Vascular disease is increasingly affecting young people. Decades ago, people with predominantly elderly people turned to doctors with varicose veins of the lower extremities. Now, pathology can be detected even in schoolgirls.
The disease (varicose veins) usually affects the weaker sex. The prerequisites for its occurrence are an incorrect lifestyle, a hereditary predisposition, wearing uncomfortable shoes and tight clothes, sedentary work. An important contribution to the development of pathology is made by pregnancy and subsequent childbirth. Prevention of varicose veins in the legs should be carried out by all women. The only difference is that some women will have enough exercise, while others will need medication.
Phlebeurysm
This pathology affects the lower vessels. Varicose veins are a very dangerous disease. It progresses over many years and can lead to death. That is why it is so important to consult a doctor at the first disturbing symptoms. Depending on the degree of the disease, specialists prescribe appropriate drugs and drugs to combat it. The stages of varicose veins are the following:
- initial (on the lower extremities no obvious changes are detected, however, the patient experiences a slight severity that appears in the evening);
- the first (the manifestation of symptoms is enhanced: swelling, itching along the affected vessel, burning and pain in the lower leg);
- the second (the lower extremities are partially affected by spider veins, there are also sections of protruding veins, the symptoms persist);
- the third (the skin of the lower leg undergoes severe changes, it becomes dark, ulcers appear, and when examined, blood clots are found).
Already at the first signs of pathology, the patient should consult a doctor. Men are usually not prescribed prophylaxis of varicose veins. All due to the fact that the probability of illness among males is very low. Women should take care of the health and beauty of their legs.
Prevention of varicose veins
There are several ways to prevent the development of pathology. Prevention methods are divided into primary and secondary. The first are used when there is still no rapid development of the disease or the initial stage of the pathology is detected. Secondary methods are effective in more advanced situations.
It is worth noting that the prevention of varicose veins in the legs will not be able to eliminate the pathology. The methods presented to your attention can only slightly alleviate the symptoms and prevent the further development of the disease. Primary prevention methods include gymnastics, light exercise, dietary and lifestyle adjustments. Secondary implies the use of medicines, compression hosiery and folk recipes. Let us consider in more detail how the prevention of varicose veins on the legs is carried out.
Regular doctor consultation
If you want to protect your legs from a pathology such as varicose veins, then the first thing you need to do is to regularly visit the phlebologist's office. The doctor will be able to monitor the condition of the vessels. Doctors often prescribe ultrasound diagnostics and dopplerography. These studies allow you to identify altered structures of the veins at the earliest stages. It is worth noting that often the patient does not yet experience any symptoms.
After examination and studies, the doctor will be able to choose the most suitable preventive measures for you. If there are already initial changes in the vessels, then such examinations should be regular. They will allow you to identify the progression of the disease in time and take appropriate measures.
Maintaining normal body weight and proper nutrition
Prevention of varicose veins in the legs includes following a proper diet. Food consumed should be rich in vitamins and minerals. Dishes should contain enough fiber. It promotes digestion and regular stool.
It is worth saying that in people with overweight, varicose veins are detected several times more often. All due to the fact that the heaviest load arises on the lower extremities. The very first symptoms of pathology should force the patient to change his diet. The consumption of clean water should not be less than one and a half liters per day. Drinking plenty of fluids helps thin the blood. It indirectly affects the functioning of the veins and blood vessels of the lower extremities.
Proper clothing is the key to healthy vessels
Prevention of varicose veins on the legs involves the use of proper clothing. Phlebologists strongly discourage wearing underwear and clothing. So, the area below the waist should be dressed in loose fit things. You can not wear tight jeans, especially lowered waist lowers blood circulation in the small pelvis. Tights and stockings should be sized.
Wear only comfortable shoes throughout the day. If possible, give up heels and tight shoes. The heel lift should not exceed 3-4 centimeters. If there is a need for model shoes, then try not to spend all day in it. Take off your shoes periodically and let your legs rest. If possible, do leg curls and simple exercises throughout the day, which will be presented below.
A sedentary lifestyle - a direct path to varicose veins
The remedy for varicose veins can be different. However, it will not help you if you do not change your lifestyle. Refuse from constant sitting. During this situation, blood in the lower limbs stagnates. Existing valves begin to wear. This leads to damage and vasodilation. The situation is aggravated when you put your foot on your foot or bend one limb. In this case, the blood is simply clogged in the vessel. She can not only go out, but also does not enter it.
Of course, for the prevention of varicose veins, do not change jobs and give up your favorite activities. However, try to move more. If you already have the prerequisites for the development of the disease, then every hour for ten minutes you need to walk and preventive exercises. Upon returning home, place your legs above body level. In this condition, it is worth staying at least fifteen minutes. After that, you can do household chores while doing basic exercises.
Proper sleep and refusal of thermal procedures
What else helps in the prevention of varicose veins? Phlebologists and vascular surgeons say that with the first symptoms of the disease it is worth forever abandoning a hot bath, bath or sauna. The fact is that pathology progresses with such procedures. Veins under the influence of high temperatures expand greatly and are injured. It is worth noting that healthy vessels quite safely withstand thermal procedures.
Sleep can also be a good way to prevent varicose veins. Position your bed at a slight angle. Leg area should be slightly raised. This will help improve stagnant blood outflow. You can also use a regular pillow that fits under the lower limbs.
Compression underwear for varicose veins
An excellent tool for prevention are stockings or tights. However, they should not be ordinary. Compression underwear for varicose veins should be prescribed by a doctor. It is the specialist who determines what degree of elasticity is suitable in this case. Tights and stockings from varicose veins can be of several types. All of them exert different pressure on certain areas of the legs. So, a slight degree of compression affects only the ankles. The higher the value of the variety of such linen, the greater the healing effect it has.
It is worth saying that such products must be worn correctly. In the morning, without getting out of bed, lift the lower limbs up for half a minute. After that, assemble the stocking with an accordion and begin to pull it gently. If there is a need to put on the product after staying in an upright position, then it is worth lying down with your legs up for several minutes. Remember that compression garments require special care. Wash it daily with suitable mild detergents.
First degree of compression
These stockings for varicose veins are prescribed for preventive purposes. They have relatively little pressure on the ankle, ranging from 18 to 21 millimeters of mercury.
The main indications for such prevention are heaviness in the legs, burning along the pathological vessels, as well as a slight swelling that occurs in the evening. Also, the product can be used for forced sedentary lifestyles. Often stockings of the first degree of compression are assigned to trade workers and other maintenance personnel. These people are forced to spend a long time in the same position, they are at risk.
Second class
Tights for the prevention of varicose veins of the second degree of compression are often prescribed after treatment. In this case, the pathology could be corrected surgically or by minimally invasive methods. Often, a second compression class is prescribed to women for the prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy and childbirth. In this case, wearing stockings and tights can be around the clock.
It is worth noting that the second compression class has a pressure of 25 to 32 millimeters of mercury. When choosing a product, you must correctly determine the size. That is why it is worth asking a specialist for help.
Third and fourth grade
These types of compression underwear are not preventive, but already therapeutic in nature. They are prescribed in especially difficult situations - with elephantiasis of legs, ulcers and in case of impossibility of surgical treatment.
The third class of compression garments has a pressure of 36 to 46 millimeters of mercury. At the same time, he pulls not only the ankle and calves, but also the areas located on the thigh. The fourth compression class provides for pressures above 59 millimeters. Such a product is rarely found on the market. Usually you have to get it at a prescription pharmacy.
Medications for oral administration
The remedy for varicose veins may be in tablet form. Such drugs help strengthen the walls of blood vessels. They also have anti-inflammatory effects on veins. Pain, swelling, cramps and itching often disappear after a course of use of such funds. It is worth noting that some drugs thin the blood. This must be considered when choosing a medication.
All medications for oral administration should be prescribed by a doctor. Each patient is individually selected dosage of the drug and the course of its administration. Some medicinal formulations may be taken during pregnancy. However, with breastfeeding, such prophylaxis is prohibited. All tablet preparations are divided into several groups:
- Antioxidants (Vitamin E, Ginkor Fort). They help cleanse the body, including veins, of toxins and toxins.
- Disaggregants and anticoagulants (Aspirin, Vazobral, Fraxiparin, Curantil). They dilute blood and improve its composition.
- Phlebotonics (Detralex, Phlebodia, Antistax). Strengthen the venous wall, relieve swelling and inhibit the inflammatory process.
All drugs have their contraindications and limitations. Before using this or that means it is necessary to consult with the doctor. In some cases, several medications are prescribed for prevention. In this case, complex therapy produces a more pronounced positive effect.
Means for local application
A cream for varicose veins can also be used for prevention. Often these medications are prescribed in conjunction with compression hosiery. It is worth noting that these formulations are safer than capsules and tablets. However, with severe symptoms of varicose veins, they can be powerless. The most popular drugs are the following: Lyoton, Venolife, Heparin, Troxevasin, and so on. Any cream for varicose veins should be applied with light rubbing movements. In this case, the direction should be from bottom to top. Many formulations require reuse throughout the day. This may not be very convenient.
The effect of this prophylaxis may not be noticeable to everyone. The listed drugs show a positive result while taking oral medications.
Exercises for the prevention of varicose veins
Normal leg flexion can be a good prophylaxis of varicose veins of the lower extremities. However, all exercises must be selected correctly. You need to perform them regularly. Only in this case will the effect of manipulation be obtained. If you have already started varicose veins, reviews of doctors talk about the effectiveness of complex correction. In this case, it is worth using compression underwear in conjunction with drug therapy. Exercise will also bring considerable benefits.
Run
It trains the muscles of the legs well and has the preventive effect of regular running. In this case, you should not develop greater speed. Just run for fun. If desired, exercises can be performed at home. For this you need a track.
An alternative to running can be high knees. Stand in one place, hands on the belt. Alternately lift one and the other leg so that the knee forms an angle of 90 degrees.
Toe Rise
In order for the prevention of varicose veins to be effective, this exercise must be included in gymnastics. Stand upright, legs should be firmly on the floor. Slowly rise on your toes so that the heel is three centimeters off the floor. After that, just as slowly return to the starting position.
This exercise can be performed even at the workplace. For one approach you need to complete 10 lifts. During the day, you can do from 5 to 10 sets.
"Bicycle" or exercises that replace it
A good prevention of varicose veins is a bicycle. If you do not have this vehicle or not enough time for such walks, then just do the next exercise.
Settle down on a firm and level surface, lift your legs up. Put your palms on the floor. Start in a circular motion with your feet as if you were pedaling. The duration of such gymnastics can be from three to five minutes. You can do several approaches during the day.
Swimming
A very effective prevention of varicose veins of the lower extremities and hemorrhoids is swimming. However, not everyone can afford this pleasure. You can swim anytime, anywhere.
During training, all leg muscles work, blood circulates faster. Due to this, the outflow of fluid from the lower extremities is enhanced. A significant role is played by the weightlessness arising in water.
Walking
If you do not have the ability to perform all the exercises described, then just walk more often. Try to refuse public or private transport, take long walks in the morning and in the evening. Go to work a certain period of time earlier.
It is worth saying that this exercise will be effective only with the right shoes. She should not drag the foot down much. High and uncomfortable heels are also excluded. Shoes should have a slight rise and be selected in size. Otherwise, you will not only not receive a positive preventive effect, but also exacerbate the situation.
Treatment of pathology and subsequent prevention
Varicose disease can not be eliminated by preventive measures. Even drugs do not give a lasting therapeutic effect. Currently, the most effective ways to eliminate varicose veins are laser correction, sclerotherapy and surgical intervention. After the treatment, it is necessary to be engaged in the prevention of varicose veins throughout life. Otherwise, pathology can affect healthy veins.
Remember that the sooner you turn to a specialist, the less forces and means will be needed to combat varicose veins of the lower extremities. Follow the doctor's recommendations and follow all preventive measures prescribed to you.
To conclude the article, or to summarize
Now you know what varicose veins are. What to do to prevent it is described above.If you already have pronounced changes in the veins, then all these actions will most likely not help. They can only partially stop the progression of pathology. In the second and third stages of the disease, you should consult a doctor for treatment. Only after this, the recommended preventive measures will be useful.
I wish you health and may your legs be always beautiful!