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 a 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 the physiology of the body.
Europeans get sick more often
Varicose veins have been known since Egyptian times.Hippocrates and Avicenna tried to treat it.
Nowadays, a large part of the working population suffers from this disease.And the reason is often not physiological working conditions.
Blood exits the lower extremities through veins: deep, located deep in the muscles, and subcutaneous, passing through subcutaneous fat.The deep and superficial venous systems of the legs are interconnected by connective veins.A fundamental feature of the structure of the veins of the lower extremities are the valves that direct blood flow strictly to the heart, preventing blood from flowing downward.Valves in the connecting veins allow blood to flow from the saphenous veins to the deep veins and prevent its backflow.The venous valves in the legs are unevenly distributed.Most of them are on the lower leg, even fewer on the thigh.
Interestingly, varicose veins most 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 makes blood flow through the veins to the heart?Firstly, active contractions of the muscles of the foot, leg and thigh, as well as contraction of the diaphragm and partially heartbeat.With any movement, contracted muscles expel blood from 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 in walking.
The laws of fluid motion in the body are no different from the laws of fluid motion in nature.
If an obstacle (dam) appears in 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 compressed somewhere on the way to the heart, the excess volume of blood that is not pumped out expands the lower sections of the veins, thus disrupting the functioning of the valves (they do not close) and all blood flow in general.The veins begin to expand.
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 compression 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 series of obstructions where the vein (column of veins) can narrow, creating an increase in pressure in the lower parts.
If problems arise in the large intestine (section of the cecum), then, due to anatomy, the veins will begin to swell on 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 appropriate eating 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 veins.
The first sign of pelvic floor weakness is the appearance of a mesh in the ankle area.Any exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, is very effective.
Inflammation of the ovaries or adhesive disease is the cause and 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 is also a 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 simply exercising during work is a vital necessity.
The woman's hormonal background and the use of contraceptives lead to chronic venous insufficiency.
How not to get hurt?
The condition and anatomical position of the liver plays an important role in both the prevention (if it is healthy) and the occurrence (if there are abnormalities) of varicose veins.
Since the vein that runs from the lower extremities 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 in the lower venous sections, causing varicose veins.
The thoracoabdominal 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 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 to the lower back, weakness of the quadratus lumborum muscle can cause inadequate functioning of the venous pump (pumping blood upwards due to inhalation and exhalation).This will form stagnation, increased pressure in the veins and, as a consequence, dilation of the veins.
Wearing tight clothing and shoes also tends to compress superficial veins and impede blood flow.
The cross-legged sitting position is very dangerous.In this position, not only the knee fossa vein is compressed, but the position of the pelvic organs is also disturbed.
Keep the process under control
Instrumental studies - ultrasound, radiography with a contrast agent and others - will help identify and solve many problems.
The condition of the blood directly affects varicose veins.Thick, viscous blood is always very difficult to push upwards, overcoming the force of Earth's gravity.This leads to wear of venous vessels, valves and the formation of blood clots.This is a very dangerous condition, because a detached blood clot, getting into the lung or heart, can lead to quick death, and sometimes doctors simply do not have time to provide emergency assistance.
Old, uncontrolled varicose veins can cause 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 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 volume of blood from the removed vein is redistributed to nearby ones, increasing the load on them.
What symptoms should you see a doctor for?
The first signs of trouble are swelling of the leg and foot, a feeling of heaviness in the legs that appears after sitting or standing for a long time.These symptoms disappear or decrease significantly with walking and after a night's rest.
If you ignore these manifestations, over time there will be explosive 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 reddish-blue spider veins will appear on the thighs and legs, veins up to 2 mm in diameter will begin to appear on 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 that led to varicose veins are eliminated as much as possible.True, the situation is greatly influenced by genetic predisposition - here, as they say, one can only bear the consequences.
How to support the body?
Water and consumption control must be observed.Water is consumed 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 the glycation of red blood cells and the formation of blood clots, flour from premium flour, as it leads to the formation of gases.
There must 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 clothing or apply elastic bandages.It is very important that the bandage does not change shape when stretched, and the application of the bandage must 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 carried out in courses.
When preventing or treating varicose veins, be aware of yourself and the symptoms that may be bothering you for the first time.Remember that veins are part of the body;they are conductors of life in our incredible body.Be healthy!