What could be more beautiful than slender legs in high heels? Men have always appreciated the length of a woman's legs. But what to do when that dignity has a condition called varicose veins. How to treat varicose veins in women's legs? A very popular question, and we will try to give a reasonable answer in this article.
Women and Varicose Veins, What Causes It?
As you know, women's bodies are significantly different from men's, and the reasons are not just physiological. Consider the underlying causes of varicose veins found in women in vulnerable human populations.
sedentary work
Physical inactivity (minimal physical activity) is the direct route to varicose veins. Unlike men, women mostly sit in front of computers and work (accountants, secretaries, operators, etc. ). This sedentary work contributes to the development of venous blood stagnation.
gene (inheritance)
This is one of the main causes of varicose veins in women. If one of the parents suffers from varicose veins, the girl cannot avoid this fate. But you should know that it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but the attitude towards it. Therefore, if you take precautions, there is a good chance of avoiding it on your feet.
hormones
The steady work of hormones is key to women's health. If the hormonal background is disturbed, internal systems can malfunction, including the circulatory system. Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone (sex hormones) cause the blood vessel walls to decrease and relax. This requires them to stretch when overloaded. This contributes to the appearance of edema and dilation of the veins in the legs. Factors that cause varicose veins can be:
- Diseases with elevated estrogen levels;
- Pregnant;
- Take birth control pills that contain hormones, including menopause hormone therapy.
excess weight
Obesity can lead to overloading and increased stress throughout the circulatory system. The legs are most affected because they need to support a person's weight. In all overweight people, sooner or later, venous congestion occurs, leading to varicose veins.
indirect cause
In addition to physiological causes that we can't influence in any way, there are indirect causes, usually ones we don't tend to focus on:
- High heel. Frequent and prolonged wearing of such shoes can place a huge burden on peripheral veins, resulting in varicose veins;
- food. Eating greasy fried foods can lead to the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood. This can make blood flow difficult and can lead to the formation of blood clots, which can dilate the veins in the legs;
- bad habits. Smoking and drinking alcohol increase venous pressure, which is directly related to the development of varicose veins;
- blood clotsPeople with this deviation need to be treated 1-2 times a year because "inaction" can lead to varicose vein thrombosis, at best, varicose veins, and at worst, heart attack or stroke (until death).
How to treat varicose veins in women with traditional medicine?
Any treatment seeks to prevent complications and eliminate painful symptoms. The doctors who should be contacted to treat varicose veins are phlebologists and vascular surgeons. Treatment should aim to address such issues:
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- Minimize the risk of blood clots;
- Normalization of peripheral venous work.
Traditional medicine offers quite a few treatment options for varicose veins in women. Consider the most popular and effective treatments.
external treatment
In the early stage of pathology, the superficial blood vessels are involved first, and then the deep blood vessels are involved, resulting in blood stagnation. In the first symptoms, it can be very effective to treat the manifestations on the legs (it is convenient to treat the legs at home, just apply the substance to the affected area and rub):
- gel;
- ointment;
- cream.
oral tablet
Medications for oral administration are thought to be more effective than topical medications. They are conditionally divided into three groups:
- Anti-inflammatory (medicine)- They anesthetize and reduce swelling of the leg tissue, inhibit the adhesion of platelets. Only a doctor can prescribe these drugs (self-medication with these drugs is dangerous);
- intravenous injection- Helps increase blood flow and improve the tone of blood vessel walls. Their main task is to get rid of the burning and swelling of the legs. Based on the obtained clinical pictures, the phlebologist prescribes a course of treatment;
- blood thinning– With their help, minimize the risk of blood clots. Designed to dilute venous blood, improving its current flow.
laser coagulation
If blood circulation is severely compromised, no matter how effective the drug is, it may not do anything to treat varicose veins in a woman's legs.
Achievements in the scientific and medical world have helped create a device for painless ridding of pathology - the laser. With its help, radiation (a specific spectrum that produces heat) is generated, absorbed by the blood and closes damaged blood vessels from the inside. This causes blood to move "bypass" through the deep veins, and at the site of the lesion, its current flow stops completely. After a certain period of time, the affected tissue recovers naturally, and the adhesion site subsides.
Surgical approach
With its help, you can get rid of pathology competently. If none of the above methods work, go for this treatment. Surgery offers both traditional surgery, which cuts the skin along the length of the inflamed vein, and minimally invasive surgery, which is tasked with solving the problem with minimal incision. It all depends on the clinical presentation of the disease. The following operations are widely used:
- phlebectomy. The surgery is traditional and is performed in the presence of inflammation and deep vein dilation. Phlebectomy is performed to remove the entire damaged vein. This operation takes about 2 hours.
- peel off. A thin probe is used here, with which the enlarged vein is removed. This procedure involves making thin incisions on both sides of the diseased area. The probe is inserted from one side (the diseased vein is fixed) and removed from the other, pulling the diseased vein behind it (as if turning it over).
- venule resection. This is a minimally invasive method designed to remove superficial peripheral veins through a small incision in the skin.
Spa
This is an ancient remedy. Hydrotherapy is based on the ability of blood vessels to expand and contract under different temperature conditions (20-40 degrees difference is used in the treatment). This training strengthens the walls of blood vessels, helping them to be elastic. This treatment is best done in the initial stages of the disease.
compression underwear
As you know, varicose veins are more of a women's disease due to genetics and hormonal disturbances. Stockings specially developed for women are the most comfortable treatment available today. They protect the legs from pain, swelling and fatigue. The effect of this undergarment is demonstrated by compressing the legs, which results in the narrowing of peripheral veins.
Prevention of Foot Diseases in Women
Women are more prone to this condition than men, so they need to follow the rules for preventing varicose veins in the legs and follow generally accepted recommendations.
To normalize the blood vessels in the legs, women need two of the most important vitamins.
Vitamin E
Improve blood circulation throughout the body. It can be found in the following products:
- vegetables (parsley, basil, celery);
- vegetables (bell peppers, onions, ginger);
- Cereals (whole wheat, sprouted);
- seaweed;
- all beans;
- nut.
Vitamin C
Strengthen the walls of blood vessels. To replenish it in the body, you need to eat:
- Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruit);
- Cabbage (cabbage, cauliflower, Peking);
- Berries (currants, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries).
The menu also needs to introduce sea fish. 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 folding your legs (leg to leg);
- Do not ignore the advice of your doctor and seek advice from traditional medicine if necessary;
- Develop the habit of long-term walking, the physical activity of women's legs has a positive impact on the healthy function of peripheral blood vessels;
- Use a contrasting shower for the legs, which will help strengthen the walls of the blood vessels;
- "Feeding" your veins, replacing animal fats with vegetable fats if possible, will help avoid problems with excess weight, which can easily lead to disease. As a bonus, vegetable oils contain acids that improve blood flow.
Now you know how to treat varicose veins in women and what rules to follow to forget about it. Preparedness is safe. Dear women, pay attention to your legs and consult a doctor at the first manifestation of the disease to avoid complications.