What are varicose veins (VVs)?
Blood, overcoming the force of gravity, flows through the veins of the legs from the bottom to the top.Valves help them in this work.For various reasons, the valve apparatus may malfunction and the outflow of blood is impaired.Then the blood in the veins begins to stagnate, which causes the stretching of the vessel walls and the formation of knots.
Symptoms of varicose veins
the veins curl and protrude above the surface of the skin
leg pain
heaviness in the legs
burning sensation along the veins
night cramps
dilated veins
skin pigmentation and thickening
Causes of varicose veins
Who suffers most from varicose veins?
Out of 100% of varicose vein sufferers, 30% are adult women, 50% are those who have given birth to children, and 25% are men over forty.Moreover, the risk of the disease arises after twenty years.However, despite such sad statistics, there are quite simple effective ways to prevent varicose veins that we would like to talk about.First, let's list a few causes of varicose veins that will help you determine if you are at risk.
Heredity
The first and most important factor that causes varicose veins is heredity.In 70 percent of cases, the disease is transmitted from mother to daughter.Therefore, try to find out if your grandmother and mother suffered from varicose veins, maybe someone had an operation for it.If a genetic predisposition to the disease is detected, you should think seriously before choosing the profession of a hairdresser, teacher or stewardess.
Working conditions
The fact is that the second risk factor is standing for a long time, 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 drugs).Endocrine changes and increased body weight also adversely affect the functioning of the valve apparatus.This may be why pregnant women are especially at risk.
Constant overheating
The high temperature of the environment can also cause varicose veins - it becomes an additional burden for the veins.Therefore, very hot baths, saunas and exposure to the sun for more than 40 minutes are undesirable.
Uncomfortable shoes
If you always wear high heels (although completely flat heels are not very good for your feet either) you are at risk.High-heeled shoes cause constant tension in the muscles and increase the load on the veins of the legs.A heel of 5 centimeters or more is considered high, and 2-3 centimeters is optimal.One last thing worth mentioning is smoking.It is difficult to say exactly how much you smoke, but there is definitely a connection between varicose veins and smoking.
How to treat varicose veins
Do not delay the treatment of varicose veins.A timely visit to the doctor will help detect the symptoms of varicose veins in the earliest stages.There are several modern methods for examining varicose veins, most of which are completely painless and safe.This is primarily an ultrasound examination (Dopplerography).It shows the condition of the vessels, the mass of circulating blood and the speed of blood circulation.
It is not so difficult to prevent varicose veins at home, but most of the recommendations given by doctors should become a habit for the prevention to work.
Do sports
The first thing recommended by all doctors without exception is exercise.It is better to choose a sport in which the muscles of the lower leg contract evenly and intensively.Jogging, jogging, cycling, skiing, horse riding, dancing are very good for your feet.Remember: whatever 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 are as if in weightlessness.A very convenient, but effective way of prevention is walking.Even fifteen minutes a day will bring positive results.
If you choose to exercise in the gym, follow a few basic rules:
Prefer exercises without weights or with minimal weights (up to 1 kg).
Increase the number of repetitions, not the weight of the projectile.
Exercise specific muscle groups at different times and alternate training days with rest days.
Wherever you train, don't overdo it - the load will be useful when it gives you pleasure, and the strength will be useful for more pleasant things.When choosing sports, remember that no load is suitable for varicose veins.
Tennis, bodybuilding, volleyball and skating are not very good for varicose veins - sports that require sudden movements.They can not only be useful, but even harmful to health.Even if you don't have time for regular exercise, 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 recommended to do exercises especially for those who have to spend a lot of time sitting or standing due to their occupation.Walk by rolling your foot from heel to toe.Then rise on your toes 20-30 times.Do a few squats, shifting the weight to the sides of your feet.
If you have to sit a lot, you can periodically stretch your legs like this: lift your knees and move your legs back and forth, rotate your legs clockwise and counterclockwise.Then bend your fingers and straighten them until you feel a slight tension.Change your position more often and try to get rid of the habit of sitting cross-legged - this will squeeze the veins and eventually disrupt blood circulation.
Take care of your feet
We are used to paying special attention to our face, but our feet also require care.In the morning, wash your ankles with cold water from the shower for a few minutes.It is desirable that the flow is stronger.
It is recommended to apply a mud mask on your feet for 20 minutes several times a week.Wash off the mask with cool water and then apply the cream.These procedures eliminate swelling, improve nutrition and blood circulation.After applying the mask, you should raise your legs.
Try to make it a habit - it is better to keep your legs in a high position when you are resting, watching TV.Ideally, they will be located above the level of the heart.Doctors recommend putting a pillow under your feet even at night.
Among folk remedies, there is a time-tested method to prevent varicose veins.Take a thick block of wood (an ordinary wax candle will do), place one foot on the chair, and then roll it from foot to knee, pressing lightly on the skin.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 - "hedgehog" on the floor with your foot.Even a few minutes of such exercises 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 legs.The main rule: a maximum of vegetables and fruits, a minimum of salty, fatty and smoked foods.Try to replace animal fats with vegetable oils, as they contain acids that improve blood flow.Eat more fiber - its benefits are proven by the fact that varicose veins practically do not occur in Eastern countries where fiber is the main food.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.
Try to eat foods that contain vitamin P as well.These are primarily walnuts, green tea and hips.Foods such as sprouted wheat grains, peas, beans, and green onions will enrich the arteries with nutrients and make them more flexible.
If possible, you should limit coffee consumption to one cup a day, because this drink is not harmful to blood vessels.
Dress properly
High-heeled shoes, as well as narrow shoes that put pressure on the foot or lower leg, have a negative effect on the condition of the veins.Leave narrow stilettos for formal occasions and choose loose shoes with small heels for every day.If you notice signs of varicose veins, it is better to completely abandon tight clothes, especially stockings and tights with tight elastic bands.
Doctors recommend wearing special compression stockings for both prevention and treatment of varicose veins.This creates pressure on the vessels from the outside, as a result of which blood stagnation is reduced and the normal size of the vessels is maintained.In the past, elastic bandages were used to achieve the same effect, but fortunately, the days of unattractive leg bandages are over and today compression therapy uses stockings and tights with a massage effect.Such products are more convenient and practical, and at the same time do not spoil the appearance.They look like regular women's tights or knee socks, but they are very tight in certain places.
Before getting out of bed in the morning, it is recommended to raise your leg at an angle of forty degrees and wear elastic socks.
Then the stockings will be able to maintain the vessels in a physiological state and ensure blood flow to the heart.Such products are sold in pharmacies and worn for at least six months.
It should be added to the above that varicose veins are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a serious disease, ignoring it can lead to complications.Therefore, as soon as the first doubts arise, it is necessary to seek professional help, and the beauty of healthy feet will be a pleasant addition to your health.