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 limbs, 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 left untreated, it can lead to leg amputation and thrombosis and even death: a detached blood clot reaches the heart, causing her to stop. It is imperative to treat the disease early, before complications develop.
Reasons
Scientists have shown that the predisposition to varicose veins is hereditary. If your relatives have been diagnosed with varicose veins, it is likely to develop in you.
The following reasons can cause it to develop:
- hormonal disorders;
- pregnancy;
- high loads on the legs;
- bad habits;
- hypodynamia.
The main natural cause of varicose veins in the legs is an increase in the load on the vessels. Load can occur both due to physical inactivity and due to increased physical activity. 
Often the office lifestyle leads to varicose veins, an enormous amount of time spent sitting or standing. In this case, blood circulation is disrupted, stagnant areas are formed, which subsequently lead to vascular degradation.
An unhealthy diet also increases the chance of varicose veins. The cause of the disease can be an increase in the consumption of fatty foods, fast food, cholesterol, caffeine. All this adversely 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 causes varicose veins to develop. In addition to an insufficient blood supply to the legs, the hormonal status 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, 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 workday is a common feature.
- Calf pain is an early sign.
- Sudden leg cramps.
- Prolonged healing of wounds and bruises is a late symptom.
- Enlargement in the size of the veins, the 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 standing or without movement. If you find at least one symptom of the disease, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. Diagnosis of varicose veins is carried out by phlebologists - vein specialists. To establish a diagnosis, a routine examination is not enough; Doppler ultrasound is required. If necessary, varicose veins can be confirmed using a radionuclide or radiopaque method. In this case, the distribution of the substance specifically introduced into the vessels will be studied.
Treatments
The prevalence of varicose veins has spurred the creation of many options for its treatment, both medical and popular. If possible, contact your doctor who will tell you exactly how to treat yourself, based on your individual characteristics. It is recommended to use folk methods only in the absence of the possibility of professional treatment. Relieves the symptoms of the disease, but does not eliminate the cause.
Medication
All drug treatment is divided into two large groups: topical and generic drugs. It should be understood that drug treatment 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 dilute 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 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 dilutes the blood, reducing the risk of blood clots. This method is less effective than drugs, 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 carried out by injecting a special substance into the vein, which glues it together 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 condition of the circulatory system will practically not suffer. The veins that caused varicose veins only pass through themselves up to 10 percent of all the blood that flows into 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 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 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 for 5 minutes. After such procedures, it is recommended to let the feet dry on their own. 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 allows not only to prevent varicose veins, but also to increase the general level of health, eliminate symptoms and, consequently, improve well-being.
Key preventive measures:
- healthy food;
- playing sports;
- absence of high loads on the veins.
Healthy food 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 this case, it is necessary to forget about very 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. Don't train too much: running and moderate cycling are great. It is important, even during sedentary work, to exercise periodically, not allowing the blood to stagnate. Crossed legs are contraindicated in sedentary work.
Varicose veins are an important disease to treat in the early stages. Don't be afraid to see your doctor at the first symptoms. Today, the treatment of 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 ensure your legs are healthy and comfortable for many years to come.