Varicose veins on the legs- this is not just a cosmetic problem that gives a person aesthetic troubles. The disease causes a number of complications, therefore 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 overflowing with blood they stretch, the valve apparatus begins to work poorly.
The valve is an important structural unit of the vein. Normally, it closes after the passage of blood and does not allow it to flow back into the peripheral channel. Thus, the blood flow through 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 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 causes varicose veins and how does it manifest itself? First of all, the pathology is associated with genetic disorders and the gender 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 short 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 pathology. The connective tissues in the walls of the veins are weakened, congenital changes in the valves are noted, leading to their poor closure. Because varicose veins in the legs are often diagnosed in young people of both sexes who are actively spending time, there are cases of the development of the disease in children. Modern research argues that the etiology of the disease is most often associated with genetics.
- Hormonal causes. On different days of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, some endocrine disorders in women, congestion in the lower extremities is noted. Particular attention is required to such life periods as puberty, bearing children, the time after the birth of a baby, menopause and menopause. Women are advised to examine the veins in their legs 2-3 times more often than men. Scientists believe that congestion and varicose veins in the legs are associated with the activity of progesterone. 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 provoke varicose veins in the legs.
- Age. The valve 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 the legs of each other, three stages are successively replaced:
- Compensation. Patients are not worried about anything, disproportionately large veins on the legs are detected during a medical examination.
- subcompensation. Patients complain of strange sensations in the legs ("running of ants", leg cramps at night, tired legs). In the evening, swelling on the ankles is revealed, in the morning they disappear. During the examination, the veins enlarged due to varicose veins are clearly visible.
- Decompensation. This stage is characterized by all the features of the previous ones. In addition, dermatitis, eczema, annoying itching of the skin join. On examination, the doctor notes the dryness and luster of the skin on the legs, its cohesion with fiber. Often visible areas of hyperpigmentation, they occur after small hemorrhages, 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 decompensation 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:
- 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, spider veins form on the skin, veins begin to appear, then they become dense. These symptoms indicate a poor outflow of blood.
The main signs of progressive varicose veins on the legs
Manifestations of varicose veins differ in different stages. At first, it's just spider veins or protruding veins. Then there are more serious and severe symptoms.
The main manifestations of varicose veins:
- Soreness in the lower extremities, 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 even the initial signs of varicose veins are detected, treatment should be started immediately. The problem does not go away on its own, 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 the examination data and the patient's complaints. He appoints a series of additional examinations 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 the 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 features of the passage of blood through the vessels are determined.
Diagnosis of varicose veins in the legs is the responsibility of a phlebologist. Only a specialist with experience and high qualification 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 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. 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 must be taken:
- Shoes should always be comfortable, with little or no heels.
- If strong loads are coming, they put a bandage on the limbs or put on compression underwear, but only after consulting with the doctor first.
- You can not 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 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 bearing children 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 provokes varicose veins and stagnation, blood flows poorly from the legs.
- In the second half of pregnancy, intra-abdominal pressure rises, which makes it difficult for blood to drain from the veins of the lower half of the body.
- Varicose veins in the legs after delivery either 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 progress of the main manifestations of the pathology is noted.
Some people go to the doctors because of a cosmetic defect. Dilated veins on the legs do not look very aesthetically pleasing 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 one. Special substances that cause vascular sclerosis are injected into the venous lumen with a needle. The vein ceases to function and resolves. To achieve the result, 3-6 sessions are carried out, every 7 days. The treatment is completed without scarring and scar formation.
- Treatment without surgery. With subcompensation 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 outflow, and relieves the main symptoms of varicose veins.
- Medicines for the treatment of varicose veins. Drug therapy can fight the signs of varicose veins. Drugs reduce pain, relieve swelling, slow down the progression of the pathology, but they do not cure it completely, do not restore vascular function.
- Laser treatment. The use of laser therapy is advised for varicose veins of the superficial veins on the legs. When a laser is applied to a vein, sclerotic processes begin to develop in it. Then it resolves in the same way as with 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, weightlifting are contraindicated in such a situation.
What are venotonics
Medicines 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 from this group:
- A drug that contains flavonoids that act as venotonics. These substances are considered one of the most effective, as they well increase the tone of the walls of blood vessels.
- Medicine of the French company. 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 stretching and permeability of the vascular wall (including the capillary), and also enhances the outflow of blood.
- The drug, which includes escin, 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. It 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, its condition improves significantly after treatment.