Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular pathologies. Every third woman and every fifth representative of the strong half of the world community face such a problem.
It is a chronic disease that is characterized by a violation of blood flow, which increases the pressure on the veins. Blood vessels are equipped with valves that allow blood to flow only upwards, so that it does not stagnate in the lower limbs. When the valves are broken, the blood flow becomes chaotic, then varicose veins develop in the legs, and treatment in this case should be carried out immediately.
In the absence of timely treatment of the disease, complications often develop, thrombophlebitis is diagnosed. There may even be a risk of death. How to prevent the deterioration of the condition of the blood vessels of the lower limbs, the formation of nodes on them, as well as to prevent a dangerous disease, the article will tell.
Why do varicose veins appear?
Varicose veins in the legs appear for a number of reasons. They are not only a cosmetic defect, but also indicate serious problems with blood flow. Factors that determine the development of varicose veins include:
- excess body weight, which increases the load on the veins of the lower extremities;
- addiction to bad habits, such as smoking, taking alcoholic beverages, drugs of natural and artificial origin;
- heavy physical work causing heavy loads on the legs;
- an abundance of tasty, junk food;
- high frequency of stressful situations;
- genetic predisposition;
- hypodynamia, which creates favorable conditions for stagnation in the vascular system and deterioration of blood circulation in the patient's body;
- weak muscle frame of the legs caused by the lack of desire to regularly perform gymnastic exercises and activate the work of muscle fibers;
- thin vessel walls.
Such reasons create favorable conditions for the expansion of the large blood vessels of the lower limbs, the appearance of noticeable swollen nodes on them.
Who needs varicose vein prevention and why?
Prevention refers to an effective and efficient way to prevent varicose veins. There are different categories of people at risk:
- women who have crossed the border of 30 years and are in menopause;
- gourmets and lovers of sweets, fatty foods, which leads to extra pounds;
- representatives of professions related to prolonged standing, sitting in a chair in one position or moving weights;
- athletes whose main load falls on their feet: weightlifters, runners, skaters, cyclists, rowers;
- fashionistas who prefer to create their stylish, attractive looks with high-heeled shoes, tight, tight clothes;
- people leading an inactive lifestyle;
Pregnant women are also at risk and may experience the problem of swollen leg veins. The increased content of hormones in their body, the development of the fetus leads to an increase in the volume of blood transported through the venous vessels. Preventing the disease will help avoid its development after birth. Timely prevention of varicose veins can significantly improve the condition of leg veins, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, normalize blood circulation, avoid the appearance of ugly nodes and the formation of blood clots. A severe course of the disease, for the treatment of which an emergency surgical operation is required, can be avoided.
How to protect yourself from varicose veins?
The prevention of varicose veins involves a change in lifestyle and the performance of a number of activities that should become a habit for potential patients of phlebologists. To avoid the development of a dangerous vascular disease, you must:
- exclude flour, sweet foods from the diet;
- limiting the use of salt, smoked meats, alcoholic beverages, coffee, strong meat broths;
- lead an active lifestyle;
- conducting industrial gymnastics at workplaces associated with prolonged standing, sitting;
- to prevent the lifting of weights exceeding the permissible norms;
- consume a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements;
- at the first signs of varicose veins, wear compression underwear, the elasticity class of which is determined by a phlebologist;
- stopping smoking, visiting baths, saunas;
- regularly visit gyms, fitness centers, swimming pools, go swimming, water aerobics, which are considered the best activities for the prevention of varicose veins;
- perform exercises recommended to improve blood circulation and available for home use;
- apply recipes from traditional medicine to improve the condition of the venous vessels of the legs.
The implementation of such simple recommendations is guaranteed to help eliminate the risk of developing a dangerous disease and the appearance of its characteristic signs.
Useful exercises to prevent expansion, deformation of leg veins
Performing simple exercises for the prevention of vascular pathology of the lower extremities improves blood circulation in the tissues of the body, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, removes congestion and prevents varicose veins. They include:
- Lifting the legs in a lying position on the floor and pulling the toes towards you, at least 10 times.
- Perform the "birch" exercise in 5 series while holding the pelvis for 15-20 seconds.
- Lifting the legs up while lying on the floor and making circular movements with the legs in one direction, the other side 10-15 times.
- Raise socks, heels on knees, at least 10 times with each leg sitting on a chair.
- Sipping, standing on tiptoes, up with the number of repetitions 10-20 times.
- Move your heels back and forth 15 times with each leg from a seated position on a chair.
Recipes of traditional medicine to improve the condition of blood vessels
In order to keep leg veins always healthy, lovers of alternative medicine recommend the use of baths, lotions, rubs, compresses prepared according to recipes of traditional medicine. The effectiveness of these methods has not been proven and it is better to consult a doctor before using them. These methods include:
- rubbing problem areas with cooled parsley broth with the addition of a few drops of rose oil;
- application to the inflamed leg veins of green tomatoes, cut in half, until a burning sensation appears;
- a compress from calendula decoction, prepared from flowers of a medicinal plant and water in a ratio of 1: 4;
- an ointment that consists of 1 raw egg yolk, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of vodka and should be applied to inflamed veins for several hours.
Remember that varicose veins are easier to prevent than to treat!