Sputnik found out from experts whether it is possible to stop varicose veins and what to do if they start to appear.
Many of us consider the appearance of vein patterns on the legs almost as the norm.
Are varicose veins a disease or a result of stress?How dangerous is it?Let's look at it from a physiological point of view.
Europeans get sick more often
Varicose veins have been known since Egyptian times.Hippocrates and Avicenna tried to treat it.
Nowadays, most of the working population suffers from this disease.And the reason is often not physiological working conditions.
The outflow of blood from the lower part of the leg occurs through veins: deep, located deep in the muscles, and subcutaneous, through the subcutaneous fat.The deep and superficial venous systems of the legs are interconnected by connecting veins.The basic structural feature of the lower leg veins is a valve that directs blood flow strictly to the heart, preventing downward outflow of blood.Valves in the connecting veins allow blood to flow from the saphenous vein to the deep vein and prevent it from returning.Venous valves in the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the lower part of the legs, the least - on the thighs.
Interestingly, varicose veins more often attack people with white skin.The reason lies in the number of valves.Representatives of the Negroid and Mongoloid races have several 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?First of all, the active contraction of the muscles of the legs, lower legs and thighs, as well as the contraction of the diaphragm and partly the heartbeat.With any movement, the contracting muscles squeeze the blood out of the veins and push it towards the heart.It is believed that the calf muscles are the second heart of the body, as they play an important role when walking.
The laws of fluid movement in the body are no different from the laws of fluid movement in nature.
If an obstacle (dam) appears in the course of the river, then under the obstacle the river begins to expand (spill).The same thing happens in the body.If the vein is pinched somewhere on the way to the heart, then the excess amount of blood that is not pumped expands the lower part of the vein, thereby disrupting the function of the valves (they do not close) and the overall blood flow in general.The veins begin to expand.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) are considered to be widening of the saphenous vein.If we talk about the legs, then when a person stands, the veins should not protrude above the skin level.
There are two approaches to solving the problem:
- treating inefficient venous valves, closing or removing superficial veins;
- eliminate the cause of narrowing or crab veins on the way to the heart.
Blood from the lower leg rises into the femoral vein, which collects in the inferior vena cava, which then enters the right atrium.
Along this long path there are several obstacles where the vein (venous column) can narrow, creating increased pressure in the lower part.
If the problem arises in the large intestine (cecum part), then due to anatomy, the veins will first begin to swell 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 stool every day, in the morning.It is important to adhere to proper dietary behavior.
What you need to know about varicose veins in women
Childbirth in women weakens the pelvic floor muscles, which in turn can put pressure on the femoral vein.
The first sign of pelvic floor weakness is the appearance of webbing in the ankle area.Any exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Ovarian inflammation or adhesive disease is the cause and effect of varicose veins.Venous blood is saturated with toxins and carbon dioxide, and stagnation constantly increases the concentration of toxins that lead to inflammation and tissue changes, so 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.
The cause of blood stagnation in the pelvis can be a sedentary lifestyle and inactive work.Therefore, movement during the day or simple exercise during work is an important requirement.
Women's hormonal background and contraceptive use lead to chronic venous insufficiency.
How not to harm yourself?
The condition and anatomical position of the liver play a large role either in the prevention (if it is healthy) or in the occurrence (if there are abnormalities) of varicose veins.
Since the veins that flow from the lower part to the right atrium also pass under the liver, any enlargement of the liver or its rotation relative to its axis can cause venous compression and increased pressure in the lower part of the veins, thereby triggering varicose veins.
The thoraco-abdominal diaphragm is sensitive to a person's psycho-emotional state.Any negative emotions (fear, anger, irritation) cause the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn cause muscle spasms and compress the lumen of the venous column.
Since we get 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.
Injuries in the lumbar region, weakness of the lumbar quadratus muscle can cause improper operation of the venous pump (pumping blood up as a result of inhalation and exhalation).This will form stagnation, increased pressure on the veins and, as a result, dilation of the veins.
Wearing tight clothing and shoes also tends to compress superficial veins and impede blood flow.
Cross-legged sitting position is very dangerous.In this position, not only the veins in the knee fossa become compressed, but the position of the pelvic organs is also disturbed.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental studies - ultrasound, X-ray with contrast agents and others - will help to identify and solve many problems.
The condition of the blood directly affects the varicose veins.Thick and viscous blood is always very difficult to push upwards, overcoming the Earth's gravity.This leads to wear and tear of venous vessels, valves and the formation of blood clots.This is a very dangerous situation, because a detached blood clot, entering the lungs or heart, can cause quick death, and sometimes doctors do not have time to provide emergency help.
Long and uncontrolled varicose veins can cause thrombophlebitis, because stagnant venous blood is rich in toxins and can cause inflammation of the inner surface (epithelial layer) of the vein.
It is important to keep varicose veins under control - once the vein expands to its maximum extent, it is impossible to return it to its previous state.Unless you delete it.But you need to understand that there is no excess in the body: the amount of venous blood released is redistributed to nearby ones, increasing the load on them.
For what symptoms should you see a doctor?
The first signs of the problem are swelling of the lower legs and feet, a feeling of heaviness in the legs that appears after sitting or standing for a long time.These symptoms disappear or are significantly reduced by walking and after a night's rest.
If you ignore these manifestations, then over time there will be a breaking pain in the calf, a feeling of heat in the leg and night cramps in the calf muscles.External changes will also occur.Small blue-red spider veins will appear on the thighs and legs, veins up to 2 mm in diameter will begin to appear through the skin, and, finally, the most characteristic manifestation of this disease is varicose veins.
Today, there are two methods of treating varicose veins: surgical and conservative.
With conservative treatment, the factors that lead to varicose veins are eliminated as much as possible.True, this condition is strongly influenced by genetic predisposition - here, as they say, you can only deal with the consequences.
How to support the body?
Water and drink controls must be followed.Water is taken in portions: often and in small portions.Avoid foods that can cause thirst, constipation and vascular atherosclerosis.Sweets are completely excluded, because sugar leads to glycation of red blood cells and blood clotting, flour from premium flour, because this leads to gas formation.
There should be physical activity (swimming, Nordic walking) and special daily exercises for the legs.But active sports with weight lifting are not suitable.
If varicose veins appear, you should wear compression garments or wear elastic bandages.It is very important that the bandage does not change its shape when stretched, and the application of the bandage must start from the foot, grabbing the heel.
As recommended by your doctor, you should take venotonic medicine.
Sclerotherapy and laser correction are also very popular today.Pneumatic massage is very effective if it is carried out in a course.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, be careful of 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.So healthy!