Sputnik found out from a specialist whether it is possible to fight varicose veins and what to do if they begin to appear.
Many of us consider the appearance of veins in our legs to be almost normal.
Are varicose veins a disease or a consequence of stress?How dangerous is it?Let's look at it from the point of view of the physiology of the body.
Europeans get sick more often
Varicose veins have been known since Egyptian times.Hippocrates and Avicenna tried to cure her.
Nowadays, most working people suffer from this disease.And the cause is often not due to physiological working conditions.
Blood flow from the lower limbs occurs through the veins: deep, located deep in the muscles and subcutaneous, passing through the subcutaneous fat layer.The deep and superficial vein systems of the legs are connected to each other by anastomosing veins.The basic feature in the structure of the veins of the lower limbs are valves that direct blood flow straight to the heart, preventing blood from flowing downward.Valves in the connecting veins allow blood to flow from the saphenous vein to the deep veins and prevent blood from returning.The venous valves in the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the lower legs, at least on the thighs.
Interestingly, varicose veins often affect people with fairer skin tones.The reason lies in the number of valves.Representatives of the Negroid and Mongoloid races have several times more valves than white people.
If there are dams, there will be floods
What causes blood to flow through the veins toward the heart?First of all, there is an active contraction of the muscles of the feet, legs and thighs, as well as contraction of the diaphragm and part of the heartbeat.With any movement, contracting muscles force blood out of the veins and push it toward the heart.It is believed that the calf muscles are the second heart of the body, as they play an important role when walking.
The laws of fluid movement in the body are no different from the laws of fluid movement in nature.
If an obstacle (dam) appears in the path of the river, then below that obstacle the river begins to expand (overflow).The same thing happens in the body.If the veins are compressed somewhere on the way to the heart, the excess unpumped blood dilates the lower parts of the veins, thereby disrupting the functioning of the valves (they do not close) and the entire blood flow in general.The veins begin to widen.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) are considered dilation of the saphenous vein.If we talk about the legs, then when a person stands, the veins should not protrude above the level of the skin.
There are two approaches to solve the problem:
- Treatment of venous valve insufficiency, sealing or removing superficial veins;
- Eliminate the cause of narrowing or compression of the veins on the way back to the heart.
Blood from the lower limbs rises into the femoral veins, accumulates in the inferior vena cava, and then enters the right atrium.
Along this long path there are a number of obstructions where the veins (venous column) can narrow, creating increased pressure in the lower body.
If problems arise in the large intestine (cecal part), then due to anatomy, the veins will first begin to swell in the left leg (this is a warning sign), so it is necessary to carefully monitor bowel movements and avoid constipation.
Normally, a person should have their daily bowel movements in the morning.It is important to adhere to appropriate eating behavior.
Things to know about varicose veins in women
Childbirth in women weakens the pelvic floor muscles, which can put pressure on the femoral veins.
The first sign of pelvic floor weakness is the appearance of mesh in the ankle area.Any exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Ovarian inflammation or adhesive disease is both a cause and a consequence of varicose veins.Venous blood is saturated with toxins and carbon dioxide, and stagnation always increases the concentration of those same toxins leading to inflammation and tissue changes, so all organs located in the pelvis are at risk of being affected.Pelvic venous blood stagnation is also a cause of infertility, impotence and hemorrhoids.
The cause of blood stagnation in the pelvic area can be due to a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.Therefore, being active during the day or doing simple exercise while working is a necessity.
The woman's hormonal background and the use of contraceptives lead to chronic venous insufficiency.
How not to harm yourself?
The condition and anatomical position of the liver play a huge role in the prevention (if it is healthy) or in the occurrence (if abnormal) of varicose veins.
Since the veins that run from the lower extremities to the right atrium also pass through the liver, any enlargement of the liver or its rotation relative to its axis can cause compression of the veins and increased pressure on the lower venous portions, thereby causing varicose veins.
The thoracoabdominal diaphragm is very sensitive to the psycho-emotional state of a person.Any negative emotions (fear, anger, irritation) cause the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn cause muscle spasms and compression of the lumen of the venous column.
Considering that we are stimulated more than once or twice a day, the health of the nervous system is of great importance in the treatment and prevention of varicose veins.
Lumbar injuries and weakness of the lumbar quadriceps can cause the venous pump to not work properly (pumping blood upward due to inhalation and exhalation).This will create stagnation, increase pressure on the veins and result in varicose veins.
Wearing tight clothes and shoes also tends to compress superficial veins and restrict blood flow.
The cross-legged sitting position is very dangerous.In this position, not only the veins in the knee fossa are compressed, but the position of the pelvic organs is also disturbed.
Keep the process under control
Specific studies - ultrasound, X-rays with contrast agents and others - will help identify and solve many problems.
The condition of the blood directly affects varicose veins.Thick and viscous blood is always very difficult to push upward, overcoming the Earth's gravity.This leads to wear and tear of venous blood vessels, valves and blood clot formation.This is a very dangerous condition, because the blood clot that separates, enters the lungs or heart, can lead to death quickly, and sometimes doctors do not have time to provide emergency assistance.
Old, uncontrolled varicose veins can lead to thrombophlebitis, because stagnant venous blood is rich in toxins and can cause inflammation of the inner surface (mucosal epithelium) of the vein.
It is important to control varicose veins - once the veins have expanded to their maximum extent, it will be impossible to return them to their previous state.Unless you delete it.But you need to understand that there is nothing superfluous in the body: the blood volume of the removed vein will be redistributed to nearby veins, increasing their load.
For what symptoms should you consult a doctor?
The first signs of a problem are swelling in the legs and feet, a feeling of heaviness in the legs that appears after sitting or standing for a long time.These symptoms disappear or are significantly reduced with walking and after a night of rest.
If you ignore these symptoms, over time there will be severe pain in the calves, a burning sensation in the legs and night cramps in the calves.There will also be external changes.Small red-blue spider veins will appear on the thighs and legs, veins up to 2 mm in diameter will begin to appear through the skin and eventually the most characteristic manifestation of the disease is varicose veins.
Today, there are two methods of treating varicose veins: surgical and conservative.
With conservative treatment, the factors that lead to varicose veins will be eliminated as much as possible.True, the situation is greatly influenced by genetic predisposition - here, as they say, you can only deal with the consequences.
How to support the body?
Water and drinking control must be observed.Water is drunk in portions: often and in small portions.Avoid foods that can cause thirst, constipation and atherosclerosis.Sweets are completely excluded, as sugar leads to glycation of red blood cells and blood clots, flour from premium wheat flour, as this leads to gas formation.
Physical activity (swimming, Nordic walking) and special daily exercises for the legs are required.But dynamic sports that involve lifting weights are not suitable.
If varicose veins appear, you should wear compression garments or an elastic bandage.It is very important that the tape does not change shape when stretched, and that the application of the tape should start from the foot, grasping the heel.
According to your doctor's recommendations, you should take anti-venom drugs.
Sclerotherapy and laser correction are also very popular today.Pneumatic massage is very effective if done according to the course.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, pay attention to yourself and the symptoms that may bother you at first.Remember that veins are part of the body;they are the transmitters of life in our wonderful bodies.Be healthy!