Varicose veins are called diseases that quickly become chronic. The disease causes changes in the length and diameter of the veins, the appearance of nodules, and the thinning of the vein walls. Very often, varicose veins manifest themselves during pregnancy, when the woman's body is under a significant load against the background of hormonal changes.
Reasons for appearing
If we consider the reasons varicose veins appear during pregnancy, there are several main reasons:
- weight change.During pregnancy, due to an increase in weight of ten or more kilograms, veins appear on the legs, which leads to an increase in pressure and strain on the vessels.
- Hormonal changes in the body.During the formation of the fetus, the hormonal background of the woman is repeatedly restored, as a result of which the vessels are damaged. They lose elasticity, become fragile and prone to varicose veins.
During pregnancy, due to an increase in weight of ten or more kilograms, veins appear on the legs.
- During pregnancy, the work of the venous valves changes as the volume of circulating blood increases. It should be noted that if varicose veins after pregnancy, if left untreated, will not go anywhere.
- Hereditary factors. If one of the parents of a pregnant woman has varicose veins, there is a high chance that the same disease will manifest itself.
- Choosing the wrong clothes and shoes. Sometimes expectant mothers are surprised at where varicose veins came from without believing that tight clothing and high-heeled shoes can provoke it.
- Decreased physical activity. Blood stagnation can occur in the leg veins during pregnancy if the pregnant woman moves a little and does not do special exercises.
Some of the causes that cause varicose veins during pregnancy are easy to get rid of - just change your habits.
Symptoms and Signs
Varicose veins during pregnancy in the early stages are difficult to detect because there are no pronounced symptoms.
However, it is worth contacting your doctor if the following symptoms are present:
- Sensation of heaviness and pain in the legs;
- swelling, especially in the evening when you sit for a long time;
- cramps, especially at night;
- reddening or darkening of the skin;
- the appearance of vascular networks;
- seals the skin, the appearance of trophic ulcers;
- Inflamed veins during pregnancy are easy to feel.
Types of varicose veins during pregnancy
Varicose veins during pregnancy can be of different types. The most common illness is:
- in the bar;
- on the legs;
- in the vagina;
- in the womb.
The manifestation of varicose veins in the pelvis has symptoms similar to some gynecological diseases, so the diagnosis is the most difficult. With every pregnancy, the risk of varicose veins on the labia increases (symptoms most often appear after physical exertion or sexual intercourse).
Diagnosis
Varicose veins and pregnancy have a huge impact on a woman's body and add stress to many organs. It is therefore important to identify the disease early on.
The duplex sonography method is used today to identify varicose veins in pregnant women. This modern type of diagnostics has replaced the previously performed ultrasound angioscanning and Doppler mapping. Duplex sonography is performed within 20 minutes and provides detailed information about the condition of both deep and superficial veins.
In some cases, for additional diagnostics, do the following:
- Segment Doppler.A simple but reliable test that shows the condition of the arteries, determines their patency, and narrows.
- BMR (magnetic resonance venography).If varicose veins are diagnosed during pregnancy, this examination allows you to assess the condition of the vessels without using a contrast agent, without harming the body.
- Computed tomographic phlebography.If carried out with contrast, you can assess the condition of the ships at great depth. If varicose veins have unclear symptoms, this type of examination is prescribed.
Methods of treating diseases
Not all methods of treating varicose veins after pregnancy can be used during pregnancy. For example, during pregnancy, certain drugs cannot be injected and surgery is not always possible. These restrictions also apply to women with varicose veins in their legs, but who plan to become pregnant within the next two years.
Surgical treatment
As already mentioned, varicose veins are dangerous during pregnancy due to the limited treatment options. However, there are situations when drug treatment is insufficient and surgery is performed. For example, if there is severe thrombophlebitis or non-healing trophic ulcers.
In most cases, surgeries are performed at a gestational age of no more than six months, and sclerotherapy or frequency ablation is used, and other surgeries are performed after pregnancy. In the postoperative period, it is mandatory to wear special underwear and therapeutic exercises - these recommendations apply to the postpartum period.
If severe varicose veins are detected during pregnancy today, practice using a laser instead of a scalpel during treatment. With modern technology, you can quickly and safely defeat varicose veins.
Medicines
Doctors know exactly how high the risk of varicose veins is. Therefore, at the first manifestations of the disease, they recommend turning to specialists. In such a situation, treatment with venotonic drugs and means for normalizing blood density is prescribed. There is also a wide range of special ointments and gels for topical use, including those containing gingko biloba. All drugs that affect the tone of the veins are serious, so they should be taken only according to the scheme recommended by the doctor.
Alternative treatment
People have long been confronted with the tandem "pregnancy and varicose veins", which is why folk methods such as lotions, tinctures, ointments and baths are often used in treatment in the past and still today. Of course, if the disease is neglected, then these techniques are considered solely as auxiliary therapy, but in the early stages, alternative treatment is very effective.
Compress tinctures:
- Tinctures made from hops help well to overcome the initial stages of varicose veins during pregnancy. You need to take 1 tablespoon of cones, pour 200 milliliters of boiling water and keep for 20 minutes. After that, the solution is drained and used for compresses. Similarly, infusions are made from the flowers or leaves of horse chestnuts. Such compresses can be used at night and kept on the leg until morning.
- veins are treated with powder from peeled horse chestnut during pregnancy: 50 g of this powder is poured with 200 milliliters of vegetable oil and the legs are massaged with the resulting composition before going to bed;
- If early varicose veins are detected during pregnancy, scalded cabbage leaves are used for compresses that help relieve inflammation, pain, and swelling.
It is recommended to treat varicose veins on the legs during pregnancy with trays with infusions of various medicinal herbs, the selection of which is large enough in any pharmacy. Recommended for this:
- do not exceed the temperature of the solution in the bath above 38 degrees;
- do not bathe for more than 15 minutes;
- do a relaxing massage after the procedure;
- At the end of the bath, lie down with your legs raised for 30-40 minutes.
Varicose veins in pregnant women are also treated with decoctions of herbs that are taken orally:
- Prepare a brew of meadow clover flowers: Pour 1 tablespoon of chopped flowers into a thermos and pour 400 milliliters of boiling water. After two hours, filter the broth and take half a cup four times a day.
- You can put together a collection from the leaves of coltsfoot, strawberries and lingonberries, five-lobed feverfew and the flowers of Calendula officinalis and viburnum. The ingredients are mixed in equal parts, 2 tablespoons of the resulting mixture is poured with 400 milliliters of boiling water and placed in a water bath for 15 minutes. After that, you need to keep the collection in a warm place for 40 minutes. Take half a cup 4 times a day.
Disease prevention
Like any disease, varicose veins on the legs not only need to be treated, but preventive measures must also be taken to prevent the disease or prevent its recurrence:
- It is not recommended to sit or stand for long periods of time. It is preferable to rest on your side to relieve the veins of the legs and pelvis.
- To relieve the veins in your legs, keep your legs raised while lying or sitting.
- Wear special compression stockings to relieve your leg veins during pregnancy. Such undergarments help redistribute blood through the veins, stimulate the blood in the veins of the legs, and reduce the chance of blood clots. Compression knitwear is recommended not only during, but also after pregnancy for one and a half to two months.
Remember that varicose veins on the legs are less common in people who exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle. Even light exercise will help you stay fit and reduce the risk of developing varicose veins.