What are varicose veins (VV)?
Blood flows through the veins of the legs from the bottom up, overcoming the force of gravity.Valves help them with this.For various reasons, the valve apparatus may not work and blood flow may be disrupted.Then the blood begins to stagnate in the veins, which leads to the stretching of the vein walls and the formation of nodes.
Signs of varicose veins
the veins twist and protrude above the surface of the skin
leg pain
heaviness in the legs
burning sensation along the veins
night cramps
dilated veins
pigmentation and thickening of the skin
Causes of varicose veins
Who suffers from varicose veins more often?
Of the 100% of people who suffer from varicose veins, 30% are women of prime age, 50% have given birth and 25% are men over forty.Moreover, the risk of the disease arises after twenty years.However, despite such depressing statistics, there are quite simple effective ways to prevent varicose veins, which we would like to talk about.First, let's list some causes of varicose veins that will help determine if you are at risk.
Legacy
The first and most important factor leading to varicose veins is heredity.In 70 percent of cases, the disease is passed from mother to daughter.Therefore, try to find out if your grandmother and mother suffered from varicose veins, maybe someone even had an operation for this.If a genetic predisposition to the disease is detected, you should think seriously before choosing the profession of hairdresser, teacher or flight attendant.
Working conditions
The fact is that the second risk factor is prolonged standing, as well as sedentary and difficult physical work.
Hormonal changes
Another dangerous point can be hormonal changes in the body (for example, taking some hormonal drugs).Endocrine changes and increased body weight also adversely affect the functioning of the valve apparatus.This may be why pregnant women are at particular risk.
Regular overheating
High ambient temperatures can also lead to varicose veins - this becomes an additional load on the veins.Therefore, very hot baths, saunas and exposure to the sun for more than 40 minutes are undesirable.
Uncomfortable shoes
You're also at risk if you wear high heels all the time (although completely flat soles aren't very good for your feet either).High-heeled shoes cause the muscles to be constantly tense and increase the load on the leg veins.A heel of 5 centimeters or more is considered high, and 2-3 centimeters is optimal.One last thing worth mentioning is smoking.It's hard to say exactly how many cigarettes you smoke pose a risk, but there is definitely a link between varicose veins and smoking.
How to treat varicose veins
Do not delay the treatment of varicose veins.A timely visit to a doctor will help detect signs of varicose veins in the very early stages.There are several modern methods for examining varicose veins, most of which are absolutely painless and safe.This is mainly an ultrasound examination (Dopplerography).It shows the condition of the veins, the amount of blood in circulation and the speed of circulation.
Prevention of varicose veins at home is not so difficult, but in order for prevention to give results, most of the recommendations given by doctors must become a habit.
Play sports
The first thing that all doctors recommend without exception is exercise.It is better to choose a sport in which the muscles of the lower part of the leg contract evenly and intensively.Race walking, running, cycling, skiing, horse riding, dancing are all very good for your feet.Remember: no matter what 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 without weight.A very affordable but effective way of prevention is walking.Even fifteen minutes a day will give positive results.
If you decide to exercise in the gym, follow some basic rules:
Give priority to exercises without weights or with minimal weights (up to 1 kg).
Increase the number of repetitions, not the weight of the projectile.
Perform exercises on specific muscle groups at different times and alternate training days with rest days.
Wherever you exercise, do not overdo it - the load will be useful when it gives pleasure, and the strength will help you for more pleasant things.When choosing a sport, remember that no load is suitable for varicose veins.
Tennis, bodybuilding, volleyball and skating are not very good for varicose veins - those sports that require sudden movements.They not only can not be useful, but also cause harm to health.Even if you don't have time for regular exercise, don't despair.
There are simple leg exercises that don't require much effort, but are a great way to improve blood circulation.
Exercise is especially recommended for those who, due to their profession, are forced to spend a lot of time sitting or standing.Walk by rolling your foot from heel to toe.Then stand up on your toes 20-30 times.Do some squats, during which you transfer the weight to the ends of your feet.
If you have to sit a lot, you can stretch your legs from time to time in this way: lift your knees and move your legs back and forth, rotate your legs clockwise and back.Then bend and straighten your fingers 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 compress the veins and, as a result, harm blood circulation.
Take care of your feet
We are used to paying special attention to the face, but the feet also require care.Rinse up to the ankles with cold water from the shower for a few minutes in the morning.It is desirable that the flow is stronger.
Several times a week, it is recommended to apply a mud mask to your feet for 20 minutes.Rinse off the mask with cold water and then apply the cream.These procedures relieve swelling, improve nutrition and blood circulation.After applying the mask, your legs should be kept elevated.
Try to make it a habit - when you relax, watch TV, it is better to keep your legs in an elevated position.Ideally, they will be placed above the level of the heart.Doctors advise putting a pillow under your feet even at night.
Among the folk remedies, there is a time-tested method for the prevention of varicose veins.Take a thick block of wood (an ordinary wax candle will do), place one leg on a chair, and then, pressing lightly on the skin, roll it from the leg to the knee.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 finger, roll a rubber ball - a "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 negatively affect the condition of the feet.The basic rule: a maximum of vegetables and fruits, a minimum of salty, fatty and smoked foods.Try to replace animal fats with vegetable fats, as they contain acids that improve blood circulation.Eat more fiber - its benefits are proven by the fact that in eastern countries, where fiber is the main food, varicose veins practically do not appear.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.
Also try to eat foods that contain vitamin P. These are mainly walnuts, green tea and rose hips.Foods such as sprouted wheat grains, peas, beans, green onions will enrich the veins with nutrients and make them more elastic.
If possible, you should limit coffee consumption to one cup a day, as this drink is not harmless to blood vessels.
Dress appropriately
Shoes with high heels, as well as narrow shoes that put pressure on the foot or the lower part of the foot, negatively affect the condition of the veins.Leave the narrow styles for formal occasions and for every day choose loose shoes with a small heel.If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, it is best to avoid tight clothing altogether, especially socks and stockings with tight elastic bands.
Both for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, doctors recommend wearing special compression stockings.This creates pressure on the veins from the outside, as a result of which blood stagnation decreases and the normal size of the veins is maintained.In the past, elastic bandages were used to achieve the same effect, but, fortunately, the days of unattractively bandaged feet have passed and today compression therapy uses stockings and tights with a massaging effect.Such products are much more convenient and practical, while they do not spoil the look.They look like regular women's tights or knee socks, but are very tight in certain places.
It is recommended to wear elastic socks in the morning without getting out of bed, raising the leg at an angle of forty degrees.
Then the stockings will be able to keep the veins in a physiological state and ensure the flow of blood to the heart.Such products are sold in pharmacies and worn for at least six months.
To the above, it is worth adding that varicose veins are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a serious disease, ignoring which can lead to complications.Therefore, you should seek professional help as soon as the first doubts arise, and the beauty of healthy feet will be a pleasant addition to your good health.