Obesity puts pressure on the veins, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart, causing swelling and numbness in the legs, which can progress to ulcers and necrosis if not treated promptly.
A person is considered obese when the body mass index (BMI) is greater than or equal to 25. On November 14, Doctor II Nguyen Thu Trang, Department of Cardiology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said: Above, explain the mechanism when the pressure in the veins increases, the venous valves are damaged, the blood flows back down causing stagnation, gradually the veins become larger and more tortuous. This condition causes leg swelling, cramps, numbness, and in advanced stages can cause ulcers, necrosis, thrombosis…
For example, Mr. Thai, 33 years old, came to Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi for examination with pain in his legs as if he was being pricked by needles and veins clearly visible on his skin. Two years ago he weighed 102 kg, now he weighs 93 kg thanks to jogging to lose weight. About a year ago, his legs ached more and more, he couldn’t rest, and it greatly affected his daily life.
Doctor Trang said Thai has stage three lower limb varicose veins, and obesity is a risk factor for this condition. His varicose veins were not caused by jogging but had developed silently since before with no obvious initial symptoms. The habit of high-frequency jogging, 2-3 hours a day, unintentionally puts pressure on the venous system, promoting severe progression of varicose veins.
The doctor prescribed internal medicine and compression stockings, combined with appropriate nutrition and exercise for Mr. Thai. He maintains jogging for about 30 minutes every day or a combination of running and brisk walking. The doctor encouraged him to swim, cycle, dance, pilates…. After a month, the symptoms of varicose veins decreased.
Doctor Trang intervenes to treat varicose veins for patients. Image: Tam Anh General Hospital
Another case is Mr. Tam, 37 years old, 1.8 m tall and weighs 103 kg, BMI is 31.79, has had varicose veins for many years but has not detected it, and is now at stage 6, which is the level of varicose veins. heaviest. He had a large ulcer on his hind leg but treatment did not heal, showing signs of necrosis.
According to Dr. Trang, obesity is one of the causes of Mr. Tam’s varicose veins. Combined with pre-diabetes, the ulcers are difficult to treat. He needs endovascular laser intervention to treat varicose veins and skin grafting on ulcers. After a month, the veins are completely closed, symptoms of the disease are reduced by more than 90%. Mr. Tam’s ulcer was successfully treated with a skin graft and is no longer painful.
Dr. Le Ba Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Center for Weight Control and Obesity Treatment, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said medical treatments and interventions to treat varicose veins and complications effective evidence. However, patients need to control obesity and maintain BMI within 18.5-22.9, because this is a risk factor and causes the disease to progress more seriously. Overweight people are also at high risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer.
Mr. Thai and Mr. Tam, after treatment at the Department of Cardiology and Orthopedics, continued to be treated for obesity. Patients receive a personalized regimen combining internal medicine, nutrition, exercise, and the use of high technology.