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 for varicose veins is one of the main questions that interests the patient.Failure to comply with basic restrictions may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of therapy.
Top ten “don'ts” for varicose veins
- You can not 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 they are all temporary means that can be used in addition to the main treatment.They alleviate the condition: with the help of drugs you can relieve swelling and pain, but not normalize the condition of the veins.
- You can't self-medicate.Varicose veins are not a condition that can be cured on its own or will disappear on its own.The problem will not “go away,” so if you have signs of varicose veins, you need to see a doctor.
- You can't treat yourself with leeches.There is a strong belief that varicose veins can be treated with leeches.We do not recommend you try this method.Consult at least one 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 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 (e.g. sclerotherapy), compression hosiery helps you recover better.It is necessary to wear stockings or tights exactly as recommended by the doctor: if you do this from time to time, the therapeutic effect will disappear.Of course, it is difficult to wear knitwear and in the hot season it is inconvenient to walk in it, but all these points 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 disappear on their own, and over time the condition of the veins only worsens.That's why, if a phlebologist advised you to have surgery now, you shouldn't put it off.
- Massage for varicose veins does not improve the condition;furthermore, massage for varicose veins is not indicated and can have negative effects on the legs.Especially the massage, which is performed forcefully, rubbing, squeezing the legs.And although many patients report feeling relief after massage, this may be because swelling goes down after the procedure.But in the long term, massage can negatively affect the health of your veins.Especially if it involves specific types of massage, such as honey, cupping, vacuum, anti-cellulite.
- And going to the bathhouse is also not advisable.Yes, a contrast shower is indicated for varicose veins: the temperature difference "trains" the vascular wall.However, the thermal contrast that usually occurs in a bathhouse is too strong and can have a negative effect on the veins.Therefore, if you are 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, has been well studied.Serious vein removal operations, performed several decades ago, are a thing of the past: today minimally invasive, vein-sparing operations are in first place.And then follow preventive measures.
- What foods should not be consumed if you have varicose veins:
- Sweet and floury.It is not a question of completely excluding them from the diet, but of limiting their 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 meats is limited.The cholesterol contained in these products causes unwanted changes in the vascular bed.
- Salty and 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 can absolutely not be allowed for varicose veins in the legs.
- Alcohol.Contrary to the opinion about the beneficial effects of alcohol on blood vessels, you should not drink it if you have severe varicose veins.Intake of an alcohol-containing drink leads to short-term dilation, then to long-term spasm of the blood vessels.The thin walls of varicose veins may not be able to withstand such a load - the veins become damaged and begin to bleed.It is also not recommended to drink alcohol due to the increased risk of blood clots.
- Coffee.The drink weakens intestinal motility and can cause constipation, which is extremely undesirable for varicose veins of the rectum (hemorrhoids).If it is extremely difficult to give up coffee, limit your intake to 2 cups per 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 from this plant leads to blood thinning, dilation 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 against varicose veins.
- Celery.Despite the fact that the plant is included in the list of dietary products, its use is undesirable in 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 practice with varicose veins, you need to pay attention to the presence of force or impact loads in it.
Among those prohibited:
- weight lifting;
- running: sprint, marathon;
- football, volleyball - are allowed in the initial stage, but subject to bandaging of the lower limbs.
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 therefore strangulation of hemorrhoids.In these cases, emergency surgery may be necessary.
What exercises should not be done with varicose veins of the legs:
- squats;
- jumping (especially on a skipping rope);
- exercises with a platform (step aerobics).
- Do not take hormonal drugs without a prescription
This is especially true for women who use oral contraceptives.Some drugs to prevent pregnancy are hormonal.Their use leads to a thickening of the blood and, therefore, creates a further risk of thrombosis.You should take hormonal contraceptive drugs only after consulting your doctor.