Beautiful and Healthy Legs
The legs are one of the most eye-catching parts of a woman’s body. They do, however, require constant care in order to avoid the appearance of veins and capillaries. Common problems (stretch marks, varicose veins, and cellulite) should be treated with natural products and proper exercise.
The likelihood of certain venous diseases may require an individual to make certain lifestyle changes such as:
- Limiting consumption of white sugar and refined salt
- Avoiding alcohol
- Avoiding harmful fats (Trans fats, pastries, junk food, etc.)
- Exercising at least three times a week (cycling, swimming, running, etc.)
- Consuming daily infusions of grape seed
These changes can help reduce symptoms such as pain and swelling but they are simply a temporary measures. Doctors Maria Elena Barzaghi and Alessandra Beretta of the Operating Unit of Vascular Surgery at Humanitas Gavazzeni, explain how these venous disorders form, what symptoms may occur and what complications may arise.
How do venous leg disorders form and what symptoms do they present?
“Leg venous disorders mainly affect women who have issues relating to hormone production or women who are pregnant. These disorders may present various symptoms that should not be underestimated. Symptoms range from cramps, tingling in the legs at night, and feeling of heaviness all the way up to swelling of the ankles, pain which spreads to form visible capillaries, varicose veins and hyperpigmentation.”
“It is best to consult with a doctor in order to verify the problem in question. It is important to do so because symptoms that might appear insignificant may in time become pathologies of a certain severity. Suffice to say, for example, varicose veins can lead to complications such as phlebitis or thrombosis.”
Which type of examination should an individual undergo in case of venous leg disorders?
“The first step is to perform a Doppler Ultrasound, which is a non-invasive and painless test that ensures there is no presence of vascular problems. This test lets you know if it is sufficient to eliminate the symptoms by adjusting your lifestyle habits – focusing on proper food intake and constant physical exercise – or whether it is necessary to resort to medical therapy. If you are involved in a more complex and severe situation, perhaps because you have waited too long before taking action, it is possible to resort to surgical treatment. However, this depends on each individual case.”
Treatment for venous leg disorders
A doctor may suggest a few self-care steps to help manage the appearance of veins and capillaries.
These steps include:
- Losing weight if you are overweight
- Exercising on a regular basis
- Wearing compression stockings to decrease symptoms such as swelling
- Avoiding sitting for longer periods of time (moving the legs helps keep the blood flowing)
For more severe situations, it may be necessary to resort to other treatments such as:
- Schlerotherapy: Therapy that involves receiving injections of salt water. The injections are inserted into the vein, causing the vein to harden and then disappear.
- Bypass: A surgical procedure that involves redirecting blood flow around the blocked vein.
- Ablation: A procedure that uses heat to close off and destroy the vein.
- Angioplasty and stenting: A procedure that involves opening a narrow or blocked vein.