Sputnik found out from a specialist whether it is possible to resist varicose veins and what to do if they appear.
For many of us, the appearance of vein patterns on 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 point of view of the physiology of the body.
Europeans get sick more often
Varicose veins have been known since Egyptian times.Hippocrates and Avicenna tried to treat her.
Nowadays, most of the working population suffers from this disease.And the reason is often non-physiological working conditions.
The outflow of blood from the lower extremities occurs through veins: deep, located deep in the muscles, and subcutaneous, through the subcutaneous fatty tissue.The deep and superficial venous systems of the legs are connected to each other by connecting veins.A fundamental feature of the structure of the veins of the lower extremities are valves that direct blood flow strictly to the heart, thereby preventing the outflow of blood downward.Valves in the connecting veins allow blood to flow from the saphenous veins into the deep veins and prevent backflow.The venous valves in the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the lower leg, least of all on the thigh.
Interestingly, varicose veins are more common in people with white skin.The reason lies in the number of valves.Representatives of the Negroid and Mongolian races have many times more valves than Caucasians.
If there is a dam, there will be a flood
What causes blood to flow through the veins to the heart?Initially active contractions of the foot, lower leg and thigh muscles as well as contraction of the diaphragm and partial heartbeat.With every movement, contracting muscles force the blood out of the veins and push it towards the heart.The calf muscles are believed to be 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 the laws of fluid movement in nature.
When an obstacle (dam) appears in the path of the river, the river begins to expand (overflow) below the obstacle.The same thing happens in the body.If the veins become pinched somewhere along the way to the heart, the excess amount of blood that is not being pumped expands to the lower portions of the veins, thereby disrupting the function of the valves (they do not close) and overall blood flow in general.The veins begin to expand.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) are an enlargement of the saphenous veins.If we talk about the legs, when a person stands, the veins should not protrude above the level of the skin.
There are two approaches to solving the problem:
- Treatment of insufficient venous valves, sealing or removal of superficial veins;
- Eliminate the cause of narrowing or pinching of the vein on the way to the heart.
Blood from the lower extremities rises into the femoral veins, which collect in the inferior vena cava, which then passes into the right atrium.
Along this long path there are a number of obstacles where the vein (venous column) can narrow, creating increased pressure in the lower parts.
When problems occur in the large intestine (section of the appendix), due to anatomy, the veins initially swell in the left leg (this is a warning sign).Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor bowel movements and avoid constipation.
Normally, a person should have a bowel movement in the morning every day.It is important to maintain proper eating habits.
What you need to know about varicose veins in women
A woman's childbirth weakens the pelvic floor muscles, which in turn can put pressure on the femoral veins.
The first sign of pelvic floor weakness is the appearance of a web in the ankle area.Any exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Inflammation of the ovaries or adhesive disease is both a cause and a consequence of varicose veins.Venous blood is saturated with toxins and carbon dioxide, and stagnation always means an increase in the concentration of these very toxins, which leads to inflammation and tissue changes, so all organs located in the pelvis are at risk.Stagnation of venous blood in the pelvis is also the cause of infertility, impotence and hemorrhoids.
The cause of stagnation of blood in the pelvis can be a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.Therefore, exercise during the day or simple exercise while working is a vital necessity.
A woman's hormonal background and the use of contraceptives lead to chronic venous insufficiency.
How not to hurt yourself?
The condition and anatomical position of the liver play a major role in both the prevention (if it is healthy) and the development (if there are abnormalities) of varicose veins.
Since the vein that runs from the lower extremities to the right atrium also passes under the liver, any enlargement of the liver or its rotation relative to its axis can lead to compression of the vein and increased pressure on the lower portions of the veins, thereby causing varicose veins.
The thoraco-abdominal diaphragm is sensitive to the psycho-emotional state of a person.Any negative emotion (fear, anger, irritation) leads to the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn cause muscle spasms and compress the lumen of the venous column.
Given that we are irritated more than once or twice a day, nervous system health is of great importance in the treatment and prevention of varicose veins.
Injuries to the lumbar region and weakness of the quadratus lumbaris muscle can cause the venous pump to malfunction (blood is pumped upwards by inhaling and exhaling).This leads to stagnation, increased pressure on the veins and, as a result, enlargement of the veins.
Wearing tight clothing and shoes also causes the superficial veins to become compressed and blood circulation to be impaired.
Sitting with your legs crossed is very dangerous.In this position, there is not only compression of the vein in the knee fossa, but also disruption of the position of the pelvic organs.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental examinations - ultrasound, X-ray with contrast agent and others - help to identify and solve many problems.
The condition of the blood directly affects varicose veins.It is always very difficult to push thick and viscous blood upwards while overcoming the earth's gravity.This leads to wear and tear on the venous vessels and valves and the formation of blood clots.This is a very dangerous condition because a dislodged blood clot that enters the lungs or heart can lead to rapid death, and sometimes doctors simply do not have 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 (epithelial lining) of the vein.
It is important to keep varicose veins under control - once the vein has reached its maximum, it is impossible to return it to its original state.Unless you delete it.However, you must understand that there is nothing superfluous in the body: the volume of blood from the removed vein is redistributed to the surrounding veins, increasing the load on them.
What symptoms should you see a doctor for?
The first signs of discomfort are swelling of the lower legs and feet and a feeling of heaviness in the legs that occurs after sitting or standing for a long time.These symptoms disappear or are significantly reduced when walking and after a night's rest.
If you ignore these symptoms, over time you will experience bursting pain in the calves, a feeling of heat in the legs and night cramps in the calf muscles.There will also be external changes.Small blue-red spider veins appear on the thighs and legs, veins up to 2 mm in diameter appear through the skin, and finally, varicose veins are the most characteristic manifestation of the disease.
Today there are two methods of treating varicose veins: surgical and conservative.
Conservative treatment largely eliminates the factors that led to varicose veins.True, the situation is strongly influenced by genetic predisposition - here, as they say, you can only deal with the consequences.
How do you support the body?
Water and drinking control must be observed.Water is taken in portions: often and in small portions.Avoid foods that can cause thirst, constipation and vascular atherosclerosis.Sweets are completely excluded, as sugar leads to glycation of red blood cells and blood clots, flour made from premium flour, as this leads to gas formation.
There should be physical activity (swimming, Nordic walking) and special daily exercises for the legs.However, active sports with weight lifting are not suitable.
If varicose veins occur, you should wear compression clothing or apply elastic bandages.It is very important that the bandage does not change shape when stretching, and the application of the bandages must start from the foot and grab the heel.
As recommended by your doctor, you should take venotonic medications.
Sclerotherapy and laser correction are also very popular today.Pneumatic massage is very effective when carried out in courses.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, pay attention to yourself and the symptoms that may bother you for the first time.Remember that veins are part of the body.They are conductors of life in our amazing bodies.Be healthy!