Varicose veins are a pathology that requires constant monitoring and following medical recommendations.Symptoms of the disease (increase in the lumen of blood vessels, thinning of the 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 10 “don’ts” for varicose veins
- You cannot trust ointments and pills.There are no miracle ointments or magic pills for varicose veins.There are medications 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 alleviate the condition: with the help of medications 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 condition that can be cured on its own or disappear on its own.The problem will not “solve”, so if you have signs of varicose veins you need to see a doctor.
- You cannot 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 state of blood vessels.
- Compression stockings should not be worn occasionally.The main requirement for a patient with varicose veins is the use of compression stockings.It helps to normalize blood circulation, and if you have had treatment (for example, sclerotherapy), compression stockings help 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 uncomfortable to walk in it, but all these points can be discussed with a phlebologist and find the most convenient option.
- If surgery is recommended for you, you should not delay it.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 has recommended that you have surgery now, you shouldn't delay it.
- Massage for varicose veins does not improve the condition;Furthermore, massage for varicose veins is not recommended and can negatively affect the legs.Mainly the massage, which is done with force, rubbing, squeezing the legs.And although many patients report feeling relief after a massage, this may be due to the fact that swelling subsides after the procedure.But in the long term, massage can negatively affect vein health.Especially if they are specific types of massage, such as honey, cupping, vacuum, anti-cellulite.
- And going to the bathhouse is also not recommended.Yes, for varicose veins a contrast bath is recommended - the temperature difference “trains” the vascular wall.However, the temperature contrast that normally occurs in a spa is very large and can harm the veins.Therefore, if you are diagnosed with varicose veins, it is better to forget about the steam room.Or put it off until your vein problems are resolved.The 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, carried out several decades ago, are a thing of the past: today, minimally invasive interventions that spare the veins come first.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 limited intake.Excessive consumption of sweets and baked goods can lead to obesity and, consequently, increase the load on the blood vessels in the legs.
- Animal fats.The intake of butter and fried meats is limited.The cholesterol contained in these products causes undesirable changes in the vascular bed.
- Salty and spicy food.Consumption of products in 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 the opinion about the beneficial effects of alcohol on blood vessels, you should not drink it if you have severe varicose veins.Drinking a drink containing alcohol leads to short-term dilation and then prolonged spasm of 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.Additionally, 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 for varicose veins of the rectum (hemorrhoids).If it is extremely difficult to give up coffee, intake is limited to 2 cups per 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 causes blood thinning, dilation of already diluted blood vessels and increased wall permeability.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 that of chicory.
- Not all physical exercises are indicated for venous bed injuries.To understand what kind of sport it is impossible and even dangerous to do with varicose veins, you should pay attention to the presence of force or impact loads in it.
Among those prohibited:
- weight lifting;
- race - race, marathon;
- football, volleyball - are allowed at the initial stage, but subject to bandages on the lower extremities.
Lifting heavy loads while standing is contraindicated not only for varicose veins of the lower extremities, but also for injuries to the rectal veins.Strength exercises can lead to prolapse and then strangulation of hemorrhoids.In these cases, emergency surgery may be necessary.
What exercises should not be done with varicose veins on the legs:
- squat;
- jumping (especially on a rope);
- platform exercises (step aerobics).
- Do not take hormonal medications without a prescription
This applies mainly to women who use oral contraceptives.Some medications to prevent pregnancy are hormonal.Its use leads to thickening of the blood and therefore creates an additional risk of thrombosis.You should take hormonal contraceptive medications only after prior consultation with your doctor.