Nearly one in two women suffers from venous disorders , especially during the beautiful season: swollen feet and ankles, calves that swarm and tug, dilated varicose veins ... Signs not to be taken lightly.
Venous return: how does it work?
The veins of the legs are subjected to a severe test.
They must raise the blood loaded with toxins to the heart despite the effect of gravity that promotes stagnation in the feet. Fortunately, they are helped by the muscles of the calves and by the valves, small valves housed inside the veins that prevent the blood from coming back down.
But after a while, the mechanics can seize up: when the wall of the veins and the valves lose their tone, a part of the blood stagnates at the bottom of the body and the veins dilate. At first, the inconvenience is only temporary, in case of strong heat or prolonged trampling. But as it happens, it happens permanently. Venous return becomes lazy and varicose veins may appear.
"Age is the first risk factor for venous insufficiency," says Professor Patrick Carpentier, a vascular doctor at Grenoble University Hospital.
Heredity plays a role
"It is now proven that venous disorders are largely hereditary," says Pr Carpentier. In the absence of a family history, the risk of developing the disease is only 20%. But if one parent is affected, the risk is 60% for women and 25% for men.
And if both parents have vascular weakness, it rises to ... 80%!
"However, there is no inevitability," says Patrick Carpentier.
In the end, one woman in two is concerned, especially since hormonal variations (cycle, pregnancy, pill, HRT) weaken our veins. At high doses, estrogen dilates the venous walls and promotes coagulation.
The sedentary lifestyle in question
The pregnancy, the pill and the hormonal treatment of the menopause are likely to generate heavy legs because, at high dose, the female hormones weaken the wall of the veins.
But physical inactivity remains their number one enemy. When sitting for a long time, sitting or standing, the calf muscles do not exert pressure on the veins. As a result, blood does not rise as far up. This is the beginning of the gear.
"Venous stasis will induce the release of chemicals that cause local inflammation that will gradually degrade the veins," says Dr. Luc Bodin, author of " Well in my legs" (Josette Lyon).
Chain complications
Venous insufficiency is an evolutionary disease. If it is not corrected in time, it has serious consequences: phlebitis, varicose ulcer, thrombosis, even pulmonary embolism.
Yet, many women with heavy legs make the problem worse. Especially in the absence of nasty varicose veins.
According to an Ipsos survey conducted for Sigvaris, 61% of people with venous disorders are unaware of it. They therefore do not follow the appropriate recommendations and expose themselves to growing problems.
To keep your legs light and thin, no more ostrich politics: you must act without delay.
Heavy anti-leg methods that work
- Echosclerotherapy: guided by an ultrasound-Doppler image, we inject a product that scleroses the varicose vein. It is not painful and we walk immediately, but avoid the sun for a month. The lightened version is microsclerosis , whose needle is thinner.
- Foam sclerotherapy : "You inject a soap foam that does not dilute in the blood and therefore reaches the venous wall deeper, thus reducing the risk of recurrence.As it spreads more in the vein, it is also treated on a longer distance, "says Dr. Michèle Cazaubon, an angiologist at the American Hospital of Neuilly. From 50 to 100 euros the session. These techniques are reimbursed by the Social Security for varicose veins, but not for varicose veins.
- Stripping: this is the surgery of varicose veins, especially those of large caliber. Under local or general anesthesia, the vein is turned back on itself. Return home during the day, but it is necessary to plan a week of work stoppage and sometimes painful consequences during a fortnight of days. Small scars are preserved in the groin and on the leg. This treatment is refunded.
- The laser: the laser beam and the puncture needle are introduced into the vein. This very effective and painless gesture is done in seven minutes. "Existing only for three years, this intervention is not yet validated by the National Agency for Accreditation and Evaluation in Health (Anaes) .It also requires excellent control to avoid any burn," insists Dr. Philippe Blanchemaison. 450 to 600 euros, not reimbursed by Social Security.
- The closure: principle similar to the laser, via a probe that releases heat to coagulate the blood and remove the vein. An intervention that lasts about thirty minutes and costs about 500 euros, not reimbursed by the Social Security.
- Compression stockings: they do not cure venous insufficiency, but stop its evolution. By increasing the circulatory speed, they reduce the risk of edema. "Indeed, the water that stagnates in the tissues is driven to veins and lymphatic vessels," says Dr. Cazaubon. They are reimbursed when they are prescribed, without limitation of the number of pairs. Among the pharmacy brands: Venoflex, Varisma and Sigvaris.
- The veinotonics: they are threatened to be no longer reimbursed, "because they do not reduce the diameter of an already dilated vein," says Dr. Blanchemaison, but "they really boost the venous return."
- Herbal medicine, homeopathy and veinotonic plants: these methods help strengthen the tone of the venous wall.
Heavy legs: some tips to prevent them
By adopting an adapted way of life, one can avoid the degeneration of the walls of his veins and thus the appearance of major troubles ", advocates Patrick Carpentier.
We avoid tight pants, boots or socks, and hot weather (long exposure to the sun, sauna, waxing too hot, hot baths).
Ideally, one wears heels of 3 to 4 cm the day and one reserves flip-flops or fine heels for the great occasions.
During the day, we drink enough water or tea (minimum 1.5l) and we do not hesitate to get up from his office to take a few steps to revive circulation in the legs.
