they were in weightlessness.Walking is a very affordable, yet effective way of prevention.Even fifteen minutes a day brings positive results.
If you decide to work out at the gym, follow some basic rules:
Give preference to exercises without weights or with minimal weight (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 train, do not overdo it - the load will be useful if it gives you pleasure, and the strength will be useful for more pleasant things.When choosing a sport, remember that no load is suitable for the treatment of varicose veins.
Tennis, bodybuilding, volleyball, and ice skating aren't great for varicose veins—sports that require sudden movements.Not only are they not useful, but they can even cause health damage.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 an excellent 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 feet from heel to toe.Then rise to your toes 20-30 times.Do several squats that shift the weight to the edge of your feet.
If you have to sit a lot, you can occasionally stretch your legs like this: lift your knees and move your legs back and forth, rotate your legs 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 compresses the veins and, as a result, worsens blood circulation.
Take care of your feet
We tend to pay special attention to our face, but our feet also require care.In the morning, rinse them with cold water up to your ankles in the shower for a few minutes.It is desirable that the stream is stronger.
It is recommended to apply a mud mask to your feet for 20 minutes several times a week.Rinse off the mask with cold water and then apply the cream.These procedures reduce swelling, improve nutrition and blood circulation.After applying the mask, keep your legs elevated.
Try to make it a habit - when you are resting, watching TV, it is better to keep your legs elevated.Ideally, they are located above the level of the heart.Doctors advise you to place a pillow under your feet even at night.
Among the folk remedies there is a well-proven method for the prevention of varicose veins.Take a thick block of wood (a normal wax candle will also do), place one of your legs on a chair, then roll it from the foot to the knee, pressing lightly on the skin.Do the exercises with the other leg as well.This exercise is very useful for strengthening blood vessels.You can relax your feet after a hard day with a simple massage.Massage each toe, roll a rubber ball - a "hedgehog" - on the floor with your feet.Even a few minutes of such exercise perfectly restores blood circulation.
Pay attention to your diet
Nutrition must be rational because, as already mentioned, weight fluctuations negatively affect the condition of the legs.Basic rule: a maximum of vegetables and fruit, a minimum of salty, fatty and smoked foods.Try to replace 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 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 walnuts, green tea and rose hips.Foods such as sprouted wheat grains, peas, beans, and green onions enrich the blood vessels with nutrients and make them more flexible.
If possible, limit coffee consumption to one cup a day, as this drink is not harmful to the blood vessels.
Dress appropriately
High-heeled shoes, as well as tight shoes that put pressure on the feet or legs, adversely affect the condition of the veins.Leave narrow stilettos for formal occasions and choose loose, small heels for every day.If you are experiencing symptoms of varicose veins, it is best to avoid tight clothing altogether, especially tights and socks with tight rubber bands.
To prevent and treat varicose veins, doctors recommend wearing special compression stockings.This puts pressure on the veins from the outside, as a result of which blood stasis is reduced and the normal size of the veins is maintained.In the past, elastic bandages were used to achieve the same effect, but fortunately, the days of unattractive legs are over, now compression therapy stockings and stockings with a massaging effect are used.Such products are much more comfortable and practical, while not spoiling the appearance.They look like ordinary women's tights or knee socks, but they are very tight in certain places.
It is recommended to put on elastic stockings in the morning without getting out of bed, raising your legs at a forty-degree angle.
In this case, the stockings keep 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.
It is worth adding to the above that varicose veins are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a serious disease, the neglect of which can lead to complications.Therefore, at the first suspicions, consult a specialist immediately, and the beauty of healthy feet will be a pleasant addition to your good health.