Sputnik found out 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 the 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 the time of Egypt.Hippocrates and Avicenna tried to treat it.
Nowadays, most of the working population suffers from this disease.And the reason is often not the physiological working conditions.
The outflow of blood from the lower extremities occurs through veins: deep, located deep in the muscles and subcutaneous, passing through the subcutaneous fat.The deep and superficial venous systems of the legs are interconnected by connecting veins.A fundamental feature of the structure of the veins of the lower extremities is the valves that direct the blood flow strictly to the heart, preventing 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.Venous valves in the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the lower part of the leg, less - on the thigh.
Interestingly, varicose veins more often affect people with white skin color.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 makes blood flow through the veins to the heart?First of all, active contractions of the muscles of the leg, foot and thigh, as well as contraction of the diaphragm and partly beating of the heart.With each movement, the contracting muscles squeeze the blood from the veins and push it towards the heart.It is believed that the calf muscles are the second heart of the body, because they play an important role during walking.
The laws of fluid movement in the body do not differ from the laws of fluid movement in nature.
If an obstacle (dam) appears in the path of the river, then below the obstacle the river begins to expand (flow).The same thing happens in the body.If the veins become constricted somewhere on the way to the heart, then the excess volume of blood that is not pumped expands the lower parts of the veins, thereby disrupting the function of the valves (they do not close) and the entire blood flow in general.The veins begin to dilate.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) are considered to be enlargement of the saphenous veins.If we talk about the legs, then when a person is standing, the veins should not protrude above the skin level.
There are two approaches to solving the problem:
- treat incompetent venous valves, close or remove superficial veins;
- eliminate the cause of narrowing or tightening of the vein on the way to the heart.
Blood from the lower extremities rises in the femoral veins, which collect in the inferior vena cava, which then enters the right atrium.
Along this long path there are a number of obstructions where the vein (column of veins) can narrow, creating increased pressure in the lower extremities.
If problems occur in the large intestine (section of the cecum), then due to the 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 bowel movement every day, in the morning.It is important to adhere to proper eating behavior.
What you need to know about varicose veins in women
Childbirth in women weakens the pelvic muscles, which 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 muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Ovarian inflammation or infectious disease is both the cause and effect of varicose veins.Venous blood is saturated with toxins and carbon dioxide, and stagnation is always an increase in the concentration of those toxins that lead to inflammation and tissue changes, so all the 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 blood stagnation in the pelvis can be a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.Therefore, movement during the day or simple exercises during work are a vital necessity.
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 in either the prevention (if healthy) or the appearance (if abnormal) 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 in the lower venous sections, thus provoking varicose veins.
The thoraco-abdominal diaphragm is sensitive to the psycho-emotional state of a person.Any negative emotion (fear, anger, irritation) causes the release of adrenaline and cortisol hormones, which in turn cause muscle spasms and compress the lumen of the venous column.
Considering that we get irritated more than once or twice a 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 medius muscles can cause improper functioning of the venous pump (pumping blood up due to 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.
A cross-legged sitting position is very dangerous.In this position, not only is the vein in the knee fossa compressed, but also the position of the pelvic organs is disturbed.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental studies - ultrasound, X-ray with a contrast agent and others - will help to identify and solve many problems.
The condition of the blood directly affects varicose veins.Thick and viscous blood is always very difficult to push upward, overcoming the force of Earth's gravity.This leads to the wear and tear of venous vessels, valves and the formation of blood clots.This is a very dangerous condition, because a detached blood clot, entering the lungs or heart, can lead to quick death, and sometimes doctors simply do not have time to provide emergency help.
Old and uncontrolled varicose veins can lead to thrombophlebitis, as 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 is fully enlarged, it will be impossible to return it to its previous state.If you don't delete it.But you should 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.
For which symptoms should you consult a doctor?
The first signs of concern are swelling of the lower leg and foot, a feeling of heaviness in the leg that appears after sitting or standing for a long time.These symptoms disappear or are significantly reduced with walking and after a night's rest.
If you ignore these manifestations, then over time there will be severe pain in the calves, a feeling of heat in the legs and cramps at night in the calf muscles.There will also be external changes.Small blue-red spider veins will appear on the thighs and legs, veins with a diameter of up to 2 mm will begin to appear through the skin, and finally, the most characteristic manifestation of the disease is varicose veins.
Today, there are two methods for 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 drink control must be respected.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 clotting, flour from premium flour, as 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 apply elastic bandages.It is very important that the bandage does not change its shape when it is stretched, and the application of the bandage should start from the foot, grasping 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 if performed in courses.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, be attentive to yourself and the symptoms that may bother you for the first time.Remember that veins are part of the body;they are carriers of life in our amazing body.Be healthy!