What are varicose veins (VVs)?
Blood flows through the veins of the legs from bottom to top, overcoming the force of gravity.Valves help them with this.For various reasons, the valve apparatus can malfunction and the outflow of blood is disturbed.Then the blood begins to stagnate in the veins, which leads to stretching of the vein walls and the formation of nodules.
Signs of varicose veins
the veins twist and protrude above the surface of the skin
leg pain
weight in the legs
burning sensation along the veins
night cramps
dilated veins
pigmentation and thickening of the skin
Causes of varicose veins
Who suffers from varicose veins most often?
Of the 100% of people who suffer from varicose veins, 30% are women of advanced age, 50% have already given birth and 25% are men over forty years of age.Furthermore, the risk of the disease appears after twenty years.However, despite these depressing statistics, there are quite simple and effective ways to prevent varicose veins, which we would like to tell you 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 that leads to the appearance of varicose veins is heredity.In 70% of cases, the disease passes from mother to daughter.Therefore, find out if your grandmother and mother suffered from varicose veins, perhaps someone even had surgery for it.If a genetic predisposition to the disease is revealed, you should seriously think 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 can be hormonal changes in the body (for example, taking certain hormonal medications).Endocrine changes and increased body weight also have a negative 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 cause varicose veins - which becomes an additional burden on the veins.Therefore, very 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 muscles to be constantly tense and increase the load on the veins in the legs.A heel of 5 centimeters or more is considered high and 2 to 3 centimeters is ideal.One last thing worth mentioning 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 the 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 mainly 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 prevention to be successful, most of the doctors' recommendations must become a habit.
Play sports
The first thing that all doctors, without exception, recommend is exercise.It is best to choose a sport in which the leg muscles contract evenly and intensely.Race walking, running, cycling, skiing, horse riding and dancing are very good for your legs.Don't forget: no matter what sport you choose, your shoes should be wide and comfortable.The best sport for varicose veins is swimming: there is no pressure on the veins, they feel as if they were weightless.A very affordable but effective form of prevention is walking.Even fifteen minutes a day will yield positive results.
If you choose to exercise at the gym, follow some basic rules:
Give preference to exercises without weights or with minimal weights (up to 1kg).
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, do not overdo it - the load will be useful when it gives pleasure, 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 good for varicose veins – those sports that require sudden movements.They may not only not be useful, but even cause harm to health.Even if you don't have time for regular exercise, don't despair.
There are simple leg exercises that don't require much effort, but are an excellent way to improve blood circulation.
It is especially recommended to exercise for those who, due to their occupation, are forced to spend a lot of time sitting or standing.Walk by rotating your foot from heel to toe.Then stand on your toes 20 to 30 times.Do several squats, during which you transfer your weight to the balls 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, turn your feet clockwise and back.Then bend and straighten your fingers until you feel slight tension.Change positions more often and try to get rid of the habit of sitting with your legs crossed - this will compress the veins and, as a result, impair blood circulation.
Take care of your feet
We are used to paying special attention to our faces, but our feet also need care.Rinse them down to your ankles with cool water from the shower for a few minutes in the morning.It is desirable that the flow is stronger.
Several times a week, it is recommended to apply a mud mask to your feet for 20 minutes.Rinse off the mask with cold water and apply the cream.These procedures relieve swelling, improve nutrition and blood circulation.After applying the mask, your legs should be kept elevated.
Try to make it a habit - when you relax, watch TV, it's better to keep your legs elevated.Ideally, they will be located above heart level.Doctors advise putting 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 the foot to the knee.Do the exercises with the second leg as well.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 these exercises will perfectly restore blood circulation.
Watch your diet
Nutrition must be rational, since, as already mentioned, weight fluctuations negatively affect the condition of the legs.The basic rule: maximum vegetables and fruits, minimum salty, fatty and smoked foods.Try replacing 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 that contain vitamin P. Especially nuts, green tea and rose hips.Foods such as sprouted wheat grains, peas, beans and chives 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 your blood vessels.
Dress correctly
High-heeled shoes, as well as tight shoes that put pressure on the foot or leg, have an adverse effect on the condition of the veins.Leave the narrow stiletto heels for formal occasions, and for everyday life choose wide shoes with a small heel.If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, it is best to avoid tight clothing, especially socks and stockings with tight elastic bands.
Both for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, doctors recommend using special compression stockings.This creates external pressure on the veins, as a result of which blood stagnation decreases and the normal size of the veins is maintained.In the past, elastic bandages were used to achieve the same effect, but fortunately, the time of unattractive legs has passed and today compression therapy uses stockings and tights with a massaging effect.These products are much more convenient and practical, while not harming the appearance.They look like regular women's tights or knee-high 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 leg at an angle of forty degrees.
Thus, the socks will be able to keep the veins in a physiological state and guarantee the flow of blood towards the heart.These products are sold in pharmacies and used for at least six months.
To the above, it is worth adding that varicose veins are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a serious disease, ignoring which can lead to complications.Therefore, you should seek professional help as soon as the first suspicions arise, and the beauty of healthy legs will be a pleasant addition to your good health.