Today we will talk about varicose veins of the legs, varicose veins of the lower legs - a very common vascular pathology, causes, symptoms, disease prevention, therapeutic exercises with a set of exercises.
Knotted veins (varicose veins) - what kind of disease is this, photo
Phlebeurism(see the picture of the manifestation of varicose veins on the legs) is the scourge of our time; if before the progressive disease of the affected blood flow and the weakness of the valves affected very old people, now the first signs of this disease of the peripheral vessels appear in twenty-year-olds.
Spider veins (telangiectasias) appear first. Then the superficial veins become less elastic, twist, become noticeable, protrude above the skin of the legs and thighs. Blood flows more slowly and rises badly. Venous stagnation and swelling develop, which disappear after an overnight rest. There is a danger of blood clots forming.
And during pregnancy and childbirth, when the level of female hormones that weaken the vascular walls increases rapidly, this lower leg vein pathology is diagnosed in every third woman.
However, not only the limbs, even at the age of 30-35, varicose veins of the pelvic organs (begin to grow due to fluctuations in intravascular pressure during contractions), hemorrhoids, and varicocele (dilation of the veins of the spermatic cord in 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 ulcers - 183. 0
- If 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 on the lower legs
Nodules, swollen veins in the legs, blue network of small veins, spider veins, swelling in the evening, nagging, aching pain along the veins, burning, sometimes itching, heaviness in the legs at the end of the day, night cramps, paresthesia - tingling and numbness.
And with the significant development of the disease, the following often develop:
- thrombophlebitis (which is expressed by the appearance of sharp pain along the vein, redness, increased local temperature, swelling, sometimes you can feel a painful area with a blood clot blocking the lumen of the vessel, in severe cases shivering begins, the transition of the inflammatory process from the veinsuperficial into observed),
- trophic ulcers against the background of chronic venous insufficiency.
Maybe no one will like this picture. And then there is still blood clot detachment and subsequent stroke or heart attack, tissue necrosis. . . But this is already quite sad.
Since to reduce the load on the tendons it is unacceptable for us to return evolutionarily to walking on all fours, we need to find a way to unload the legs using natural methods.
Causes of varicose veins and predisposing factors
- Genetics (heredity).
- Changes in hormone levels (pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives).
- Strenuous physical activity, especially static work, standing alone or being inactive.
- Overweight.
- Chronic cough.
- Smoking.
- A leg injury that damages a valve in a blood vessel.
Women manage to trigger the appearance of varicose veins by standing for a long time and walking in high heels and sitting at the table in a cross-legged position.
Wearing tight synthetic underwear and underwear has a bad effect.
Which doctor treats varicose veins of the legs
Phlebologists deal with veins. If surgical intervention is already required - a vascular surgeon.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
In addition to the external examination of the lower part and collecting 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).
Also, the diagnosis of varicose veins is incomplete without taking blood for coagulation.
Modern medicine does not offer an effective way to treat this disease; Radical removal of superficial veins is not counted. There are 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 the disease.
But what can we do for varicose veins at home to overcome this unpleasant vascular pathology?
Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins on the legs
The prevention of varicose veins mainly includes gymnastic exercises, and this is not surprising, because the vessels only need to be trained.
The most beneficial functional position of the legs for varicose veins is elevated, elevated. But it is not possible to spend all the time with your legs in the air, and stagnation in the venous network must somehow be avoided, because this is what 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 the office or in front of the computer; during rest, there is almost no blood movement, fluid manages to sweat into the tissues, and swelling increases.
That's why we don't go crazy at work, we often take breaks while working, get up, stretch, walk around the desk, walk to the bathroom if possible, climb some stairs and do some exercises.
Warming up and such distractions from sedentary work are also useful for diseases of the eyes and spine (the neck and lower back are the most affected in this regard).
A set of exercises for varicose veins
- We sit on chairs so that our feet do not touch the floor. We rotate our legs at the ankles, bend and straighten them to a 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 briskly in place for one minute.
- We stand close to the wall, palms at shoulder level, emphasis on the wall. We rise on our toes and fall on our heels, 10-15 such rolls.
- Rise slowly onto your toes, feet shoulder-width apart, hands up.
- "Bicycle" with your legs from a supine position.
- "Scissors" (cross legs straightened strongly like scissors).
- Swing the legs slowly from a position on the side, alternating with the right and then with the left.
- Pull your knees up to your chest. Repeat 20 times.
In addition to therapeutic exercises, sports activities for lower leg vein disease are very useful - swimming, aqua aerobics (in water the pressure on the veins is reduced by 2 times! ), skiing, cycling, race walking.
It is also worth considering that some exercises can only harm the veins - strength training with a barbell, jumping rope, long and intense running, and long workouts on an exercise bike are contraindicated. Team sports with jumping and running - football, basketball, volleyball (injured valve device) are not recommended for weak blood vessels in the legs.
Prevention of varicose veins at home
- In addition to exercise, contrast showers and compression stockings are very useful for blood vessels.
The latter has its disadvantages: firstly, it is quite expensive, and secondly, after prolonged wear, the vessels become really soft and stop working independently.
Therefore, I would recommend it not for continuous use, but during heavy loads, standing work, long hikes, and during pregnancy.
- It is useful to put pressure on your feet by walking up stairs, vibration gymnastics or jumping (quickly rise on your toes and hit the floor with your heels two or three times a day, 30-60 times, raising your heels low by 1-2cm).
- You should not abuse prolonged exposure to the sun, in a bathhouse, or in a hot bath.
- Drink at least 2 liters of liquid every day, it is advisable to control your weight and make sure that plant-vegetable components dominate in your diet. You should leave alcohol, spicy food, smoked and salty food or at least reduce their components in your diet.
- No tight underwear, shoes, socks or stockings with tight elastic bands.
- During the holidays, avoid drinking champagne; it tends to make your illness worse.
- Do not wear high heels every day. Above 4 cm - already tall.
- Do not squat.
- Do not cross your legs; in this position, the blood vessels are pinched and the outflow of blood from the legs, already poor, becomes more difficult.
- Try not to stand still, even in a line; better move from foot to foot.
- Remember that vitamin C maintains the elasticity of vascular walls.