Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular pathologies. Every third woman and every fifth representative of the strong half of the world community faces such a problem.
This is a chronic disease that is characterized by a violation of the outflow of blood, which increases the pressure on the veins. The blood vessels are equipped with valves that allow blood to flow only upwards so that it does not stagnate in the lower extremities. When the valves are disturbed, the blood flow becomes chaotic, after which the development of varicose veins in the legs occurs, and in this case, treatment must be carried out immediately.
In the absence of timely treatment of the disease, complications often develop, thrombophlebitis is diagnosed. There may even be a risk of death. How to prevent the deterioration of the condition of the blood vessels of the lower extremities, the formation of knots in them, as well as prevent a dangerous disease, the article will tell.
Why do varicose veins appear?
Enlarged leg veins occur for various reasons. They are not only a cosmetic defect, but also indicate serious problems with the outflow of blood. Factors that determine the development of varicose veins include:
- excess body weight, which increases the load on the veins of the lower extremities;
- addiction to bad habits, such as smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, drugs of natural and artificial origin;
- heavy physical labor, which causes heavy loads on the legs;
- abundance of tasty and unhealthy food;
- high frequency of stressful situations;
- genetic predisposition;
- hypodynamia, which creates favorable conditions for stagnation in the vascular system and impaired blood circulation in the patient's body;
- weak muscular framework of the legs, caused by a lack of desire to regularly perform gymnastic exercises and activate the work of muscle fibers;
- thin vessel walls.
Such reasons create favorable conditions for the expansion of the large blood vessels of the lower extremities, the appearance of noticeable swollen nodes in them.
Who needs varicose vein prevention and why?
Prevention refers to an effective and efficient way to prevent varicose veins. There are different categories of people at risk:
- women who have crossed the 30-year mark and are in menopause;
- gourmets and lovers of sweets, fatty foods, leading to extra pounds;
- representatives of professions associated with standing for a long time, sitting on a chair in one position or moving weights;
- athletes whose main load falls on their legs: weightlifters, runners, skaters, cyclists, rowers;
- fashionistas who prefer to create their elegant and attractive looks with high-heeled shoes, tight and fitted clothes;
- people who lead an inactive lifestyle;
Pregnant women are also at risk and may experience the problem of swollen leg veins. The increased content of hormones in your body, the development of the fetus leads to an increase in the volume of blood transported through the venous vessels. Prevention of the disease will help avoid its development after childbirth. Timely prevention of varicose veins can significantly improve the condition of the veins in the legs, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, normalize blood circulation, prevent the appearance of ugly knots and the formation of blood clots. A severe course of the disease can be avoided, for the treatment of which an urgent surgical operation is necessary.
How to prevent varicose veins?
The prevention of varicose veins implies a change in lifestyle and the implementation of a series of activities that should become a habit for potential patients of phlebologists. To avoid the development of a dangerous vascular disease, you must:
- exclude flour, sweet foods from the diet;
- limit the use of salt, smoked meats, alcoholic beverages, coffee, strong meat broths;
- live an active lifestyle;
- perform industrial gymnastics in workplaces associated with long standing or sitting;
- prevent the lifting of weights that exceed the permitted standards;
- consume a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements;
- wear, at the first signs of varicose veins, compression underwear, the elasticity class of which is determined by a phlebologist;
- quit smoking, visit baths, saunas;
- regularly attend gyms, fitness centers, swimming pools, go swimming, water aerobics, which are considered the best activities for the prevention of varicose veins;
- performing recommended exercises to improve blood circulation and available for home use;
- apply traditional medicine recipes to improve the condition of the venous vessels of the legs.
The implementation of such simple recommendations is guaranteed to help eliminate the risk of developing a dangerous disease and the appearance of its characteristic signs.
Useful exercises for the prevention of expansion, deformation of the veins in the legs.
Performing simple exercises for the prevention of vascular pathology of the lower extremities improves blood circulation in the body's tissues, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, eliminates congestion and prevents varicose veins. These include:
- Raise your legs in a prone position off the floor and pull your toes towards you, at least 10 times.
- Perform the "birch" exercise in 5 sets while holding the pelvis for 15-20 seconds.
- Raise your legs while lying on the floor and make circular movements with your feet in one direction, the other side 10-15 times.
- Lifting of socks, heels from the knees, at least 10 times with each leg, sitting on a chair.
- Drinking, standing on tiptoe, with the number of repetitions 10-20 times.
- Move heels forward, back 15 times with each foot from a seated position on a chair.
Recipes of traditional medicine to improve the condition of blood vessels.
To keep the leg veins always healthy, lovers of alternative medicine recommend using baths, lotions, rubbing, compresses prepared according to the recipes of traditional medicine. The effectiveness of these methods has not been proven, and it is best to consult a doctor before using them. These methods include:
- rubbing problem areas with cold parsley broth with the addition of a few drops of rose oil;
- apply to the swollen veins of the legs of green tomatoes, cut in half, until a burning sensation appears;
- a compress from a decoction of calendula, prepared from the flowers of a medicinal plant and water in a ratio of 1: 4;
- ointment, consisting of 1 raw egg yolk, 1 tbsp. yomiel and 1 tbsp. yovodka and should be applied to inflamed veins for several hours.
Remember, varicose veins are easier to prevent than to treat!