Sputnik asked 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 vein patterns on the legs almost as the norm.
Are varicose veins a disease or a consequence of stress?How dangerous is this?Let's look at this from the point of view of body physiology.
Europeans get sick more often
Varicose veins have been known since Egyptian times.Hippocrates and Avicenna tried to treat her.
Today, most of the working population suffers from this disease.And the reason is often not linked to physiological working conditions.
The flow of blood from the lower limbs 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 limbs are the valves that direct blood flow strictly towards the heart, thereby preventing the flow of blood downward.The communicating vein valves allow blood to flow from the saphenous veins to the deep veins and prevent it from returning.The venous valves of the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the lower leg, and even fewer on the thigh.
It is interesting to note 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 a flood
What moves blood through the veins to the heart?First of all, active contractions of the muscles of the foot, lower leg and thigh, as well as contraction of the diaphragm and partially heartbeat.With each movement, the contracting muscles force blood out of the veins and push it toward the heart.The calf muscles are believed to be the second heart of the body, as they play an important role during 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 path of the river, then below the obstacle the river begins to expand (spill).The same thing happens in the body.If the veins are pinched somewhere on the way to the heart, the excess unpumped blood dilates the lower parts of the veins, disrupting the functioning of the valves (they don't close) and all blood flow in general.The veins begin to dilate.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) are considered a dilation of the saphenous veins.If we talk about the legs, when a person stands, the veins should not protrude above the skin level.
There are two approaches to solving the problem:
- treat incompetent venous valves, seal 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 a number of obstructions where the vein (column of veins) can narrow, creating increased pressure in the lower parts.
If problems arise 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 stools and avoid constipation.
Normally, a person should have a bowel movement every day, in the morning.It is important to adhere to good eating habits.
What you need to know about varicose veins in women
Childbirth in women weakens the pelvic floor muscles, which can put pressure on the femoral veins.
The first sign of pelvic floor weakness is the appearance of a mesh at the ankle.Any exercise aimed at strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Inflammation of the ovaries or adhesive disease are both the cause and the consequence of varicose veins.Venous blood is saturated with toxins and carbon dioxide, and stagnation is always an increase in the concentration of these same 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 also causes infertility, impotence and hemorrhoids.
The cause of blood stagnation in the pelvis can be a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.Therefore, moving during the day or doing simple exercises during work is a vital necessity.
A woman's hormonal background and the use of contraceptives lead to chronic venous insufficiency.
How not to hurt yourself?
The condition and anatomical position of the liver play an important role either in the prevention (if it is healthy) or in the appearance (if there are abnormalities) of varicose veins.
Since the vein running from the lower limbs to the right atrium also passes under the liver, any enlargement of the liver or its rotation relative to its axis can cause compression of the vein and increased pressure on the lower venous sections, thereby causing 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 spasms and compress the lumen of the venous column.
Since we are 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 lead to improper functioning of the venous pump (pumping of blood upwards due to inhalation and exhalation).This will lead to stagnation, increased pressure on the veins and, consequently, dilation of the veins.
Wearing tight clothing and shoes also tends to compress superficial veins and impede blood circulation.
A sitting position with crossed legs is very dangerous.In this position, not only is the knee fossa vein compressed, but the position of the pelvic organs is also disrupted.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental studies - ultrasound, x-ray with contrast agent and others - will help identify and solve many problems.
The condition of the blood directly affects varicose veins.Thick, viscous blood is still very difficult to push upwards, to overcome 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 loose blood clot entering the lungs or heart can lead to rapid death, and sometimes doctors simply do not have time to provide emergency help.
Old, uncontrolled varicose veins can lead to 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 expands 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 superfluous in the body: the blood volume of the removed vein is redistributed to neighboring veins, thereby increasing the load on them.
For what symptoms should you consult a doctor?
The first signs of trouble 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 improve considerably with walking and after a night's rest.
If you ignore these manifestations, over time you will experience bursting 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 through the skin and, finally, the most characteristic manifestation of the disease are varicose veins.
Today there are two methods of treating varicose veins: surgical and conservative.
With conservative treatment, the factors causing varicose veins are eliminated as much as possible.True, the situation is strongly influenced by genetic predisposition - here, as they say, you can only cope 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, because sugar leads to glycation of red blood cells and blood clots, 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 strength training are not suitable.
If varicose veins appear, you should wear compression clothing or apply elastic bandages.It is very important that the bandage does not change its shape when stretched and the application of the bandages should start from the foot, grabbing 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 carried out in class.
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 conductors of life in our amazing body.Be healthy!