Varicose veins are a common vein disease that predominantly affects the legs of women. Its essence lies in the expansion or lengthening of the veins of the lower extremities, which ultimately leads to a thinning of the venous walls.
The disease cannot be ignored as it can lead to serious complications such as venous insufficiency of the legs, thrombosis, bleeding and gangrene.
Gangrene is dangerous because if it is not treated, it can lead to amputation of the legs, and thrombosis and even death of the patient - a detached blood clot reaches the heart, which will provoke its arrest. It is imperative to treat the disease early, before complications develop.
Reasons
Scientists have proven that the predisposition to varicose veins is inherited. If your relatives have been diagnosed with varicose veins, then it is likely to develop in you.
The following reasons can provoke its development:
- hormonal disorders;
- pregnancy;
- high loads on the legs;
- bad habits;
- hypodynamia.
The main natural cause of varicose veins of the legs is an increased load on the vessels. The load can occur both due to physical inactivity and due to increased physical activity. 
Often the office lifestyle leads to varicose veins - a colossal time spent sitting or standing. In this case, blood circulation is disrupted, stagnant areas are formed, which subsequently leads to vascular degradation.
Unhealthy diet also increases the chance of varicose veins. The cause of the disease can be increased consumption of fatty foods, fast food, cholesterol, caffeine. All of this negatively affects the health of the veins. Excessive physical activity is also harmful.
Pregnant women are also at risk. The physical characteristics of pregnancy interfere with the proper blood supply to the legs, which often causes the development of varicose veins. In addition to insufficient blood supply to the legs, the hormonal status of pregnant women changes, which can also cause the disease. During this period, it is advisable to regularly check the condition of the legs, and in case of pain, immediately consult a doctor. Inflamed veins can disappear after the birth of a child, but for prevention, you can wear special draping underwear.
Symptoms
You can suspect the development of varicose veins using a variety of symptoms:
- Swelling of the legs. Strengthening towards the end of the working day is a common symptom.
- Calf soreness is an early sign.
- Sudden leg cramps.
- Prolonged healing of wounds and bruises is a late symptom.
- Enlargement of veins in size, appearance of winding paths or nodules is an early sign.
- Hair loss from the inner surface of the legs, thickening of the skin in this area is a late symptom.
An important feature of the manifestation of symptoms is their intensification in the evening, or after a long stay on their feet or without movement. If you find at least one symptom of the disease, it is immediately recommended to consult a doctor. The diagnosis of varicose veins is carried out by phlebologists - specialists in veins. To establish a diagnosis, a routine examination is not enough; Doppler ultrasound is necessary. If necessary, varicose veins can be confirmed using a radionuclide or radiopaque method. In this case, the distribution of the specially introduced substance in the vessels will be investigated.
Treatments
The prevalence of varicose veins has stimulated the creation of many options for its treatment, both medical and folk. If possible, contact your doctor who will tell you exactly how to treat you, based on your individual characteristics. It is advisable to use folk methods only in the absence of the possibility of professional treatment. They relieve the symptoms of the disease, but do not eliminate its cause.
Medication
All drug treatment is divided into two large groups: topical and general drugs. It should be understood that treatment with drugs is relevant only in the early stages of the disease. In advanced cases, drug treatment is also used, only to prevent the spread of the disease.
Anticoagulants are the most popular in treatment. They thin the blood, prevent vasodilation, which reduces the risk of blood clots. They can be taken both orally and in the form of gels and ointments, or injections. The dosage and choice of a specific drug can only be trusted by the attending physician. Angioprotectors help to improve vascular microcirculation, thereby eliminating the cause of the disease.
Leeches are also used to treat varicose veins. When they bite, a natural special substance, hirudin, enters the body.
This dilutes the blood, which lowers the risk of blood clots. This method is less effective than taking medications, but for some it is the only possible way. Treatment with leeches is cyclical.
Surgical Treatment
The essence of surgical treatment is to exclude or completely remove diseased veins from the circulatory system. Most often, such procedures are performed by injecting a special substance into the vein, which glues it together from the inside. The most effective method, which is not hazardous to health, is the surgical removal of damaged veins. At the same time, the general condition of the circulatory system will practically not be affected. The veins that caused varicose veins pass through themselves only up to 10 percent of all blood flowing in the legs. Removing them will load the rest of the veins, but will not cause significant harm to health.
Alternative Treatment
It is possible to treat varicose veins with folk remedies, but at your own risk. Most of these methods are ineffective in the early stages of the disease, and ineffective in the later stages. Alternative methods of treatment relieve the symptoms of varicose veins, but do not cure it, which is especially dangerous in advanced cases. Such a trip is dangerous to your health.
Among the most popular folk recipes that can be used to treat varicose veins are:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- wormwood;
- nettle;
- garlic.
Apple cider vinegar is able to heal veins from the outside, relieving flare-ups even in young people. Sore spots are treated twice a day. The vinegar is diluted in the bath, the feet are placed in it for 5 minutes. After such procedures, it is advised to let your feet dry on their own. Garlic is used as an ointment. For its preparation, one part of garlic is mixed with two parts of butter. The resulting gruel is applied to the affected areas of the legs at night.
Prevention
Prevention is general and allows not only to prevent varicose veins, but also to raise the overall level of health, eliminate symptoms and, as a result, improve well-being.
Key Preventive Measures:
- healthy food;
- playing sports;
- absence of high loads on veins.
Healthy food involves the use of fruits and vegetables in the diet, especially raw. Eating walnuts and seafood also has a beneficial effect on the health of the veins. In this case, it is necessary to forget about highly fatty and salty foods, alcohol and products containing caffeine.
Regular exercise improves blood flow in the legs, which has a positive effect on the health of the veins. Do not exercise too much - running and moderate cycling are great. It is important, even during sedentary work, to periodically exercise, not allowing blood to stagnate. When sedentary work is contraindicated cross-legged.
Varicose veins are a disease that is important to treat in the early stages. Don't be afraid to see your doctor at the first symptoms. Today, treating varicose veins on the legs of women is not as expensive as it used to be, and it is not dangerous for the body. By receiving treatment in advance, you will provide yourself with health and comfort in your legs for many years to come.