Today we will talk about varicose veins of the legs, varicose veins of the lower extremities - a very common vascular pathology, causes, symptoms, prevention of diseases, therapeutic exercises with a set of exercises.
Varicose veins (varicose veins) - what kind of disease is this, photo
Phlebeurism(see photo of the manifestations of varicose veins on the legs) is the plague of our time; if previously this progressive disease of alteration of blood flow and weakening of the valves affected very elderly people, now the first signs of this disease of the peripheral vessels appear in twenty-eighty 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. The blood flows more slowly and rises poorly. Venous stagnation and swelling develop, which disappears 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 increases rapidly, this pathology of the veins of the lower extremities is diagnosed in one in three women.
However, not only the limbs, even at the age of 30-35 years, varicose veins of the pelvic organs (which begin to develop due to fluctuations in intravascular pressure during contractions), hemorrhoids and varicocele (dilation of the veins of the spermatic cord 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 not complicated - 183. 9
Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Nodules, swollen veins in the legs, a blue network of small vessels, varicose veins, swelling in the evening, discomfort, aching pain along the veins, burning, sometimes itching, heaviness in the legs at the end of the day, appearance of cramps at night, paresthesias - skin goosebumps and numbness.
And with significant progression of the disease, often develop:
- thrombophlebitis (which is expressed by the appearance of acute pain along the vein, redness, local increase in temperature, swelling, sometimes painful areas can be felt with a blood clot blocking the lumen of the vessel, in more severe cases the chills, a transition of the inflammatory process is observed from superficial to deep veins),
- trophic ulcers against the background of chronic venous insufficiency.
Probably no one will like this photo. And then the detachment of a blood clot and the subsequent stroke or heart attack, tissue necrosis, still looms. . . But this is already sad enough.
Since to reduce the load on the veins it is evolutionarily unacceptable to return to walking on all fours, we will have to look for ways to unload the legs using natural methods.
Causes of varicose veins and predisposing factors
- Genetics (heredity).
- Changes in hormone levels (pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives).
- Intense physical activity, especially static work, purely standing or sedentary.
- Excess weight.
- Chronic cough.
- To smoke.
- Leg injuries that damage blood vessel valves.
Women successfully provoke the onset of varicose veins by standing for a long time, walking in high heels and sitting at a table in a cross-legged position.
Wearing flip flops and tight synthetic underwear has an unfavorable effect.
Which doctor treats varicose veins in the legs
A phlebologist deals with veins. If surgery is already necessary, a vascular surgeon.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
In addition to external examination of the lower extremities and collection of 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 the veins, even with alterations not yet visible to the eye).
Furthermore, the diagnosis of varicose veins is not complete without taking blood for clotting.
Modern medicine does not offer an effective way to cure 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 especially indicated in the initial stages of this disease.
But what can we do ourselves against varicose veins at home to counteract this unpleasant vascular pathology?
Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins on the legs
Prevention of varicose veins mainly includes gymnastic exercises, and this is not surprising, since the blood vessels simply need to be trained.
The most advantageous functional position of the legs for varicose veins is elevated, elevated. But it is not possible to stay with your legs in the air all the time, and you must somehow avoid stagnation in the venous network, because this is what 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 the office or in front of a computer; at rest there is practically no movement of blood, the fluid manages to sweat into the tissue air 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, go to the bathroom if possible, climb a couple of flights of stairs and do some 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 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 the legs at the ankles, bend and straighten them with strong tension, then do the same with the toes, each exercise 15-20 times. Also, for varicose veins on the legs, foot massage will be useful.
- Walk vigorously in place for one minute.
- We stand near the wall, palms at shoulder height, emphasis on the wall. We stand on tiptoe and fall on our heels, 10-15 such rolls.
- Slowly stand on tiptoe, feet shoulder-width apart, arms overhead.
- "Biking" with your feet from a supine position.
- "Scissors" (cross vigorously straightened legs like scissors).
- Slow swings of the legs from a lateral position, alternately with the right and then with the left.
- Pull your knees up 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, water aerobics (in water the pressure on the veins is reduced by 2 times! ), skiing, cycling, walking.
It is also worth considering that some exercises can only damage the veins: strength training with a barbell, skipping rope, long, intense running and prolonged exercises on an exercise bike are contraindicated. Team sports with jumping and running - football, basketball, volleyball (the valvular apparatus is injured) are not recommended in case of 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 stockings are very useful for blood vessels.
The latter has its disadvantages: firstly, it is quite expensive, and secondly, after prolonged wear, the pots become completely soft and stop working independently.
So I would recommend it not for constant use, but during heavy loads, standing work, long hikes and during pregnancy.
- It is useful to exercise your legs by climbing stairs, doing vibration gymnastics or jumping (quickly get up on your toes and lightly hit the floor with your heels two or three times a day, 30-60 times, lifting your heels down by 1-2 centimeters) .
- You should not abuse prolonged exposure to the sun, in a bathhouse or in hot baths.
- Drink at least 2 liters of liquids a day, it is advisable to control your weight and ensure that the plant-based component predominates in your diet. You should give up alcohol, spicy, smoked and salty foods or at least significantly reduce their component in your diet.
- No tight underwear, shoes, socks or socks with tight elastic.
- During holidays, avoid drinking champagne: it tends to worsen the disease.
- Don't wear high heels every day. Above 4 cm - already high.
- Don't squat.
- Don't cross your legs; in this position the vessels are pinched and the flow of blood from the extremities, already poor, becomes even more difficult.
- Try not to stand still, not even in line, better to move from one foot to the other.
- Remember that vitamin C maintains the elasticity of the vascular wall.