Varicose veins on the legs- it is not just a cosmetic problem that gives a person aesthetic problems. The disease entails a number of complications, and therefore requires adequate treatment.
Varicose veins are a polyetiological pathology. This happens due to prolonged sitting, hard work, hormonal disturbances, pregnancy, congenital hereditary disorders of the vascular wall. The veins of the legs lose their elastic properties, when they overflow with blood, they stretch, the valvular apparatus begins to malfunction.
The valve is an important structural unit of the vein. Normally, it closes after blood has passed and does not allow it to flow back into the peripheral channel. Thus, the blood flow in the veins is carried out towards the heart. When the valve ceases to function normally, the blood flows back to the lower limbs and stagnates there.
With blood stasis, the vein wall expands, which further aggravates the problem. Parts of the valve move away from each other, varicose veins on the legs enter the second stage.
Etiology of varicose veins
What causes varicose veins and how does it manifest? First of all, the pathology is associated with genetic disorders and the sex of the patient. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with varicose veins, because they constantly undergo hormonal changes, they bear children, they walk in high heels.
Here is a brief description of the main causes of varicose veins:
- genetic predisposition. Varicose veins are not directly inherited, but certain structural features of the vessels contribute to the development of pathology. The connective tissues of the walls of the veins are weakened, congenital changes in the valves are noted, leading to their poor closure. Since varicose veins in the legs are often diagnosed in young people of both sexes who actively spend time, there are cases of the development of the disease in children. Modern research supports that the etiology of the disease is most often associated with genetics.
- Hormonal causes. On different days of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, certain endocrine disorders in women, congestion of the lower extremities are noted. Particular attention is required for periods of life such as puberty, motherhood, time after the birth of a baby, menopause and menopause. Women are advised to examine their leg veins 2-3 times more often than men. Scientists believe that congestion and varicose veins in the legs are associated with progesterone activity. This hormone is produced at the end of the menstrual cycle and throughout pregnancy. Estrogens produced in the first half of the cycle prevent varicose veins.
- Sedentary work, low physical activity, activities requiring prolonged standing. All of these factors can also cause varicose veins in the legs.
- Age. The valvular apparatus of the veins, like all organs, wears out over the years. Therefore, varicose veins on the legs are more often diagnosed in mature and elderly people.
- Obesity. Extra pounds significantly increase the pressure on the legs, which causes congestion and weakening of the veins.
The secondary form of varicose veins occurs in people who have suffered injuries, suffering from pathology of the liver and spleen and having heart defects. When diagnosing such problems, they first treat the underlying pathology, and then move on to varicose veins.
Stages of varicose veins
With varicose veins on each other's legs, three stages are successively replaced:
- Compensation. Patients do not worry about anything, disproportionate veins on the legs are detected during a medical examination.
- undercompensation. Patients complain of strange sensations in the legs ("ant running", leg cramps at night, tired legs). In the evening, swelling of the ankles is revealed, in the morning they disappear. On examination, enlarged veins due to varicose veins are clearly visible.
- Decompensation. This stage is characterized by all the features of the previous ones. Also, dermatitis, eczema, annoying itching of the skin join. On examination, the doctor notes the dryness and shine of the skin of the legs, its cohesion with the fiber. Areas of hyperpigmentation often visible, they occur after small hemorrhages, due to the decomposition of hemosiderin.
Varicose veins on the legs progress for a long time, at first they are not considered a dangerous pathology. When decompensation develops, many complications can appear. It is they who should alert the patient, because they can lead to disability and even death.
Initial symptoms
Initial manifestations of varicose veins in the legs:
- Limbs get tired all the time
- Edema occurs in the middle or at the end of the day
- The legs are often heavy
Over time, with varicose veins, spider veins form on the skin, veins begin to appear, and then they become dense. These symptoms are indicative of poor blood circulation.
The main signs of progressive varicose veins on the legs
The manifestations of varicose veins differ in different stages. At first, these are just varicosities or protruding veins. Then there are more serious and serious symptoms.
The main manifestations of varicose veins:
- Pain in the lower limbs, heat in the legs, mainly in the course of the veins.
- Constant feeling of heaviness.
- Swelling that gets worse towards the end of the day.
- Convulsions, especially at night.
- A sharp expansion of the veins, they become visible under the skin.
- Dark skin color, compacted areas, trophic ulcers.
If even the first signs of varicose veins are detected, treatment should be started immediately. The problem does not go away on its own, it only progresses.
To better imagine the signs of the initial stage, they can be seen in the photo.
Diagnosis of varicose veins on the legs
In order to correctly diagnose varicose veins on the legs, the doctor must take into account not only examination data and complaints of the patient. He appoints a series of additional examinations to confirm the presence of a problem and determine the stage. The most informative methods:
- Duplex venous ultrasound (ultrasound). The method allows you to determine how much the veins are dilated, where blood passes through them, whether there are blood clots (blood clots) in their lumen.
- Contrast phlebography. Using this technique, the degree of increased venous lumen, the characteristics of the passage of blood through the vessels are determined.
The diagnosis of varicose veins in the legs is the responsibility of a phlebologist. Only an experienced and highly qualified specialist is able to identify pathology in deep vessels.
How the disease progresses and what are the complications
Varicose veins, in most situations, are complicated by thrombosis and thromboembolism, inflammation of the veins and trophic disorders. Complications are diagnosed by changes in skin color, redness (especially along the veins), blueness, appearance of areas of hyperpigmentation, pain, etc.
From the very beginning, the ankles and lower legs begin to swell, this symptom is more pronounced after a long stay in an upright position. Pain during movement appears in the calves, along the path of the veins themselves. Seals are palpated in various parts of the leg under the skin; in severe cases, trophic ulcers are detected.
How to prevent varicose veins
With a hereditary tendency or initial manifestations of varicose veins on the legs, a number of preventive measures should be taken:
- Shoes should always be comfortable, with little or no heels.
- If strong loads come, they put a bandage on the limbs or put on compression underwear, but only after first consulting the doctor.
- You cannot stand or sit for a long time, you need to change your posture and move more often.
- Hot baths are contraindicated, especially in the morning. It is better to swim under a contrast shower.
- Smoking has a great negative effect on blood vessels, this bad habit should be abandoned.
The main preventive measures are reasonable physical activity. It is recommended to spend a few minutes in the morning exercising, cycling, swimming, walking more.
Prevention of varicose veins in the legs in pregnant women
During the period of pregnancy in women, the possibility of varicose veins on the legs increases. The phenomenon is associated with the following reasons:
- Hormonal restructuring of the body during the period of bearing a child causes varicose veins and stagnation, blood flows poorly from the legs.
- In the second half of pregnancy, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which makes it difficult for blood to drain from the veins of the lower half of the body.
- Varicose veins in the legs after childbirth completely disappear on their own or begin to progress. This is due to individual and hereditary factors.
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs begins only when the progression of the main manifestations of the pathology is noted.
Some people go to the doctor because of a cosmetic defect. Dilated veins on the legs do not look very aesthetic and I want to eliminate this nuisance.
Here are effective modern methods of treating varicose veins of the lower extremities:
- Sclerotherapy. The technique is used as a separate method of treatment or in combination with a conservative method. Special substances that cause vascular sclerosis are injected into the vein lumen with a needle. The vein stops working and shrinks. To obtain the result, 3 to 6 sessions are carried out, every 7 days. The treatment is completed without a scar or scar formation.
- Treatment without surgery. With undercompensation of varicose veins on the legs, minor clinical symptoms and the absence of great discomfort, it is recommended to use compression underwear. Stockings, leggings or tights are worn daily. Underwear compresses dilated veins, narrows their lumen, improves valve function and blood circulation, and relieves the main symptoms of varicose veins.
- Medicines for the treatment of varicose veins. Drug therapy can combat the signs of varicose veins. Medications reduce pain, relieve swelling, slow the progression of pathology, but they do not completely cure it, restore vascular function.
- Laser treatment. The use of laser therapy is advised for varicose veins of the superficial leg veins. When a laser is applied to a vein, sclerotic processes begin to grow there. Then it resolves in the same way as with the introduction of drugs or surgical removal.
You can prevent varicose veins and their further development with the help of sports. Fast or moderate walking, special gymnastics, swimming and water exercises help well. Jumping, tennis, weightlifting are contraindicated in such a situation.
What are veinotonics
Medications such as venotonics increase the tone of smooth muscle in the vein wall. From it, the elasticity of blood vessels is preserved and improved, the outflow of blood from the lower extremities is established. The most popular tools in this group:
- A drug that contains flavonoids that act as veinotonics. These substances are considered one of the most effective, as they well increase the tone of the walls of blood vessels.
- Medicine of French society. The main active ingredient is a bioflavonoid (600 mg). The higher the dose of the drug, the more effective it is. The tool reduces stretching and permeability of the vascular wall (including the capillary), and also improves blood outflow.
- The drug, which includes escin, the ingredient is obtained from chestnuts. The release form of the drug consists of drops and tablets for oral administration. The remedy is used not only for the treatment of varicose veins in the legs. It relieves swelling and pain after injuries, sprains, it is also used for a number of other diseases.
Most veinotonics have a complex effect. They affect the entire vascular system, its condition improves significantly after treatment.