From the article you will learn that varicose veins are hereditary, and there are also reasons why the pathology can develop in normal people.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a chronic deformation of the veins, often of a hereditary nature, with persistent dilation of the vascular lumen, decreased vascular tone, destruction of the valvular apparatus, impaired regional blood supply, pain syndrome and continuous tissue laxity.
Where do dilated veins come from?
Normally, blood supplies oxygen to organs and tissues and removes waste carbon dioxide from them, moving from the periphery to the heart overcoming gravity.To do this, helpers are needed, which are the muscles in the legs, which are able to act as a kind of pump, contracting during movement, helping the blood move higher and higher.An equally important role is played by the valves of the veins, which prevent the reflux of fluid, tightly blocking the vessel lumen.Blood flows through the vessels in only one direction.
If the work of the valves is interrupted for any reason, a gradual deformation of the veins is formed: blood rushes into the vessels, causing them to stretch and deform.As the pathology progresses, trophic ulcers and blood clots may form in the area of altered veins.
Varicose veins in the legs in women and men are quite common, in 50% of vascular patients over 18 years old.At the same time, the number of patients with varicose veins is increasing every year.The reason is due to the sedentary nature of occupational activities.
The main cause of varicose veins in men and women is the genetic weakening of the connective tissue that forms the framework of the veins.Its failure leads to loss of vascular tone, stretching of the walls and deformation.If parents have varicose veins under the skin, both children and grandchildren are at risk of developing varicose veins.Female genetic disease - an X-linked gene causes vein walls to weaken.
Hormonal changes in the body that are characteristic of women are of great importance: menstruation, menopause, taking oral contraceptives, pregnancy, breastfeeding.Men are also susceptible to hormonal imbalance, but less commonly and after age 40.Enhance female hormones: estrogen and progesterone - dilate vein walls, leading to deformation.
Another cause of varicose veins is standing or sitting in a static position for long periods of time.In this case, the venous valves open and a sustained increase in intravascular pressure occurs.Moreover, the longer the legs, the higher the blood column in the vessels, which means the risk of developing varicose veins.
Excess weight also does not contribute to vascular health.Excess weight increases pressure in the veins of the legs and fat deposits, especially in the abdominal area, impede normal blood flow.
Physical inactivity provokes the formation of varicose veins in the lower limbs.In addition, groups at risk of varicose veins include smokers, pregnant women and patients with cardiovascular disease.Surgeons, teachers, cashiers, salespeople, drivers, programmers, flight attendants, and porters all suffer from professional varicose veins.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the effect of alcohol on the veins.Of course, any alcohol dilates the blood vessels, including red wine.In other words, this is another factor that leads to varicose veins.With regular consumption of alcoholic beverages, varicose veins are inevitable, it is just a matter of time.Furthermore, if there is a genetic predisposition to venous insufficiency.There is no gender difference in this regard.
Main signs of the disease
The first symptoms of varicose veins appear in the early stages of the disease: the legs quickly get tired, begin to swell, the veins ache, the legs cramp at night, a feeling of heat and heaviness appears in the legs.
Sometimes this image persists for decades until the development of visual signs of venous insufficiency: ankles and feet become loose in the evening, itchy skin, zigzag veins appear on the skin, bluish color, dense.Over time, trophic ulcers appear that are resistant to treatment.
Why are varicose veins dangerous?
In addition to nutritional disruption, varicose veins also threaten the development of thrombosis - when a blood clot in the vein can detach from the wall, block the lumen of the artery, block the pulmonary vessels and cause fatal AMI.
Venous thrombosis - blocking the vein lumen with a thrombus causes severe pain, does not allow free movement and can cause tissue necrosis.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) - blockage of the pulmonary artery by a detached blood clot leading to death within the next half hour.A small blood clot can cause a pulmonary infarction, requiring resuscitation.This condition is accompanied by pneumonia and CHF.
Can varicose veins be cured?
Answer: yes, but only surgery.There are three modern methods of solving the problem: phlebectomy - complete removal of deformed veins, sclerotherapy - injection of a special fiber into the affected vessel, glued to the wall of the vein, excluding the vessel from the blood stream and emptying it without cosmetic defects in the skin, laser coagulation - destruction of the vein with heat and sealing the lumen (performed when the diameter of the vein is no more than 10 mm).
prevent
- Regularly exercise your legs when sitting for long periods of time;
- a balanced diet based on tomatoes, carrots, olives, apples, blueberries;
- prevention of constipation;
- adequate rest, especially for women who need three times as much time to recover;
- Correct drinking regimen: 40 ml of water per 1 kg of weight.
Swimming is useful for spending short periods of time in the sun, minimizing stressful situations.