"Not a magic circle" of risk factors for venous diseases during wartime.

, explains why the circle and how vein diseases, stress and our lifestyle are connected

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Motion is life

Our venous system is very complicated by nature.

Since we move vertically, nature has provided various mechanisms to allow us to live in such conditions.

Changed the shape of the foot, the functionality of the joints, the muscular corset of the spine.

But our vascular system has undergone a special transformation, in particular, the veins on the legs.

Three developed systems of veins in the legs, which are closely connected with each other, ensure the movement of blood from the bottom up.

And the so-called peripheral heart - the muscles of the lower legs that we make work when we walk - is permeated by a network of muscle veins and venous sinuses - "bags" into which blood enters during muscle relaxation, and is pushed out during contraction to the mountain.

Venous valves prevent blood from returning downwards.

This is the third feature of our venous system.

Valves ensure blood flow in one direction - from bottom to top.

It's like a system of "gates": the muscles of the lower leg contracted - the blood passed through the valve, pressed on the flaps - it closed, the muscles contracted, pushed the blood out - and the valve opened and closed again.

Therefore, one of the components of the compensation system of our "straight walking"

Accordingly, if we do not walk much, we stimulate blood stagnation in the legs, and this is the main risk factor for blood clots.

Slowing of the blood flow in the veins of the legs leads to the "gluing" of the formed elements of the blood and their deposition on the valves of the veins.

This causes a local inflammatory reaction of the vein wall with damage to the inner membrane, which takes an active part in the blood coagulation system.

In turn, damage to the wall leads to the release of active substances that directly affect the balance of the coagulation system in the direction of increased blood coagulation.

Naturally, people who already have problems with the venous system of the legs, for example, signs of chronic venous disorders, varicose veins, signs of previous thrombosis, are at increased risk of developing various complications, in particular thrombosis.

Photo: Credits

Hypodynamia and stress are the two most important risk factors for the development of vascular diseases or their progression

In the last few months, cases of thrombotic complications among our soldiers have increased significantly.

The reason is a sudden change in motor activity and increased physical exertion.

Those servicemen who had signs of vein disease before the war are subjected to significantly greater loads on their legs, because all the ammunition - bulletproof vest, backpack, machine gun, unloading, ammunition, helmet - is an additional 30-40 kg of load.

A long stay in the trench, lack of normal conditions for rest and relaxation worsens the situation.

Any manifestations of vascular pathology, including varicose veins, not only reduce a soldier's fighting ability, but also pose a real threat to his life and health.

This is confirmed by the increase in the number of servicemen with a complication of varicose veins - superficial vein thrombosis (better known as thrombophlebitis),

which requires surgical treatment.

The problem of unavailability of specialized medical care is layered here, and accordingly - the impossibility of prescribing timely treatment.

Therefore, in case of violation of venous outflow, hypodynamia significantly increases the negative impact of venous stasis.

And it is only the first link in the chain of all risk factors for venous disease.

We are what we eat.

Why are there varicose veins?

Another factor in the formation of blood clots in the veins is a violation of the water balance in a situation of reduced activity.

This also leads to a state of stress, when a person simply forgets to drink - "head is busy with other things" and, again, a decrease in motor activity.

During stress, thirst is disguised as hunger - it seems that you want to eat, although in fact you need to drink.

Dehydration is an important risk factor for changes in the blood coagulation system.

The result is "blood thickening" and a significant increase in the risk of blood clots.

Dry meals, irregular and unbalanced diet, high-calorie and sweet food lead to constipation, which also increase the load on the venous system of the legs.

Instead, fiber improves bowel function.

This is important, because straining the legs during difficult bowel movements can worsen the condition of the damaged valves.

Stress and its role in venous diseases

Stress not only provokes improper and unregulated nutrition, but also affects the entire body.

Our psyche reacts to any stress in stages: a shock reaction, a stage of adrenaline euphoria, distress (exhaustion), and it all ends with a plateau stage.

The most dangerous for physical and mental health is the third stage.

How long it will last depends on many factors: age, the hereditary ability of the psyche to withstand psychotrauma, the acquired level of stress resistance, the state of somatic health, etc.

Under stressful situations, the work of the endocrine system changes significantly.

Being under chronic stress, a person usually suffers from an excess of the hormone cortisol.

We release cortisol either with tears (stress) or with sweat (physical exertion).

If the hormone is not removed from the body, accumulates, it begins to negatively affect our entire hormonal system.

"Combat" concentration of cortisol has a negative effect on carbohydrate metabolism.

To "calm down", a person begins to eat sweets, pastries, other high-calorie products.

Because they provide up to 70% of the energy needed for any activity, form a strategic energy reserve that the body can use in extreme life situations.

Sweet and fatty foods cause the release of "happy hormones" and can be addictive.

At the same time, the stress hormone cortisol directs the deposition of sweets consumed to improve mood to our body - this is how the so-called visceral fat is formed.

The circle of adverse effects of these risk factors is closed by the so-called endothelial dysfunction.

The main task of the endothelium - the inner lining of blood vessels - is the balanced release of biologically active substances that determine the overall functioning of the circulatory system, regulating the reaction between the vascular wall and blood, and ensuring the stability of the blood coagulation system.

In addition, it has antithrombogenic properties and participates in the regulation of vascular tone.

The main factors that change the activity of the endothelium include a change in the speed of blood flow and an imbalance of active substances that directly affect the vessels.

Therefore, damage to the endothelium is characterized by the development of a proinflammatory and prothrombotic state.

Venous stasis causes inflammation of the vein wall, which in turn leads to its structural changes and microdamages of the endothelium.

For its part, the negative impact of stress hormones stimulates the imbalance of substances, and again, affects the blood coagulation system.

Harmful habits and varicose veins

A fairly common way to get rid of stress for us is the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Someone calms down with tobacco and increases his daily dose.

These bad habits have a negative effect on the vascular system.

As a result of the effect on vascular tone, the redistribution of fluid in the vascular bed and tissues, which makes the blood thicker, the elasticity of the vascular wall decreases and blood pressure fluctuates, which increases the risk of blood clots. 

This is such a complex "closed circle" of risk factors for the development of health problems, in particular, from the side of the vascular system, that we have in the conditions of martial law.

What can be recommended in this situation?

• People with signs of vein disease should

  follow the compression therapy regimen

  and wear compression medical products.

  In general, regardless of the extent of vein damage, it is enough to provide compression of the lower legs, i.e. wear knee socks.

  In the case when there are dilated veins - the 2nd class of compression products is necessary, if for preventive purposes - the 1st class is enough.

• Active movement mode

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  It is necessary to avoid prolonged motionless positions, lie down, stand, sit less, and walk more, take short, 15-20 minute, walks at least twice a day.

• The best way to mitigate the harmful effects of short-term but strong negative emotions is

  to give them an outlet through motor activity

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  Physical activity calms down, helps to endure mental injuries.

  Activity not only relieves muscle tension, but also provides the body with pleasure hormones - endorphins, allows you to maintain an optimal body weight, and trains the heart.

  You can move, engage in fitness, regularly perform physical exercises.

  Human activity is already an effective medicine for stress.

  Not only physical, but also any purposeful activity, active search alleviate stress, prevent its transition into distress.

  And it is very important to maintain this balance between rest and excitement.

• Adequate drinking regimen

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  Depending on the complexion, a person should give the body enough water.

  This norm is considered to be 30-40 ml of water per 1 kg of human weight per day.

  At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the water that comes from liquid food, as well as the presence of a concomitant pathology that requires a decrease in this norm (kidney, heart pathology).

• Nutrition correction

  - a variety of food with sufficient calories, limiting the use of sweet, floury, fatty and salty food.

• Restrictions on alcohol consumption

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• It is necessary to quit or at least limit smoking

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• Struggle with stress

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  The harmful effects of stress increase if a person focuses more on what happened and what it threatens than on what can be done.

  In such cases, the main factor of stress is not so much the event or situation that provoked it, as the emotional state of the person associated with it.

Importantly:

1. Find relaxation techniques that help "turn off" the head and fill it with positive emotions. 

2. Use book therapy and film therapy.

Keep a positive attitude.

3. Learn to "put life on hold."

The right solution would be to limit the flow of information (television, Internet), distraction from the phone.

War is a situation of maximum tension of all vital functions of the body, with significant risks of developing health problems, in particular, disorders of the function of the venous system and thrombotic complications.

But everyone needs to make this situation under control, master themselves and win!

Volodymyr Gerasimov - phlebologist, vascular surgeon

Sources used for the article:

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