Varicose veins are a condition that requires constant monitoring and medical recommendations to be followed.Symptoms of the disease (increased brightness of blood vessels, thinning of vessel walls, congestion) will progress if all provoking factors are not eliminated.
What is not allowed for varicose veins is one of the main questions that concern patients.Non-compliance with basic restrictions can lead to reduced treatment effectiveness.
Ten major “don'ts” for varicose veins
- You cannot rely on ointments and pills.There is no magic ointment or miracle drug for varicose veins.There are drugs that support blood circulation, there are substances that strengthen vessel walls, but all of them are only temporary means that can be used in addition to the main treatment.They alleviate the condition: with the help of drugs you can reduce swelling and pain, but do not normalize the condition of the veins.
- You cannot self-treat.Varicose veins are not a disease that can go away or go away on its own.The problem will not “resolve,” so if you have signs of varicose veins, you need to consult your doctor.
- You cannot treat yourself with leeches.There is a strong belief that varicose veins can be treated with leeches.We do not recommend trying this method.At least consult a specialist, in this case a phlebologist.That's right, leeches secrete substances that reduce blood clotting.This facilitates blood circulation but has no effect on varicose veins.The excretion of leeches does not strengthen the walls of veins and does not lead to normalization of the condition of blood vessels.
- Compression stockings should not be worn occasionally.The main requirement for patients with varicose veins is to wear compression stockings.It helps normalize blood circulation and if you have undergone treatment (e.g. sclerotherapy), then compression hosiery will help you recover better.You need to wear stockings or tights exactly as recommended by your doctor: if you do this occasionally, the treatment effect will disappear.Of course, it is difficult to wear knitwear and in the warm season it is uncomfortable 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 for you, you should not delay it.Doctors note that varicose veins never go away on their own, and over time, the condition of the veins only gets worse.That's why, if your surgeon recommends surgery now, you shouldn't delay.
- Massage to treat varicose veins does not improve the condition;Furthermore, massage for varicose veins is not indicated and may have adverse effects on the legs.Especially massage is done by force, rubbing, and massaging the feet.And although many patients report feeling relief after a massage, this may be due to reduced swelling after the procedure.But in the long term, massage can negatively affect the health of your veins.Especially if these are specific types of massage, such as honey, cupping, vacuum, anti-cellulite.
- And taking a bath is also not recommended.Yes, for varicose veins, a contrast shower is indicated - the temperature difference “trains” the vessel walls.However, the temperature contrast that often occurs in the bathroom is too great and can have a negative effect on the veins.Therefore, if you are diagnosed with varicose veins, it is better to forget about steam baths.Or delay it until you get your vein problem resolved.A diagnosis of varicose veins does not mean that a healthy life is over.However, this is a chronic disease that has been well researched.Serious operations to eliminate veins, carried out several decades ago, are a thing of the past: today, minimally invasive interventions to protect veins are at the forefront.And then take preventative measures.
- People with varicose veins should not eat these foods:
- Sweet and powdery.This is not about completely excluding them from the diet but rather limiting their intake.Excessive consumption of sweets and baked goods can lead to obesity and thereby increase the load on the blood vessels in the legs.
- Animal fat.Eating butter and fried meat is limited.Cholesterol contained in these products causes unwanted changes in the blood vessels.
- Salty, spicy food.Consumption of products of this type leads to water retention in the body and the formation of edema.This in turn increases the load on the vascular bed, which absolutely should not happen with varicose veins in the legs.
- Ale.Contrary to the notion of alcohol's beneficial effects on blood vessels, you should not drink alcohol if you have severe varicose veins.Drinking alcoholic beverages leads to short-term dilation followed by long-term vasoconstriction.The thin walls of varicose veins may not be able to withstand such a load: the veins are damaged and begin to bleed.Additionally, alcohol should not be consumed due to the increased risk of blood clots.
- Coffee.The drink weakens intestinal motility and can cause constipation, which is extremely undesirable for rectal varicose veins (hemorrhoids).If it is extremely difficult to give up coffee, consumption 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 they have varicose veins, they should drink not only coffee, but also chicory.Drinking drinks from this plant leads to blood thinning, dilation of already thin blood vessels and increased permeability of their walls.This significantly increases the risk of bleeding from the affected veins.For this reason, chicory should not be taken in large quantities to treat varicose veins.
- Celery.Despite the fact that this 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, similar to chicory.
- Not all physical exercises are effective in damaging the venous bed.To understand what kind of sport is impossible and even dangerous to participate in with varicose veins, you should pay attention to the presence of forces or impact loads in them.
Among the prohibited things:
- weightlifting;
- running - sprint, marathon;
- football, volleyball - allowed in the initial stages, but the lower limbs must be bandaged.
Lifting heavy objects 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 of hemorrhoids and subsequent strangulation of hemorrhoids.In such cases, emergency surgery may be necessary.
Exercises that should not be performed when having varicose veins in the legs:
- squat;
- jumping (especially jumping rope);
- exercises with a platform (step aerobics).
- Do not take hormonal medications without a doctor's prescription
This mainly applies to women using birth control pills.Some medications for birth control are hormonal medications.Their use may thicken the blood and thereby create an additional risk of thrombosis.You should only take hormonal contraceptives after consulting your doctor first.