Varicose veins are a common venous disease that predominantly affects women's legs. Its essence is in the expansion or elongation of the veins of the lower extremities, which ends up leading to 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 left untreated, it can lead to amputation of the legs, thrombosis and even death of the patient - a detached blood clot reaches the heart, which will cause it to stop. It is essential to treat the disease early, before complications develop.
Reasons
Scientists have proven that predisposition to varicose veins is hereditary. If your relatives have been diagnosed with varicose veins, then they are likely to develop in you.
The following reasons can trigger its development:
hormonal disorders- ;
- pregnancy;
- high loads on the legs;
- bad habits; hypodynamic
- .
The main natural cause of varicose veins in the legs is the increased load on the vessels. The load can occur due to both physical inactivity and increased physical activity. 
Often, the office lifestyle leads to varicose veins - an enormous amount of time sitting or standing. In this case, blood circulation is interrupted, stagnant areas are formed, which subsequently leads to vascular degradation.
An unhealthy diet also increases the chance of varicose veins. The cause of the disease may be the 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 adequate supply of blood to the legs, which often causes the development of varicose veins. In addition to insufficient blood supply to the legs, the hormonal state in pregnant women changes, which can also cause illness. During this period, it is advisable to regularly check the condition of the legs and, in case of pain, consult a doctor immediately. The inflamed veins may disappear after the birth of a child, but for prevention, you can wear special underwear.
Symptoms
You can suspect the development of varicose veins using a variety of symptoms:
- Swelling of the legs. Strengthening at the end of the working day is a common feature.
- Calf pain is an early sign.
- Sudden cramps in the legs.
- Prolonged healing of wounds and bruises is a late symptom.
- The increase in the size of the veins, the appearance of winding paths or nodules is an early sign.
- Loss of hair on the inner surface of the legs and thickening of the skin in this area is a late symptom.
An important characteristic of symptom manifestation is its intensification at night, or after a long standing or without movement. If you encounter at least one symptom of the disease, it is recommended to see a doctor immediately. The diagnosis of varicose veins is made by phlebologists - specialists in veins. To establish the diagnosis, a routine exam 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 substance specially introduced in the containers will be investigated.
Treatments
The predominance of varicose veins has stimulated the creation of many treatment options, both medical and popular. If possible, contact your doctor who will tell you exactly how to treat you, according to your individual characteristics. It is advisable to use popular methods only in the absence of the possibility of professional treatment. They alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but they do not eliminate its cause.
Medication
All drug treatment is divided into two major groups: topical and general medications. It must be understood that drug treatment is only relevant in the early stages of the disease. In advanced cases, drug treatment is also used, just 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 orally and in the form of gels and ointments or injections. The dosage and choice of a specific medication can only be entrusted by the attending physician. Angioprotectors help to improve vascular microcirculation, thus 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 dilutes the blood, which decreases the risk of blood clots. This method is less effective than medication, but for some it is the only possible way. Leech treatment is cyclical.
Surgical Treatment
The essence of surgical treatment is to exclude or completely remove diseased veins from the circulatory system. Most of the time, these procedures are performed by injecting a special substance into the vein, which glues it from the inside. The most effective method, which is not dangerous to health, is the surgical removal of damaged veins. At the same time, the general state of the circulatory system will hardly suffer. The veins that cause varicose veins pass by themselves only up to 10% of all the blood that flows in the legs. Removing them will carry the rest of the veins, but will not cause significant damage 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 alleviate the symptoms of varicose veins, but do not cure them, which is especially dangerous in advanced cases. This trip is dangerous for your health.
Among the most popular folk recipes that can be used to treat varicose veins are:
- Apple cider vinegar absinthe; nettle;
- garlic.
Apple cider vinegar is able to heal external veins, relieving outbreaks 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 these procedures, it is advisable to let your feet dry on their own. Garlic is used as an ointment. To prepare it, a part of garlic is mixed with two parts of butter. The resulting porridge 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 general level of health, eliminate symptoms and, as a result, improve well-being.
Main preventive measures:
- healthy eating;
- playing sports;
- absence of high loads in the veins.
Healthy eating involves the use of fruits and vegetables in the diet, especially raw. Eating nuts and seafood also has a beneficial effect on vein health. In that case, it is necessary to forget about very fatty and salty foods, alcohol and products that contain caffeine.
Regular exercise improves blood flow in the legs, which has a positive effect on the health of the veins. Don't exercise too much - running and cycling moderately are great. It is important, even during sedentary work, to exercise periodically, not letting the blood stagnate. Crossed legs is contraindicated in sedentary work.
Varicose veins are a disease that is important to treat in the early stages. Do not be afraid to consult your doctor at the first symptoms. Today, treating varicose veins on women's legs is not as expensive as it used to be and is not dangerous for the body. By receiving treatment in advance, you will have health and comfort for your legs for many years.