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 of the lower extremities are a chronic deformation of the veins, most often of a hereditary nature, with persistent dilation of the lumen of blood vessels, decreased 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, which supplies organs and tissues with oxygen and takes away waste carbon dioxide from them, travels from the periphery to the heart overcoming gravity.For this, assistants are needed, which are 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 valves of the veins, which block the reflux of fluid, tightly blocking the lumen of the vessels.Blood flows through the vessels only in one direction.
If the operation of the valves is disrupted for any reason, a gradual deformation of the veins is formed: blood overflows the vessels, which causes 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 among women and men are quite common, in 50% of all vascular patients over 18 years of age.At the same time, the number of patients with varicose veins is growing every year.The reason is 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 makes up the framework of the veins.Its failure leads to loss of vascular tone, stretching of the walls, and deformation.If parents had dilated veins under the skin, then both children and grandchildren have a chance of developing varicose veins.The disease is inherited through the female line - a gene is associated with the sex X chromosome that makes the venous wall weak.
Hormonal changes in the body that are typical for women are of great importance: menstruation, menopause, taking contraceptives, pregnancy, lactation.Men are also susceptible to hormonal imbalances, but much less frequently and after 40 years.Jumps in female hormones: estrogen and progesterone - relax the venous wall, leading to its deformation.
Another cause of varicose veins is prolonged standing or sitting in a static position.In this case, the valves of the veins open, and a persistent increase in intravascular pressure occurs.Moreover, the longer the legs, the higher the column of blood in the vessels, which means a risk factor for the development of varicose veins.
Excess weight also does not contribute to vascular health.Excess 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 of the lower extremities.In addition, the risk group for varicose veins includes smokers, pregnant women and patients with heart and vascular pathology.Surgeons, teachers, cashiers, salespeople, drivers, programmers, flight attendants, and loaders suffer from professional varicose veins.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the effect of alcohol on veins.Of course, any alcohol expands the vascular lumen, including red wine.In other words, this is another factor predisposing to varicose veins.With regular consumption of alcoholic beverages, varicose veins are inevitable, it is only a matter of time.Moreover, if there is a hereditary predisposition to venous insufficiency.There are no gender differences in this matter.
Main signs of the disease
The first symptoms of varicose veins appear in the early stages of the disease: the legs begin to get tired 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 develop: pasty 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 therapy.
Why are varicose veins dangerous?
In addition to disrupting trophism, varicose veins threaten the development of thrombophlebitis - when blood clots in the veins can break away from the walls, block the lumen of the arteries, clog the pulmonary vessels, and provoke AMI with a fatal outcome.
Venous thrombosis - blocking the lumen of a vein with a thrombus causes severe pain, does not allow free movement, and can provoke 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 may cause a pulmonary infarction, requiring resuscitation.The condition 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, excluding the vessel from the bloodstream and emptying without a cosmetic defect on the skin, laser coagulation - destruction of the vein with heat and sealing the lumen (practised when the vein diameter is no more than 10 mm).
Prevention
- regular exercises for the legs during prolonged sitting;
- a balanced diet based on tomatoes, carrots, olives, apples, blueberries;
- prevention of constipation;
- proper rest, especially for women who need three times more time to recuperate;
- 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.