What are varicose veins (VV)?
Blood flows through the leg veins from the bottom up, overcoming the force of gravity.Valve helps them with this.For various reasons, the valve apparatus may not work and the outflow of blood is interrupted.Then the blood begins to stagnate in the veins, which leads to the stretching of the vein walls and the formation of nodes.
Signs of varicose veins
the veins are twisted and protrude above the surface of the skin
foot pain
heavy on the legs
burning sensation along the veins
night cramps
dilated veins
pigmentation and thickening of the skin
Causes of varicose veins
Who most often has varicose veins?
Of the 100% of people with varicose veins, 30% are women of prime age, 50% have given birth, and 25% are men over forty years old.Moreover, the risk of the disease arises after twenty years.However, despite the sad statistics, there are relatively simple effective ways to prevent varicose veins, which we would like to discuss.First, let's list some of the causes of varicose veins that will help determine if you are at risk.
Ancestry
The first and most important factor that leads 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 have varicose veins, maybe some of them have undergone surgery for this.If a genetic predisposition to the disease is revealed, you should think seriously before choosing the profession of hairdresser, teacher or flight attendant.
Working conditions
The fact is that the second risk factor is prolonged standing, as well as inactive and physically demanding work.
Hormonal changes
The next dangerous point may be hormonal changes in the body (say, taking certain hormonal drugs).Endocrine changes and weight gain also have adverse effects on valve function.This may be why pregnant women are at particular risk.
Frequent overheating
High ambient temperatures can also cause varicose veins - this becomes 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 heels all the time (although flat soles aren't so good for your feet).High-heeled shoes cause the muscles to be constantly tense and increase the burden on the leg veins.A heel of 5 centimeters or more is considered high, and 2-3 centimeters is optimal.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 of 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 checking varicose veins, most of which are painless and safe.This is mainly an ultrasound examination (Dopplerography).It shows the state 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 the doctor must be a habit.
Play sports
The first thing recommended by all doctors without exception is exercise.It is better to choose a sport where the lower leg muscles contract evenly and intensively.Jogging, running, cycling, skiing, horse riding, dancing are all good for your feet.Don't forget: 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 seem to be deep without weight.A very affordable but effective means of prevention is walking.Even fifteen minutes a day will produce positive results.
If you choose to work out at the gym, follow some basic rules:
Give preference to exercises without weight or with minimal weight (up to 1 kg).
Increase the number of reps, not the bullet weight.
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 to you for more pleasant things.When choosing a sport, remember that there is no ideal load for varicose veins.
Tennis, bodybuilding, volleyball, and skating are not so good for varicose veins - sports that require sudden movements.They are not only useless, but also cause harm to health.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 a great way to improve blood circulation.
It is especially recommended to do exercise for those who, because of their job, have to spend a lot of time sitting or standing.Walk by rolling your legs from heel to toe.Then stand up on tiptoes 20-30 times.Do some squats, where you shift your weight to the sides of your feet.
If you have to sit a lot, you can stretch your legs from time to time 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 some tension.Change your position more often and try to get rid of the habit of sitting cross-legged - this will compress the veins and, as a result, affect blood circulation.
Take care of your feet
We are used to paying special attention to our face, but our feet also need care.Rinse them up to the ankles with cold water from the shower for a few minutes in the morning.It is natural that the flow becomes stronger.
Several times a week, it is recommended to use a mud mask on your feet for 20 minutes.Rinse off the mask with cold water and then apply the cream.This procedure relieves swelling, improves nutrition and blood circulation.After wearing the mask, your legs should be elevated.
Try to make it a habit - when you are resting, watching TV, it is better to keep your legs in a high position.Ideally, they will be located above the level of the heart.Doctors advise putting a pillow under your feet even at night.
Among folk remedies, there are time-tested methods to prevent varicose veins.Take a thick block of wood (an ordinary candle wax will do), place one leg on the chair and then, pressing lightly on the skin, roll it from the leg to the knee.Do the exercise with the other 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, rolling a rubber ball—a “hedgehog”—on the floor with your feet.Even a few minutes of such exercise will perfectly restore blood circulation.
Watch your diet
Nutrition should be rational, because, as already mentioned, weight fluctuations have a negative effect on the condition of the feet.Basic rules: 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 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.A large number of fatty, fried and spicy foods change the composition of the blood, which can cause the formation of blood clots.Alcohol also has a negative effect on the veins.
Also try to eat foods that contain vitamin P. These are mainly walnuts, green tea and rose hips.Foods such as sprouted wheat grains, beans, legumes, green onions will enrich the veins with nutrients and make them more elastic.
If possible, you should limit your coffee consumption to one cup per day, as this drink is not harmful to blood vessels.
Dress properly
High-heeled shoes, as well as tight shoes that put pressure on the feet or lower legs, have an adverse effect on the condition of the veins.Leave narrow stilettos for formal occasions, and for every day choose loose shoes with small heels.If you notice the symptoms of varicose veins, it is better to completely avoid tight clothes, especially for stockings and socks with tight elastic bands.
For both prevention and treatment of varicose veins, doctors recommend wearing special compression stockings.This creates pressure on the veins from the outside, as a result of which blood stagnation 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 bandaged legs have passed, and today compression therapy uses stockings and tights with a massaging effect.Such products are much more convenient and practical, while they do not spoil the appearance.They look like regular women's tights or knee socks, but they are very tight in certain places.
It is recommended to wear elastic stockings in the morning without getting out of bed, raising your legs at an angle of forty degrees.
Then the stockings will be able to maintain the veins in a physiological state and ensure the outflow of blood to the heart.Such 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, neglecting which can lead to complications.Therefore, you should seek professional help as soon as the first suspicion arises, and the beauty of healthy feet will be a pleasant addition to your good health.