Today we will talk about varicose veins of the legs, varicose veins of the lower extremities - a very common vascular pathology, causes, symptoms, disease prevention, therapeutic exercises with a set of exercises.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) - what kind of disease is this, photo
Phlebeurysm(see photo of manifestations of varicose veins on the legs) is the scourge of our time; if earlier this progressive disease of impaired blood flow and weakening of valves affected very elderly people, now the first signs of this disease of peripheral vessels appear in twenty-year-olds.
Spider veins (telangiectasias) appear first. Then the superficial veins become less elastic, twist, become noticeable, protruding above the skin of the leg and thigh. Blood flows more slowly and rises poorly. Venous stagnation and swelling develop, which goes away after a night's rest. There is a danger of blood clots forming.
And during pregnancy and childbirth, when the level of female hormones that weaken the vascular wall rapidly increases, this pathology of the veins of the lower extremities is diagnosed in every third woman.
However, not only the limbs, even by the age of 30-35, varicose veins of the pelvic organs (beginning to develop as a result of fluctuations in intravascular pressure during contractions), hemorrhoids, and varicoceles (dilation of the spermatic cord veins in men) appear en masse.
There are varicose veins of the esophagus and stomach.
Varicose veins - ICD-10 code
The ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) code for this disease is 183
- If varicose veins are complicated by an ulcer - 183. 0
- If varicose veins with inflammation, stagnant dermatitis - 183. 1
- If the first two conditions are combined - 183. 2
- If varicose veins are uncomplicated - 183. 9
Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Nodules, swollen veins in the legs, a blue network of small vessels, spider veins, swelling in the evenings, nagging, aching pain along the veins, burning, sometimes itching, heaviness in the legs at the end of the day, the occurrence of night cramps, paresthesia - goosebumps and numbness.
And with significant progression of the disease, the following often develop:
- thrombophlebitis (which is expressed by the appearance of sharp pain along the vein, redness, local increase in temperature, swelling, sometimes you can feel painful areas with a blood clot blocking the lumen of the vessel, in severe cases chills begin, a transition of the inflammatory process from superficial to deep veins is observed),
- trophic ulcers against the background of chronic venous insufficiency.
Probably no one will like this picture. And then there still looms the detachment of a blood clot and subsequent stroke or heart attack, tissue necrosis. . . But this is already quite sad.
Since in order to reduce the load on the veins it is unacceptable for us to return evolutionarily to walking on all fours, we will have to look for methods to unload our legs using natural methods.
Causes of varicose veins and predisposing factors
- Genetics (heredity).
- Changes in hormonal levels (pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives).
- Heavy physical activity, especially static, purely standing or sedentary work.
- Excess weight.
- Chronic cough.
- Smoking.
- Leg injuries that damage the valves in the blood vessels.
Women successfully provoke the onset of varicose veins by prolonged standing and walking in high heels and sitting at a table in a cross-legged position.
Wearing thongs and tight synthetic underwear has an unfavorable effect.
Which doctor treats varicose veins of the legs
A phlebologist deals with veins. If surgical intervention is already required - a vascular surgeon.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
In addition to an external examination of the lower extremities and collecting anamnesis (complaints), the following is carried out to make a diagnosis:
- Doppler ultrasound (determines the quality, speed of blood flow, the presence of obstacles in the form of clots, blood clots),
- transillumination (transillumination of veins, even with changes not yet visible to the eye).
Also, the diagnosis of varicose veins is not complete without taking blood for clotting.
Modern medicine does not offer an effective way to treat this disease; radical removal of superficial veins does not count. There are also radiofrequency ablation, laser therapy, and sclerotherapy, but they are not suitable for everyone, there are contraindications, and they are indicated mainly in the early stages of this disease.
But what can we do for varicose veins at home on our own to counter this unpleasant vascular pathology?
Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins on the legs
Prevention of varicose veins primarily includes gymnastic exercises, and this is not surprising, since the vessels simply need to be trained.
The most advantageous functional position of the legs for varicose veins is elevated, elevated. But it’s not possible to spend all the time with your legs in the air, and stagnation in the venous network must somehow be avoided, because it is this that leads to heaviness in the legs, cramps, and swelling.
And it turns out that it is more useful for a person to walk and even run than to sit for hours in an office or in front of a computer; at rest, there is practically no movement of blood, the fluid manages to sweat into the tissue, and the swelling increases.
That’s why we don’t go crazy at work, we often take breaks during work, get up, stretch, walk around the table, walk to the toilet if possible, climb a couple of flights of stairs, and do a few exercises.
Such a warm-up and distraction from sedentary work is also useful for diseases of the eyes and spine (the neck and lower back are the most affected in this).
A set of exercises for varicose veins
- We sit on a chair so that our feet do not touch the floor. We rotate our legs at the ankles, bend and straighten them to a strong tension, then do the same with our toes, each exercise 15-20 times. Also, for varicose veins on the legs, foot massage will be useful.
- Walk vigorously in place for a minute.
- We stand close to the wall, palms at shoulder level, emphasis on the wall. We rise on our toes and fall on our heels, 10-15 such rolls.
- Slowly rise onto your toes, feet shoulder-width apart, arms up.
- "Bicycle" with your feet from a supine position.
- "Scissors" (cross vigorously straightened legs like scissors).
- Slow swings of the legs from a position on the side, alternately with the right and then with the left.
- Pull your knees all the way to your chest. Repeat 20 times.
In addition to therapeutic exercises, sports activities for diseases of the veins of the lower extremities are extremely useful - swimming, aqua aerobics (in water the pressure on the veins is reduced by 2 times! ), skiing, cycling, race walking.
It is also worth considering that some exercises can only do harm to the veins - strength training with a barbell, jumping rope, long and intense running, and long exercise on an exercise bike are contraindicated. Team sports with jumping and running - football, basketball, volleyball (the valve apparatus is injured) are not recommended for weak blood vessels in the legs.
Prevention of varicose veins at home
How to prevent varicose veins on the legs?
- In addition to exercises, contrast showers and compression hosiery are very useful for blood vessels.
The latter has its drawbacks: firstly, it is quite expensive, and secondly, after prolonged wear, the vessels become completely soft and stop working independently.
So I would recommend it not for constant wear, but during heavy loads, standing work, long hikes, and during pregnancy.
- It is useful to put stress on your legs by walking up the stairs, vibration gymnastics or jumping (quickly rising on your toes and lightly hitting the floor with your heels two or three times a day, 30-60 times, raising your heels low by 1-2 cm).
- You should not abuse prolonged exposure to the sun, in a bathhouse, or in hot baths.
- Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day, it is advisable to control your weight and ensure that the plant-vegetable component predominates in your diet. You should give up alcohol, spicy, smoked, and salty foods or at least greatly reduce their component in your diet.
- No tight underwear, shoes, socks or socks with a tight elastic band.
- During the holidays, avoid drinking champagne; it tends to worsen your illness.
- Don't wear high heels every day. Above 4 cm - already tall.
- Don't squat.
- Do not cross your legs; in this position, the vessels are pinched and the outflow of blood from the extremities, already poor, becomes even more difficult.
- Try not to stand still, even in line; it’s better to shift from foot to foot.
- Remember that vitamin C maintains the elasticity of the vascular wall.