Table of Contents
How do varicose veins develop?
Varicose veins and spider veins develop when the backflow of blood to the heart is disturbed. The venous valves no longer close properly, causing the blood to pool in the legs. Weak connective tissue, female hormones, obesity and age can cause the vein walls to wear out. The dilated veins appear on the surface of the skin, which can no longer recede on their own. If small veins are affected, they are called spider veins. Larger veins are varicose veins.
Complications from lack of treatment
Varicose veins can cause serious complications if left untreated. While spider veins are often just a cosmetic problem, varicose veins can cause swelling, pain, and heaviness in the legs as the stagnant blood pushes fluid into the surrounding tissues. Untreated varicose veins can lead to ulcers such as leg ulcers. Varicose veins also increase the risk of thrombosis , which can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism . It is therefore advisable to always have varicose veins treated as quickly as possible. However, there are ways to prevent them.
prevent varicose veins
You should exercise regularly so that the blood can flow smoothly in the veins. That means: running and walking a lot and sitting and standing less. However, the workplace can only make sufficient movement possible to a limited extent. Therefore, pay attention to the following things:
Keep veins supple at work
If you sit in the office all day, you should get up once an hour. When sitting, place your feet flat on the floor, rather than crossing or dangling them. Change your foot positions as often as possible and circle your feet to the right and left as often as possible. Tip your toes up and down and tap in place. Use every opportunity to exercise: drop in on a colleague in person, go for a walk during your lunch break, prefer the stairs or work at the height-adjustable table. On the other hand, if you stand all day, you should wear flat and comfortable shoes. Stand on tiptoe and rock back and forth slowly. Give your legs a break from time to time, for example by putting them up for ten minutes during your lunch break.
Strengthen connective tissue with sport and exercise
You should also exercise as much as possible in your free time . Walking, walking or Nordic walking support the calf muscle pump and blood return. Strength training also ensures better blood circulation in the calves, as the muscles support vein function. Swimming is also ideal because the pressure in the water acts like a natural compression stocking.
reduce obesity
Get rid of excess weight, as every extra kilo puts a strain on the veins in your legs. When changing your diet, make sure you eat a high-fiber diet with a reduced sugar and fat content and a healthier fat composition. Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega 3 promote vascular health. Also avoid smoking and alcohol.
contrast showers
Always end a warm shower with a cold leg shower . To do this, start slowly at the ankle and pull the stream of water over the shinbone to the knee. Repeat about ten times on both sides. You should also do this after the sauna. This triggers a positive stimulus in muscles and veins , causing them to contract and transport blood towards the heart.
Treatment of varicose veins
If varicose veins still occur, you should see a doctor. A phlebologist (vein specialist) can help with conditions such as pain and swelling in the legs. Compression stockings, for example, provide external pressure in the veins, which increases the flow rate of the bute. This also reduces the swelling in the legs, since fluids can no longer accumulate in the surrounding tissue. In the case of very advanced varicose veins, there is the option of having them surgically removed. With the so-called strippingA probe is inserted into the vein, which cuts off the diseased vein and pulls it out or removes it completely. Another possibility is that laser light, radio waves or a special foam sticks together or obliterates the veins. The blocked vein shrinks and is removed by the body. Destruction is also effective on spider veins.
