LONG AND PERMANENT STANDING OF THE TEACHERS IS ONE OF THE FACTORS FOR THE APPEARANCE OF VARICOSE VEINS ON THE LOWER LIMBS
Authors: Kamcheva Mihailova Gordana , Kamcheva – Panova Lidija 
Published: August 2019

Aim: Superficial vein insufficiency is a common disease, with a prevalence of 30-40% of the adult population in the western countries. Current data show that apart from the genetic predisposition and lifestyle, environmental factors, workplace conditions play a role in the development of varicose veins. Varicose veins are the most commonly visible sign of superficial venous insufficiency. Each vein may be varicose, but most commonly the superficial veins of the lower limbs in which the pressure is high when the person stands. Prolonged venous hypertension can lead to skin changes in the legs and the appearance of skin ulcers, pain, itching, heat, pulsation, muscle cramps. It can lead to damage to the lymphatic system with the appearance of edema (which worsens in the afternoon), with a heaviness and tension.Methods: In more municipality primary schools we conducted a survey of teachers. In the questionnaire are included: age, sex, professional experience, way of performing the teaching-sitting or standing, hours spent at the working place, wearing high heels at work, sitting with legs crossed, present symptoms of varicose veins, familial predisposition.Results and discussion: In total 100 teachers are surveyed, of which 80 (80%) were women and 20 (20%) were men. The teachers were divides according to professional experience: up to 5 years of professional experience 5 (5%) teachers, from 5-20 years of professional experience in total 40 (40%) teachers and over 20 years of professional experience 55 (55%) teachers. Their BMI was calculated, of which 40% had a high BMI which is a potential risk factor for varicose veins. Of the total number of teachers surveyed, 72 teachers performed the teaching by standing, of which all 5 respondents with up to 5 years of professional experience, 37 with 6-20 years, and 30 with an experience of more than 20 years. All surveyed teachers in the study spent more than 5 hours at the workplace. All women with 20 years of professional experience, wearing high heels and more often sitting with crossed legs, which are also risk factors. With increasing years of experience, teachers were more likely to have symptoms and signs of varicose veins. The familial predisposition had 24%. Of all teachers who had syringes of varicose veins, 69 patients visited a doctor, and 48 (69.56%) of them diagnosed varicose veins o the lower limbs.Conclusion: Self-reporting of varicose veins through a questionnaire is a relatively valid method. This study confirms that prolonged and long standing standing at workplace is a risk for the development of varicose veins in teachers as an occupational disease. This is due to the inherent predisposition on the one hand, on the other hand, many professions require long standing in place, and from the third party the female population who loves high heels and cross-legged seating. This paper highlights traditional and logical questions that can help speed up the identification of symptoms caused by varicose veins in order to contact a doctor as soon as possible and early to start early medical treatment in order to prevent progressive disease and reduce possible complications.