Why does varicose veins occur, how is it treated and is it possible to do without surgery?
What is varicose veins
The term “varicose veins” is heard by many – elderly people immediately appear with knotty veins and swelling in their legs. However, the impression that varicose veins of the lower extremities (and this is the correct name) is the lot of the elderly is incorrect. The disease can occur in young people as well as in middle-aged people. More often, varicose veins are found in women, and it’s not just about wearing heels!
Interesting Facts
- If you sit all the time, you have a higher risk of developing varicose veins.
- If you stand all the time, you have a higher risk of developing varicose veins.
- If you are taller than average, you have a higher risk of developing varicose veins.
- If you are a woman and have had multiple pregnancies, then … Guess what? You have a higher risk of developing varicose veins.
Why do varicose veins occur?
We are paying the price for walking upright. If we crawled, varicose veins might not have been. The thing is that the heart is located in the upper part of the body, and in order to return blood to it from the lower extremities, the veins are equipped with special valves that prevent blood from remaining in the legs and gradually raise it to the heart. Violation of this mechanism leads to stagnation of blood in the legs, edema, decreased venous tone and, in the end, to the development of varicose veins. We need to move, work, not remain in a static position (sitting or standing), then the mechanism of “raising the blood” works, and our legs remain healthy.
Risk factors
Risk factors for the development of varicose veins include heredity, overweight, professions associated with the need to stay in a certain position (surgeons, cooks, salespeople, office workers, teachers, stewardesses), physical inactivity, pregnancy, wearing heels … that varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease of civilization.
Recognize and take action!
Varicose veins develop gradually: first, subtle symptoms appear, which can be easily attributed to a day spent on their feet or general fatigue. Of course, there may be days when we literally fall off our feet, and the legs themselves seem very heavy to us. However, if there are more and more such days, then this is a reason for contacting a specialist and additional examination. This may indicate incipient varicose veins.
So, if with a certain regularity you experience the following symptoms in your legs:
- Severity
- Pain
- “Hum”, bursting
- Fatigue
- Swelling
- Convulsions
And if you notice spider veins, tortuosity and swelling of veins, a change in skin color, this is a reason to consult a specialist: phlebologist, therapist, family doctor, vascular surgeon.
How can a specialist help?
The good news is that timely diagnosis and treatment in many cases can help avoid surgery. The examination results help the specialist to choose an individual approach. As a rule, it may include recommendations for changing lifestyle and nutrition (move more, play sports, regularly change the position of the legs and body during the day, adjust nutrition – there is less salt and more fiber, the load on the veins will decrease), and the appointment of medications – venotonics in the form of gels, ointments or tablets for oral administration – in the form of a course intake.
