How does the blood in the legs and feet overcome gravity and flow to the heart?

Who can fight against the gravity of the earth?

Because of the gravity between the earth and the human body, the human body's bones, muscles, and blood all have to do some movements to counteract gravity. Without gravity, there would be no human life, survival, and reproduction. The same problem arises. If the body is under too much pressure or is injured, it will stop working like a machine and require maintenance and repair.

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Why does maintaining a posture for a long time cause physical discomfort?

When people stand or sit for a long time, the effect of gravity causes the muscles in our neck, shoulders, back, waist and other parts to bear more pressure. This is why we experience body pain and soreness after maintaining a posture for a long time.

Why does gravity make varicose veins more likely to occur?

The human body has a wonderful circulatory system. Gravity cannot be escaped, but can only be overcome. In order for the blood in the lower limbs to flow smoothly back to the heart, the venous blood must break through many obstacles to fight against gravity. Standing for a long time or working with heavy loads for a long time will lead to obstructed blood return, causing blood to accumulate in the lower limbs. Over time, the venous valves are damaged and the venous pressure is too high. It is easy for blue or dark red "loaches" to appear on the inner side of the calf, and "varicose veins of the lower limbs" will occur.

Why are varicose veins more likely to occur in the left lower limb?

Varicose veins are common in the left lower limb because the veins of the left lower limb are farther away from the inferior vena cava and more tortuous, and the blood is farther away from the right lower limb on the way back to the heart. Varicose veins in the left lower limb are generally caused by congenitally weak venous walls, high intravenous pressure, and venous valve insufficiency.

Why are pregnant women more likely to develop varicose veins?

After pregnancy, the increase in weight and the enlargement of the uterus cause compression on the abdominal cavity, which blocks blood return and causes blood stasis. This compresses the abdominal veins, hinders the venous return of the lower limbs, and causes varicose veins. The changes in estrogen and progesterone in the body during pregnancy, the rapid blood circulation in the body, and the increase in blood volume affect the elasticity of the veins to a certain extent, resulting in varicose veins.

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What are the lower limb veins most afraid of?

1. The veins in the lower limbs are afraid of loneliness. Without the muscle contraction force brought by exercise, they will be bored and "wander off and doze off", which will cause the blood flow in the veins to slow down, and the pressure in the veins to increase, causing local blood vessels to bulge. So when you have nothing to do, you can raise your legs above the level of your heart or walk in place to exercise your leg muscles. The "muscle pump" squeezes the blood, promotes venous blood return, and prevents the occurrence of varicose veins.

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2. The veins of the lower limbs are afraid of pressure. From the self-narration of the veins of the lower limbs: I work hard every day to fight against the gravity of the earth, and my master has to stand for a long time without giving me a chance to relax. I try my best to fight against the gravity of the earth. I can do it when I am young, but... When I get older, I can't do it, making the way for the venous blood to return to the heart more bumpy, and the pressure of the veins in the legs will increase accordingly. I can only bend on the surface of the skin, so that my master will pay attention to my existence, cherish me more, and protect me.

3. The veins in the lower limbs are afraid of both cold and heat. They expand when it’s hot and contract when it’s cold. However, if I am in an environment of frequent thermal expansion and contraction for a long time, my elastic fiber network will be destroyed, and the local blood vessels will become very unfriendly and become "earthworms".

What to do if you can’t avoid long periods of sitting or standing?

Due to the nature of the job, you cannot avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. Every hour, you need to walk on the spot, tiptoe, and curl your toes, and move your ankles like stepping on the brakes. As long as the leg "muscle pump" is activated, it will be beneficial to the blood return to the lower limbs and achieve the effect of prevention.

How should we deal with varicose veins if they have already formed?

1. Wear less high heels and tight pants, avoid increasing abdominal pressure, control your weight, and don't cross your legs when sitting. These will lead to increased venous pressure, increase the resistance of venous return, and aggravate varicose veins.

2. Self-description of the veins in the lower limbs: I am very delicate, but my owner still has to take good care of me. The most important way to protect me is to wear medical elastic stockings often: Don’t underestimate my little helper (varicose vein elastic stockings), it will wrap tightly around the legs and help the venous blood resist the gravity of the earth and flow back upward.

3. How to treat varicose veins at home:

① Lie flat on your back, stretch one leg with your toes pointing upward, bend the other leg with your foot on the ground, and slowly lift the straightened leg with your toes pointing upward. Hold for 10 seconds to allow blood to flow in your legs, then slowly lower it. Repeat 10 cycles as a set.

② Bend your knees and do the bicycle-pedaling motion in the air, hold for 30s to 60s, 2 to 5 cycles as a set;

③Stretch your hands straight and hold the wall, slowly stand on tiptoe and slowly put them down, 20 to 30 times per set, or you can take a step-by-step approach, 2 to 5 cycles as a set;

④ Do a squat with your legs shoulder-width apart. You can use the stool method. Move slowly, keep your hips pushed back, and do not bend your knees forward. Start with a set of 10, and then gradually increase to 5 to 10 cycles as a set. Sticking to the above movements can promote blood circulation in the legs and prevent the earthworm legs from protruding.

Author: Li Die

Illustration: Li Xiaoxiao

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