What could be more beautiful than slender legs in high heels? Men have always admired the length of women's legs. But what to do when that dignity has a disease called varicose veins. How to treat varicose veins in the legs in women? A very current question, to which we will try to give a rational answer in this article.
Women and varicose veins, what causes them?
As you know, the female body is significantly different from the male and the reasons are not just in physiology. Consider the root causes found in women that contribute to the occurrence of varicose veins in the weaker half of humanity.
sedentary work
Physical inactivity (minimum physical activity) is a direct path to varicose veins. Women, unlike men, work mainly sitting at the computer (accountants, secretaries, operators, etc. ). Such sedentary work contributes to the development of venous blood stagnation.
Genes (heredity)
This is one of the main causes of varicose veins in women. If one of the parents had varicose veins, the female child cannot avoid this fate. But you should know that it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but the disposition towards it. Therefore, if you follow preventive actions, it is quite possible to avoid the appearance on your feet.
hormones
The steady work of hormones is the key to a woman's health. If the hormonal background is disturbed, breakdowns begin in the internal systems, including the circulatory system. An increase in the level of estrogen and progesterone (sex hormones) leads to a decrease in tone and relaxation of blood vessel walls. This implies its stretching when overloaded. This contributes to the appearance of edema and expansion of the veins in the legs. The impetus that will lead to varicose veins can be:
- diseases in which the level of estrogen increases;
- pregnancy;
- taking contraceptives containing hormones, including hormone therapy for menopause.
Overweight
Obesity leads to a strong load and increased pressure on the entire circulatory system. The legs are the ones that suffer the most because they need to support the person's weight. In all overweight people sooner or later congestion of venous blood occurs, which leads to varicose veins.
indirect causes
In addition to physiological causes that we cannot influence in any way, there are indirect causes that we are often not inclined to pay attention to:
- heels. Frequent and prolonged wearing of such shoes causes a tremendous load on peripheral veins, which leads to varicose veins;
- food. Eating fatty and fried foods leads to a buildup of cholesterol in the blood. This contributes to the difficulty of blood flow and can cause thrombosis, which will lead to the expansion of the leg veins;
- Bad habits. Smoking and alcohol increase venous pressure, and this is directly related to the development of varicose veins;
- Blood coagulation. People with this deviation need to be treated 1-2 times a year, as "doing nothing" can cause varicose vein thrombosis, and at best, only varicose veins, at worst, heart attack or stroke (even death).
How to treat varicose veins in women with traditional medicine?
Any treatment is aimed at preventing complications and removing pain symptoms. Doctors who should be contacted for the treatment of varicose veins are a phlebologist and an angiosurgeon. Treatment should aim to address these problems:
- strengthening of the walls of blood vessels;
- minimize the risk of blood clots;
- normalization of the work of peripheral veins.
Traditional medicine offers a fairly large selection of treatments for varicose veins in women. Consider the most popular and effective treatment methods.
external treatment
At the initial stage of the pathology, both superficial and deep blood vessels are affected, which leads to blood stagnation. At the first symptoms, the treatment of manifestations on the legs will be effective (it is convenient to use for the treatment of legs at home, just apply the substance to the affected area and rub):
- gels;
- ointments;
- creams.
Oral treatment with pills
Medications intended for oral administration are considered more effective than external agents. They are conditionally divided into three large groups:
- anti-inflammatory- anesthetize and reduce the swelling of the tissues of the legs, inhibiting the adhesion of platelets. Only a doctor should prescribe these drugs (self-medication with these drugs is dangerous);
- phlebotonics- contribute to increased blood flow, improving the tone of the walls of blood vessels. Its main task is to eliminate burning and swelling of the legs. According to the clinical picture obtained, the phlebologist prescribes a course of treatment;
- thin the blood– with their help, minimize the risk of blood clots. Designed to dilute venous blood, improving its currents.
laser coagulation
If blood circulation is seriously impaired, no matter how effective the drug is, it may remain powerless in treating varicose veins in the legs in women.
Achievements in the world of science and medicine helped to create a device to get rid of pathology without pain - a laser. With its help, radiation (a certain spectrum of waves that generate heat) is generated, which is absorbed by the blood and closes the damaged vessel from the inside. This leads to the fact that the blood moves "bypassing" through the deep veins, and at the site of injury, its current stops completely. After a certain period of time, the affected tissues are naturally restored and the adhesion site resolves.
surgical method
With its help, you can competently get rid of pathology. Resort to this treatment method if all of the above doesn't work. Surgery offers both traditional operations, with a skin incision along the length of the inflamed vein, and minimally invasive operations, whose task is to deal with the problem with minimal incisions. It all depends on the clinical picture of the disease. The following operations are widely used:
- phlebectomy. The operation is traditional and is performed with inflammation and expansion of the deep veins. A phlebectomy is performed to remove any damaged vein. This operation takes about 2 hours.
- pickling. A thin probe is used here, with which a dilated vein is removed. The operation involves thin incisions on either side of the diseased area. The probe is inserted on one side (the diseased vein is fixed) and removed on the other, pulling the diseased vein backwards (as if turning it inside out).
- microphlebectomy. It is a minimally invasive method and aims to remove superficial peripheral veins through small incisions in the skin.
hydrotherapy
This is an ancient form of healing. Hydrotherapy is based on the ability of blood vessels to expand and contract under the influence of different temperature regimes (a difference of 20 to 40 degrees is used for treatment). Such training strengthens the walls of blood vessels, contributes to their elasticity. This treatment is best performed in the early stages of the disease.
compression underwear
As you know, varicose veins are more of a female disease and this is due to heredity and hormonal disorders. Special socks were developed for women, which today are the most comfortable form of treatment. They protect the legs from pain, swelling and fatigue. The action of such underwear is justified by the compression of the leg, which leads to the narrowing of the peripheral veins.
Prevention of foot disease in women
Women are more prone to this disease than men, so they need to follow the rules for the prevention of varicose veins in the legs and follow the generally accepted recommendations.
To normalize the vessels in the legs, a woman needs two of the most important vitamins.
Vitamin E
Improves blood circulation throughout the body. It can be found in the following products:
- greens (parsley, basil, celery);
- vegetables (peppers, onions, ginger);
- cereals (whole grains, sprouted);
- seaweed;
- all legumes;
- nuts.
Vitamin C
Strengthens the walls of blood vessels. To replenish it in the body, you need to eat:
- citrus fruits (lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit);
- cabbage (white, cauliflower, Peking);
- berries (black currant, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry).
It is also necessary to introduce sea fish in the menu. It is useful for the cardiovascular system because it contains polyunsaturated fatty acids.
General tips for leading a healthy lifestyle
Generally accepted recommendations for preventing varicose veins in women:
- completely forget the habit of sitting with the legs bent (leg to leg);
- do not neglect the advice of a doctor, if necessary, seek advice from traditional medicine;
- get into the habit of long walks on foot, physical activity on women's legs has a positive effect on the healthy functioning of peripheral vessels;
- use a contrast shower for the legs, this will help to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels;
- "feed" your veins, if possible, replace animal fats with vegetables, this will help to avoid problems with being overweight, which is prone to causing disease. As a bonus, vegetable oils contain acids that improve blood flow.
Now you know how to treat varicose veins in women, as well as what rules to follow to forget about them. Forewarned is prearmed. Dear women, take care of your legs and consult a doctor at the first manifestations of the disease to avoid complications.