Varicose veins in the legs- this is not just a cosmetic problem that causes aesthetic problems for a person. The disease causes a number of complications, so it requires proper therapy.
Varicose veins are a polyetiological pathology. It occurs due to prolonged sitting, hard work, hormonal disorders, pregnancy, congenital hereditary disorders in the vascular wall. The leg veins lose their elastic properties, when they overflow with blood they stretch, the valve 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 return to the peripheral channel. Thus, blood flow through the veins is carried out towards the heart. When the valve stops working normally, blood flows back to the lower limbs and stagnates there.
With blood stasis, the venous wall expands, which further exacerbates 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 do they manifest? First, 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, have children, 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 some structural features of the vessels contribute to the development of the pathology. The connective tissues in the walls of the veins are weakened, congenital changes are observed in the valves, leading to poor closure. As varicose veins in the legs are often diagnosed in young people of both sexes who spend time actively, there are cases of the disease developing in children. Modern research argues that the etiology of the disease is most often linked to genetics.
- hormonal causes. On different days of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, some endocrine disorders in women, congestion in the lower extremities is noted. Special attention is needed for periods in life such as puberty, childbirth, time after the birth of a baby, menopause and menopause. Women are advised to examine 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 monthly cycle and throughout pregnancy. Estrogens produced in the first half of the cycle prevent varicose veins.
- sedentary work, low physical activity, activities that require prolonged standing. All these factors can also cause varicose veins in the legs.
- Was. The valve apparatus of the veins, like all organs, wears out over the years. Therefore, varicose veins in the legs are more often diagnosed in mature and elderly people.
- Obesity. The 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 been injured, suffer from liver and spleen pathology, and have heart defects. When diagnosing these 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 are not worried about anything, disproportionately large veins in the legs are detected during a medical examination.
- undercompensation. Patients complain of strange sensations in the legs ("running from ants", leg cramps at night, tired legs). At night, the swelling in the ankles is revealed, in the morning they disappear. During the examination, dilated veins due to varicose veins are clearly visible.
- Decompensation. This stage is characterized by all the characteristics of the previous ones. In addition, dermatitis, eczema, irritating skin itching come together. On examination, the doctor notes the dryness and shine of the skin of the legs, its cohesion with the fiber. Visible areas of hyperpigmentation often occur after small hemorrhages, due to the breakdown of hemosiderin.
Varicose veins on the legs progress for a long time, at first it is not considered a dangerous pathology. When decompensation develops, many complications can appear. They are the ones who should alert the patient, as they can end in disability and even death.
initial symptoms
Initial manifestations of varicose veins in the legs:
- Members get tired all the time
- Edema occurs in the middle or late in the day
- Legs often feel heavy
Over time, with varicose veins, spider veins form on the skin, the veins begin to appear, and then become dense. These symptoms are indicative of poor blood flow.
The main signs of progressive varicose veins in the legs
The manifestations of varicose veins differ in different stages. At first they are just spider veins or protruding veins. Then there are more severe and severe symptoms.
The main manifestations of varicose veins:
- Pain in the lower extremities, heat in the legs, especially in the course of the veins.
- Constant feeling of heaviness.
- Swelling that gets worse later in the day.
- Seizures, especially at night.
- A clear expansion of the veins becomes visible under the skin.
- Dark skin, compacted areas, trophic ulcers.
If even the initial signs of varicose veins are detected, treatment should be started immediately. The problem doesn't go away on its own, it just progresses.
To better imagine the signs of the initial stage, they can be seen in the photo.
Diagnosis of varicose veins in the legs
To correctly diagnose varicose veins on the legs, the doctor must take into account not only the examination data and the patient's complaints. He appoints a series of additional exams to confirm the presence of a problem and determine the stage. The most informative methods:
- Duplex vein scanning (ultrasound). The method allows you to determine how dilated the veins are, where blood moves through them, whether there are blood clots (blood clots) in their lumen.
- contrast venography. Using this technique, the degree of enlargement of the 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 changing skin color, redness (especially along the veins), turning blue, the appearance of areas of hyperpigmentation, pain, etc.
From the beginning, the ankles and 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 veins themselves. Seals are palpated on 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, several preventive measures should be taken:
- Shoes should always be comfortable, with little or no heels.
- If heavy loads are coming in, they will bandage their limbs or wear compression underwear, but only after consulting the doctor first.
- You can't stand or sit for long, 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 must 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 in the legs increases. The phenomenon is associated with the following reasons:
- The hormonal restructuring of the body during the period of pregnancy 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 in the lower half of the body.
- Varicose veins in the legs after childbirth either go away completely on their own or start 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 progress of the main manifestations of the pathology is observed.
Some people go to the doctor because of a cosmetic defect. Enlarged veins on the legs don't look very aesthetically pleasing and I want to eliminate that annoyance.
Here are effective modern methods of treating varicose veins of the lower extremities:
- sclerotherapy. The technique is used as a separate treatment method or in combination with a conservative one. Special substances that cause vascular sclerosis are injected into the venous lumen with a needle. The vein stops working and resolves. To achieve the result, 3-6 sessions are carried out, every 7 days. The treatment is completed without scarring and scarring.
- Treatment without surgery. With undercompensation of varicose veins in the legs, minor clinical symptoms, and absence of major discomfort, the use of compression underwear is recommended. Socks, leggings or tights are worn daily. Underwear compresses dilated veins, narrows their lumen, improves valve function and blood flow, 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 the pathology, but do not completely cure it, do not restore vascular function.
- laser treatment. The use of laser therapy is recommended for varicose veins of the superficial veins of the legs. When a laser is applied to a vein, sclerotic processes begin to develop in it. It then resolves in the same way as with the introduction of medications or surgical removal.
You can prevent varicose veins and their development with the help of sports. Brisk or moderate walking, special gymnastics, swimming and water exercises help well. Jumping, tennis, weight lifting are contraindicated in such a situation.
what are venotonics
Medications such as venotonics increase the tone of the smooth muscles of the venous wall. From this, 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 venotonics. These substances are considered one of the most effective, as they increase the tone of the walls of blood vessels.
- French company medicine. The main active ingredient is a bioflavonoid (600 mg). The higher the dose of the drug, the more effectively it works. The tool reduces the elongation and permeability of the vascular wall (including the capillary) and also increases blood output.
- The drug, which includes escin, the ingredient is obtained from chestnuts. The form of drug delivery is drops and tablets for oral administration. The remedy is used not only for the treatment of varicose veins in the legs. Relieves swelling and pain after injuries, sprains, it is also used for various other ailments.
Most venotonics have a complex effect. They affect the entire vascular system, their condition improves significantly after treatment.