Varicose veins of the legs and feet are a chronic disease in which the outflow of blood in the vessels is disrupted. In this case, stagnation and venous nodes form in the veins. The main causes: heredity, obesity and sedentary lifestyle. The symptoms for both women and men are the same and cause a lot of discomfort: swollen veins in the legs, swelling of the legs and feet, thickening and discoloration of the skin (darkening), pain and fatigue. Complications of varicose legs can include dermatitis, trophic ulcers, thrombophlebitis, and rupture of a vessel. We will also look at whether hair removal is possible for varicose veins, what hormonal medications should be taken and what kind of massage should be used for varicose veins?
Varicose veins are a tortuous expansion of the superficial veins of the legs, in particular the right great saphenous vein. In some cases, the same development of pathology can be observed on both legs at the same time. Vasodilation can be primary or secondary. A node with secondary expansion occurs due to a disturbance in the movement of blood through a deeply located circulatory system, the presence of fistulas between vessels, and increased pressure. Primary changes include changes in the right greater subcutaneous area.
Nodes on the great saphenous vein are formed due to weakness of the venous walls associated with a congenital predisposition. Such nodes cause stagnation of passive blood in the venous system of the legs, hydrostatic hyperemia, further expansion of the vascular walls and dysfunction of the venous valves.
When diagnosing nodes of the great saphenous vein, it is necessary to exclude diseases of the genitourinary system in women and men from the etiology. Treatment of varicose veins using conservative methods is ineffective. In most cases, it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention. Surgical treatment of pathological dilatation of all vessels, incl. and the great saphenous vein, consists of obliteration (narrowing) or ligation of vascular trunks. Treatment of the great saphenous and other veins can also be carried out using traditional medicine methods (for example, herbal or hydrotherapy).
You can do massage for varicose veins, but the technique of the procedure must be chosen taking into account the stage of the disease. Even if the disease is not complicated, under no circumstances should you apply vibration movements to the affected veins. The massage must be performed by a qualified specialist, so you should only apply for the service to a medical institution. Before the first visit, it is necessary to conduct a blood clotting test.
In case of an uncomplicated form of the disease on the legs, when the vascular valves fully perform their function, therapeutic massage will help relieve fatigue in the legs, eliminate cramps and swelling. The massage therapist, using light, stroking and pinching movements, will smoothly move from the buttocks to the legs and feet. Several of these procedures will help improve blood circulation. To consolidate the result, the attending physician will additionally prescribe a series of physical exercises (on an individual basis).
In case of deep damage to the vessels in the legs and an advanced stage of the disease, only the reflex-segmental technique can be used in the lumbar region. Massage used to treat cardiovascular diseases is also suitable.
When conservative treatment of varicose veins of the legs is carried out, cupping massage is often used. The vacuum created under the jar has an irritating effect on the skin, thereby causing increased muscle contraction underneath. This increases their tone, has a beneficial effect on blood circulation, and eliminates congestion. But the places where the cups should be applied are determined only by the attending physician.
Cupping massage should not be performed on people with hypertension or myocardial diseases. Banks are prohibited from being placed in the area of the popliteal fossa and on the inner thighs.
The prevalence of varicose veins in the legs is very high all over the world: in men it is 25%, and in women it is even higher - in Russia it is about 70%. Taking contraceptives that contain hormones must be taken carefully. Many of them can have a negative impact on the course and treatment of varicose veins.
Hormonal contraceptive pills for men and women should not be taken if varicose veins are complicated by thrombophlebitis or deep vein thrombosis. Birth control pills thicken the blood and promote the formation of blood clots.
In men and women, birth control pills containing hormones reduce the elasticity of the vascular wall. If you take birth control pills that were not prescribed by a doctor, you can get serious complications, even if there were none. After all, they retain fluid in the body. This causes edema to develop, increases the load on the vascular bed, and ultimately results in the same thrombosis.
To prevent treatment of varicose veins of the legs from becoming complicated, the doctor usually prescribes the following contraceptives:
You can do hair removal on your legs if you have varicose veins. Whether in case of disease of the great saphenous vein or deep-lying vessels. Only hair removal should be carried out without exposure to heat. The best way to remove hair is bioepilation.
Bioepilation is done using warm wax. Cane sugar is often used in the procedure. But this method of hair removal has two significant disadvantages: it is painful, and the result lasts only 2 weeks.
For varicose veins on the legs, hair removal can be carried out using other methods. For example, laser or electrolysis. Laser hair removal is believed to reduce spider veins. They turn pale on the skin and then may disappear completely. If the disease is at an early stage, laser hair removal can be used to treat not only spider veins, but also hemangiomas (benign proliferation of blood vessels) or telangiectasias (dilated skin capillaries).
During laser hair removal there is no pain at all. Hair stops growing after 2-3 procedures. Gradually they will become weak, thin and colorless. The first 4 procedures should be done every 2 weeks, the rest - once a month. After 12 procedures, hair will never grow again.
Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is always very long. Therefore, if the slightest signs of its development appear, you need to contact a phlebologist. The doctor will conduct a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary individual treatment and additional health promotion measures: massage, physical exercises. For all questions that arise regarding the choice of methods of contraception and hair removal, it is better to contact this specialist.
The feeling of a burning foot is always unpleasant and painful. The burning sensation occurs more often at night, it interferes with the body’s proper rest. During night sleep, the legs are in a relaxed state. Instead of the peace they need, the burning sensation puts them in a state of tension. In the morning, the patient does not feel that he rested at night; he does not feel cheerful and ready for the working day. The disease can occur during the day. Sometimes the heat is felt constantly; this case is the most dangerous.
Not only the soles of the feet are exposed to burning, but also the heels and toes separately. The question of why the soles of the feet burn begins to worry with the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. The discomfort does not depend on the time of year. Winter affects the burning sensation in the legs and leads to a person’s desire to cool them.
Improper behavior can lead to hypothermia and serious illness. In summer, burning leads to the release of a large amount of sweat, and the feet are susceptible to fungal diseases. Why the burning sensation occurs will become clear if you study and identify the causes of the discomfort. The causes of the disease can be different, they are not necessarily related to leg ailments.
One of the factors causing the disease is allergies.
Poor quality materials or substances that are unsuitable for the individual body cause burning and burning of the soles of the feet. This often applies to shoes. Seemingly ordinary insoles can cause discomfort. Sometimes associated symptoms appear - itching and redness. It happens that the fabrics from which tights, socks, and trousers are made are not suitable for a person. Pants that fit close to the body can cause an allergic reaction, especially if a person wears them for a long period of time. Cosmetics cause burning: creams, lotions.
What to do in such cases? In order to avoid unpleasant sensations, it is necessary to test the cosmetics on a small area of skin. No symptoms appeared - can be used. You cannot take for granted the effectiveness of a cream without testing.
Depilation using various drugs leads to burning. They, like cosmetics, must first be tried and then accepted. Cosmetics often contain a large number of components, some of which can have a negative impact on health. The feet begin to burn immediately after using them, after a short amount of time.
Vascular disease affects the legs completely. The disease attracts various sensations and unpleasant symptoms, one of which is burning of the soles of the feet. The factors that can cause the disease are mostly clear:
Patients with varicose veins experience a burning sensation not only in their feet, but also in their calves. Socks are pressed into the skin, shoes interfere with light movements when walking. It is very important to do certain medical procedures in this case.
People with improper metabolism are susceptible to these diseases. Feet are the first to react to an unhealthy lifestyle. Factors that cause burning of the sole in foot diseases are:
If you feel a burning sensation on the soles of your feet, this is the first sign of a foot disease - gout. What to do in such situations? Study and apply a set of necessary actions.
Burning on the soles of the feet occurs for various reasons and requires treatment. Constant anxiety cannot be ignored. You need to quickly look for an explanation for why the disease appeared. Identify the causes and begin treatment. There are many treatment recipes and simple ways to get rid of the disease.
Treatment books describe many effective options for getting rid of burning soles. They mainly offer compresses with various ingredients.
Conventional procedures can help avoid burning and quickly eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
Everyone describes this feeling differently. Some say: “it’s like walking on nails”; others – “it’s like I sank my feet into molten lead”; still others said “the soles of my feet are burning and I’m jumping up and down,” and one milling worker compared the pain in her soles at the end of a shift to walking barefoot on shavings from a vertical milling machine. Most often, pain, burning and itching on the soles of the feet are caused by the same reasons.
Obviously, the causes of burning on the soles of your feet can have a variety of medical reasons, so if it's really bothering you, be sure to see your doctor. He can determine which disease is causing the burning sensation in the soles of the feet and will prescribe treatment for that particular disease. Or, which is very likely, he will advise you to change your shoes to more orthopedic and expensive ones and less fashionable and extravagant.
It also talks about how right now to try to help or stop pain in the soles of your feet and alleviate your suffering with the help of some techniques from traditional medicine .
If the soles of your feet are burning, then one of the common methods of getting rid of discomfort is to steam your feet in hot water with soda. You need to pour ten liters of hot water at the maximum temperature you can tolerate into a bowl, pour about five tablespoons of baking soda into the water and dip your feet in this liquid. The water level should be such that the soles are completely covered with water. The legs should be steamed in the solution for a quarter of an hour. After this, dry your feet with a towel and lubricate them first with strong cologne (“Triple”, “Extra”), and then with iodine. It should work out, the soles will calm down.
From the same series, but this time willow: make a strong decoction of willow branches. As in the previous case, the temperature should be the maximum that can be withstood. After dipping your feet into the hot willow infusion, soak them for half an hour, wiggling your toes and rolling your feet along the bottom of the bowl. This procedure must be repeated daily for a week. More is better. The burning sensation on the soles of your feet will go away.
A less extreme method is to drink an infusion of peppermint and then thoroughly wipe your feet with lemon slices or a swab with fresh lemon juice.
For preventive purposes, it is necessary to walk barefoot on the ground as often as possible.
Another very effective method if the soles of your feet are burning is to mix fifty milliliters of ammonia and a tablespoon of sunflower oil in a glass. You need to moisten a tampon or gauze compress in this mixture and apply this compress to your problem burning feet. After this, put plastic bags on your feet in the form of shoe covers and secure them, for example, with a bandage or a paper clip. Next, you just need to lie down, wait and be patient. It can burn strongly, in which case the bags need to be removed and the feet treated with a vodka swab. Although, still keep your heels a little longer under the initial ammonia-oil compress. Many people claim that your feet will stop bothering you very quickly.
In principle, all these methods are based on the dilation of blood vessels in order to “disperse the blood.” Here is another well-known method that will help if at the end of the day the soles of your feet are so hot that it is impossible to sleep. Hit the soles of your feet with a wooden rolling pin from the dough. Then make circular movements with your feet, kick your heels together, bend and straighten your toes. As a result, the veins and capillaries will be cleared of stagnant blood.
Based on the above, it is obvious that ordinary wooden rocking massagers with spikes can also play a good role in saving the soles of the feet They will not help you instantly, but if you use them regularly, they will certainly bring benefits. Everyone should have them, even those whose soles have not yet baked. If someone doesn’t have them, be sure to purchase them, or make them in the “Skillful Hands” circle, modeled on those that your neighbors or friends have.
They say that if the soles of your feet are very sore and hot in the summer, you need to catch bees, bring them to your heels, and let them sting. (There are bees that can easily bite even the heel of an elderly person). Moreover, the number of bites should be increasing: on the first day, one bee on each heel, on the second – two, and the like. Moreover, you don’t need to remove the sting right away; you need to wait at least an hour. Treatment should continue until healing. Naturally, if you are allergic to bee stings, it is better not to use this method of treatment. The method is risky so do not torture the soles of your feet until you have had a full consultation with a doctor.
A less combative method - if the soles “bake” or the legs are very tired - many traditional healers advise taking a foot bath with a warm tansy decoction.
People who have to sit at their desk for a long time as part of their job know what tired legs are. The most unpleasant thing is that this can lead to varicose veins of the lower extremities. If you experience cramps, your toes go numb - all this is a manifestation of varicose veins on the feet (photo). In medicine, the appearance of such pain is called “restful legs syndrome.”
Most often, people whose work involves lifting weights suffer from this disease, as the blood vessels are subjected to high loads. Women who like to wear high-heeled shoes are at great risk. Also, sedentary work at a desk can, over time, lead to a disease called varicose veins of the feet. Doctors assure that this disease also tends to be transmitted hereditarily, and can manifest itself with age.
Varicose veins are the terrible “plague of the 21st century.” 57% of patients die within 10 years of.
To prevent varicose veins on the feet, physical exercises that will not take up much of your time are very helpful. In just 10 minutes they will relieve the feeling of fatigue in the legs and help prevent swelling. Without looking up from your workplace, pull your toes up and towards you, and then pull your heels down. Clench and unclench your toes, then make rotational movements with your feet in different directions. Place your foot on your entire foot and rock from heel to toe.
When you come home from work, sit comfortably on the sofa, take a cushion and place it under your feet so that they are raised, thereby creating conditions for better blood supply and fluid outflow. A therapeutic compress made from an infusion of fresh birch leaves will help you eliminate the feeling of heaviness in your feet and reduce swelling.
A decoction of calamus root will help get rid of burning sensation in your feet, and the feeling of fatigue and swelling will stop tormenting you when you dip your feet in baths with pine extract and sea salt.
For a disease such as varicose veins of the foot, treatment with conservative methods does not give effective results. Various gels and ointments, phlebotropic tablets only temporarily stop the expansion of veins, help relieve itching and swelling somewhat, but they will not help completely restore blood vessels. Only an operation to remove a vein or procedures for gluing and sealing vessels can radically solve this problem. With the help of sclerotherapy it is possible to get rid of stars. An adhesive composition for the venous walls is injected into these small vessels with a syringe; the entire operation takes no more than 15 minutes. When laser radiation heats blood cells and “welds” the walls of blood vessels, this operation is called laser coagulation and is performed under local anesthesia.
Ksenia Strizhenko: “How did I get rid of varicose veins on my legs in 1 week? This inexpensive product works wonders, it's a common one. "
Varicose veins - this disease has been known since the time of Hippocrates - even then they tried to treat it with surgical intervention. Today there are many methods to combat varicose veins, most of them are quite painless, but women are still reluctant to make an appointment with a phlebologist. And in vain: according to statistics, every second person can be diagnosed with varicose veins. Even if you don’t see spider veins or small varicose veins on your legs, this does not mean that the disease has passed you by.
Men and women of completely different ages face varicose veins, most often this is a problem between the ages of 25-40.
There are several theories about the occurrence of the disease:
Doctors joke: “When there are many theories, the true cause is unknown.” But most phlebologists still believe that most often varicose veins occur due to heredity. The disease can manifest itself in both children and grandchildren; It may not manifest itself at all, but any little thing will be enough to provoke it. For example, you are at risk if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, or, conversely, spend all day on your feet. In order for blood to circulate well, contractions of the heart and muscles, negative pressure of the chest are needed - but when a person constantly sits or stands, one of the factors is necessarily excluded, and varicose veins immediately make themselves felt.
In women, an additional cause of varicose veins can be hormonal changes, for example, starting to take contraceptives. There is no direct relationship between starting to take pills and the development of varicose veins, but hormonal drugs often provoke complications of an existing disease. And, of course, pregnancy can provoke varicose veins - after all, weight gain is added to the hormonal background. If you have “varicose veins”, be sure to visit a phlebologist before pregnancy!
Varicose veins are a serious disease in which veins lose their elasticity, stretch and expand. Venous valves act as locks: as soon as blood passes through the valve, the “lock” closes and does not let it back out. If the system fails, blood flows freely down and stagnates in the legs. The veins cannot cope with the blood flow, and varicose veins begin. Blood flows through the veins of the legs from bottom to top, resisting the force of gravity due to several mechanisms. The most insignificant contribution comes from the blood pressure from the arteries; contraction of the leg muscles during movement acts as a pump, and the valves prevent the blood from flowing back. It is the inability of the valves to cope with their tasks that causes disruption of blood flow - this leads to overstretching of the veins. And an increase in the lumen of the vein further worsens the functioning of the valve - after all, it cannot block a vessel of such a diameter! The downward flow of blood increases and a vicious circle results.
Primary varicose veins are associated with weakness of the venous wall or its disorders - usually the development of the disease is facilitated by pregnancy, obesity, standing work, weakness of connective tissues, and a love of stockings with a tight elastic band.
Secondary varicose veins appear after a violation of the venous outflow (the same case when the valves do not cope with their work), as well as with tumors and injuries.
The degree of vein overstretching is always different and the consequences can be the most unpredictable. With pathology, the risk of thromboebalism increases, which can be fatal. Usually blood clots occur in the legs, but sometimes the veins of the arms or even the abdomen are affected. Another complication is trophic ulcers: even one small scratch during trophic changes can provoke an increase in ulcers, which are very difficult to fight if you miss the moment and do not see a doctor on time. Treatment can last for decades, but all that was needed was to contact a phlebologist in time.
Doctors have to deal with another manifestation of varicose veins - bleeding, when the disease is advanced to such an extent that the veins protrude above the surface of the skin by a centimeter and can be injured even due to microscopic trauma. And the most borderline case is thrombophlebitis with irreparable consequences.
Always monitor the condition of your veins! Thrombophlebitis is more dangerous the closer the inflammatory process is to the heart - even if the redness, swelling or thickening is near the groin, you are at mortal risk. Wherever you find these symptoms, call an ambulance immediately.
The unique thing about varicose veins is that pain appears only in the early stages - and the more the veins thicken, the less they hurt. The first symptoms: pain, burning sensation, heaviness, itching, swelling, darkening and thickening of the skin of the lower leg. Often varicose veins can be identified “by eye”, but if the veins are hidden deeply, they are not visible. Up to 90% of the blood flows in the opposite direction through deep veins (only 10% through superficial veins), so the unnoticed course of the disease is especially dangerous. If you feel discomfort, pain, heaviness, warmth in your legs, especially after prolonged sitting or standing, and even more so if you have cramps in the calf muscles and swelling of the ankles, you definitely need to undergo a medical examination.
Of course, not all discomfort in the legs is associated with varicose veins, but you should be wary of the constant manifestation of discomfort!
Modern treatment methods are fundamentally different from the medical practices of the 19th century - they do not bring pain and suffering and are much less traumatic. The sclerotherapy procedure, which was done a hundred years ago, has now changed a lot - however, this does not mean that treatment should be postponed until the last moment.
Coagulation is a method of treating “stars” and spider veins, precursors of varicose veins. The doctor acts on the diseased vessel with laser or electricity and the “star” disappears.
Sclerotherapy is the main treatment method used to remove dilated veins. Special drugs - sclerosants - are injected into the vessels and the affected vein seems to stick together from the inside and stops working, and the blood begins to flow through healthy veins. In experienced hands, the procedure is safe and virtually painless. Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis, and the patient does not fall out of normal life - sessions are held once a week, and you can continue to go to work and do your usual activities. The duration of sclerotherapy depends on the stage and form of the disease, but usually three to six sessions are required for each leg (three to five injections per session). The cosmetic result appears within a few weeks after the last procedure. Thanks to the bloodless removal of dilated veins, blood flow through healthy veins improves, tissue nutrition processes are restored, and the symptoms of varicose veins disappear or are significantly reduced.
Surgical method of treating varicose veins - usually it can be avoided by making an appointment with a phlebologist on time. But even in advanced cases there is nothing to be afraid of: there are several surgical techniques aimed at maximizing patient comfort. For example, miniflexectomy is done without incisions, and endoscopy allows the operation to be performed in a hospital in one day.
The best way to prevent varicose veins in the legs is prevention with ointments, gels, and compression stockings selected by your doctor. Prevention should be selected by a doctor, not friends or sources on the Internet! Compression hosiery and the degree of compression can only be chosen by a phlebologist, taking into account your size and the condition of your veins. It’s unlikely that your friend’s or mother’s stockings will suit you.
Vascular surgeons deal with varicose veins in the legs - let them decide how to treat you for varicose veins!
Physical education and sports play an important role in the treatment and prevention of varicose veins. Exercises for varicose veins of the legs can be classified according to the goals they solve:
How do you know whether a person is threatened by varicose veins or whether his vessels can fully cope with the volume of blood passing through them? Firstly, if your parents or grandparents had knots on their legs, then, with a high degree of probability, you will face the same problem.
Secondly, if you have been working out or playing sports seriously, your veins will tell the story at some point.
Thirdly, if your professional activity requires you to lift weights or stand in one place for a long time, this set of exercises is for you.
The complex is designed for a working or student person who during the day walked, ran, climbed stairs, bent over, squatted, that is, the volume of basic motor actions has already been completed. For a person with a passive (sedentary) lifestyle, these exercises are not enough.
If your efforts are unsuccessful, and small vascular mesh still appears on your legs, do not stop exercising. Leg exercises for varicose veins are the only way to make the blood flow faster. Muscles, contracting and relaxing, stimulate the walls of blood vessels and increase their tone.
Legs need to work hard, but also rest a lot. In the evening, be sure to do stretching exercises in a sitting and lying position, and before going to bed - “birch”.
Exercises for varicose veins in the legs are useful and necessary. They slow down the deformation of the walls of blood vessels and delay the formation of venous nodes, but do not always cure the disease.
When swelling appears in the morning, and in the evening your legs become heavy and painful, and you get cramps at night, you need to reduce physical activity and return to a set of preventive exercises . Perform in the morning and evening.
You can read about what sports are best to do if you have varicose veins here.
Women are also prohibited from walking, much less standing, in heels. You need to be barefoot most of the day and use natural conditions for non-standard exercises:
Physical activity must be combined with proper nutrition.
Burning feet are not an independent disease, but a symptom that can occur in many diseases that are not always associated with the feet. Burning of the feet is a characteristic symptom of many diseases, which, oddly enough, may have nothing to do with the lower extremities. Most often, this symptom worries older people, since their bodies are weakened by long-term resistance to various diseases. As soon as you feel that your legs are starting to burn, the discomfort does not go away for several days, you need to find out the reason.
The soles of your feet burn for many reasons:
A common cause of burning feet is damage to the nerve, which starts from the bone marrow and extends all the way to the feet.
According to neurologists, the very sensation of burning of the feet and toes is caused by a violation of the nerve conduction of the leg fibers. A burning sensation in the feet may be due to nerve damage called neuropathy. Many diseases and conditions can cause foot discomfort, but diabetes remains the most common cause. In most cases, treatment is aimed at preventing further nerve damage and reducing discomfort.
The feet may hurt if a person is stationary for a long time. Such pain is caused by atrophy of muscles and ligaments.
Let us determine the main causes of the symptom “burning of the feet.” Sometimes we feel an unpleasant burning sensation in our feet, sometimes accompanied by pain and heaviness, as if our feet were burning. This feeling can be frequent or rare, appear after certain actions, or simply accompany our day, and sometimes morning and night.
Most often, the feet hurt and burn due to significant stress, and if the feet manage to rest during the night, then by the morning all unpleasant symptoms disappear without a trace. But if the burning sensation returns again, then it is worth paying attention to it and trying to figure out what the reasons for its occurrence are, in order to be able to prevent them in the bud.
Usually the feet burn in the evenings in people wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes or high heels. This is due to the fact that when the foot is compressed, blood flow stagnates. In the evening, after the shoes are removed, there is a sharp release of the vessels that were pinched earlier, the blood quickly rushes to the feet and begins to burn. Trying to compensate for stagnation, the body increases blood flow, resulting in a feeling as if the feet are on fire.
As we said, the most common cause of burning in the feet is neuropathy. Damaged peripheral nerve fibers become overactive and do not function properly. The nerves send the wrong pain signals to the brain, although there are no wounds on the feet.
For most people with neuropathy, the nerves in the lower extremities are primarily affected, causing burning, tingling, or numbness in the feet.
Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy, leaving other diseases far behind.
What diseases lead to a burning sensation in the legs:
What to do if your feet burn? It is worthwhile to carefully approach the issue of foot treatment. If the soles of your feet are burning, you will definitely have to give up warm, and especially hot, baths. But this does not mean that you need to immediately put your feet in cold water.
To alleviate the condition, a contrast shower is perfect, i.e. feet are dipped alternately in warm and then in cool water.
For neuropathy, the most important goal of treatment is to stop further damage to the peripheral nerves. For diabetic patients, the most important thing is to control their sugar levels, because with irregular control, diabetic polyneuropathy and other complications of diabetes will progress. You need to follow a diet, take prescribed medications and measure your sugar levels daily.
For people with other forms of neuropathy, treatment may include:
Treatment for burning feet may also include taking medications that reduce pain and other discomfort. Among them:
Narcotic analgesics such as tramadol (Ultram) are prescribed in low doses for very severe burning and pain.