Varicose veins in the legs- this is not only a cosmetic problem that gives a person aesthetic trouble. 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 disorders, pregnancy, congenital hereditary disorders in the vascular walls. Veins in the legs 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 passage of blood and does not allow it to flow back into the peripheral canal. Thus, the circulation of blood 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 aggravates the problem. The parts of the valve move away from each other, varicose veins in the legs enter the second stage.
Etiology of varicose veins
What causes varicose veins and how is it manifested? 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, 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 features of the vessels contribute to the development of the pathology. The connective tissue in the walls of the veins is weakened, congenital changes in the valves are observed, leading to their poor closure. Because varicose veins in the legs are often diagnosed in young people of both sexes, who spend time actively, there are cases of developing the disease in children. Modern research argues that the etiology of the disease is more often related to genetics.
- Hormonal causes. On different days of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, some endocrine disorders are observed in women, congestion in the lower extremities. Special attention is required to such periods of life as puberty, childbirth, the time after the birth of the baby, menopause and menopause. Women are advised to examine the 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 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 in the legs are diagnosed more often in mature and elderly people.
- Obesity. Extra pounds significantly increase the pressure in the legs, which causes blockage and weakening of the veins.
The secondary form of varicose veins appears in people who have suffered injuries, who suffer from liver and spleen pathology 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 in the legs of each other, three stages are replaced in turn:
- Compensation. Patients do not worry about anything, disproportionately large veins on the legs are discovered during a medical examination.
- undercompensation. Patients complain of strange sensations in the legs ("running of ants", leg cramps at night, tired legs). In the evening, swelling in the ankles is revealed, in the morning they disappear. During the examination, enlarged veins 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. During the examination, the doctor notices the dryness and shine of the skin on the legs, its cohesion with the fibers. Often visible areas of hyperpigmentation, they occur after small hemorrhages, due to the decomposition of hemosiderin.
Varicose veins in the legs progress for a long time, at first it is not considered a dangerous pathology. When decompensation develops, many complications can occur. They are the ones who should warn 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 appears 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, the veins begin to appear, then they become dense. These symptoms are indicative of poor blood flow.
The main signs of progressive varicose veins in the legs
Manifestations of varicose veins vary in different stages. At first, it's just spider veins or varicose veins. Then there are more serious and severe symptoms.
The main manifestations of varicose veins:
- Pain in the lower extremities, heat in the legs, mainly in the course of the veins.
- Constant feeling of heaviness.
- Swelling that gets worse at the end of the day.
- Convulsions, especially at night.
- A clear expansion of the veins, they become visible under the skin.
- Dark skin color, compressed areas, trophic ulcers.
If the initial signs of varicose veins are detected, treatment should be started immediately. The problem does not go away 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 in the legs
To correctly diagnose varicose veins in the legs, the doctor must take into account not only the examination data and the patient's complaints. He assigns a series of additional examinations to confirm the presence of a problem and determine the stage. The most informative methods:
- Duplex vein scan (ultrasound). The method allows you to determine how dilated the veins are, where the blood moves through them, if there is a blood clot (blood clot) 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.
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 the deep vessels.
How the disease progresses and what are the complications
Varicose veins, in most situations, are complicated by thrombosis and thromboembolism, vein inflammation and trophic disorders. Complications are diagnosed with a change in skin color, redness (especially along the veins), bluing, the appearance of areas with hyperpigmentation, pain, etc.
From the beginning, the ankles and lower legs begin to swell, this symptom is more pronounced after a long stay in a vertical position. Pain during movement appears in the calves, along the course of the veins themselves. Seals are palpated in different 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 in 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 limb or wear compression underwear, but only after consulting a doctor first.
- 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 good 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 legs in pregnant women
During the period of childbirth in women, the possibility of varicose veins in the legs increases. 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.
- In the second half of pregnancy, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which makes it difficult for blood to flow 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 in the legs
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs begins only when the progression of the main manifestations of the pathology is observed.
Some people go to doctors because of a cosmetic defect. Enlarged veins on the legs do not look very aesthetically pleasing and I want to eliminate this concern.
Here are modern effective methods for treating varicose veins of the lower extremities:
- Sclerotherapy. The technique is used as a separate treatment method, or in combination with a preservative. 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 performed, every 7 days. The treatment ends without scars and cycle formation.
- Treatment without surgery. With undercompensation of varicose veins in the legs, minor clinical symptoms and lack of great discomfort, the use of compression underwear is recommended. Socks, leggings or tights are worn every day. Internal 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 fight the signs of varicose veins. Medicines 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 advised 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. Then it is resolved 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. Brisk or moderate walking, special gymnastics, swimming and water exercises help well. Dancing, 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. Due to this, the elasticity of the 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 containing 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 effective it works. The tool reduces the extent and permeability of the vascular wall (including the capillary), and also increases blood flow.
- 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 drug 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.