From the article you will learn that varicose veins are inherited and there are also reasons why pathology can develop in normal people.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a chronic deformation of the veins, usually of a hereditary nature, with persistent expansion of the lumen of blood vessels, reduced vascular tone, destruction of the valve apparatus, impaired regional blood supply, pain syndrome and constant tissue pastosity.
Where do dilated veins come from?
Normally, blood, supplying organs and tissues with oxygen and removing excess carbon dioxide from them, passes from the periphery to the heart, overcoming gravity.This requires assistants, namely the leg muscles, which can act as a kind of pump, contracting when moving and moving the blood higher and higher.The venous valves, which block the backflow of fluid and tightly close the lumen of the vessels, play an equally important role.Blood flows through the vessels in only one direction.
If the function of the valves is disrupted for some reason, a gradual deformation of the veins occurs: blood flows over the vessels, causing them to stretch and deform.As the pathology progresses, trophic ulcers and blood clots can form in the area of the altered veins.
Varicose veins of the legs are quite common in women and men, affecting 50% of all vascular patients over the age of 18.At the same time, the number of patients with varicose veins is growing every year.The reason lies in the sedentary 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, stretching of the vascular walls and deformation.If parents had enlarged veins under the skin, both children and grandchildren are at risk of developing varicose veins.The disease is inherited through the female line - a gene that weakens the vein wall is linked to the sex X chromosome.
Of great importance are the hormonal changes in the body that are typical for women: menstruation, menopause, taking contraceptives, pregnancy, breastfeeding.Men are also prone to hormonal imbalances, but much less often and after 40 years.Jumps in the female hormones estrogen and progesterone – relax the vein wall and lead to its deformation.
Another cause of varicose veins is prolonged standing or sitting in a static position.In this case, the venous valves open and there is a sustained increase in intravascular pressure. The longer the legs, the higher the blood column in the vessels, which is a risk factor for the development of varicose veins.
Being overweight also does not contribute to vascular health.Excess weight increases pressure in the leg veins and fatty deposits, especially in the abdominal area, interfere with normal blood flow.
Physical inactivity promotes the formation of varicose veins in the lower extremities.In addition, smokers, pregnant women and patients with heart and vascular diseases belong to the risk group for varicose veins.Surgeons, teachers, cashiers, salespeople, drivers, programmers, flight attendants and shippers suffer from work-related 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 factor that promotes the development of varicose veins.If you consume alcoholic beverages regularly, varicose veins are inevitable; it's just a matter of time.In addition, there is a hereditary predisposition to venous insufficiency.There are no gender differences in this matter.
Main symptoms of the disease
The first symptoms of varicose veins appear in the early stages of the disease: the legs begin to tire quickly, they begin to swell, the veins become painful, the legs cramp at night, a feeling of heat and heaviness appears in the legs.
Sometimes this picture persists for decades until visual signs of venous insufficiency appear: doughy ankles and legs in the evening, itchy skin, tortuous veins protruding above the skin, bluish in color, dense.Over time, trophic ulcers appear that are resistant to treatment.
Why are varicose veins dangerous?
Varicose veins not only disrupt trophism, but also threaten the development of thrombophlebitis - when blood clots in the veins detach from the walls, block the lumen of the arteries, clog the pulmonary vessels and can provoke myocardial infarction with a fatal outcome.
Venous thrombosis - Blockage of the lumen of a vein by a thrombus causes severe pain, impedes free movement, and can lead to tissue necrosis.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) – a blockage of the pulmonary artery caused by a detached blood clot leads to death within the next half hour.A small blood clot can cause a pulmonary infarction that requires resuscitation.The disease is accompanied by pneumonia and CHF.
Is it possible to cure varicose veins?
Answer: Yes, but only surgically.There are three modern methods of relieving the problem: phlebectomy - complete removal of the deformed vein, sclerotherapy - injection of a special sclerosant into the affected vessel, which glues the walls of the vein, excludes the vessel from blood circulation and drains it on the skin without cosmetic defect, laser coagulation - destruction of the vein by heat and sealing of the lumen (used when the vein diameter is not more than 10 mm).
Prevention
- regular leg exercises when sitting for long periods of time;
- a balanced diet with tomatoes, carrots, olives, apples, blueberries;
- prevention of constipation;
- proper rest, especially for women who need three times more time to recover;
- Correct drinking regime: 40 ml of water per 1 kg of body weight.
Swimming is useful when spending short periods of time in the open sun to minimize stressful situations.