Today we will talk about varicose veins of the legs, varicose veins of the lower extremities - a very common vascular pathology, causes, symptoms, disease prevention, therapeutic exercises with a set of exercises.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) - what kind of disease is this, photo
Phlebeurism(see the photo of the manifestations of varicose veins in the legs) is the scourge of our time; if earlier this progressive disease of blood circulation damage and weakening of valves affected very old people, now the first signs of this disease of peripheral vessels appear in twenty. - annual.
Spider veins (telangiectasia) appear first. Then the superficial veins become less elastic, twist, become visible, protruding over the skin of the leg and thigh. Blood flows more slowly and rises poorly. Venous stagnation and swelling develop, which goes away after a night's rest. There is a risk of blood clot formation.
And during pregnancy and childbirth, when the level of female hormones that 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, even at the age of 30-35, varicose veins of the pelvic organs (beginning to develop as a result of intravascular pressure fluctuations during contractions), hemorrhoids and varicoceles (enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord in men) appear massively.
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 an ulcer - 183. 0
- If varicose veins with inflammation, stagnant dermatitis - 183. 1
- If the first two conditions are combined - 183. 2
- If varicose veins are uncomplicated - 183. 9
Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Joints, swollen veins in the legs, a blue network of small vessels, spider veins, swelling in the evening, discomfort, aching pain along the veins, burning, sometimes itching, heaviness in the legs at the end of the day, cramping at night, paresthesia- cramps and numbness.
And with significant progress of the disease, the following often develop:
- thrombophlebitis (which is 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 vessel, in severe cases, chills begin, a transitionthe inflammatory process is observed from superficial to deep veins),
- trophic ulcers against the background of chronic venous insufficiency.
Maybe no one will like this photo. And then still appears the detachment of a blood clot and subsequent strokes or heart attack, tissue necrosis. . . But this is already sad enough.
Since it is unacceptable for us to evolutionarily return to walking on all fours to reduce the load on the veins, we will have to look for methods to unload the legs using natural methods.
Causes of varicose veins and predisposing factors
- Genetics (inheritance).
- Changes in hormonal levels (pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives).
- Heavy physical activity, especially static, standing or sedentary work.
- Excess weight.
- Chronic cough.
- Smoking.
- Leg injuries that damage the valves in the blood vessels.
Women successfully provoke the appearance of varicose veins by standing for a long time and walking in high heels and sitting at a table in a cross-legged position.
Wearing thongs and tight synthetic underwear has an adverse effect.
Which doctor treats varicose veins of the legs
A phlebologist deals with veins. If surgical intervention is already required - a vascular surgeon.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
In addition to the external examination of the lower extremities and the collection of anamnesis (complaints), the following are performed to establish a diagnosis:
- Doppler ultrasound (determines the quality, speed of blood flow, the presence of obstacles in the form of clots, blood clots),
- transillumination (transillumination of veins, even with changes still invisible to the eye).
Also, the diagnosis of varicose veins is not complete without taking blood for clotting.
Modern medicine does not offer an effective way to treat this disease; radical removal of superficial veins is not counted. There is also radiofrequency ablation, laser therapy and sclerotherapy, but they are not suitable for everyone, there are contraindications and they are mainly indicated in the early stages of this disease.
But what can we do for varicose veins at home to fight this unpleasant vascular pathology?
Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins in the legs
The prevention of varicose veins mainly involves gymnastic exercises, and this is not surprising, since the vessels simply need to be trained.
The most favorable functional position of the legs for varicose veins is elevated, elevated. But it is not possible to spend all the time with your legs in the air, and stagnation in the venous network must be somehow avoided, because it is this that leads to heaviness in the legs, cramps and swelling.
And it turns out that it is more useful for a person to walk and even run than to sit for hours in an office or in front of a computer; at rest, there is practically no blood movement, fluid reaches the tissue, and swelling increases.
That's why we don't go crazy at work, we often take breaks during work, get up, lie down, walk around the table, go to the bathroom if possible, climb a few stairs and do some exercise.
Such a warm-up and distraction from sedentary work is also useful for diseases of the eyes and spine (the neck and lower back are the most affected in this).
A set of exercises for varicose veins
- We sit on a chair so that our feet do not touch the floor. We rotate the legs at the ankles, bend and straighten them in a strong tension, then we do the same with the toes, each exercise 15-20 times. Also, for varicose veins in the legs, foot massage will be useful.
- Briskly walk in place for one minute.
- We stand close to the wall, palms at shoulder level, emphasis on the wall. We rise on our toes and fall on our heels, 10-15 such rolls.
- Slowly stand up on your toes, feet shoulder-width apart, arms up.
- "Bicycle" with your legs from a lying position.
- "Scissors" (cross legs pointed strongly like scissors).
- Slow swings of the legs from a position to the side, alternately with the right and then with the left.
- Pull your knees up to your chest. Repeat 20 times.
In addition to therapeutic exercises, sports activities for diseases of the veins of the lower extremities are extremely useful - swimming, water aerobics (in water, the pressure in 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 barbells, jumping, long and intense running and long exercises on an exercise bike are contraindicated. Team sports with jumping and running - football, basketball, volleyball (the valve apparatus is damaged) is not recommended for weak blood vessels in the legs.
Prevention of varicose veins at home
- In addition to exercise, contrast showers and compression stockings are very beneficial for blood vessels.
The latter has its drawbacks: firstly, it is quite expensive, and secondly, after prolonged wear, the dishes become completely soft and stop working independently.
So I would recommend it not for continuous use, but during heavy loads, standing work, long walks and during pregnancy.
- It is useful to put stress on your feet by walking up the stairs, vibrating gymnastics or dancing (rising quickly on the toes and lightly hitting the floor with the heels two or three times a day, 30-60 times, lifting the heels downby 1-2 cm).
- You should not abuse prolonged exposure to the sun, in the bath or in hot baths.
- Drink at least 2 liters of fluids a day, it is advisable to control your weight and make sure that the plant-vegetable component prevails in your diet. You should give up alcohol, spicy, smoked and salty foods or at least greatly reduce their component in your diet.
- No tight underwear, shoes, socks or stockings with a narrow elastic band.
- During the holidays, avoid drinking champagne, it tends to make your illness worse.
- Don't wear high heels every day. Over 4 cm - already long.
- Don't sit down.
- Do not cross your legs; in this position, the vessels are constricted and the outflow of blood from the extremities, already weak, becomes even more difficult.
- Try not to stand still, even in line; it is better to move from foot to foot.
- Remember that vitamin C maintains the elasticity of the vascular wall.