Today, the problem of varicose veins is relevant, since every fourth person faces this disease, which is accompanied by serious symptoms and often leads to a dangerous complication - thrombophlebitis.This article will tell you about highly effective methods of treatment and prevention of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: causes and symptoms
With varicose veins, the functioning of the vessels that carry blood to the heart is disturbed.The disease occurs predominantly in women over 30 years of age.Due to the deformation of the venous vessels and closed valvular valves, blood cannot circulate normally, which causes impaired blood flow to the heart.
The following factors may be prerequisites for the development of a pathological process in blood vessels:
- Genetic predisposition.If one of the parents suffered from varicose veins due to the lower valves and weak walls of the vessels, in 70% of cases the child will inherit this disease.
- Obesity.Excess weight increases the risk of developing varicose veins by 35%, since a heavy load disrupts the normal blood flow of the leg veins.
- Pregnancy.Compression of the retroperitoneal veins by the enlarged uterus and a large volume of circulating blood causes varicose veins.
- Hormonal changes.The risk of developing varicose veins increases due to hormonal disorders that weaken the muscular system and blood vessels.
- Lifestyle.Limiting physical activity (hypodynamia) or staying in static positions for a long time has a negative effect on blood flow.
Additionally, the development of varicose veins can be provoked by an unbalanced diet with a deficiency of coarse fiber, which leads to atypical changes in the structure of the venous walls.The possibility of developing this disease cannot be ruled out due to the use of girdles that compress blood vessels, as well as in the context of frequent stressful situations, alcohol abuse, smoking, and leg injuries.
Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.Even before visual signs appear, a feeling of heaviness in the legs appears, which is attributed to normal fatigue.As varicose veins progress, a number of pronounced symptoms are observed: pain in the legs, swelling and cramps at night, darkening of the skin color of the legs, the appearance of compactions, telangiectasias (spider veins), local enlargement of the veins in the legs, itching of the skin, which indicates the imminent development of trophic disorders.Severe cases of varicose veins are accompanied by dizziness, hyperthermia, bleeding from venous nodes, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and phlebothrombosis.
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs.
Before prescribing treatment for varicose veins, it is necessary to undergo the following diagnostic procedures: ultrasound of the leg veins (ultrasound and Doppler examination), as well as duplex angioscanning and rheovasography.After confirming the diagnosis, depending on the stage of the pathological process, the phlebologist may prescribe:
- An operation that uses microsurgical techniques.In case of severe varicose veins, a phlebectomy is performed - removal of the affected veins using a minimally invasive method.Coagulation of the veins with laser or radiofrequency can also be used.Varicose veins in the initial stage are treated with photocoagulation, and spider veins are removed with a laser.
- Sclerotherapy is the injection of medications into the dilated vein that joins the venous walls.In this case, the patient wears a compression stocking for about 2 months to form tight adhesions.
- Conservative treatment, which includes taking phlebotonics, antiplatelet agents, antioxidants, anticoagulants and other drugs.This method is relevant in the preoperative period and when surgical removal of veins is impossible.
During treatment and after the procedure for a month, doctors recommend not lifting heavy objects, wearing compression stockings and elastic bandages, as well as reducing static loads.At the first symptoms of varicose veins, it is necessary to consult a phlebologist to avoid the development of a pathological process that leads to serious complications.
Disease prevention
To prevent the pathology in question and relieve the initial symptoms, it is necessary to follow the basic prevention rules:
- Exercise regularly, swim and move more.An active lifestyle helps to strengthen venous walls and improve blood circulation.
- Do not abuse hot baths, sun exposure and saunas.Excessive exposure to heat reduces the tone of the veins in the legs and causes blood stagnation.
- Stopping bad habits is an effective prevention of varicose veins.Many cardiovascular disorders are associated with unlimited alcohol consumption and smoking.
- Warm up during work that involves constant static loads.For example, if your professional activity requires constant sitting in front of a computer, you can walk in the same place, bend over and stretch your feet every hour for 10 minutes.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to avoid squeezing the veins in your legs, disrupting blood circulation.In addition, it is not advisable to wear shoes with heels higher than 5 cm every day.
- Try to maintain your normal weight or normalize it through diet.
- Take a contrast shower to improve blood circulation, massage thighs, legs and feet.When lying down, raise your legs 15 cm above your body more often.
Also an excellent prevention of varicose veins is a balanced diet.To avoid alterations in venous and vascular blood flow, it is necessary to include foods rich in fiber in the diet and limit salt intake.For those at risk, experts recommend eating radishes, raspberries, carrots, rice, wheat and buckwheat porridge more often.In general, if all prevention rules are followed, the development of varicose veins can be avoided even with a hereditary predisposition.