Varicose veins are a common venous 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 vein walls.
The disease cannot be ignored as it can lead to serious complications such as venous leg insufficiency, thrombosis, bleeding and burns.
Gangrene is dangerous because if left untreated, it can lead to amputation of the legs and thrombosis and even death of the patient - a detached blood clot reaches the heart, causing it to come to a standstill. It is imperative to treat the disease early before complications arise.
reasons
Scientists have shown that the predisposition to varicose veins is inherited. If your relatives have been diagnosed with varicose veins, you are likely to develop them.
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 in the legs is increased stress on the blood vessels. The stress can occur both due to physical inactivity and due to increased physical activity. 
The lifestyle in the office often leads to varicose veins - an enormous amount of time that is spent sitting or standing. In this case, the blood flow is disturbed, stagnant areas form, which then lead to vascular degradation.
An unhealthy diet also increases the likelihood of varicose veins. The cause of the disease can be an increased consumption of fatty foods, fast foods, cholesterol and 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 proper blood supply to the legs, which often leads to the development of varicose veins. In addition to an insufficient blood supply to the legs, the hormonal status in pregnant women also changes, which can also lead to diseases. During this period, it is advisable to regularly check the condition of the legs and immediately consult a doctor if there is any pain. Inflamed veins can go away after the birth of a child, but for prevention you can wear special draping underwear.
Symptoms
You can suspect the development of varicose veins based on a variety of symptoms:
- swelling of the legs. A strengthening towards the end of the work day is a common characteristic.
- Calf pain is an early sign.
- Sudden leg cramps.
- Prolonged healing of wounds and bruises is a late symptom.
- The enlargement of the veins, the appearance of tortuous paths or nodules is an early sign.
- Hair loss on 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 the feet or without movement. If you find at least one symptom of the disease, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. The diagnosis of varicose veins is made by phlebologists - specialists in veins. To make a diagnosis, a routine examination is not enough, Doppler ultrasound is required. If necessary, varicose veins can be confirmed with a radionuclide or a radiopaque method. In this case, the distribution of the specially introduced substance in the vessels is examined.
Treatments
The prevalence of varicose veins has stimulated the creation of many medical and popular treatment options. If possible, contact your doctor who will explain exactly how you should be treated based on your individual characteristics. It is advisable to use folk methods only when professional treatment is impossible. They alleviate the symptoms of the disease but do not eliminate its cause.
Medicines
All drug treatments are divided into two broad groups: topical and general drugs. It is understood that drug treatment is relevant only in the early stages of the disease. In more advanced cases, drug treatment is also used to prevent the disease from spreading.
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. Only the attending physician can trust the dosage and choice of a certain drug. Angioprotectors help improve vascular microcirculation, thereby eliminating the cause of the disease.
Leeches are also used to treat varicose veins. When they bite, a special natural substance, hirudin, enters the body.
This thins the blood, which lowers the risk of blood clots. This method is less effective than medication, but for some it is the only possible route. 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 that sticks it together from the inside. The most effective method, which is not harmful to health, is surgical removal of damaged veins. At the same time, the general condition of the circulatory system will practically not suffer. The veins that caused varicose veins pass only up to 10 percent of all blood flowing in the legs. Removing them will strain the rest of the veins, but it will not do any 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 treatments reduce the symptoms of varicose veins, but do not cure them, which is especially dangerous in advanced cases. Such a trip is harmful to health.
Some of the most popular folk recipes that can be used to treat varicose veins include:
- Apple cider vinegar
- wormwood;
- nettle;
- garlic.
Apple cider vinegar can heal veins externally and relieve relapses even in young people. Sores are treated twice a day. The vinegar is diluted in the bath, the feet are put in it for 5 minutes. After such procedures, it is recommended to let the feet dry independently. Garlic is used as an ointment. To prepare it, 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 enables not only the prevention of varicose veins, but also the improvement of the general state of health, the elimination of symptoms and thus the improvement of well-being.
Important preventive measures:
- healthy food;
- play sports;
- Absence of excessive strain on the veins.
Eating healthy includes the use of fruits and vegetables in your diet, especially raw. Eating walnuts and seafood also has positive effects on vein health. In this case, it is necessary to forget about fatty and salty foods, alcohol and products containing caffeine.
Regular exercise improves blood circulation in the legs, which has a positive effect on the health of the veins. Don't exercise too much - running and moderate cycling are great. Even during sedentary work, it is important to exercise regularly so that the blood does not stagnate. Sitting cross-legged is contraindicated for sedentary work.
Varicose veins are a disease that is important in the early stages. Don't be afraid to see your doctor at the first symptoms. The treatment of varicose veins on the legs of women is no longer as expensive as it used to be and it is not dangerous for the body. If you get treatment beforehand, you will be provided with health and comfort in your legs for many years to come.