Varicose veins on the legs- this is not just an aesthetic problem that gives a person aesthetic problems. The disease causes a number of complications, so it requires adequate therapy.
Varicose veins are a polyetiological pathology. It occurs due to prolonged sitting, hard work, hormonal disruptions, pregnancy, congenital hereditary disorders in the vascular wall. The veins on the legs 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. It normally closes after the passage of blood and does not allow it to flow back into the peripheral canal. Therefore, the blood flow through the veins is carried out to the heart. When the valve stops functioning normally, the blood flows back to the lower limbs and stagnates there.
With blood stasis, the venous 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 are the causes of varicose veins and how does it manifest itself? First, the pathology is associated with genetic disorders and the patient's sex. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with varicose veins, because they constantly undergo hormonal changes, give birth to children, walk in high heels.
Here is a brief description of the main causes of varicose veins:
- genetic predisposition. Varicose veins are not inherited directly, but some structural features of the vessels contribute to the development of the pathology. Connective tissues in the walls of the veins are weakened, congenital changes in the valves are noted, which leads 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 argues that the etiology of the disease is often associated with genetics.
- Hormonal causes. On several days of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, some endocrine disorders are noted in women, congestion in the lower limbs is noted. Particular attention is required to periods of life such as puberty, childbirth, the period after the birth of a child, menopause and menopause. Women are advised to examine the veins in the legs 2-3 times more often than men. Scientists believe congestion and varicose veins in the legs are associated with progesterone activity. This hormone is produced at the end of the monthly cycle and during pregnancy. Estrogen produced in the first half of the cycle prevents varicose veins.
- Sedentary work, poor physical activity, activities that require prolonged standing. All of these factors can also cause varicose veins in the legs.
- Age. The valve system of the veins, like all organs, wears out over the years. Therefore, varicose veins on the legs are most often diagnosed in mature and elderly people.
- Obesity. The extra pounds significantly increase the pressure on the legs, causing congestion and weakening of the veins.
The secondary form of varicose veins occurs in people who have been injured, who suffer from liver and spleen pathologies, and who have 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 are not worried at all, disproportionately large veins on the legs are detected during a medical examination.
- undercompensation. Patients complain of strange sensations in the legs ("ant rush", leg cramps at night, tired legs). In the evening, swelling in the ankles is discovered, in the morning they disappear. During the examination, the enlarged veins due to varicose veins are clearly visible.
- Decompensation. This phase is characterized by all the characteristics of the previous ones. In addition, 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. Often visible areas of hyperpigmentation, occur after small bleeding, due to the decomposition of hemosiderin.
Varicose veins on the legs progress for a long time, at first it is not considered a dangerous pathology. When heart failure develops, many complications can appear. It is they who should alert the patient, as they can end in disability and even death.
Initial symptoms
Initial manifestations of varicose veins in the legs:
- The limbs get tired all the time
- Edema occurs in the middle or at the end of the day
- Legs often feel heavy
Over time, with varicose veins, varicose veins form on the skin, veins begin to appear, then they become dense. These symptoms are indicative of poor blood flow.
The main signs of progressive varicose veins on the legs
Manifestations of varicose veins differ in several stages. At first, it's just varicose veins or bulging veins. Then there are more severe and severe 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 clear expansion of the veins, they become visible under the skin.
- Dark skin color, compacted areas, trophic ulcers.
If the first signs of varicose veins are also 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 on the legs
To correctly diagnose varicose veins on the legs, the doctor must take into account not only the data of the examination and the patient's complaints. Name a series of additional tests to confirm that there is a problem and determine the stage. The most informative methods:
- Duplex venous scan (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 increase in the venous lumen, the characteristics of the passage of blood through the vessels are determined.
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 cases, are complicated by thrombosis and thromboembolism, inflammation of the veins and trophic disorders. Complications are diagnosed by changing the color of the skin, redness (especially along the veins), turning blue, the 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 course of the veins themselves. The 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, it is necessary to take a number of preventive measures:
- Shoes should always be comfortable, with little or no heels.
- If heavy loads arrive, they put a bandage on the limbs or wear compression underwear, but only after consulting your doctor first.
- You can't 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 best to swim in 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 take a few minutes in the morning to train, cycle, swim, walk 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 pregnancy causes varicose veins and stagnation, blood flows badly from the legs.
- In the second half of pregnancy, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which makes it difficult for blood to flow out of 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 course of the main manifestations of the pathology is noted.
Some people go to doctors because of a cosmetic defect. The dilated veins on the legs do not look very aesthetically pleasing and I want to eliminate this discomfort.
Here are the effective modern methods for the treatment of 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 functioning and resolves itself. To achieve the result, 3-6 sessions are performed, every 7 days. The treatment is completed without scarring and 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. Socks, leggings or tights are worn on a daily basis. Underwear compresses dilated veins, narrows their lumen, improves valve function and blood outflow, and relieves the main symptoms of varicose veins.
- Medicines for the treatment of varicose veins. Drug therapy can combat the signs of varicose veins. Drugs reduce pain, relieve swelling, slow down 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. Then it resolves in the same way as the introduction of drugs or surgical removal.
You can prevent varicose veins and its further development with the help of sports. Fast or moderate walking, special gymnastics, swimming and water exercises help well. Jumping, tennis, weight lifting are contraindicated in such a situation.
What are venotonics
Drugs such as venotonic increase the tone of the smooth muscle of the venous wall. From this, the elasticity of blood vessels is preserved and improved, the outflow of blood from the lower limbs is established. The most popular tools of this group:
- A drug that contains flavonoids that act as a venotonic. These substances are considered one of the most effective, as they increase the tone of the blood vessel walls.
- French company medicine. The main active ingredient is a bioflavonoid (600 mg). The higher the dose of the drug, the more effective it works. The tool reduces the elongation and permeability of the vascular wall (including the capillary), and also improves the outflow of blood.
- The drug, which includes aescin, the ingredient is obtained from chestnuts. The release form of the drug 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 a number of other diseases.
Most venotonics have a complex effect. They affect the entire vascular system, his condition improves significantly after treatment.