Sputnik learned from an expert whether it is possible to fight varicose veins and what to do when they start to appear.
Many of us take the appearance of venous patterns on the legs almost as a norm.
Are varicose veins a disease or a result 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 Ibn Sina tried to treat it.
Currently, the majority of the working population suffers from this disease.And the reason is often not physiological working conditions.
Blood flow 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.The main feature of the structure of the veins of the lower extremities is the valves, which strictly direct the blood flow to the heart and prevent the blood from flowing down.Valves in the connecting veins allow blood to flow from the saphenous veins into the deep veins and prevent it from coming back.Venous valves are unevenly distributed in the legs.Most of them are on the lower leg, at least on the thigh.
It is interesting that varicose veins more often affect people with white skin.The reason is the number of valves.Representatives of 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 from the veins to the heart?First of all, active contraction of the muscles of the leg, lower leg and thigh, as well as contraction of the diaphragm and partial heartbeat.Muscles that contract with any movement squeeze the blood from the veins and push it towards the heart.Calf muscles are believed to be the body's second heart because they play an important role during walking.
The laws of motion of fluid in the body are no different from the laws of motion of fluids in nature.
If an obstacle (dam) appears in the path of the river, then the river begins to expand (spill) under the obstacle.The same thing happens in the body.If the veins are compressed somewhere on the way to the heart, then the excess blood volume that is not being pumped expands the lower parts of the veins, thereby disrupting the function of the valves (they do not close) and the overall blood flow.The veins begin to expand.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) are considered enlargement of the saphenous veins.If we talk about the legs, then when a person stands, the veins should not protrude above the level of the skin.
There are two approaches to solving the problem:
- treat incompetent venous valves, seal or remove superficial veins;
- to eliminate the cause of narrowing or compression of the artery on the way to the heart.
Blood from the lower extremities rises into the femoral veins, which collect in the inferior vena cava, and then enter the right atrium.
On this long path, there are a number of obstacles where the vein (vascular column) narrows, which can create increased pressure in the lower parts.
If there are problems in the large intestine (section of the umbilical intestine), then according to anatomy, the veins will begin to swell first in the left leg (this is a warning sign), so it is necessary to carefully monitor bowel movements and avoid constipation.
Normally, a person's stool should be in the morning every day.It is important to follow proper eating habits.
What you need to know about varicose veins in women
In women, childbirth weakens the pelvic muscles, which in turn can put pressure on the femoral arteries.
The first sign of pelvic floor weakness is webbing in the ankle area.Any exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Ovarian inflammation or adhesions 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 very toxic substances that cause inflammation and tissue changes, so all 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 stagnation of blood in the pelvis can be a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.That's why it's vital to move around during the day or do simple exercise while working.
A woman's hormonal background and the use of contraceptives cause chronic venous insufficiency.
How not to harm yourself?
The condition and anatomical condition of the liver plays a major role in either the prevention (if healthy) or the formation (if there are abnormalities) of varicose veins.
Since the vein extending from the lower extremities to the right auricle also passes under the liver, any expansion of the liver or rotation relative to its axis can cause compression of the vein and increase the pressure in the lower venous parts, thereby causing 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 causes muscle spasm and compresses the lumen of the venous column.
Considering that we are 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 to the lumbar region, weakness of the quadratus lumbar muscle can cause the venous pump to malfunction (pumps blood upwards as a result of inhalation and exhalation).This will cause stagnation, increased pressure in the veins and eventually dilation of the veins.
Wearing tight clothing and shoes also compresses superficial veins and impedes blood flow.
Cross-legged sitting position is very dangerous.In this case, not only the vein in the knee fossa is compressed, but also the condition of the pelvic organs is disturbed.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental studies - ultrasound, x-ray with contrast material 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 upward against the Earth's gravity.This leads to erosion of venous vessels, valves and the formation of blood clots.This is a very dangerous situation, because a detached blood clot entering the lung or heart can cause rapid death, and sometimes doctors do not have time to provide emergency care.
Old, uncontrolled varicose veins can cause thrombophlebitis because 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 has expanded to its maximum, it will be impossible to return it to its previous state.Unless you delete it.But you need to understand that there is nothing left in the body: the blood volume of the removed vessel is redistributed to the nearby ones, increasing the burden on them.
What symptoms should you see a doctor for?
The first signs of the problem are swelling of the lower leg and foot, a feeling of heaviness in the legs that appears after prolonged sitting or standing.These symptoms disappear or are significantly reduced after walking and a night's rest.
If you ignore these manifestations, over time, there will be exploding pain 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 from 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 cause 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 results.
How to support the body?
Water and drinking should be monitored.Water is taken in portions: often and in small portions.Avoid foods that can cause thirst, constipation and atherosclerosis of the arteries.Sweets are completely excluded, because sugar causes glycation of red blood cells and blood clots, and flour from premium flour, because it causes 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 shape when stretched, and the application of bandages should start from the foot, holding the heel.
You should take venotonic drugs as recommended by your doctor.
Sclerotherapy and laser correction are also very popular today.Pneumatic massage is very effective if it is carried out in courses.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, pay attention to 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!