Varicose veins on the legs- this is not just a cosmetic problem that creates aesthetic problems for a person. The disease causes a number of complications, which is why it requires adequate therapy.
Varicose veins are polyetiological pathology. It occurs due to prolonged sitting, heavy work, hormonal disturbances, pregnancy, congenital hereditary disorders of the vascular wall. Leg veins lose their elastic properties when they are filled 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 blood has passed and does not allow it to return back into the peripheral canal. Thus, the blood through the veins is directed to the heart. When the valve stops functioning normally, blood flows back to the lower extremities and stagnates there.
When the blood stagnates, the venous wall expands, further exacerbating the problem. Parts of the flap move away from each other, varicose veins of 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 related to genetic disorders and the gender of the patient. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with varicose veins, as they are constantly undergoing 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 directly inherited, but some structural characteristics of the vessels contribute to the development of the pathology. The connective tissues in the walls of the veins are weakened, there are congenital changes in the valves, leading to their poor closing. Since varicose veins of the legs are often diagnosed in young people of both sexes who spend active time, there are cases of the development of the disease in children. Modern research claims that the etiology of the disease is most often related to genetics.
- Hormonal causes. On different days of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, some endocrine disorders in women, congestion in the lower limbs is noted. Particular attention is required to such periods of life as puberty, childbirth, the 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 related to the activity of progesterone. This hormone is produced at the end of the monthly cycle and throughout pregnancy. Estrogens produced during 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. That is why varicose veins of the legs are diagnosed more often in mature and elderly people.
- obesity. Excess weight significantly increases 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, suffer from pathology of the liver and spleen and 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 of the legs, three stages are successively replaced by each other:
- Compensation. Patients are not worried about anything, during a medical examination disproportionately large veins on the legs are discovered.
- subcompensation. Patients complain of strange sensations in the legs ("running of ants", leg cramps at night, tired legs). In the evening, swellings are found on the ankles, in the morning they disappear. During the examination, the 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, annoying itching of the skin are added. During the examination, the doctor notes the dryness and shine of the skin of the legs, its cohesion with fibers. Often visible areas of hyperpigmentation, they appear after small hemorrhages, due to the breakdown of hemosiderin.
Varicose veins of the legs progress for a long time, at first they are not considered a dangerous pathology. When decompensation develops, many complications can occur. It is they who must warn the patient, as they can end in disability and even death.
Initial symptoms
Initial manifestations of varicose veins of the legs:
- Limbs get tired all the time
- Swelling occurs in the middle or at the end of the day
- Legs often feel heavy
Over time, varicose veins form spider veins on the skin, veins begin to appear, then become solid. These symptoms are indicative of poor blood flow.
The main signs of progressive varicose veins on the legs
Manifestations of varicose veins differ in different stages. At first, these are just spider webs or bulging veins. Then there are more serious and severe symptoms.
The main manifestations of varicose veins:
- Soreness in the lower limbs, heat in the legs, chiefly along 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, thickened areas, trophic ulcers.
If even the first signs of varicose veins are detected, treatment should begin immediately. The problem does not disappear by itself, 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
To correctly diagnose varicose veins of the legs, the doctor must take into account not only the examination data and the patient's complaints. He appoints a number of additional examinations to confirm the presence of a problem and determine the stage. Most informative methods:
- Duplex scan of veins (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. With the help of this technique, the degree of increase in 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 can identify the pathology in the 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 a change in skin color, redness (especially along the veins), bruising, 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. The pain when moving occurs in the calves, along the course of the veins themselves. Seals are palpated under the skin in various parts of the leg, and in severe cases, trophic ulcers are found.
How to protect yourself from 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 heel.
- If heavy loads come, they put a bandage on the limbs or wear compression underwear, but only after consulting a 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 best to swim under a contrast shower.
- Smoking has a great negative impact 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 for exercise, cycling, swimming, walking more.
Prevention of varicose veins of the legs in pregnant women
During the childbearing period, women are more likely to develop varicose veins on their legs. The phenomenon is associated with the following reasons:
- Hormonal restructuring of the body during the period of childbirth provokes varicose veins and stagnation, blood flows poorly from the legs.
- During 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 either completely disappear on their own or begin to progress. This is due to individual and hereditary factors.
Treatment of varicose veins of the legs
Treatment of varicose veins of the legs begins only when the progress of the main manifestations of the pathology is noticed.
Some people go to the doctor because of a cosmetic defect. Varicose 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 one. Special substances that cause vascular sclerosis are injected into the venous lumen with a needle. The vein ceases to function and dissolves. To achieve a result, 3-6 sessions are held every 7 days. The treatment ends without the formation of scars and scars.
- Treatment without surgery. In case of undercompensation of varicose veins of the legs, minor clinical symptoms and lack of severe discomfort, the use of compression underwear is recommended. Socks, leggings or pantyhose are worn daily. Underwear compresses varicose veins, narrows their lumen, improves valve function and blood flow, relieves the main symptoms of varicose veins.
- Medicines for the treatment of varicose veins. Drug therapy can combat the signs of varicose veins. Medicines 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 in it. It is then decided in the same way as for the introduction of drugs or surgical removal.
You can prevent varicose veins and their further development with the help of sports. Brisk or moderate walking, special gymnastics, swimming and water exercises help well. Jumps, tennis, weight lifting are contraindicated in such a situation.
What are venotonics?
Medicines such as venotonics increase the tone of the smooth muscles of the venous wall. This preserves and improves the elasticity of the blood vessels, establishes the outflow of blood from the lower limbs. 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 bioflavonoid (600 mg). The higher the dose of the drug, the more effective it is. The tool reduces the stretching 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 drug is used not only to treat varicose veins of 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.