Sputnik learned from a specialist whether it is possible to resist varicose veins and what to do if they start to appear.
Many of us perceive the appearance of venous patterns on the legs almost as a norm.
Are varicose veins a disease or a consequence 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.
Today, the majority of the working population suffers from this disease.And the reason is often not physiological working conditions.
The outflow of blood from the lower extremities takes place through the veins: deep, which are located deep in the muscles, and subcutaneous, which pass through the subcutaneous fatty tissue.The deep and superficial venous systems of the legs are interconnected by connecting veins.The main feature of the structure of the veins of the lower extremities is the valves that direct the blood flow strictly to the heart, preventing the blood from flowing downwards.Valves in the connecting veins allow blood to flow from the saphenous veins into the deep veins and prevent it from returning.The venous valves on the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the lower leg, and the least - on the thigh.
It is interesting that varicose veins more often affect 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 flooding
What makes blood flow through the veins to the heart?First of all, active contractions of the muscles of the foot, lower leg and upper leg, as well as contraction of the diaphragm and partial heartbeat.With each movement, the contracting muscles squeeze 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 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 on the river's path, then the river begins to expand (spill) under the obstacle.The same thing happens in the body.If the veins are pinched somewhere on the way to the heart, then the excess unpumped blood expands the lower parts of the veins, which disrupts the valves (they don't close) and the overall blood flow in general.The veins begin to expand.
Varicose veins are considered to be enlargement of the saphenous vein.If we talk about the legs, then when a person is standing, the veins should not protrude above the level of the skin.
There are two approaches to solving the problem:
- treat incompetent venous valves, close or remove 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 enters the right atrium.
Along this long path there are numerous obstacles where the vein (column of veins) can narrow, creating increased pressure in the lower parts.
If there are problems in the large intestine (section of the cecum), then due to the anatomy, the veins on the left leg will begin to swell first (this is a warning sign), so it is necessary to carefully monitor the work of the intestines and avoid constipation.
Normally, a person should have a stool every day, in the morning.It is important to follow proper eating habits.
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 veins.
The first sign of pelvic floor weakness is the appearance of a web in the area of the ankle joint.Any exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Ovarian inflammation or adhesive disease is both a cause and a consequence of varicose veins.Venous blood is saturated with toxins and carbon dioxide, and stagnation is always an increase in the concentration of exactly those toxins that lead to inflammation and tissue changes, so all the organs located in the pelvis are endangered.Stagnation of venous blood in the pelvis is also the cause of infertility, impotence and hemorrhoids.
The cause of blood stagnation in the pelvis can be a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.Therefore, movement during the day or simple exercise during work is a vital need.
A woman's hormonal background and the use of contraceptives lead to chronic venous insufficiency.
How not to harm yourself?
The condition and anatomical position of the liver play a major role either in the prevention (if it is healthy) or in the development (if there are abnormalities) of varicose veins.
Since the vein that goes from the lower extremities to the right atrium also passes under the liver, any enlargement of the liver or its rotation in relation to its axis can cause compression of the vein and increased pressure on the lower venous parts, which causes varicose veins.
The thoraco-abdominal diaphragm is sensitive to a person's psycho-emotional state.Any negative emotion (fear, anger, irritation) causes the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn cause muscle spasm and compress the lumen of the venous column.
Considering that we get irritated more than once or twice during the day, the health of the nervous system is of great importance in the treatment and prevention of varicose veins.
Injuries in the lumbar region, weakness of the quadratus lumbar muscle can cause the venous pump to malfunction (pumping blood upwards due to inhalation and exhalation).This will create 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.
Sitting cross-legged is very dangerous.In this position, not only the vein in the knee pit is compressed, but also the position of the pelvic organs is disturbed.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental studies - ultrasound, X-ray with a contrast medium and others - will help in identifying and solving many problems.
The condition of the blood directly affects varicose veins.Thick and viscous blood is always very difficult to push upwards, overcoming the force of Earth's gravity.This leads to wear and tear of venous vessels, valves and the formation of blood clots.This is a very dangerous condition, because a detached blood clot, which enters the lungs or heart, can lead to quick death, and sometimes doctors simply do not have time to provide emergency care.
Old, uncontrolled varicose veins can lead to thrombophlebitis, as stagnant venous blood rich in toxins 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 expanded to its maximum, it will be impossible to return it to its previous state.Unless you delete it.But you must understand that there is nothing superfluous in the body: the blood volume of the removed vein is redistributed to the nearby ones, increasing the load on them.
Which symptoms should you see a doctor for?
The first signs of the problem are swelling of the lower legs and feet, a feeling of heaviness in the legs that occurs 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, over time there will be shooting pains 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 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 the disease is varicose veins.
Today, there are two methods of treating varicose veins: surgical and conservative.
With conservative treatment, the factors that led to varicose veins are eliminated as much as possible.True, the situation is greatly influenced by genetic predisposition - here, as they say, you can only deal with the consequences.
How to support the body?
Water and drinking control must be observed.Water is taken in portions: often 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 clots, flour from premium flour, because it leads to the formation of gases.
You should have physical activity (swimming, Nordic walking) and special daily exercises for your legs.But active sports with weightlifting are not suitable.
If varicose veins appear, you should wear a compression suit or apply 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.
According to your doctor's recommendation, you should take venotonic drugs.
Today, sclerotherapy and laser correction are very popular.Pneumatic massage is very effective if performed in courses.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, be careful about yourself and the symptoms that may bother you for the first time.Remember that veins are part of the body;they are the conductors of life in our amazing body.Be healthy!