Varicose veins are a pathology that requires constant monitoring and compliance with medical recommendations.Symptoms of the disease (increased lumen of blood vessels, thinning of their walls, congestion) will progress if all provoking factors are not excluded.
What is not allowed with varicose veins is one of the main questions that interests the patient.Failure to comply with the basic restrictions can lead to a reduction 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 flow, there are substances that strengthen the vascular wall, but these are all temporary means that can be used in addition to the main treatment.They relieve the condition: with the help of drugs, you can relieve swelling and pain, but 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 need to see a doctor.
- You cannot heal 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 flow, but has no effect on varicose veins.Leech secretion does not strengthen the vein wall and does not lead to the normalization of the condition of the 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 your doctor recommended: if you do this from time to time, 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 you can discuss all these points with a phlebologist and find the most suitable option.
- If surgery is recommended for you, it should not be delayed.Doctors note that varicose veins never go away on their own, and over time, the condition of the veins only worsens.That's why, if the phlebologist has recommended the operation now, it should not be postponed.
- 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, rubbing, squeezing the legs.And although many patients report that they feel relief after the 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 it is about specific 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 difference "trains" the vascular wall.However, the temperature contrast that usually occurs in the bathroom is too great and can have a bad effect on the veins.Therefore, if you have a diagnosis of varicose veins, it is better to forget about the steam room.Or put it off until you've dealt with the vein problems.A diagnosis of varicose veins does not mean that a healthy life is over.This is a chronic disease, which, however, has been well studied.Serious operations to remove veins that were performed several decades ago are a thing of the past: today, minimally invasive interventions that save veins are in the first place.And then follow the preventive measures.
- What foods you should not consume if you have varicose veins:
- Sweet and floury.It is not a matter of complete exclusion from the diet, but of limited intake.Excessive consumption of sweets and pastries can lead to obesity and, therefore, increase the load on the blood vessels of the legs.
- Animal fats.The intake of butter and fried meat is limited.Cholesterol found in these products causes undesirable changes in the vascular bed.
- Salty, spicy food.Consumption of products from 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 with varicose veins on the legs.
- Alcohol.Contrary to the opinion about the beneficial effect of alcohol on blood vessels, you should not drink it if you have pronounced varicose veins.Drinking alcoholic beverages leads to short-term dilation and then long-term spasm of 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, alcohol consumption 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 in the case of enlarged rectal veins (hemorrhoids).If it is extremely difficult to give up coffee, intake is limited to 2 cups a day.
- Chicory.This plant is actively used as a harmless substitute for coffee.However, not all patients know why if you have varicose veins you should not drink not only coffee, but also chicory.Drinking a drink made from this plant leads to blood thinning, the expansion of already thinned blood vessels and an increase in the permeability of the walls.This significantly increases the risk of bleeding from the affected veins.For this reason, it is not recommended to drink chicory in large quantities for varicose veins.
- 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.In order to understand which sports are impossible and even dangerous to engage in with varicose veins, you should pay attention to the presence of force or impact loads in it.
Among the prohibited:
- weight lifting;
- running - sprint, marathon;
- football, volleyball - are allowed in the initial phase, but subject to spraining 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 rectal veins.Strength exercises can lead to prolapse and then strangulation of hemorrhoids.In such cases, emergency surgery may be required.
What exercises should not be done with varicose veins in the legs:
- squats;
- jumping (especially on a skipping rope);
- exercises with a platform (step aerobics).
- Do not take hormonal drugs without a doctor's prescription
This mainly applies to women using oral contraceptives.Some drugs to prevent pregnancy are hormonal.Their use leads to blood clotting and therefore creates an additional risk of thrombosis.Hormonal contraceptives should only be taken after prior consultation with your doctor.