Each of us can hear how the veins “work”. The sound of the surf, which we hear when we put a large sea shell to our ear, has nothing to do with the surf. It is caused by the sound of blood moving through the veins just under the scalp.
But what happens when the venous system fails? And what should you do to protect yourself from this?
The role of veins in the circulatory system
Why is it that veins are given so much attention in matters of maintaining health and, importantly, improving the quality of human life? Many will easily remember a picture from a school textbook, which schematically depicts a person riddled with red and blue “twigs”. Blue just denote the venous circulatory system. Everyone knows that blood, having passed from the heart through the arteries, arterioles and capillaries, is then sent back through the veins to be enriched with oxygen again. Everything returns to normal, and the blood too. And with surprising regularity.
But directing the blood flow from the bottom up, from the lower extremities to the chest, is not so easy, so the veins of the lower extremities have a highly developed muscular membrane, as well as valves. And the veins located at the level of the head do not have muscles at all and are called blood vessels of the non-muscle type.
As soon as the tone and elasticity of the venous wall decrease or the venous pressure rises, the veins immediately expand. And first of all, the veins in the legs suffer. Among the most common venous pathologies, perhaps, varicose veins (or varicose veins) and telangiectasias can be distinguished. Let’s talk about this in detail.
Varicose disease
Many people have faced this problem. The most common causes of varicose veins are excess weight, an inactive lifestyle, heredity, heavy lifting, pregnancy, as well as regular and prolonged immobility. Why is this happening?
The elasticity of the venous wall decreases, the operation of the valves is disrupted, and the pressure in the venous system increases. The result of this is the slow manifestation of tortuous veins directly under the skin, the appearance of spider veins, which gradually enlarge and become more visible. Over time, swelling of the lower extremities occurs, but bursting pains and night cramps in this pathology may be, but may be completely absent.
Hyperpigmentation of the skin at the bottom of the legs gradually increases, and later, in the absence of timely treatment, a dull white spot may appear on the darkened skin area, which indicates the possibility of developing a malignant trophic ulcer at this very place.
In order to avoid the progression of varicose veins, it is advisable to conduct an ultrasound examination of the veins in a timely manner and take prompt measures.
Treatment of varicose veins
Regardless of the stage of the disease, treatment should be comprehensive and consist of combinations prescribed by the attending phlebologist. A combination of the following options is possible:
- conservative treatment using phlebotropic drugs;
- compression hosiery and physiotherapy exercises;
- competent correction of the regime of work and rest;
- phlebosclerosing treatment;
- surgery.
It must be remembered that with the earliest possible detection of the first signs of the disease, there are enough serious preventive measures to prevent the progression of varicose veins.
Prevention of varicose veins
Prevention of varicose veins is very simple. If a person works in a static vertical position, it is enough from time to time to simply step from place to place. If you have to sit for a long time, you need to periodically stretch your legs, straightening them or walking around the room for 3-5 minutes. You need to sleep with your legs slightly raised, placing a pillow or a soft roller under them.
In addition, you should forget about relaxing in the hot tropics or subtropics. Resorts with a temperate climate will be much healthier.
Telangiectasia
In addition to phlebologists, cosmetologists often face the problem of expanding small saphenous veins. Especially if spider veins appear on the skin of the face, neck and hands. It is not surprising that cosmetic problems are mainly of concern to the beautiful half of humanity. Therefore, women should pay close attention not only to their own venous pressure, but also to factors that affect the condition of the skin, namely: excessive ultraviolet radiation, frost and cold, alcohol, spicy and salty foods, as well as spices and marinades.
You can get rid of spider veins using laser exposure or injections of phlebosclerosing drugs. But here the most important thing is to seek the help of a specialist as early as possible and at a younger age.
Treatment of telangiectasia
You need to take care of the health of the veins even if you are young and you do not have external manifestations of vein diseases. According to phlebologists, venous pathology “gets younger” every year. And it’s not just about heredity or bad ecology. An important role in the early manifestation of the disease is played by lifestyle, nutrition, the state of immunity, and this is not a complete list. If in the last century people over fifty years of age were most often seen by a surgeon, today adolescent patients are by no means a rarity.
It is important to remember that the most formidable complication of venous pathology is pulmonary embolism. At best, it will be a severe pneumonia, and at worst, a fatal outcome may occur. But the diagnosis of venous pathology is improving day by day, which means that you just need to be attentive to your health. And to your appearance, too.
Find out how healthy your lifestyle is!
