Varicose veins are a pathology that requires constant monitoring and following medical recommendations.Symptoms of the disease (increasing the lumen of blood vessels, thinning of their walls, congestion) will progress if all the provoking factors are not excluded.
What is not allowed for varicose veins is one of the main questions that interests the patient.Failure to comply with the basic restrictions can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the therapy.
Top ten "don'ts" for varicose veins
- You cannot rely on ointments and pills.There are no miracle ointments or magic pills for varicose veins.There are drugs that facilitate blood circulation, there are substances that strengthen the vascular wall, but all these are temporary means that can be used alongside the main treatment.They relieve the condition: with the help of drugs, you can relieve swelling and pain, but they do not normalize the condition of the veins.
- You cannot self-medicate.Varicose veins are not a pathology that can be cured by itself or that will disappear by itself.The problem will not be "solved", so if you have signs of varicose veins, you should consult a doctor.
- You can not treat yourself with leeches.There is a strong belief that varicose veins can be treated with leeches.We do not 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 facilitates blood circulation, but has no effect on varicose veins.The secretion of leeches does not strengthen the venous wall and does not lead to the normalization of the condition of blood vessels.
- Compression stockings should not be worn occasionally.The main requirement for a patient with varicose veins is to wear compression stockings.It helps normalize blood circulation and if you have undergone treatment (for example, sclerotherapy), then compression stockings help you recover better.You must wear socks or tights exactly as recommended by the doctor: if you do this time and time again, the therapeutic effect will disappear.Of course, it is difficult to wear knitwear, and in the warm season it is uncomfortable to walk in it, but all these points can be discussed with a phlebologist and the most suitable option can be found.
- If surgery is recommended, you should not postpone it.Doctors note that varicose veins never go away on their own and over time the condition of the veins only worsens.That is why, if a phlebologist recommends you to have an operation now, you should not postpone it.
- Massage for varicose veins does not improve the condition;In addition, massage for varicose veins is not indicated and may have a negative effect on the legs.Especially the massage, which is done by force, friction, tightening of the legs.And although many patients report feeling relief after a massage, this may be due to the fact that the swelling decreases after the procedure.But in the long term, massage can negatively affect vein health.Especially if these are special types of massage, such as honey, cupping, vacuum, anti-cellulite.
- And going to the bathroom is also not recommended.Yes, a contrast shower is indicated for varicose veins - the temperature change "trains" the vascular wall.However, the temperature contrast that usually occurs in a bathroom is too great and can have a bad effect on the veins.Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with varicose veins, it is better to forget about the steam room.Or put it off until you resolve your vein problems.A diagnosis of varicose veins does not mean that a healthy life is over.This is a chronic disease, which, however, is well studied.Serious operations to remove veins, performed a few decades ago, are a thing of the past: today, minimally invasive interventions that save veins take first place.And then follow the preventive measures.
- What foods should not be consumed if you have varicose veins:
- Sweet and floury.This is not about their complete exclusion from the diet, but about their limited intake.Excessive consumption of sweets and baked goods can lead to obesity and, therefore, increase the load on the blood vessels of the legs.
- Animal fats.Intake of butter and fried meat is limited.The cholesterol contained in these products causes undesirable changes in the vascular bed.
- Salty, spicy food.Consumption of products of this category leads to water retention in the body and the formation of edema.This, in turn, increases the load on the vascular bed, which absolutely cannot be allowed for varicose veins in the legs.
- Alcohol.Contrary to popular belief about the beneficial effects of alcohol on blood vessels, you should not drink it if you have severe varicose veins.Taking a drink containing alcohol leads to a short-term expansion, then a long-term spasm of the blood vessels.The thin walls of varicose veins may not be able to withstand such a load: the veins are damaged and begin to bleed.In addition, drinking alcohol is not recommended due to the increased risk of blood clots.
- Coffee.The drink weakens intestinal motility and can cause constipation, which is extremely undesirable for rectal varicose veins (hemorrhoids).If it is extremely difficult to give up coffee, its intake is limited to 2 cups a day.
- Chicory.This plant is actively used as a harmless coffee substitute.However, not all patients know why if you have varicose veins, you should not drink not only coffee, but also chicory.Drinking a drink from this plant leads to blood thinning, expansion of already thinned blood vessels and an increase in wall permeability.This significantly increases the risk of bleeding from the affected veins.For this reason, drinking chicory in large quantities for varicose veins is not recommended.
- Celery.Despite the fact that the plant is included in the list of dietary products, its use is undesirable for venous pathology.The answer to why you can't eat celery for varicose veins lies in its effect on blood vessels, which is similar to chicory.
- Not all physical exercises are indicated for damage to the venous bed.To understand what kind of sport is impossible and even dangerous to engage in with varicose veins, you need to pay attention to the presence of force or impact loads in it.
Among the prohibited:
- weight lifting;
- running - sprint, marathon;
- football, volleyball - are allowed at the initial stage, but subject to bandaging of the lower extremities.
Lifting heavy loads in a standing position is contraindicated not only for varicose veins of the lower extremities, but also for damage to the veins of the rectum.Strength exercises can lead to prolapse and then strangulation of the hemorrhoids.In such cases, emergency surgery may be needed.
What exercises should not be done with varicose veins of the legs:
- squats;
- jumping (especially on a skipping rope);
- platform exercises (step aerobics).
- Do not take hormonal medications without a doctor's prescription
This applies mainly to women using oral contraceptives.Some medications to prevent pregnancy are hormonal.Their use leads to blood thickening and, therefore, creates an additional risk of thrombosis.You should take hormonal contraceptive medications only after prior consultation with your doctor.