Treatment and Prevention of Varicose Veins: What You Need to Know

Varicose veins are a fairly common condition among adults. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 40% of the population is affected to varying degrees by the disease.The condition is more common in women; one in five women is susceptible to varicose veins. Men suffer from the disease to a lesser extent, with only 10% facing the problem.In its initial stages, the disease causes little concern and is not life-threatening to the patient, but later it may develop into dangerous conditions such as thrombophlebitis. The resulting blood clots pose a serious threat to life.Varicose veins are divided into two forms based on their cause; as shown in the table below:

	basic	middle school
reason	The vein wall structure is weakened and destroyed	Impaired venous blood outflow due to improper function of blood vessel valves
aggravating factors	Overweight, pregnancy, working while standing, clothing squeezing veins, congenital weak vein walls	Development of various types of tumors, destruction caused by trauma

disease cause

The essence of the disease is an abnormal increase in pressure in superficial blood vessels due to rupture of valves that normally facilitate the flow of venous blood in one direction (towards the heart). When disturbed, the valves weaken and blood begins to stagnate in the veins, causing them to stretch, form knots, and more. In this case, a slowdown in blood flow is observed, resulting in interference with the trophic action of cells and cells. tissue, and the formation of ulcerative processes.Main causes of illness:

1. genetic susceptibility;
2. Maintaining an upright position for extended periods of time;
3. Movement is restricted throughout the day;
4. Endocrine system disorders due to disease and hormonal medication;
5. Pregnant;
6. Various sports activities (at work, gym, villa, etc. );
7. Lower limb injuries;
8. Bad habits, especially smoking.

notes.Risk groups include people who stand, sit and rarely move all day, such as salespeople, teachers, drivers, people sitting in front of computers, etc.

The problem is that people who sit for long periods of time can compress blood vessels, which slows circulation. Therefore, varicose veins will appear in this case regardless of age, and in people who stand for a long time, according to the laws of physics, the blood exerts a constant pressure on the blood vessels, as a result of which the blood vessels begin to deform, leading to varicose veins. Development of disease.Also at risk are:

• women wearing high heels;
• People involved in weight-bearing leg sports (strength sports, tennis);
• All people who work while standing;
• People habitually cross one leg over the other while sitting;
• People who drink large amounts of coffee and alcoholic beverages can cause the blood to thicken, impairing its flow.

How to recognize disease

The first sign of varicose veins is tired, swollen legs at the end of the day and therefore tight shoes. Occasional cramping and pain in the calf muscles is also possible.You can visually notice the manifestations of the disease through so-called stars, which include altered inflamed blood vessels. As varicose veins progress, irreversible lesions develop in larger diameter vessels and begin to appear under the skin. The latter's knotty appearance is due to the refinement of the walls in certain places.

main feature

But in order to know more accurately whether it is varicose veins, we specifically list the main symptoms of the disease:

• pain and heaviness in the legs;
• An unpleasant warm, burning pain running along the veins;
• Swelling in the legs is noticeable after a day at work;
• Nocturnal cramps in the calves;
• The texture becomes wider, more sinuous, and denser to the touch;
• The epithelium of the legs becomes denser and darker;
• Nutritional ulcers are possible.

Prevention and treatment

If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, you should consult a specialist. Treatment and prevention of varicose veins requires contacting a medical institution.Only after a doctor has established an accurate diagnosis can he determine the treatment and eliminate the cause. There are many simple rules that, by following them, can stop the progression of the disease and even help prevent it in some cases.The main ones are as follows:

• Avoid the effects of temperature on veins. Hot baths, saunas, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause blood vessel tone to decrease, causing blood to stagnate, especially in the legs;
• physical activities. All exercise (except heavy exercise) is beneficial to the cardiovascular system. Light running, aerobics, morning exercises, and bodybuilding are especially effective at strengthening veins.
• overweight. Blood and blood vessel conditions worsen in obese people for a variety of reasons. The larger the volume, the greater the pressure, the heart must work harder to pump out all the blood, and excess cholesterol can cause blood vessels to become clogged, leading to arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and other cardiovascular system diseases.

  suggestion.If you don't want to suffer from varicose veins and want to feel better, monitor your weight carefully and prevent the development of obesity.

• Tight clothes can affect blood circulation. Get rid of tight stockings, socks and tights with tight elastic bands, don't tighten the waistband too tight, and generally eliminate any compression on the veins.
  It is worth noting that there are specialized support stockings and compression garments that can inhibit the development of varicose veins.
• Distribute the load while working, change your posture and don’t stay still for a long time.
• Don’t put one leg over the other while sitting. This interferes with the passage of venous blood through the blood vessels.
• More sports. Sitting for long periods of time, especially in an upright position, can trigger the disease by increasing pressure on the legs and slowing blood flow through the veins. Therefore, the more action the better. Take a break, change positions, etc.
• Normalization of stool. Both constipation and diarrhea can negatively affect the vascular system. Therefore, make sure your diet includes fiber-rich foods. If you are prone to gas, avoid soy, beer and yeast products.
• Eat less salt. Salt and then drinking liquids can cause swelling.
• do body exercises. Before going to bed and after getting up in the morning, it is best to do a few minutes of finger and toe rotation exercises, which can improve blood circulation.
• Avoid wearing tight shoes, and the one wearing high heels.
• After a long day at work, make it a habit to wash or rinse your feet with cold water at home.

Note that varicose veins can be prevented by getting your feet wet by walking barefoot through dew or walking along the shoreline's surf line.If you don't have symptoms of varicose veins but are prone to developing the disease, daily massage of your legs can help. This is easy to do. The technique involves stroking and kneading the legs.

notes.If the doctor diagnoses varicose veins, massage is contraindicated!

Advise patients to keep their lower limbs elevated while resting or sleeping. To do this, it is recommended to place your feet on the mountain; for this, use all available methods, you can place pillows or cushions. It can be helpful to give your feet a contrast shower, or rinse your feet with cool or cold water after a hot bath.Swimming is suitable for treating varicose veins; it not only forces all muscle groups to work, but also perfectly strengthens the blood vessels. Morning jogging, hiking, biking and skiing are also good options.

physiotherapy

Treatment and prevention of varicose veins will be successful if you do gymnastics.Here are some simple exercises you can do without being distracted from work or household chores:

• calf raise. The instructions to follow are simple. To do this, you need to stand up straight, with your legs together and your feet together. Perform the lift for about 30 reps, rising on your tiptoes and then returning to the starting position. There are three types of exercise:
  1. Toes together, heels together;
  2. Keep your toes together and your heels apart;
  3. Keep your heels together and your toes apart.
  It is recommended that all variations of each position be performed 20-30 times;
• roll on feet. Stand straight with your feet together. Roll from toes to heels. Repeat on the inside and back of the foot. The number of repetitions is optional; take 2-3 minutes to practice.
• bike. This can be done lying down or sitting in a chair. Use your feet to simulate riding a bicycle, as shown. Your legs should be fully extended when performing. Repeating 30-40 times is enough.

Nutrition and Diet

Proper nutrition and a consistent diet not only help deal with varicose veins, but also have a positive effect on the entire body. Eat more plant-based foods, especially fruits, enrich your diet, and avoid greasy, spicy, salty and smoked foods, which can cause blood viscosity and blood clots.A vegetarian diet is a better option, but since a vegetarian diet is not suitable for everyone, try to prioritize lean meats, fish, and marine animal proteins. Reduce alcohol when possible and eat more fortified foods, especially those rich in vitamins A, B, C and E.The first and last help strengthen epithelial blood vessel walls and also improve the body's overall immunity. Regular intake of vitamins C and E helps strengthen the collagen fibers of blood vessels and their valves.Scientists have proven that eating fresh garlic has positive effects on the cardiovascular system due to its unique chemical composition. We only focus on results.Garlic prevents the formation of blood clots and promotes the dissolution of existing blood clots, preventing the development of arteriosclerosis and varicose veins. Additionally, it stimulates the body's defense mechanisms and helps prevent colds.

It should be noted that garlic should not be used excessively. A few cloves a day is enough. If you get too addicted to this seasoning, you may develop stomach and heart problems.

Some basic nutrition rules:

• Lean meat, stewed or boiled, is recommended;
• Lactic acid products such as yogurt, kefir, and cheese are very healthy, especially when they are low in fat;
• Increase consumption of vegetables, whole grain products and legumes. They are rich in fiber and potassium compounds. The first one helps to fight against slag accumulation and constipation in the body; potassium regulates the channels in the body's tissues during the metabolism of water and salt. Note that industrial processing reduces the content of useful trace elements and eliminates the beneficial properties of the fiber;
• It is recommended to reduce intake of fast (sweet) carbohydrates and salt to a minimum;
• When cooking, use specially coated utensils that allow you to cook food without using surface-heated grease;
• Use vegetable oil instead of animal oil and do not cook with the same oil twice;
• For salad dressings, use olive oil, low-calorie sour cream, kefir, or yogurt.

Treatment of varicose veins

Varicose veins are difficult to treat, but it is much easier to prevent their occurrence or control the progression of the disease by slowing its progression. When the disease is diagnosed, according to statistics, about 15-20% of patients can be completely cured, but you don’t have to despair. Damaged veins have a stretched structure, which can cause processes within them to stall. If severe vascular disease occurs, ear removal surgery is required to avoid further spread of the disease to healthy veins.There are many ways to treat this disease today. In most cases, these are minimally invasive techniques, and only in advanced stages will the patient be taken to the operating table.Among the most commonly used options, we highlight the following:

1. Sclerotherapy.In short, the vein can be removed without direct surgical intervention. On top of that, a special drug is injected into the damaged blood vessel with a needle, which bonds to the vein wall and disappears on its own after about a week.
2. Laser Treatment.A special probe connected to a laser is inserted into the vein through a microincision. The vein is burned from the inside, causing adhesions and subsequent resorption in its walls.

Basic treatment techniques

Early detection of the disease can lead to successful treatment if started promptly. The more advanced varicose veins are, the more difficult the disease is to treat.Among the main techniques, therapeutic massage has proven itself very effective, but only if it is done by an expert. Due to proper manipulation of the legs, blood circulation increases and vascular congestion decreases.Treatment usually involves wrapping the limb with an elastic bandage or wearing special compression stockings. This helps avoid the progression of the disease and the occurrence of complications such as thrombophlebitis.The extra pressure created compresses the veins and narrows their lumens, thereby increasing blood flow and reducing blood vessel congestion. This prevents the blood from thickening and forming clots.Treatment also includes adhering to all the basic precautions mentioned above. Among them, close attention should be paid to diet, fighting overweight, regular rest and therapeutic exercise.In consultation with the treating physician, the doctor will prescribe medication and the use of various creams and ointments. Oral medications have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and can also help thin the blood and strengthen blood vessel walls.Creams used to prevent and treat varicose veins have the same effect. These medications are affordable and available without a prescription. Their use does not cause complications, but it is still recommended that you obtain professional advice from your doctor.

traditional healing methods

Treating and preventing varicose veins using traditional medicine is not a panacea, but it can improve the effectiveness of basic treatments and relieve symptoms, especially because it is easy to use at home.The most popular methods are as follows:

• Bathing with herbal decoctions (St. John's wort, chamomile, plantain, etc. ) can help strengthen blood vessels and increase blood flow;
• A compress with sea buckthorn oil or aloe vera juice has excellent wound healing properties and can be used to treat eczema and trophic ulcers (honey can also be used for this purpose);
• Use herbal decoctions or tinctures that help thin the blood (hawthorn, licorice or angelica root, sweet clover, etc. ).

Complications of varicose veins

If varicose veins are not treated or taken seriously, then the stagnant process progresses, leading to the development of the disease and giving rise to many accompanying pathologies, which significantly worsen the general condition and reduce the comfort of life. Nutritional deterioration of the epithelial layer of the skin.This can lead to the development of eczema, necrosis or trophic ulcers and become chronic. Due to the formation of blood clots, veins become abnormally curved and strongly swell.Lime begins to settle in it and what is called "gangue" appears. The nodules that develop may rupture and bleed. Permanent swelling of the legs and the appearance of "elephantiasis".