Beware! The "bulging veins" on the legs may be a health alarm! Check out these prevention and treatment methods

Did you notice

Some people may develop

The blue veins that are winding and protruding like earthworms?

This is not a simple blood vessel display.

It is very likely that varicose veins are quietly causing trouble.

today

Yongzhou Lingling District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital

Let's take a deeper look at this common

Vascular diseases that are easily overlooked

What are varicose veins?

To put it simply, varicose veins are the tortuosity and dilation of veins due to factors such as blood stasis and weak venous walls.

It most often occurs in the lower limbs because the veins in the lower limbs need to withstand greater pressure to fight gravity and transport blood back to the heart. Under normal circumstances, the valves in the veins are like one-way valves, ensuring that blood can only flow toward the heart. But when the valve function is impaired, blood will flow back, increasing the pressure in the veins, which will cause the veins to expand and twist, forming the varicose veins we see.

1. Symptoms of varicose veins

The early symptoms may not be obvious. Some people may only feel soreness and heaviness in the lower limbs , which is more obvious after standing or walking for a long time. The symptoms will be relieved after resting and raising the lower limbs.

As the disease progresses, the veins in the legs will gradually become more prominent and twisted , appearing like earthworms or lumps. In severe cases, the skin may become pigmented and darker , and may also experience symptoms such as itching, desquamation, and ulcers . Once an ulcer occurs, it is difficult to heal and is prone to infection, causing great pain to the patient.

2. What are the inducing factors?

(1) Occupational factors

People who stand or sit for long periods of time, such as teachers, nurses, traffic police, office workers, etc., are at high risk of varicose veins. Maintaining the same posture for a long time will hinder the return of blood to the lower limb veins and increase venous pressure.

(2) Age and gender

As people age, the walls and valves of the veins gradually age and their functions decline, and the incidence of varicose veins increases. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins because of their physiological characteristics, such as pregnancy and menstruation, and hormone changes in their bodies can affect the elasticity of the vein walls.

(3) Other factors

Obesity, long-term constipation, chronic cough, etc. will increase abdominal pressure, affect venous return in the lower limbs, and easily induce varicose veins.

3. How to prevent and treat

(1) Prevention methods:

Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time , and move your lower limbs and raise your legs regularly;

Wear medical elastic stockings to promote venous blood return with external force;

Maintain a healthy weight and reduce abdominal pressure;

Actively treat chronic cough, constipation and other diseases.

(2) Treatment methods:

When symptoms are mild, they can be relieved through conservative treatment , such as the lifestyle adjustments mentioned above and wearing elastic stockings.

When the condition is serious, surgical treatment may be required , such as traditional vein stripping, minimally invasive surgery (laser closure, radiofrequency ablation, etc.). The specific treatment plan needs to be formulated by the doctor based on the patient's actual situation.

Kind tips:

Although varicose veins are not fatal, they can seriously affect the quality of life. Only by understanding the relevant knowledge and actively preventing and treating them can we keep our legs healthy and live comfortably. If you find symptoms of suspected varicose veins in your legs, you must seek medical attention in time for early diagnosis and treatment.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Liu Chan from Yongzhou Lingling District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital

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(Edited by YT)