Varicose veins in the legs: causes and prevention

leg pain with varicose veins

Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular pathologies. Every third woman and every fifth representative of the powerful half of the world community face such a problem.

This is a chronic disease characterized by a violation of blood flow, which increases the pressure on the vessels. Blood vessels are equipped with valves that allow blood to flow only upward so that there is no stagnation in the lower extremities. When the valves are disturbed, the blood flow becomes chaotic, after which the development of varicose veins in the legs occurs, and in this case, treatment should be carried out immediately.

If the disease is not treated in time, complications often develop, thrombophlebitis is diagnosed. There may even be a risk of death. The article will explain how to prevent the deterioration of the condition of the blood vessels of the lower limbs, the formation of nodes in them, as well as to prevent a dangerous disease.

Why do varicose veins appear?

legs hurt with varicose veins

Dilated veins in the legs arise for a number of reasons. They are not only a cosmetic defect, but also indicate serious problems with blood flow. Factors that determine the development of varicose veins include:

  • excess body weight, which increases the load on the veins of the lower extremities;
  • Addiction to bad habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, taking natural and synthetic drugs;
  • heavy physical labor causes heavy loads on the legs;
  • abundance of tasty, unhealthy food;
  • high frequency of stressful situations;
  • genetic predisposition;
  • hypodynamia, which creates favorable conditions for stagnation in the vascular system and deterioration of blood circulation in the patient's body;
  • weak muscle frame of the legs due to the lack of desire to regularly do gymnastics and activate the work of muscle fibers;
  • thin vessel walls.

Such reasons create favorable conditions for the expansion of the large blood vessels of the lower extremities, the appearance of noticeable swollen nodes in them.

Who needs varicose vein prevention and why?

Prevention refers to an effective and efficient way to prevent varicose veins. There are different categories of people at risk:

  • Women over 30 years old and in menopause;
  • gourmets and lovers of sweets, fatty foods that cause extra pounds;
  • representatives of professions related to standing for a long time, sitting in a chair in one position or moving weights;
  • athletes whose main load falls on their legs: weightlifters, runners, skaters, cyclists, rowers;
  • fashionistas who prefer to create their fashionable, attractive looks with high heels, tight, tight dresses;
  • people with an inactive lifestyle;

Pregnant women are also at risk and may experience the problem of swollen veins in their legs. The increase in hormones in the body, the development of the fetus causes an increase in the volume of blood transported through the venous vessels. Prevention of the disease will help prevent its development after childbirth. Timely prevention of varicose veins significantly improves the condition of the veins in the legs, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, normalizes blood circulation, avoids the appearance of ugly nodes and the formation of blood clots. A severe course of the disease, which requires an urgent surgical operation, can be prevented.

How to prevent varicose veins?

Prevention of varicose veins involves changing the way of life and implementing a number of activities that should become a habit for potential patients of phlebologists. To prevent the development of dangerous vascular disease, you should:

  • exclude flour, sweet foods from the diet;
  • limit the use of salt, smoked meat, alcoholic beverages, coffee, strong meat broths;
  • lead an active lifestyle;
  • conducting industrial gymnastics in workplaces associated with long standing, sitting;
  • prevent lifting of weights exceeding the permitted norms;
  • consume a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements;
  • at the first signs of varicose veins, wear compression underwear, the elasticity class of which is prescribed by a phlebologist;
  • stop smoking, visit baths, saunas;
  • regularly going to gyms, fitness centers, swimming pools, swimming, water aerobics, which are considered the best activities for the prevention of varicose veins;
  • perform exercises recommended and can be used at home to improve blood circulation;
  • apply traditional medicine recipes to improve the condition of venous vessels in the legs.

The implementation of such simple recommendations is guaranteed to help eliminate the risk of developing a dangerous disease and the appearance of its characteristic symptoms.

Useful exercises to prevent the expansion and deformation of veins in the legs

Performing simple exercises for the prevention of vascular pathology of the lower extremities improves blood circulation in body tissues, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, removes congestion and prevents varicose veins. These include:

  1. Raise the legs in a prone position on the floor and pull the toes towards you, at least 10 times.
  2. Holding the pelvis for 15-20 seconds, perform the "maple" exercise in 5 sets.
  3. While lying on the floor, raise the legs and make circular movements in one direction and the other 10-15 times.
  4. Raise the socks, the heels of the knees, at least 10 times with each leg, sitting on a chair.
  5. Sipping, standing on the toes, the number of repetitions increases 10-20 times.
  6. From a sitting position in a chair, move your ankles back and forth 15 times with each leg.

Traditional medicine recipes to improve the condition of blood vessels

foot bath for varicose veins

In order to always keep the veins in the legs healthy, alternative medicine enthusiasts recommend using baths, lotions, rubs, and compresses prepared according to traditional medicine recipes. The effectiveness of these methods has not been proven and it is better to consult a doctor before using them. These methods include:

  • rubbing the problem areas with cooled parsley broth, adding a few drops of rose oil;
  • applying halved green tomatoes to inflamed veins on the legs until a burning sensation appears;
  • Compress of calendula decoction prepared from the flowers of the medicinal plant and water in a ratio of 1: 4;
  • Ointment consisting of 1 raw egg yolk, 1 tbsp. l. honey and 1 tbsp. l. vodka and should be applied to the inflamed veins for several hours.

Remember, prevention of varicose veins is easier than treatment!