What are star veins? With varicose veins on the legs, “stars” first bloom, and then dark blue swollen veins appear on the surface of the skin. Most often this disease occurs in women. According to statistics, almost every third representative of the weaker sex suffers from varicose veins.
Functions of veins
The heart muscles are constantly pumping blood in a closed circulatory system. The heart is two pumps that turn on one after the other. It is covered by a membrane; from the right ventricle, venous blood flows through the pulmonary artery to the capillaries of the lungs. They exchange gas. Further from them in the veins, arterial blood already returns to the atrium, which is located to the left. It ends with a small circle of blood circulation. And from the left - the blood goes to the left ventricle, that's where the systemic circulation begins. So veins, as well as arteries, form a single circulatory system.
Expansion of veins, or Why does it appearvaricose veins on the legs?
Varicosis occurs in both women and men. There can be many reasons for varicose veins:
- Sharp weight gain. Most women gain extra pounds during pregnancy, which “do not go away” even after childbirth. Obesity and rapid weight gain leads to the appearance of varicose veins.
- Hormonal failures. Often the cause of varicose veins is hormonal disruptions that occur in the female body during pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause. An excess of hormones leads to a decrease in vascular tone and an increase in blood clotting. This, in turn, provokes the formation of blood clots and deformation of the veins.
- The presence of a hereditary predisposition. Many people have a hereditary predisposition to varicose veins. With varicose veins, the genes responsible for the strength of blood vessels and veins mutate, and then, in an altered form, are inherited by descendants.
- Hard physical labor. Due to severe overexertion or physical overload, varicose veins can also develop. Usually, because of this reason, the disease appears in men working at a construction site or engaged in unloading and loading operations.
- Regular load on the legs. In some cases, varicose veins are found in people who spend most of the day on their feet, that is, teachers, postmen, athletes. This is due to the fact that with a long stay in an upright position, intra-abdominal pressure increases and muscle tone decreases. As a result, blood circulation becomes difficult, and the veins in the legsexpanding.
- High sugar levels. Diabetes can cause damage to the vein walls and valves.
- Poor blood clotting. Blood clotting disorders can lead to blood clots.
- Constipation. Chronic constipation contributes to an increase in venous and intra-abdominal pressure. This results in poor circulation in the legs.
- Alcohol addiction. Alcohol abuse leads to dehydration. This, in turn, contributes to the deterioration of the outflow, as well as thickening of the blood. Over time, this state of affairs leads to the appearance of blood clots and blockage of blood vessels.
- Tight uncomfortable clothes. Wearing tight clothing on the body impedes the movement of blood flow and, as a result, leads to compression of the lower extremities.
- Unbalanced menu. Ascorbic acid, as well as some vitamins, are necessary to strengthen the venous walls.
- Congenital diseases. Some heart and kidney diseases can cause varicose veins.
- Dehydration. Lack of fluid in the body leads to the formation of clots and thickening of the blood.
- Shoes with high wedges or heels. When using shoes with a high instep, the calf muscles are practically not involved. The constant wearing of such shoes provokes blood stasis.
- Overdose of drugs that increase blood clotting. Due to the regular use or overdose of these types of drugs, blood vessels can become clogged.
- Strong squeezing of blood vessels. Blood loss or awkward posture duringsurgery can also cause varicose veins.
Most often in people the first signs of varicose veins appear after 30-35 years. Usually, citizens do not pay much attention to the initial symptoms of the disease and begin to sound the alarm only when “stars” appear on their feet. So what are star veins? And how do these symptoms appear? Timely detection of the disease will help stop its spread. Therefore, experts recommend that at the first signs of varicose veins seek help from doctors.
Varicosis on the legs: the first signs of the disease
At the initial stage, varicose veins do not cause much concern to people. Therefore, many people go to the doctor only when the disease leads to significant discomfort.
What are star veins? And what are the symptoms? The following symptoms are typical for the initial stage of varicose veins:
- Vascular asterisks.
- Swelling around the ankles.
- Feet pain and fatigue.
- Heavy feeling.
In the second stage, patients feel:
- Spreading and a pronounced feeling of heaviness in the lower part of the limbs.
- Soreness increases, varicose veins swell.
- Even after a short walk, the legs get tired.
- Goosebumps on the legs. The vein, the photo of which can be seen in the doctor's office, is directly swelling.
- In some places enlarged veins appear on the legs.
- Calf muscles suffer from cramps at night.
For the third stage of varicose veins is characteristic:
- The presence of saccular extensions and nodules.
- Development of dermatitis.
- Severe swelling.
- The veins become tortuous and bulge.
- Pigmentation appears.
- Pain syndrome prevents movement.
- Hair falls out, nails break.
- Seizures are increasing.
At the last fourth stage of varicose veins, all signs of the disease are intensified. Over time, a number of life-threatening complications develop.
How to cure varicose veins?
Depending on the stage of the disease, doctors recommend using the following methods and means to treat varicose veins:
- Gels, ointments and creams. At the initial stage, when the veins are visible, these external remedies will help to cope with the disease, but with the advanced form of varicose veins, they are practically useless.
- Compression underwear. Tights, stockings and stockings made of special fabric are considered an excellent prophylactic against varicose veins.
- Hydrotherapy. Temperature changes contribute to the expansion and narrowing of the veins. This leads to an increase in their level of elasticity. The temperature in the therapeutic baths varies from 20 to 40 degrees. Due to this, in the initial stages of the disease, varicose veins disappear almost without a trace.
- Medications. Treatment of varicose veins should be complex, because only in this case it will lead to a positive result. The use of medications helps not only to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but alsoget rid of the protruding vein of the limbs.
- Laser. The blood absorbs laser waves and releases heat, due to which the damaged vessels heal. The laser waves are targeted, so they do not harm the he althy skin around the areas affected by varicose veins.
- Surgical method of treatment. As a rule, surgical intervention is mainly required only for patients with an advanced form of varicose veins. The operation, called a phlebectomy, takes just under 2 hours. After its implementation, small scars remain on the patient's body.
Folk ways to deal with varicose veins
You can fight varicose veins with the help of internal or external means. However, one should not forget that folk remedies can help to cope with this disease only in the early stages of the disease.
What are star veins? And what kind of treatment is needed? Folk remedies for external use:
- Apple cider vinegar. It is believed that apple cider vinegar not only perfectly relieves puffiness, but also helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Wiping the affected areas daily with a cotton pad soaked in vinegar can prevent the further development of varicose veins and eliminate the initial symptoms of the disease.
- Honey wrap. Honey is evenly applied to natural fabric and then wrapped around the legs. The compress is fixed with a bandage and aged for 2 hours. The procedure is repeated 4 days in a row. At the same time, the treatment time gradually increases, and on the 4th day the compress is left fornight.
- Nut butter. In order to get rid of varicose veins, protruding veins are regularly lubricated with nut oil. You can prepare such a medicinal drug yourself. To do this, finely chopped unripe walnuts are poured with olive oil and heated to 40 ° C. The resulting liquid is poured into glassware and infused for 1 month.
Internal Treatments:
- Apple infusion. Three antonovkas need to be cut into 8 parts and, having shifted into a saucepan, pour a liter of boiling water. After that, the pan must be closed with a lid, wrapped and set aside for 4 hours. Then the apples need to be crushed and let them brew for another 1 hour. The resulting composition must be filtered and drunk 2 times a day, 200 ml each.
- Garlic-honey mixture. 700 g of mashed garlic should be mixed with 1 kg of honey. The resulting composition should be infused for 5 days. The medicine is taken 30 minutes before a meal. At one time, a patient with varicose veins should eat 1 teaspoon. The course of treatment lasts until the remedy runs out.
Summing up
Varicosis, which appeared on the legs, refers to a chronic type of disease. During an illness, there is an outflow of blood and because of this, venous pressure rises. Most often, this unpleasant disease affects people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, that is, those who spend a lot of time driving a car or working at a computer all day.
