It's worth watching your legs carefully. Then spider veins or almost invisible swelling will not turn into varicose veins. And let's keep our legs in good condition - our veins will be grateful for that.

With each contraction of the heart, oxygen-rich blood is forced into the arteries, which distribute it throughout the body. During this journey, the cells "treat themselves" with nutrients, and the blood used returns to the heart through the veins. This work continues, day and night. In an adult, the heart is more than a meter above the ground - this is the distance that blood must be "lifted". A difficult task.

Through the arteries, blood flows under high pressure and rapidly. The veins move much slower, because it flows as if uphill. Since he has to overcome the forces of gravity, he needs support. The muscles of the feet and calves come to the rescue. As we walk, muscles rhythmically contract and compress theveins , helping the blood to move upward. In addition, there are valves in the veins, which are tiny folds of the inner lining of the vessels that close when blood tries to regress downward.

Where do varicose veins form?

If we were to connect all the blood vessels in one leg, we would get a tube approximately 100 km long. Some of the veins in the legs are hidden deep and form the so-called system of deep veins. Some, on the other hand, run close to the surface of the skin and are called superficial veins. Both systems are connected by transverse lines - perforators.

10 percent flow through superficial vessels. venous blood from the legs and their poor condition is the reason for the formation ofspider veinsandvaricose veins . They most often form on the saphenous vein that runs from the inner ankle to the groin, and less frequently on the saphenous vein that runs from the outer ankle to the knee.

Important

Damaged veins cannot be repaired effectively. However, you can develop habits that will help you keep them in good shape.

Where do these varicose veins come from

If our muscles are weak, we move little, and the valves are damaged, the blood begins to regress. Its pressure rises and the pressure on the walls of the veins becomes tighter. These expand and lose their elasticity. They cannot return to their original shape. This is how varicose veins are formed - abnormal broadening of the veins. If the valves in the deep veins work poorly, it is regressingblood flows through perforators into superficial veins. The increasing pressure in them also causes the formation of varicose veins, the so-called secondary.

What harms the veins and leads to varicose veins

First of all, an inappropriate lifestyle and lack of daily care for he alth.

OverweightThe more you weigh, the more difficult it is to maintain proper circulation and the risk of blood stagnation in the veins increases. Abdominal obesity is especially dangerous, because the excess fat in these parts hinders the blood flow from the lower limbs towards the heart.

Long standing and sittingThey are then several times more loaded than lying down. If you have to stand at work, step from foot to foot, walk in place and stamp your heel from time to time (this forces blood to flow towards the heart), do a few sit-ups every hour. If you work while sitting - change positions frequently and do not cross your feet. Also, do not sit on tucked legs as it blocks the outflow of blood.

Uncomfortable chairsThe seat must not pinch the thighs, and the feet must not hang in the air. If you have to sit at your desk for many hours, put a stool underneath it and rest your stretched legs on it. The weight of the body should be on the buttocks, not on the thighs.

High heelsThey increase the load on the leg veins several times. Flat flaps are also unhe althy, because we have to hold them with our fingers. Similarly, shoes with stiff (wooden) soles. Then the muscles of the foot and calf have no chance of normal relaxation and contraction, because the muscles of the thighs (the so-called cock gait) are used to move, not the calves and feet. On the other hand, in completely flat shoes, the weight of the body strains the foot so much that blood circulation is difficult.

Tight clothesAvoid wearing tight underwear and pants. Do not wear self-supporting stockings or socks with strong cuffs.

High temperaturesHeat causes veins to expand. So do not go to the sauna, do not take hot baths, do not exaggerate with sunbathing, and in winter change your boots to low shoes at work.

Hormonal disordersHormones have a large impact on the water and electrolyte balance, and thus on the condition of the veins. Poorly selected therapy may cause irreversible changes in the venous system. Estrogens contained in birth control pills or used in HRT promote the development of varicose veins. So go to the gynecologist - he may suggest, for example, a Cerazette mini-pill, contraception without estrogens or another form of HRT.

InflammationEspecially those that occur around the pelvis and the osteoarticular system. Chronic arthritis is the most dangerousknee. Then in the so-called in the popliteal fossa, cysts may form, which pressurize the veins and make it difficult for blood to drain freely.

ConstipationTheir cause is usually a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Troublesome constipation overloads the veins and makes it difficult for blood to flow out towards the heart.

Frequent pregnanciesEvery third woman in her first pregnancy and every second woman in the next has varicose veins. They arise when a valve in the groin does not function properly. Its regurgitation causes blood to regurgitate and widen the femoral vein. This is because the pressure in the pregnant belly is high. Moreover, in future mothers the volume of blood increases (on average by 2 liters) and the venous system has to contain it somehow. If a woman does not walk or exercise, she develops varicose veins.

Don't do that

Not every sport is good for he alth

In the case of impending or already existing varicose veins, skiing and horse riding, rowing, tennis are not recommended. Mountain climbing, especially with a heavy backpack, can be dangerous for the veins. These sports strain the feet too much. It is also inadvisable to put heavy strain on the legs in the gym. The veins that work intensively stretch and do not return to their original shape over time. If you are prone to venous insufficiency, massive varicose veins may appear under your knees after a few months of training. Jogging is also inadvisable, because it condemns the bone and joint system and the vascular system to strong and constant overload.

What it does well to the veins

The veins don't want to be overloaded. They need relaxation, but also exercise.

RestTry to spend a few minutes in the so-called the American position, i.e. with the legs placed above the heart. When going to sleep, put a hard cushion or roller under your heels. You can also tilt the bed a bit by placing wooden blocks so that the head is lower than the legs.

Comfortable shoesThe most favorable for the veins is a shoe with a wide toe (fingers can move freely) and a 2-5 cm heel. If you have transverse or longitudinal flat feet, fit the appropriate insoles to the covered shoe and wear them regularly.

Shaped sandals, slippersWalk in them around the apartment and the garden. The sole should have a physiological shape so that the foot fits on it as if in a form. When it is flexible, the muscles in the feet and calves work flawlessly. Sandals or flip-flops are also good, with the so-called hedgehog.

Walking barefootDo it whenever you have the opportunity. At home, on a rubber rug with protrusions (so-called hedgehog or fakir), outside on grass or wet sand. This is the perfect massage that improvescirculation and facilitates the drainage of blood to the heart.

Suitable tightsIf someone has had varicose veins, they may have them elsewhere again. An effective method of preventing them is wearing special knee-high socks, tights, stockings (e.g. from the Veer's anti-varicose collection) during the day, which, by pressing the leg in the right places, prevent the blood from returning and remaining in the veins. On the other hand, people who suffer from heavy legs and do not have problems with the veins yet, should buy special hosiery marked with a drawing of a spiral around the calf. Do not buy medical, anti-varicose tights by eye. Ask for a varicose vein doctor to choose them. He will measure the rested leg in several places and use this to determine the size and pressure strength. When buying regular socks or knee-high socks, remember that the welt should be loose (does not leave marks on the body).

GymnasticsMovement improves circulation and strengthens muscles. The so-called a bicycle and transverse scissors lying down. Exercise at least 10 minutes a day. Get on your bike, swim, and walk for an hour at least three times a week. If you have the opportunity, march in the field (but without a heavy backpack). We also recommend cycling, which improves venous circulation and regulates the diaphragm so that the blood flows smoothly from the legs to the heart. Swimming is the best sport because it combines muscle training with hydrotherapy, which improves blood flow in the veins. Dancing and cross-country skiing are perfect. Perform all activities at a moderate pace so as not to cause too much overload.

Low-calorie dietFirst, give up cakes and sweets and fatty meats. Instead, eat foods rich in fiber, i.e. fresh vegetables and fruits (apples, grapes), whole grain bread. Include bran (at least a teaspoon a day) and garlic in the menu. Eat peppers, apricots, cherries, which contain vitamins C and B6 that seal the walls of the veins. Drink 2 liters of non-carbonated mineral water daily. Scientists have proposed that bioflavonoids found in the white part of citrus, in black currants, dark grapes, chokeberry and apricots prevent varicose veins and aid in their treatment. While research is ongoing, eat these fruits because they are high in fiber and help prevent constipation.

Summer bathsTreat your feet and calves with an infusion of chestnut flowers, arnica, calendula or horsetail (20 g of herb per 1 liter of water). Bathing in an infusion of comfrey leaves is a good practice. Pour 5 liters of water over the herbs and leave it covered for the whole day. Then strain the infusion and pour it into the bathtub. A bath with 100 g of rosemary leaves will help to treat swelling. Pour them 1 liter of boiling water andheat, covered, 30 minutes. Filter the infusion and pour it into the bathtub. Note: the healing bath lasts 15-20 minutes.

HardeningTake a shower in the morning and in the evening: start with warm (not hot) water, then change to cold (not icy) water. End warm. A warm shower should last 2-3 times longer than a cold one.

MassageMassage your legs before bedtime and in the morning after waking up, with your hand or a soft sponge, from your fingers to your groin. In the evening, perform a massage using a gel or ointment, e.g. Arcalen, Lioton 1000, Venoruton, Aescin, Aesculan.

This will be useful to you

In the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, drugs that strengthen blood vessels and anti-inflammatory drugs will help:

  • preparations from the extract of horse chestnut, ginkgo biloba, arnica, rue and some citrus. Oral (discuss their use with your doctor): Detralex, Rutoven, Venoruton, Venotrex, Venescin, Venastat.
  • sore legs can be relieved with creams and gels. These are e.g. Venitan, Aescin, Hirudoid, Haematoven, Venoruton, Emo-gel.

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Category:

Cardiology