Preventive measures for varicose veins

Practical advice to the patient

Chronic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities is a common pathology that, with a reasonable attitude towards oneself and one's health, can remain under control without causing complications. Correction of the regime of life, work and rest is a condition from which any treatment should begin

Try not to stay in a stationary position for a long time.

Prolonged stay in any motionless position (standing, lying, sitting) inevitably leads to venous stasis in the legs. Leg muscle contractions stimulate the outflow of venous blood. If you have a sedentary job, you must take short breaks: 3-5 minutes every hour-and-a-half. It is enough just to walk. If this is not possible, it is necessary to periodically perform several movements in the ankle joint (flexion-extension or circular movements). The same must be done during a long trip by car, train, or plane.

Do sports that are good for your veins

Swimming, dancing, cycling, skiing, running, athletic walking and even hiking are the best activities for improving venous blood circulation in the legs. At the same time, the contraction of the leg muscles occurs smoothly and rhythmically, and this best stimulates the outflow of venous blood from the lower extremities. It is also necessary to work ""with your weight"". You can advise callanetics, shaping, pilates, step aerobics, yoga. Orbitrek, a rowing machine and a treadmill are considered useful. You should give up running, weight lifting, strength exercises, working with weights, and playing sports, because during these activities the pressure in the veins of the legs increases sharply, which leads to their expansion and deterioration of venous outflow.

Do not allow your feet to overheat

When exposed to heat, venous vessels dilate, which can provoke venous stasis. Patients with chronic vein diseases are not recommended to stay in the sun for a long time, use hot wax for epilation, take hot baths, visit a bathhouse or sauna.

On the contrary, moderate cold effects contribute to the reduction of venous congestion due to the narrowing of the lumen of the veins. When taking a shower at the end of the day, finish it by dousing your feet with cold water, but be sure to shower from bottom to top. You will immediately feel how heaviness, fatigue and pain in your legs will begin to disappear.

Control your weight and avoid constipation

Excessive weight is a risk factor for the development of chronic venous diseases (CVD), and constipation forces the patient to frequently and intensively strain the muscles of the abdominal press, which leads to a sharp increase in pressure in the veins of the legs. Regular balanced nutrition with the inclusion in the diet of a large amount of vegetable fiber, which is contained in cereals, vegetables, fruits, as well as the consumption of a sufficient amount of liquid (1.5-2.0 liters) will allow you to avoid constipation and keep your weight within the norm. It is recommended to eat raw vegetables, wholemeal bread with bran, sprouted cereals, vegetable oil (linseed oil, olive oil). Meat and flour products should be mentioned among the products that contribute to constipation. We recommend reducing their share in the diet, as well as limiting the consumption of fatty, spicy and salty dishes as much as possible.

It is necessary to ensure a sufficient amount of vitamin E intake (it is contained in sprouted grains of wheat and rye, soybeans, beans, lettuce, green onions, liver, egg yolk, as well as corn, olive and soybean oil). Vitamin E improves elasticity and elasticity of veins. It is important to constantly replenish the supply of vitamin C in the body, thanks to which the walls of the veins become strong. This component is found in large quantities in rose hips, sweet pepper, sea buckthorn, black currants, white cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries, gooseberries, parsley, dill, new potatoes and citrus fruits. Various fruit desserts, jams and berry drinks contain vitamin P (rutin), which strengthens the walls of venous vessels and their valves. Rose hips, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, mountain ash, black currants, walnuts and tea are especially useful. The body needs elastin so that the walls of the veins do not ""spread out"" and turn into varicose nodes. Elastin is part of connective tissues and will be produced in the right amount if there is enough copper in the body. It activates the enzymes that synthesize elastin. Copper is found in seafood (mussels, shrimp, squid), as well as in lamb kidneys and beef liver.

It is necessary to clearly monitor fluid intake. Its excessive consumption is undesirable, but its deficiency provokes constipation, which leads to the deepening of CKD. The optimal amount is considered to be from 1.5 to 2 liters per day or at the rate of 30-35 ml per 1 kg of weight. This amount must be adjusted according to physical activity, season (more in the heat), consumed products (tea, coffee, fruits, carbonated drinks; salty and fried foods remove water). The feeling of thirst indicates dehydration of the body. Therefore, you need to drink before it appears, dividing the water into portions that are taken according to time. You need to drink still water at room temperature, in small sips and slowly. Take the main part of the water in the first half of the day. Remember that a glass of warm water after waking up activates the internal organs, a glass half an hour before a meal helps the intestines, a glass before taking a bath helps normalize blood pressure, and before going to bed sharply reduces the likelihood of a heart attack.

Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes

Some fashionable and beautiful, but very tight pants can squeeze superficial veins and make it difficult for blood to flow through them. Corsets, tight rubber bands and pantyhose belts, tightly tightened belts prevent normal breathing, increase intra-abdominal pressure, which contributes to the slowing down of venous outflow and the appearance of complaints.

Shoes or boots with high heels, as well as shoes without a heel at all, do not allow the muscles of the foot and lower leg to work fully, disrupting the work of the musculo-venous pump, which allows blood to flow against the force of gravity up to the heart. Shoes with a 3-4 cm heel are ideal. Walk barefoot at home. This, firstly, allows you to evenly distribute the load on all joints and the musculoskeletal system, and secondly, it ""unloads"" the legs.

At work

If you work while sitting, keep one foot on the floor and the other horizontally. Change the position of your legs more often, walk if possible. If possible, take off your shoes and roll the bottle back and forth with your feet for 30 seconds. If you are working standing, stand on your tiptoes and stand there for a few seconds, then stand on your heels. Perform several such ""rolls"". Try not to sit with your legs crossed for a long time.

Give your veins some help while you sleep

The elevated position of the legs (by 15-20 cm) during night rest allows you to free the veins from the excess volume of blood accumulated during the day.

Give up smoking and alcohol abuse. This has a negative effect on the vascular system.

Walk every day

The best rest for your feet is a leisurely walk for short distances. Walk whenever possible. Walk a short distance on your own (store, garage, pharmacy). Do not go up by elevator, but on foot. With varicose veins, it is better to go for a walk than to sit or lie in front of the TV. To prevent varicose veins and its negative consequences, make it a good habit to walk for 20-30 minutes every day before going to bed.

Avoid taking hormonal contraceptives. Female sex hormones reduce the elastic properties of the venous wall. If taking hormones is necessary, consult a phlebologist beforehand. If you plan to use hormonal contraceptives, consult a gynecologist so that these drugs are selected for you individually. Uncontrolled intake of such drugs often causes the development and progression of varicose veins, as well as thrombosis.

Self-massage

A light massage is considered an excellent preventive measure. It can be performed independently - with light massage movements, squeezing the leg with the help of the entire palm from bottom to top, and then back for 10 minutes. Massage is recommended several times a day and necessarily after sports.

Pneumolymphoma massage

A type of hardware massage that extremely effectively, quickly and reliably eliminates swelling and heaviness in the legs. The procedure is outpatient, painless, safe. It can be done several times a year.

Compression therapy

It is the basis of prevention and treatment of any pathology of the veins of the lower extremities at any stage and in any form. It is carried out either with elastic bandages or with the help of medical compression knitwear (golfies, stockings, tights). Selection of the type and class of compression is carried out exclusively by a specialist taking into account certain parameters, and the jersey - according to individual measurements for each patient.

Visit a phlebologist

In the presence of symptoms of venous insufficiency or signs of varicose veins, it is necessary to visit a phlebologist twice a year, who will monitor the condition of the veins, the stage of the disease and select the necessary type of treatment, as well as perform control ultrasound.

Medication intake

Prevention of varicose veins involves taking special drugs that allow you to maintain venous tone. Such drugs are called phlebotonics and are selected individually by a phlebologist.

Be treated by a competent doctor who will be able to correctly diagnose the cause of your illness, the localization of pathological venous blood flow and choose the appropriate and most acceptable option for treatment or prevention.

To receive information about treatment and make an appointment, call the contact center of MM ""Dobrobut"":
044 495 2 888 or 097 495 2 888 .



Appointment with a phlebologist
Varicose veins during pregnancy