Varicose veins on the legs- this is not just a cosmetic problem that gives a person aesthetic problems. The disease causes numerous complications, therefore it requires adequate therapy.
Varicose veins are a polyetiological pathology. It is caused by prolonged sitting, hard work, hormonal disorders, pregnancy, congenital hereditary disorders of the vascular wall. The veins on the legs lose their elastic properties, when they are filled with blood and 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 return to the peripheral canal. Thus, the flow of blood through the veins takes place towards the heart. When the valve stops functioning normally, the blood returns to the lower limbs and stagnates there.
With blood stagnation, the vein wall expands, which further aggravates the problem. The parts of the valves move away from each other, the varicose veins in 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 often diagnosed with varicose veins, because they constantly go through hormonal changes, give birth to children, and 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 blood 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, which leads to their poor closure. Since varicose veins on the legs are often diagnosed in young people of both sexes who spend their time actively, there are cases of the disease developing in children. Modern research claims 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 are observed in women, congestion in the lower extremities. Special attention should be paid to life periods such 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 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.
- Sitting work, low physical activity, activities that require prolonged standing. All these factors can also cause varicose veins on the legs.
- Age. The valve apparatus of 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. Excess weight significantly increases the pressure on the legs, which causes clogging and weakening of the veins.
The secondary form of varicose veins occurs in people who have suffered injuries, 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 dilated veins on each other's legs, the three phases are successively replaced:
- Compensation. Patients have nothing to worry about, during a medical examination disproportionately large veins on their legs are discovered.
- subcompensation. Patients complain of strange sensations in the legs ("running of ants", leg cramps at night, tired legs). In the evening, ankle swellings are revealed, in the morning they disappear. During the examination, clearly visible veins are enlarged due to varicose veins.
- Decompensation. This phase is characterized by all the characteristics of the previous ones. In addition, they are joined by dermatitis, eczema, unpleasant skin itching. During the examination, the doctor notes the dryness and shine of the skin on the legs, its cohesion with the fibers. Often visible areas of hyperpigmentation occur after small hemorrhages, due to the breakdown of hemosiderin.
Varicose veins on the legs progress for a long time, initially they are not considered a dangerous pathology. When decompensation develops, many complications can occur. They should warn the patient, because they can end up with disability and even death.
Initial symptoms
Initial manifestations of varicose veins on the legs:
- Limbs get tired all the time
- Edema occurs in the middle or at the end of the day
- Legs are often heavy
Over time, with varicose veins, spider veins form on the skin, veins begin to appear, then they become thick. These symptoms indicate poor blood flow.
The main signs of progressive varicose veins on the legs
Manifestations of varicose veins differ in different stages. At first, they are just spider veins or bulging veins. Then more and more serious symptoms appear.
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.
- Clear expansion of veins, they become visible under the skin.
- Dark skin color, dense areas, trophic ulcers.
If even initial signs of varicose veins are detected, treatment should be started immediately. The problem doesn't go away by itself, 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
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 existence of the 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, 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.
The diagnosis of varicose veins on the legs is the responsibility of a phlebologist. Only an expert with experience and high qualification can identify pathology in deep veins.
How the disease progresses and what are the complications
Varicose veins are in most situations complicated by thrombosis and thromboembolism, inflammation of the veins and trophic disorders. Complications are diagnosed by changes in skin color, redness (especially along the veins), flooding, 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 occurs in the calves, along the course of the veins. Seals are palpated under the skin on different parts of the leg, and trophic ulcers are revealed in severe cases.
How to prevent varicose veins
With a hereditary tendency or the 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 there are heavy loads, they put a bandage on the limbs or put on compression underwear, but only after consulting a doctor.
- You cannot stand or sit for a long time, you have 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 big negative impact on blood vessels, you have to quit this bad habit.
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 on legs in pregnant women
During the period of childbirth in women, the possibility of varicose veins on the legs increases. The occurrence is associated with the following reasons:
- Hormonal restructuring of the body during childbirth causes dilated 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 on the legs after childbirth either completely disappear on their own, or they begin to progress. This is due to individual and hereditary factors.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs
The treatment of varicose veins on 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 conservative treatment. Special substances that cause vascular sclerosis are injected into the vein lumen with a needle. The vein stops functioning and recedes. To achieve the result, 3-6 sessions are carried out every 7 days. The treatment was completed without scars or scars.
- Treatment without surgery. In the case of subcompensation 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 daily. Underwear compresses varicose veins, narrows their lumen, improves valve function and blood flow, and alleviates 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, alleviate swelling, slow down the progression of the pathology, but do not cure it completely, nor restore vascular function.
- Laser treatment. The use of laser therapy is recommended for varicose veins of the superficial veins on the legs. When the laser is applied to the vein, sclerotic processes begin to develop in it. Then it is solved 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. 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?
Medicines such as venotonics increase the tone of the smooth muscles of the vein wall. In this way, the elasticity of blood vessels is preserved and improved, and the outflow of blood from the lower extremities is established. The most popular tools from this group:
- A medicine containing flavonoids that act as venotonics. These substances are considered one of the most effective, because they increase the tone of blood vessel walls.
- French company medicine. 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 blood outflow.
- The drug, which includes escin, is an ingredient obtained from chestnuts. The form of drug release is drops and tablets for oral administration. The drug is used not only for the treatment of varicose veins on 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.