From the article you will learn that varicose veins are inherited, and there are also reasons why pathology can develop in ordinary people.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins on the lower leg are chronic deformations of the veins, most often hereditary, with continuous widening of the lumen of blood vessels, decreased vascular tone, destruction of valve apparatus, regional blood supply disorders, pain syndrome, and persistent tissue pastosity.
Where do varicose veins come from?
Normally, blood, which supplies organs and tissues with oxygen and takes away carbon dioxide from them, moves from the periphery to the heart against gravity.For this, assistants are needed, namely the muscles of the legs, capable of acting as a kind of pump, contracting during movement, which moves the blood higher and higher.An equally important role is played by the vein valve, which prevents fluid reflux, tightly blocking the lumen of the vessel.Blood flows through the vessels in only one direction.
If the operation of the valve is interrupted for any reason, a deformation of the vein is gradually formed: blood overflows into the vessels, which causes them to stretch and change shape.As the pathology progresses, trophic ulcers and blood clots can form in the area of the altered veins.
Varicose veins on the legs in women and men are quite common, in 50% of all vascular patients over the age of 18.At the same time, the number of varicose vein patients is increasing every year.The reason is the inactive nature of professional activity.
The main cause of varicose veins in men and women is a genetically inherited weakness of the connective tissue that forms the framework of the veins.Its failure leads to loss of vascular tone, wall stretching, and deformation.If parents have dilated veins under the skin, then both children and grandchildren have a chance to develop varicose veins.The disease is inherited through the female line - a gene linked to the X chromosome of the sex that makes the vein walls weak.
Hormonal changes in the body that are typical for women are very important: menstruation, menopause, taking contraceptives, pregnancy, breastfeeding.Men are also prone to hormonal imbalance, but less often and after 40 years.Jump in female hormones: estrogen and progesterone - relaxes the vein wall, which leads to its deformation.
Another cause of varicose veins is standing for a long time or sitting in a static position.In this case, the venous valve opens, and a continuous increase in intravascular pressure occurs.Moreover, the longer the leg, the higher the blood column in the vessel, which means a risk factor for the development of varicose veins.
Being overweight also does not contribute to vascular health.Excess body weight increases the pressure in the veins of the legs, and fat deposits, especially in the abdominal area, interfere with the normal outflow of blood.
Physical inactivity stimulates the formation of varicose veins on the lower legs.In addition, risk groups for varicose veins include smokers, pregnant women and patients with heart and vascular pathologies.Surgeons, teachers, cashiers, salesmen, drivers, programmers, flight attendants, and loaders suffer from professional varicose veins.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the effect of alcohol on the veins.Of course, any alcohol expands the vascular lumen, including red wine.In other words, this is another predisposing factor to varicose veins.With regular consumption of alcoholic beverages, varicose veins are inevitable, it's just a matter of time.Moreover, if there is a hereditary tendency to venous insufficiency.There is no gender difference in this matter.
The main symptoms of the disease
The first symptoms of varicose veins appear in the early stages of the disease: legs begin to tire quickly, begin to swell, veins become painful, leg cramps at night, heat and heaviness appear in the legs.
Sometimes this picture continues for several decades until visual signs of venous insufficiency develop: ankles and feet are thick in the evening, itchy skin, tortuous veins stand out on the skin, bluish, dense.Over time, trophic ulcers appear that are resistant to therapy.
Why are varicose veins dangerous?
In addition to disrupting trophism, varicose veins threaten the development of thrombophlebitis - when a blood clot in the vein can break from the wall, block the lumen of the artery, block the pulmonary ducts, and trigger an AMI with fatal results.
Venous thrombosis - blocking the lumen of the vein with a thrombus causes severe pain, does not allow free movement, and can trigger tissue necrosis.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) - blockage of the pulmonary artery by a detached blood clot leads 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.
Is it possible to cure varicose veins?
Answer: yes, but only through surgery.There are three modern methods to relieve the problem: phlebectomy - complete removal of the defective vein, sclerotherapy - injection of a special sclerosant into the affected vessel, which adheres to the vein wall, excludes the vessel from the blood stream and empties without cosmetic defects on the skin, laser coagulation - destruction of veins that do not have a diameter greater than the lumen and trained veins.10mm).
Prevention
- regular exercise for legs during prolonged sitting;
- balanced diet based on tomatoes, carrots, olives, apples, blueberries;
- prevention of constipation;
- proper rest, especially for women who need three times more time to recover;
- the correct drinking regimen: 40 ml of water per 1 kg of weight.
Swimming is useful when spending a short time in the open sun, minimizing stressful situations.