Varicose veins are a pathology that requires constant monitoring and compliance with medical advice.If all predisposing factors are not eliminated, the symptoms of the disease (increased lumen of blood vessels, thinning of vessel walls, congestion) will worsen.
What varicose veins do not allow is one of the main questions of interest to patients.Failure to adhere to basic restrictions may result in less effective treatment.
Ten "taboos" about varicose veins
- You cannot rely on ointments and pills.There is no magic ointment or magic pill for varicose veins.There are medications to promote blood flow and substances to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, but these are temporary means that can be used in addition to primary treatment.They relieve the condition: with the help of drugs, you can relieve swelling and pain, but they cannot normalize the condition of the veins.
- You cannot treat yourself.Varicose veins are not a condition that will heal or go away on its own.This problem won't "fix," so if you have signs of varicose veins, you need to talk to your doctor.
- You can't treat yourself with leeches.It is believed that varicose veins can be treated with leeches.We don't recommend that you try this method.At least consult a specialist, in this case a phlebologist.Yes, leeches secrete substances that reduce blood clotting.This helps blood flow but has no effect on varicose veins.Leech secretions do not strengthen vein walls and do not lead to normalization of vascular conditions.
- Compression stockings should not be worn occasionally.The main requirement for patients with varicose veins is to wear compression stockings.It helps normalize blood circulation, and if you've had treatment (such as sclerotherapy), compression stockings can help you recover better.You need to wear stockings or tights exactly as recommended by your doctor: if you do this from time to time, the effects of the treatment will disappear.Of course, it is difficult to put on knitwear, and it is uncomfortable to walk in it during the warm season, but all these issues can be discussed with a phlebologist and the most convenient option can be found.
- If surgery is recommended, you should not put it off.Doctors note that varicose veins never go away on their own and the condition of the veins only worsens over time.This is why, if your phlebologist advises you to have surgery now, you should not postpone it.
- Massaging varicose veins does not improve the condition; moreover, massaging varicose veins is not recommended and may have a negative impact on the legs.Especially massage, use force, rub, and squeeze the legs.Although many patients report feeling relief after massage, this may be due to reduced swelling after surgery.But in the long term, massage can have a negative impact on vein health.Especially if these are specific types of massage, such as honey, cupping, vacuum, anti-cellulite.
- And it is not recommended to go to the bathhouse.Yes, with varicose veins, a contrast shower is required - a temperature difference "trains" the vessel wall.However, the temperature contrast in the bathhouse is too great, which will have an adverse effect on the veins.So if you've been diagnosed with varicose veins, it's best to forget about the steam room.Or postpone until the vein problem is resolved.A diagnosis of varicose veins does not mean the end of a healthy life.It's a chronic condition, but it's well-researched.Severe phlebectomy surgeries performed decades ago are a thing of the past: today, vein-preserving minimally invasive interventions are a priority.Then take precautions.
- What foods should not be eaten by people with varicose veins:
- Sweet and pink.This doesn't mean excluding them from your diet entirely, but rather limiting your intake.Excessive consumption of sweets and baked goods can lead to obesity, which increases the load on the blood vessels in the legs.
- Animal fats.Intake of butter and fried meats is limited.The cholesterol contained in these products can cause adverse changes in the vascular bed.
- Salty and spicy food.Consumption of such products can cause water retention in the body and the formation of edema.This, in turn, increases the load on the vascular bed, which is absolutely not allowed for varicose veins in the legs.
- Alcohol.Contrary to the belief that alcohol is good for blood vessels, you should not drink alcohol if you have severe varicose veins.Drinking alcoholic beverages can cause blood vessels to dilate in the short term and then spasm in the long term.The thin walls of varicose veins may not be able to withstand such a load: the veins become damaged and begin to bleed.Additionally, drinking alcohol is not recommended as it increases the risk of blood clots.
- coffee.The drink impairs intestinal motility and may cause constipation, which is extremely detrimental if you have rectal varicose veins (hemorrhoids).If it's difficult to give up coffee, limit your intake to 2 cups per day.
- endive.This plant is actively used as a harmless coffee substitute.However, not all patients know why not only coffee but also chicory should not be consumed if you have varicose veins.Drinking beverages from this plant causes blood thinning, dilation of already thinned blood vessels, and increased permeability of blood vessel walls.This significantly increases the risk of bleeding from the affected veins.Therefore, it is not recommended to drink large amounts of chicory to treat varicose veins.
- celery.Although the plant is included in the list of dietary products, its use is not advisable for venous pathology.Why shouldn’t you eat celery if you have varicose veins? The answer lies in its effect on blood vessels, which is similar to chicory.
- Not all physical activity damages the venous bed.To understand what kind of exercise is impossible or even dangerous for varicose veins, you should pay attention to the presence of external forces or impact loads during exercise.
Prohibited among them:
- weightlifting;
- Running – sprints, marathons;
- Football, volleyball - allowed initially, but lower limbs must be bandaged.
Standing and lifting heavy objects can not only cause varicose veins in the lower limbs, but also damage the rectal veins.Strength training can cause hemorrhoids to prolapse and then strangulate.In this case, emergency surgery may be needed.
What exercises should not be done with varicose veins in the legs:
- squat;
- Jumping (especially skipping);
- Platform exercises (step aerobics).
- Do not take hormone medications without a doctor's prescription
This mainly applies to women who use oral contraceptive pills.Some birth control pills are hormonal drugs.Their use causes the blood to thicken and therefore increases the risk of thrombosis.Hormonal contraceptives should be taken only after consulting your doctor first.