Thanks to the veins, blood from the human body flows to the heart. Varicose veins in the lower extremities cause the veins to dilate and elongate. This disease is very widespread today. Women between thirty and forty years old are the ones who suffer from it the most. Let's take a closer look at why varicose veins develop in the legs, how they are diagnosed and treated.
Why does the disease develop?
Varicose veins of the lower extremities develop gradually. This is facilitated by various unfavorable factors for the veins, which over time make themselves felt in the form of the formation of nodules and meshes.
Reasons why varicose veins develop in the legs:
- Over weight;
- The intestines cannot cope with their work, which is why constipation often occurs;
- Flatfoot;
- Hypertension;
- Passive lifestyle;
- Great physical activity;
- Prolonged tension in the legs.
Due to excess weight, the legs undergo great stress, which causes stagnation of blood in the veins. In addition, if the intestines function poorly, the functioning of all organs and systems of the human body is disturbed. Since blood travels a long path before returning to the heart from the lower extremities. And if the intestines work intermittently, venous blood will not be able to return to the surface, which causes its stagnation in the legs.
In addition to the factors described above, the development of the disease is also facilitated by diseases of the pelvic organs and hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, stress, antibiotics, alcoholic beverages and smoking.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are inherited at the genetic level. Since it is passed on from parents, children can start to suffer from varicose veins from an early age. Therefore, it is important to carry out disease prevention, which will help prevent the disease and prevent the development of serious complications.
Symptoms and diagnosis of the disease.
The main symptoms of varicose veins in the legs are the following:
- Swelling of the legs at the end of the working day;
- Feeling of fullness and heaviness in the calf area after sitting or standing in one place for a long time;
- Tingling in the legs;
- The appearance of cyanosis of the legs;
- Formation of networks and stars on the legs.
If these symptoms appear, it is important to urgently visit a phlebologist or vascular surgeon. If you start treatment in a timely manner, you can prevent the development of complications.
The specialist will carefully examine the patient and listen to her complaints. She will also prescribe all tests and undergo any necessary examinations. To accurately diagnose and prescribe correct and effective treatment, the doctor prescribes the following studies:
- Ultrasound examination of the veins, called a duplex venous scan. Thanks to ultrasound, an experienced specialist will see the state of patency of the veins, as well as how much they have dilated. Additionally, such a study will tell you if there are blood clots in the veins and in which direction the blood flows;
- Using contrast venography, varicose veins of the lower extremities can be accurately diagnosed. Thanks to venography, the condition of the veins is assessed, the presence of blood clots and tumors is determined. During this study, a substance is injected into the leg area that stains the blood blue, allowing an impression of the patient's veins to be taken on an x-ray.
Most often, examination of veins is performed using duplex scanning.
When to see a doctor urgently
Since varicose veins are dangerous for the human body, it is important to urgently seek medical help when the following situations occur:
- If severe, sharp pain occurs in the legs with any movement;
- If in the morning, when you want to get out of bed, you feel a sharp pain in your leg. In this case, the leg has a swollen, dense appearance and the skin burns;
- If in addition to pain, there is weakness throughout the body, difficulty breathing and a constant feeling of lack of oxygen;
- If the leg affected by varicose veins begins to ooze blood.
The above symptoms force the person to immediately consult a doctor to avoid bad unwanted consequences.
Treat varicose veins correctly
Taking into account the advanced state of the disease, emerging complications associated with varicose veins, as well as the patient's age, the doctor prescribes conservative or surgical treatment.
Varicose veins are treated by the following methods:
- Treatment of the disease without surgery. This treatment method is effective only at the first symptoms of varicose veins. Conservative treatment methods include wearing special compression garments, following a special diet, and engaging in a range of physical activities regularly.
On the advice of a doctor, you can choose special knee-high socks or foot socks, with some compression. You can also wrap your legs with elastic compression bandages. These underwear should be worn throughout the day and removed only before going to bed.
A special massage is also useful, which is performed with special cuffs filled with air. Thanks to pneumomassage, blood circulation improves, the tissues breathe better, the pain and discomfort associated with varicose veins disappear;
- Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is also carried out with the help of medications, which in turn are divided into venotonics, anticoagulants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Anticoagulants prevent blood clots from forming in the veins.
Thanks to non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, inflammation and pain are eliminated.
- Varicose veins are also treated with leeches. Leeches bite into the skin, burrow into it, and release hirudin, which thins the blood and prevents clots from forming;
- Treatment with sclerotherapy, in which the affected veins are completely removed. The procedure is the next. The doctor injects a special medicine into the vein, which joins the veins and stops blood from flowing. Due to this, degradation of the veins occurs. The vein completely resolves within a year. This procedure does not interfere with blood circulation. To completely cure varicose veins through sclerotherapy, it is necessary to undergo between three and six sessions of this type;
- Varicose veins are also treated with laser. The procedure is done under local anesthesia. The first results will be visible within three weeks after said treatment;
- If the conservative methods described above do not give results, the doctor resorts to surgical treatment. On the second day after surgery, the patient can walk independently.
The doctor must individually determine which method to treat varicose veins in your case. It is not necessary to self-medicate in the face of such a serious illness.
Expert advice
Doctors advise the following to all their patients who come to them with varicose veins:
- Try to drink more than two liters of purified water every day. Water will help you lose excess weight and also prevent the development of varicose veins;
- It is important to do a fasting day once a week. On this day you need to fast. A one-day fast will help cleanse the body of waste and toxins;
- Try to quit smoking. After all, nicotine has a negative effect on blood vessels and provokes the development of varicose veins;
- Try not to overheat and strengthen your immune system so you don't get sick. Don't sit in a hot bath or sauna for too long;
- It is not recommended to change the weather suddenly. Therefore, it is best to relax in your own climatic zone.
The simple tips listed will help prevent varicose veins, and will also make it easier to endure if the disease has already affected your legs.
Varicose veins and traditional medicine.
It is necessary to start the treatment of varicose veins with folk recipes only after consulting with a doctor and in parallel with a conservative treatment method. Traditional medicine recipes that will help get rid of the disease:
- Mix one part minced white garlic with two parts creamed butter. Apply the resulting product to damaged veins, wrap your leg with parchment paper and a warm bandage or scarf. This compress is done at night. In the morning, wash and put on warm pants;
- For a year, before going to bed, tie green tomato slices on the affected veins. Thanks to the vegetable, varicose veins will soften and decrease in size. And after a while they will disappear completely;
- Mix sour milk with wormwood. Place the resulting mixture on a bandage and wrap it around your legs. The procedure is performed overnight;
- So that varicose veins do not hurt your legs at night, you should eat the following apple porridge. Pour three Antonovka apples with a liter of boiling water and let it brew for three hours. Then take out the apples and make a puree with them, which should be consumed twice a day, 30 grams;
- Pour boiling water over 30 grams of nettle and let it brew for an hour. Then strain and drink a quarter glass three times a day. Drink for 1 month, then take a two-week break and repeat the course. Nettle treatment should be carried out for six months;
- Pour boiling water over the hop cones and let them sit for 15 minutes. Drink the tincture half an hour before meals. For faster results, dip the bandages in the intoxicating infusion and apply them to the affected veins;
- Pour boiling water over 5 grams of chopped nutmeg. Add 5 grams of honey and stir. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Drink 60 minutes before breakfast and two hours after. Nutmeg is poisonous, so you can drink no more than five grams per day. Failure to follow this warning may result in death;
- Place the Kalanchoe leaves in a one-liter jar. Half leaves and half alcohol. Infuse for two weeks in the dark. Shake the bottle every day. Lubricate your feet with the resulting product daily;
- You need to peel five potatoes. Grate them and spread your feet with the resulting puree. After four hours, rinse the potatoes with warm water;
- Pour 50 grams of horse chestnut with alcohol (500 milliliters). Let it sit for two weeks. After a while, strain and drink 15 grams three times a day with water. The course of treatment is 7 days. Then a break of 14 days. After completing just three of these courses, your legs will improve.
It is important to remember that the described traditional medicine treatment methods can be used only after consulting with a doctor, so as not to aggravate the situation and not harm your health.
Dietary rules for varicose veins.
Try to eat foods that contain fiber every day. Thanks to fiber, excess and unnecessary substances for the body are eliminated from the body. Fiber copes with toxins, waste, pus and even radionuclides. It is also sometimes called intestinal cleanser. Therefore, it is useful to eat different cereals and peels of vegetables and fruits.
If you eat only pearl barley porridge for a couple of days, you will be able to get rid of extra pounds, eliminate swelling and improve the condition of your skin and hair.
To lose weight and improve blood circulation in your legs, try to consume less animal fats. They can be replaced with vegetable oils, which improve blood flow and are therefore considered useful for varicose veins in the legs. To prevent obesity, increased cholesterol and sedimentation in the body, exclude fast food and fast food products from your diet.
It is very useful to consume foods enriched with vitamin C, which strengthens the walls of the veins and improves immunity. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, sea buckthorn, rose hips, black currant, onion and garlic.
Now you know why varicose veins of the lower extremities develop, how they can be correctly diagnosed and what treatment is provided for this disease. Only by strictly following all the recommendations of an experienced doctor will you be able to overcome this disease in a short time and continue living and enjoying a healthy lifestyle.