Sputnik finds out from an expert whether it's possible to fight varicose veins and what to do if they start to appear.
Many of us think that having vein patterns in our legs is almost the norm.
Are varicose veins a disease or a result of stress?How dangerous is it?Let’s look at it from the perspective of human physiology.
Europeans are more likely to get sick
Varicose veins have been known since Egyptian times.Hippocrates and Avicenna tried to cure her.
Today, a majority of the working population suffers from this disease.And the cause is often not physiological working conditions.
Blood from the lower limbs drains through veins: deep veins, located deep within the muscles, and subcutaneous veins, which pass through the fat beneath the skin.The deep and superficial venous systems of the legs are connected to each other by connecting veins.An essential feature of the venous structure of the lower limbs is the valves, which strictly guide blood to the heart and prevent it from flowing downward.Valves in the connecting veins allow blood to flow from the saphenous vein to the deep veins and prevent its backflow.The venous valves in the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the calves, or at least on the thighs.
Interestingly, varicose veins more commonly affect people with fair skin tones.The reason is the number of valves.Blacks and representatives of the Mongoloid race have several times more valves than Caucasians.
If there are dams, there will be floods
What moves blood through veins to the heart?First, there is the active contraction of the muscles of the feet, calves, and thighs, as well as the contraction of the diaphragm and the beating of part of the heart.With any movement, contracting muscles squeeze 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 in walking.
The laws of fluid movement in the body are no different from those of fluid movement in nature.
If an obstacle (dam) appears in the path of a river, the river begins to swell (overflow) beneath the obstacle.The same thing happens physically.If a vein becomes pinched somewhere on its way to the heart, the excess blood that is not being pumped can cause the lower part of the vein to expand, disrupting the function of the valves (they do not close) and the overall blood flow.The veins begin to dilate.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) are considered enlargements of the saphenous veins.If we talk about the legs, then the veins should not protrude above the level of the skin when a person is standing.
There are two ways to solve this problem:
- Treat incompetent venous valves, seal or remove superficial veins;
- Eliminates the cause of narrowing or pinching of the veins leading to the heart.
Blood from the lower limbs ascends into the femoral vein, collects in the inferior vena cava, and then enters the right atrium.
Along this long path there are many obstacles at which the vein (column) can narrow, creating more pressure in the lower part.
If there is a problem with the large intestine (caecal part), then due to anatomical reasons the veins will begin to swell first 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 a bowel movement every morning.It is important to adhere to correct eating behaviors.
What you need to know about varicose veins in women
When a woman gives birth, her pelvic floor muscles weaken, which puts pressure on the femoral vein.
The first sign of a weak pelvic floor is the development of mesh in the ankle area.Any exercise that strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Ovarian inflammation or adhesive disease can be both a cause and a consequence of varicose veins.Venous blood is full of toxins and carbon dioxide, and stagnation always leads to an increase in the concentration of these toxins, which leads to inflammation and tissue changes, as a result of which all organs located in the pelvis are at risk.Stagnation of venous blood in the pelvis is also a cause of infertility, impotence, and hemorrhoids.
Stagnation of blood in the pelvis can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle and a sedentary job.Therefore, movement during the day or simple exercise at work is crucial.
A woman's hormonal background and contraceptive use can lead to chronic venous insufficiency.
How can I not hurt myself?
The condition and anatomical location of the liver play a huge role in the prevention (if healthy) or occurrence (if abnormal) of varicose veins.
Because the veins that run from the lower limbs to the right atrium also pass under the liver, any enlargement of the liver or its rotation relative to its axis can cause compression of the veins and increase the pressure on the lower portion of the veins, causing varicose veins.
The thoracoabdominal diaphragm is very sensitive to people's psychological and emotional state.Any negative emotion (fear, anger, excitement) causes the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which cause muscle spasms and compress the lumen of the venous column.
Considering that we are irritated more than once or twice during the day, the health of the nervous system is very important in the treatment and prevention of varicose veins.
Injury to the lower back and weakness of the quadratus lumborum muscle can cause improper operation of the venous pump (pumping blood upward due to inspiration and expiration).This creates stagnation and increases pressure in the veins, causing the veins to dilate.
Wearing tight clothing and shoes can also compress superficial veins and block blood flow.
Sitting with your legs crossed is very dangerous.In this position, not only are the veins in the knee sockets compressed, but the position of the pelvic organs is also disturbed.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental studies—ultrasound, X-ray contrast agents, etc.—will help identify and solve many problems.
Blood conditions directly affect varicose veins.Thick blood always has a hard time pushing upward, overcoming Earth's gravity.This can lead to wear and tear on veins, valves and the formation of blood clots.This is a very dangerous situation because the dislodged blood clot travels to the lungs or heart and can lead to rapid death, sometimes without doctors having 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 of the vein (the epithelial lining).
It is important to control varicose veins - once the veins are dilated to their maximum extent, it is impossible to return 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 is redistributed to nearby veins, thereby increasing their load.
What symptoms should I consult a doctor about?
The first sign of a problem is swelling of the calves and feet, and a feeling of heaviness in the legs after sitting or standing for long periods of time.These symptoms disappear or are significantly reduced with walking and a night's rest.
If these symptoms are ignored, calf pain, leg heat, and nighttime calf muscle cramps will occur over time.There will also be changes on the outside.Blue-red spider-like veins will appear on the thighs and calves, and veins up to 2 mm in diameter will appear on the skin. Finally, the most typical manifestation of the disease is varicose veins.
Today, there are two methods of treating varicose veins: surgery and conservative treatment.
Through conservative treatment, the factors that cause varicose veins are eliminated as much as possible.Indeed, this condition is largely influenced by genetic predisposition - here, as they say, you can only deal with the consequences.
How to support the body?
Water and drinking water controls must be observed.Drink water in portions: often, in small portions.Avoid foods that cause thirst, constipation and atherosclerosis of blood vessels.Sweets are completely excluded, since sugar causes glycation of red blood cells and blood clots, while flour is from high-quality flour, since this can lead to the formation of gases.
Physical activity (swimming, Nordic walking) and special daily leg exercises should be performed.However, strenuous exercise such as weightlifting is not suitable.
If varicose veins occur, wear a compression garment or use an elastic bandage.It is very important that the bandage does not change its shape when stretched and that the application of the bandage must start from the foot, grasping the heel.
Based on your doctor's advice, you should take intravenous medications.
Sclerotherapy and laser correction are also popular today.If pneumatic massage is performed during the course, the effect is very good.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, pay attention to yourself and the symptoms that may be bothering you for the first time.Remember, veins are part of the body; they are the conductors of life in our amazing bodies.In good health!