Today we will talk about varicose veins of the legs, varicose veins of the lower extremities - a very common vascular pathology, its causes, symptoms, disease prevention, therapeutic exercises with a number of exercises.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) - what kind of disease is this, photo
Phlebeurism(see the photo of the manifestations of varicose veins on the legs) is the scourge of our time; if earlier this progressive blood flow disorder and weakening of the valves affected very old people, now the first signs of this disease of peripheral vessels appear at the age of twenty. - the elderly.
Spider veins (telangiectasias) appear first. Then the superficial veins become less elastic, twist, become noticeable, and protrude above the skin of the leg and thigh. Blood flows more slowly and rises weakly. Venous stagnation and swelling develop, which disappear after a night's rest. There is a risk of blood clots.
And during pregnancy and childbirth, when the level of female hormones, which weaken the vascular wall, increases rapidly, this pathology of the veins of the lower extremities is diagnosed in every third woman.
However, not only the limbs, but also pelvic varicose veins (which begin to develop as a result of fluctuations in intravascular pressure during a sting), hemorrhoids and varicocele (enlargement of the veins) at the age of 30-35. 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 there is inflammation in varicose veins, stagnant dermatitis - 183, 1
- When the first two conditions are combined - 183. 2
- If varicose veins are uncomplicated - 183, 9
Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Knots, swollen veins in the legs, blue network of small veins, spider veins, swelling in the evening, nagging, painful pains along the veins, burning, sometimes itching, heaviness in the legs at the end of the day, night cramps, paresthesia - goosebumps and numbness.
And with the significant development of the disease, the following often develop:
- thrombophlebitis (expressed by the appearance of sharp pain along the vein, redness, local increase in temperature, swelling, sometimes you can feel painful areas with a blood clot blocking the lumen of the vein, in severe cases, tremors begin, an inflammatory process is observed from the surface of a passage to deep veins),
- trophic ulcers on the background of chronic venous insufficiency.
Probably no one will like this picture. And then there is still the rupture of the blood clot and subsequent stroke or heart attack, tissue necrosis. . . But this is already quite sad.
Since it is evolutionarily unacceptable for us to return to walking on all fours to reduce the burden on the arteries, we will have to find ways to relieve our legs naturally.
Varicose veins causes and predisposing factors
- Genetics (heredity).
- Changes in hormonal levels (pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives).
- Heavy physical activity, especially static, standing or sitting work.
- Excessive weight.
- Chronic cough.
- To smoke.
- Leg injuries that damage valves in blood vessels.
Women successfully provoke the onset of varicose veins by standing for long periods of time and walking in high heels and sitting cross-legged at a desk.
Wearing shoes and tight synthetic underwear has an unfavorable effect.
Which doctor treats varicose veins of the legs
A phlebologist deals with veins. If surgical intervention is required - a vascular surgeon.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
In addition to the external examination of the lower extremities and collecting anamnesis (complaints), the following are performed to make a diagnosis:
- Doppler ultrasound (determines the quality and speed of blood flow, the presence of obstacles in the form of clots, blood clots),
- transillumination (transillumination of vessels, 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 method to treat this disease, radical removal of superficial veins is not considered. Radiofrequency ablation, laser therapy, and sclerotherapy are also available, but they are not suitable for everyone, have contraindications, and are mainly indicated at the initial stage of this disease.
But what can we do for varicose veins at home to counter this unpleasant vascular pathology?
Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins in the legs
The prevention of varicose veins primarily involves gymnastic exercises, and this is not surprising, because the vessels just need to be exercised.
The most advantageous functional position of the legs for varicose veins is elevated. But it is impossible to stay with your legs in the air all the time, and stagnation in the venous network must be avoided, because this is what causes heaviness, cramps and swelling in the legs.
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; at rest, the blood practically does not move, the liquid is able to sweat. tissue and swelling increases.
That's why we don't go crazy at work, we take frequent breaks during work, get up, lie down, walk around the table, go to the toilet if possible, climb a few stairs and do some exercises.
Such a warm-up and avoidance of sedentary work is also useful for eye and spine diseases (the neck and lower back are most affected).
A set of exercises for varicose veins
- We sit on the chair 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, 15-20 times per exercise. Also, foot massage will be useful for varicose veins of the legs.
- Walk briskly for one minute.
- We stand close to the wall, palms at shoulder level, we emphasize the wall. We rise on our toes and fall on our heels, 10-15 such rolls.
- Slowly rise to your toes, feet shoulder-width apart, arms up.
- "Bicycle" from the position with legs outstretched.
- "Scissors" (cross legs that are strongly straightened like scissors).
- From a side position, slowly swing the legs, alternately to the right and then to the left.
- Pull your knees up to your chest. Repeat 20 times.
In addition to therapeutic exercises, sports activities are extremely useful for diseases of the veins of the lower extremities - swimming, aqua aerobics (in water, the pressure on the veins decreases by 2 times! ), skiing, cycling, race walking.
It is also worth considering that some exercises can only damage the veins - strength training with a barbell, jumping rope, long and strenuous running, long exercises on an exercise bike are contraindicated. Team sports with jumping and running - football, basketball, volleyball (the valve apparatus is damaged) are not recommended for weak blood vessels of the legs.
Prevention of varicose veins at home
- In addition to exercises, contrast showers and compression stockings are very useful for blood vessels.
The latter has its drawbacks: firstly, it is quite expensive, and secondly, after a long period of wear, the vessels become completely soft and stop working independently.
Therefore, I would not recommend it for regular use, but for heavy lifting, standing work, long walks and pregnancy.
- It is useful to put stress on your feet by climbing stairs, vibration gymnastics or jumping (rising quickly on your toes and lifting your heels down, lightly hitting the ground with your heels two to three times a day, 30 to 60 times). 1-2 cm).
- You should not abuse staying in the sun, bath or hot tubs for a long time.
- It is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of liquid per day, control your weight and ensure that the plant-vegetable component dominates your diet. You should give up alcohol, spicy, smoked and salty foods or at least significantly reduce their content in your diet.
- No tight underwear, shoes, socks or stockings with a tight elastic band.
- Avoid drinking champagne during the holidays, it makes your illness worse.
- Don't wear high heels every day. Over 4 cm - already tall.
- Don't squat.
- Do not cross your legs, as this constricts the veins and makes it even more difficult for blood to flow from the already weak extremities.
- Even if you are in line, try not to stand still, it is better to move from foot to foot.
- Do not forget that vitamin C maintains the elasticity of the vascular wall.