Varicose veins (or varicose veins) on the legs are a fairly common disease. In most cases, women between the ages of 30 and 60 become victims, especially if they have diabetes or are overweight and have postural problems. In addition, these people suffer from varicose veins, and their work forces them to stand or sit for long periods of time. Unfortunately, the number of cases is increasing every year. This is why it is important not only to know how to cure varicose veins in the legs, but also how to avoid it.
Reason
First of all, varicose veins should be treated to eliminate the direct cause of their occurrence. The following are the most common in daily life:
- Being in an upright or sitting position for a long time;
- Overweight (obesity);
- Due to constipation, weightlifting and the high load of pregnancy lead to increased pressure in the veins of the lower extremities;
- Congenital blood vessels of the lower extremities or no venous valves after trauma.
Only by eliminating all the above factors can it be possible to cure varicose veins in the legs. Otherwise, the recurrence of the disease cannot be avoided.
Symptoms
One of the most important signs of varicose veins is swelling and nodular swelling of the veins of the lower extremities. Usually, this is accompanied by severe pain and heaviness in the legs, which may increase the unpleasant burning sensation. In severe cases, leg cramps and edema may occur, usually in the late afternoon. A characteristic of varicose veins is the gradual thickening and darkening of the skin on the calf.
If left untreated, the affected blood vessel walls will become inflamed and become blocked by multiple blood clots. Over time, ulcers may develop on the skin. In most cases, the development of the event can lead to quite terrible diseases, such as thrombophlebitis or thrombosis.
Under what circumstances should you see a doctor?
Varicose veins develop gradually, but sometimes quickly-in this case, you can see a doctor at any time. For the acute course of the disease, it has the following symptoms:
- Severe pain that prevents a person from moving independently. Accompanied by the feeling of heat and hardening of the skin on the legs;
- Shortness of breath, feeling weak and short of breath;
- The bleeding is located near or near the affected vein.
Diagnosis
When the first signs of varicose veins appear, you should seek medical help. Usually, after standard examinations (examinations, memoirs, OAC, OAM), he will refer these patients to a specialist (phlebologist) dealing with vascular diseases, or immediately to a vascular surgeon.
In addition to basic diagnostic measures, you can also assign them:
- Intravenous ultrasound (dual scan);
- Contrast venography.
Treatment
Today, there is no remedy for varicose veins, and the result can reach 100%. Surgical techniques and therapeutic techniques should be used for comprehensive treatment.
Conservative treatment
It is only possible to use conservative methods to combat varicose veins in the legs when symptoms have just begun to appear and there is no need to talk about possible complications. The main components of this process are:
- diet;
- A set of special exercises;
- Compression therapy;
- Medication.
Diet
As mentioned earlier, varicose veins mainly affect those who are overweight. In this regard, one of the conditions for successful treatment is undoubtedly following the correct diet aimed at destroying excess weight. There are many changes in how to prepare your daily diet, but none of them should be followed without first consulting a nutritionist.
Generally, this type of diet should avoid any sweets and foods containing a lot of plant fiber.
Good health
Physical therapy exercise is an excellent cure for varicose veins in the legs. Many special exercises can be performed to significantly slow down the progression of the disease, and sometimes even eliminate it completely. Also, don't forget to walk outdoors (morning and evening) and swimming.
Important!For varicose veins, you should avoid going to the sauna, bathing, taking a hot bath, and not raising your feet. This is due to the fact that through these procedures, the blood flow to the limbs increases significantly, and in varicose veins, its stagnation has been observed.
Compression therapy
Treating varicose veins at home means using special knitwear, such as golf balls, stockings and tights, and elastic bandages of various lengths. Generally, doctors recommend wearing them all day and taking them off only before going to bed.
Therefore, it can significantly increase the tone of the veins and improve the blood flow in the legs. In turn, this helps eliminate the symptoms of the disease. This foot massage is very useful for varicose veins and must be performed by a specialist.
Medications
Nowadays, drugs used to treat this disease are widely represented in the pharmaceutical market. Also, together with the tablet form, gels and ointments and foot creams for varicose veins are used. They can significantly reduce the rate of disease progression and even prevent the occurrence of certain complications.
However, we must not forget that any medicine can only be used under the guidance of a doctor. In fact, almost everyone has many contraindications, improper use can lead to unforeseen situations.
In most cases, for varicose veins of the lower extremities, doctors prescribe the following drugs:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Venotonics-drugs that enhance venous tone and improve venous outflow;
- A preparation designed to reduce blood viscosity and prevent blood clots.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is the most fundamental method used when all other alternative methods have not achieved positive results.
The most extensive surgery involves making a small incision in the skin and removing the affected vein through them. After the operation, the legs were tightened with bandages. After a few hours, the patient was able to move independently.
Nowadays, the technology of using laser to remove pathologically changed veins is becoming more and more popular. Such surgery is less traumatic, but after that, recurrence of the disease is often observed.
Prevention
There is no doubt that, like most modern diseases, varicose veins are easier to prevent than prevention. This is why doctors recommend preventing this disease from the earliest years. To do this, please do the following:
- Actively participate in sports;
- During standing work, you need to take regular breaks (step on your toes first, then your heels);
- After exercising, you need to wash in cold water.
- During pregnancy, especially in the later stages, special sweatshirts should be worn.