varicose veins prevention

Varicose veins: risk factors and prevention

Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous and enlarged caliber veins that may appear in various regions of the body. The most common is occurring in the lower limbs. Considered by many only an aesthetic problem, in fact, they indicate that something is not going well in the circulation of the venous blood by the organism.

Contrary to that of the law of gravity, the veins of the legs are responsible for carrying the blood that circulated through the body back to the heart and from there to the lungs where the exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen takes place. In order to perform this function, there are small valves that regulate the flow of blood. They open to the blood to rise and close to prevent it from descending when the person stands.

See also: When varicose veins become a problem

Under certain conditions, however, these valves will wear out. As they no longer close right, they let out part of the blood that should return to the heart. Result: The pressure in the veins of the legs increases and they dilate and deform because of the blood accumulated inside them.

Varicose veins are a chronic problem that can occur at any age.

Risk factors that can not be changed

We can not interfere in some conditions that favor the appearance of varicose veins. Although they are immutable risk factors, they serve as a warning for people to redouble their attention to possible early manifestations of the disease and seek treatment. Are they:

Genetic predisposition - People with a family history of the disease should be concerned with the prevention of circulatory problems early and adopt measures that help at least slow down the process;
Age - as people age, veins lose their elasticity and the valve system weakens, which makes it difficult to return venous blood to the heart and lungs and favors the onset of varicose deformations;
Sex - women are more likely to develop varicose veins. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause, as well as the use of birth control pills and hormone replacement are risk factors, because the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, act on the vessel wall, decrease its resistance and compromise the functioning of the regulating the passage of blood.
Risk factors that can be changed

There are, however, risk factors for varicose veins that are changeable, that is, on which we can influence, propose changes in lifestyle aimed at prevention, or treat, when appropriate. These include:Varicose veins: risk factors and prevention

Physical activity is fundamental in the prevention and treatment of varicose veins. Practicing exercises stimulates the circulatory system as a whole and facilitates the return of blood to the heart;
Immobility - when, for example, a person is required to remain seated or standing for a long time, in the same position, any exercise that facilitates the contraction and relaxation of the calf helps to pump the blood back to the heart. An example is the dorsal flexion of the foot, which consists of raising the toes, bringing them as close as possible to the anterior face of the ankle. The other is to always try to walk a few steps to stimulate the potato musculature of the legs. Elastic stockings, provided they have the proper compression for the type of leg, also favor the pumping of blood to the heart and collaborate for its circulation inside the veins;
Obesity - Overweight and associated complications (high blood pressure and diabetes are two of them) represent overload to the circulatory system and increase the risk of developing varicose veins, since the fat accumulated in the abdomen increases the pressure on the vessels and hinders the flow normal blood, which creates pockets in the veins of the legs. Balanced eating and regular exercise are key measures to reduce the risk of overweight;
Smoking - substances that enter the cigarette make the blood more viscous, which makes circulation difficult and favors its accumulation in the veins of the legs. Dropping the cigarette is a measure of not only the legs but the whole body benefits;
High Heels - is a controversial subject. Some scholars of the subject assure that they do not offer greater risk. The fact is that routine use of very tall and thin heels can keep the leg muscles long contracted, an obstacle that makes it harder to return venous blood and allows part of it to be trapped in the veins of the legs and feet.

Conclusion:
Preventing the appearance of varicose veins requires permanent changes in lifestyle. And it's always worth insisting. Having already removed a diseased vein does not prevent the lesions from appearing in another vein in the lower limbs. Therefore, the recommendation is not to disregard the first signs of the disease. Although, in general, varicose veins do not represent a serious health problem, some care is indispensable to prevent complications.