Varicose Veins: Possible Causes And Treatments
Varicose veins are dilatations and tortuosity of superficial veins, which afflict about 50-55% of women and 40-50% of men, often causing pain and skin changes.
The causes of this disorder can be:
- circulation problems that cause the so-called insufficiency;
- genetic and family history factors:
- heart problems;
- age: with the passage of time the veins can lose their elasticity and turn into varicose veins;
- an incorrect lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle);
- pregnancy: it is a condition that puts the body under considerable stress.
In addition to the causes, it should be emphasized that there are risk factors that can increase the likelihood of varicose veins appearing.
Among these the most common are: a type of work that forces you to spend many hours standing still, without walking, being overweight and obese, using oral contraceptives, smoking, excessive exposure to the sun and lamps for artificial tanning and constipation.
Varicose veins: prevention
Prevention can make the difference and limit the onset of varicose veins. In particular, we advise you to move as much as possible to strengthen the leg muscles and promote proper blood circulation, to change position often and to keep the legs raised when possible.
Also the diet – which must be varied and balanced – is very important, as well as keeping any overweight under control.
As far as clothing is concerned, it is advisable to avoid clothes that are too tight, to limit the use of high heels, to wear soles in the case of flat feet or hallux valgus and, if necessary, to resort to corrective sanitary stockings, particularly useful. even when you make long journeys during which you can’t move and stretch.
It is fundamental to do 10 minutes of specific gymnastics every day. These exercises can be done at any time of the day, the important thing is consistency.
Not all cases of varicose veins are the same and therefore there is no better approach than the others; the evaluation of the doctor is fundamental to direct the treatment towards the choice of the most suitable treatment for the individual patient.
Not all cases require treatment, as in the absence of disorders often no therapy is required; instead it is useful to cure the disorder if:
- cause discomfort or pain,
- treat any complications (ulcers, swelling, etc),
- cause aesthetic discomfort.
With regards to pregnancy, it is fortunately a disorder that is usually destined to resolve spontaneously over a few months, a year at the most, after giving birth, although it is obviously recommended to always refer the doctor in case of doubt.
