Sputnik found out from a specialist whether it is possible to fight varicose veins and what to do if they start to appear.
Many of us perceive the appearance of venous patterns on the legs almost as the norm.
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 treat it.
Today, the majority of the working population suffers from this disease.And the reason is often not the physiological working conditions.
The outflow of blood from the lower limbs occurs through veins: deep, located deep in the muscles, and subcutaneous, passing through the subcutaneous fatty tissue.The deep and superficial venous systems of the legs are interconnected by connecting veins.A main feature of the structure of the veins of the lower extremities is the valves, which direct the blood flow strictly to the heart, preventing blood from flowing downwards.Valves in the connecting veins allow blood to flow from the saphenous veins to the deep veins and prevent it from returning. The venous valves of the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the lower leg, the least - on the thigh.
Interestingly, varicose veins more often affect people with white skin.The reason lies in the number of valves.Representatives of the Negroid and Mongoloid races have several times more valves than Caucasians.
If there is a dam, there will be a flood
What makes blood flow through the veins to the heart?First of all, active contractions of the muscles of the foot, lower leg and thigh, as well as contraction of the diaphragm and partial beating of the heart.With each movement, the contracting muscles push the blood out of the veins and towards the heart.Calf muscles are considered the second heart of the body because they play an important role in 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 under the obstacle the river begins to expand (spill).The same thing happens in the body.If the veins are pinched somewhere on the way to the heart, then the excess volume of blood that is not pumped expands the lower sections 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 dilate.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) are considered an extension of the saphenous veins.If we talk about the legs, then when a person is standing, the veins should not protrude above the level of the skin.
There are two approaches to solving the problem:
- treatment of incompetent venous valves, sealing or removal of superficial veins;
- eliminate the cause of narrowing or pinching of the vein on its way to the heart.
Blood from the lower extremities rises in the femoral veins, which collect in the inferior vena cava, which then enters the right atrium.
Along this long path, there are a number of obstacles where the vein (column of veins) can narrow, creating increased pressure in the lower extremities.
If problems arise in the large intestine (section of the cecum), then due to the anatomy, the veins will first begin to swell in the left leg (this is a warning sign), so it is necessary to carefully monitor the movement of the intestines and avoid constipation.
Normally, a person should have a bowel movement every day, in the morning.It is important to adhere to proper eating behavior.
What you need to know about varicose veins in women
Childbirth in women weakens the pelvic floor muscles, which in turn can put pressure on the femoral veins.
The first sign of pelvic floor weakness is webbing in the ankle area.Any exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Ovarian inflammation or adhesion disease is both a cause and a consequence of varicose veins.Venous blood is saturated with toxins and carbon dioxide, and stagnation is always an increase in the concentration of these toxins, which lead to inflammation and tissue changes, so that all the organs located in the small pelvis are at risk.Stagnation of venous blood in the pelvis is also a cause of infertility, impotence and hemorrhoids.
The cause of stagnation of blood in the pelvis can be a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.Movement during the day or regular exercise at work is therefore a vital necessity.
A woman's hormonal background and the use of contraceptives lead to chronic venous insufficiency.
How not to harm yourself?
The condition and anatomical location of the liver plays a huge role in both the prevention (if it is healthy) and the appearance (if there are abnormalities) of varicose veins.
Since the vein passing from the lower extremities to the right atrium also passes under the liver, any enlargement of the liver or its rotation relative to its axis can lead to compression of the vein and increased pressure on the lower venous sections, thus provoking varicose veins.
The thoraco-abdominal diaphragm is sensitive to a person's psycho-emotional state.Any negative emotion (fear, anger, irritation) causes the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn cause muscle spasm and compress the lumen of the venous column.
Considering that we get irritated 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.
Injuries in the lumbar region, weakness of the quadratus lumborum muscle can cause the venous pump to malfunction (pumping blood up due to inhalation and exhalation).This will form stagnation, increased pressure on the veins and, as a result, dilation of the veins.
Wearing tight clothing and shoes also compresses the superficial veins and impedes blood flow.
Sitting cross-legged is very dangerous.In this position, not only is the vein in the knee fossa pressed, but also the position of the pelvic organs is disturbed.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental studies - ultrasound, x-ray with a contrast agent and others - will help to identify and solve many problems.
The condition of the blood directly affects varicose veins.Thick and viscous blood is always very difficult to push upwards, overcoming the force of Earth's gravity.This leads to wear and tear of venous vessels, valves and the formation of blood clots.This is a very dangerous condition, because a separate blood clot entering the lung or heart can lead to quick death, and sometimes doctors simply do not have time to provide emergency care.
Old, uncontrolled varicose veins can lead to thrombophlebitis because stagnant venous blood is rich in toxins and can cause inflammation of the inner surface (epithelial lining) of the vein.
It is important to keep varicose veins under control - once the vein has expanded to the maximum, it will be impossible to return to its 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 is redistributed to the relatives, increasing the load on them.
What symptoms should you consult a doctor for?
The first signs of problems are swelling of the lower leg and foot, a feeling of heaviness in the legs that appears after prolonged sitting or standing.These symptoms disappear or decrease significantly when walking and after a night's rest.
If you ignore these manifestations, then over time there will be bursting pain in the calves, a feeling of heat in the legs and night cramps in the calf muscles.There will also be external changes.Small blue-red webs will appear on the thighs and legs, veins with a diameter of up to 2 mm will begin to appear through the skin, and finally, 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 led to varicose veins are eliminated as much as possible.It is true that the situation is strongly influenced by genetic predisposition - here, as they say, you can only deal with the consequences.
How to maintain the body?
Control of water and drinking should be observed.Water is taken in portions: often and in small portions.Avoid foods that can cause thirst, constipation and vascular atherosclerosis.Sweets are completely excluded, as sugar leads to glycation of red blood cells and blood clots, flour from premium flour, as this leads to the formation of gases.
There should be physical activity (swimming, Nordic walking) and special daily exercises for the legs.But active sports with weight lifting are not suitable.
If varicose veins appear, you should wear compression clothing or apply elastic bandages.It is very important that the bandage does not change its shape when stretched, and the application of the bandages should start from the foot, grabbing the heel.
According to your doctor's recommendations, you should take venotonic drugs.
Sclerotherapy and laser correction are also very popular today.Pneumatic massage is very effective if it is performed in courses.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, be mindful of yourself and the symptoms that may be bothering you for the first time.Remember that veins are part of the body;they are conductors of life in our amazing body.Stay healthy!