The causes of varicose veins are many: from a sedentary lifestyle, physical overload and ending with hormonal disruption, congenital weakness of the walls of blood vessels, pregnancy. What happens during varicose veins? With varicose veins of the lower extremities, they lose their normal elasticity and stretch under blood pressure.
The valves in the veins are normally locked, and when blood passes through them, they close and allow blood to come out again. If the valves do not work well, blood can flow freely down, leading to blood stasis.
In this regard, the veins can not cope with the pressure, they dilate, the valves are no longer able to block the large lumen. . . all this provokes the onset of the initial stage of varicose veins (see photo).
Why do varicose veins appear, and what is it? The main risk factors for developing the disease are considered to be genetic predisposition and gender. Because of their love of high heels, hormonal changes during pregnancy, and taking contraceptives, women fall victim to varicose veins twice as often as men.
The development of the disease is stimulated by:
Secondary varicose veins occur with leg injuries, heart defects, liver and spleen dysfunctions. In this case, first of all, the proper treatment of the primary disease is carried out.
The main risk factors for the development of the disease are considered genetic predisposition and gender. Because of their love of high heels, hormonal changes during pregnancy, and taking contraceptives, women fall victim to varicose veins twice as often as men.
The development of the disease is stimulated by:
Secondary varicose veins occur with leg injuries, heart defects, liver and spleen dysfunctions. In this case, first of all, the proper treatment of the primary disease is carried out.
What stimulates varicose veins
The development of varicose veins is based on the congenital weakness of the venous wall, the insufficiency of the superficial venous valves and the increase in venous pressure in this regard. Special one-way valves prevent blood from flowing back and prevent it from stagnating in one place, when they are destroyed, the movement of blood from the tissues back to the heart is disrupted. It should be noted that conservative treatment does not affect the pressure in the veins.
There are 3 stages of symptom progression in the development of varicose veins.
By itself, varicose veins are not considered a very serious disease, but if it has already developed, it will not go away on its own, and even more, it will progress, leading to all sorts of complications that presentthe greatest risk.
The first signs that indicate the beginning of the development of varicose veins:
In later stages, spider veins appear on the skin, appearing various veins and seals, indicating blockage of vessels.
Varicose veins: symptoms
Diagnosing the early stages of the disease is quite difficult, as in the initial stage there are no spider veins and varicose veins that rise above the skin.
Early symptoms of varicose veins:
Often, before the first spider veins appear or the veins are found in places they have not been seen before, the patient does not feel any other symptoms of the disease and only cosmetic defects in the skin cause discomfort. As a rule, in the early stages, the symptoms of varicose veins disappear completely or are significantly reduced with rest, so they often go unnoticed.
One or more varicose veins that appear on the skin indicate disease progression and neglect. With prolonged stay, aching pain occurs in the joint area, numbness, tingling sensation, "creeping cramps", leg cramps. By the end of the day, swelling often occurs, which disappears after a night’s sleep. You can judge for edema by shoes that are free in the morning, which start to print in the evening.
Thrombophlebitis is one of the most common complications of varicose veins. In addition, increased pressure in the venous section leads to the penetration of erythrocytes through the vessel walls into the tissues. Due to this, skin pigmentation, its thickening and tissue hypoxia are observed, which contributes to the appearance of trophic ulcers. Even with minor skin damage to the joint area, it can rupture and cause heavy bleeding.
To diagnose varicose veins of the lower extremities and to prescribe the appropriate treatment, the specialist will offer the patient to undergo a comprehensive examination, which includes various methods.
Only a qualified phlebologist can diagnose deep vein varicose veins.
The complicated course of varicose veins is associated with the formation of thrombosis and inflammation of the veins, trophic ulcers, and skin disorders. These complications are manifested in the skin stain on the feet, redness, darkening, blue skin.
Persistent swelling of the ankle is also common, especially when walking or standing. In the calf area, pain occurs when walking, soreness along the tangled vein, induration in the skin and the formation of ulcers of various sizes in it.Pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing varicose veins of the lower extremities, this is alleviated by the following reasons:
However, some people may want to be treated for varicose veins for cosmetic reasons because they are not happy with their appearance.
Let's look at the main methods that will help get rid of this problem.
Physical activity - brisk walking, gymnastics, swimming and water exercises (with the exception of sports with a heavy load on the legs - tennis, weightlifting, jumping) play an important role in treatment and prevention.
Conservative treatment of varicose veins is prescribed mainly for those people who have clear contraindications to surgery.
Similar treatment is also indicated if the patient has a slight varicose vein, which is an exclusively cosmetic defect. The goal of conservative therapy is also to prevent further progression of this disease. For this purpose, patients are advised to apply bandages to the legs affected by varicose veins with an elastic bandage. In addition, compression stockings are indicated for varicose veins. People who have a tendency to varicose veins or are already sick with this disease should regularly put their feet in an uplift throughout the day, thus resting for a few minutes. There are also special exercises for the lower leg and foot, aimed at activating the muscular-venous pump. This is the periodic extension and flexion of the ankle and knee joints.
The patient should be careful not to allow the bones and thighs to be pulled together by different toilet items, as this can significantly impede venous blood flow.
With the help of elastic compression, you can activate blood flow in the deep veins, prevent edema, reduce the amount of blood in the saphenous veins, promote the body's metabolic processes and blood microcirculation.
But to achieve positive results, it is important to bandage the leg correctly. This process should be done in the morning, before getting out of bed. The bandage starts from the fingers to the thigh, while a slight tension should be felt in the bandage. In the bandaging process, be sure to grip the heel and ankle joint. The bandage with each turn around the limb should cover half of the previous round. Buy only certified elastic socks and compression socks.
Treating varicose veins also means wearing comfortable shoes, which should have a low heel and a strong toe. You should not stay for a long time, allow physical stress, stay in rooms with high temperature and humidity for a long time. In a dream, it is advisable to keep the legs in an elevated position.
Patients should limit fluid and salt intake and try to get rid ofexcess weight. For the treatment of varicose veins, it is necessary to periodically take diuretics, medicines that improve the tone of the veins. In addition, if there are indications, the patient may prescribe medications that stimulate microcirculation in the tissues. Therapy for varicose veins may also include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If the patient has an uncomplicated form of the disease, he is shown physical therapy. Swimming, other water procedures, foot baths with warm water, to which is added 5-10% sodium chloride solution, are very useful.
Very often local methods of therapy are used in the treatment of varicose veins. But such a treatment should be used in combination with other methods of medication. Local remedies for varicose veins are produced in the form of gels, oils, creams. Most of these drugs containheparinor venoactive ingredients. Ointments for varicose veins help normalize the tone of the walls of the veins, can correct disorders of lymph flow and microcirculation. In some local preparations, several different active ingredients are present in the composition.
If there is a secondary infection during the varicose vein process, it is advisable to use external agents withantibioticsorantiseptics.
Since ancient times,hirudotherapyfor varicose veins has been used for treatment. The use of caterpillars, the secretion of hirudin, allows you to dilute the blood, promotes the resorption ofblood clots, getting rid of spider veins and varicose veins. In addition, hirudotherapy for varicose veins can reduce leg pain, overcome edema. However, it is important to apply hirudotherapy in the very early stages of varicose veins. This treatment should not be used by people withhemophilia,anemia,hypotension,pregnant women.
However, a radical method of treating varicose veins is surgery. It is performed to eliminate venous-venous reflux. Such an operation is not performed if the patient has concomitant diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidneys and liver. Such an operation should not be performed on pregnant women, as well as on people suffering from purulent diseases. Modern technologies make it possible to use endoscopic techniques for such an operation.
If a person has only small enlarged branches, scleotherapy is allowed. This operation involves injecting a sclerosing solution into a vein to attach to the walls of the vein. After that, repeated injections are performed in other sections of the vein, while complete disappearance of the vein is achieved.
For varicose veins, combination surgical therapy is also used, in which large trunks of altered veins are removed and small branches are sclerotherapy. After surgery, patients are advised to continue wearing the elastic bandage for 8-12 weeks.
Those who are looking for an effective and wonderful cure for varicose veins will have to worry immediately: even the most modern and expensive medicines are not able to completely eliminate varicose veins. They help relieve pain, swelling and even improve the condition of the venous wall, but there is no complete cure.
In addition, conservative treatment brings a tangible effect only in the initial stage of the disease, after which it is performed to prevent further development of varicose veins. The main role in the treatment of this disease belongs to phytopreparations, which are based on natural plant substances. However, remember that most venotonic drugs cause photosensitization; when you take them, you should not allow sunlight to hit the exposed areas of the skin.
In addition to using medication, relaxing activities, and performing special exercises for the legs, doctors strongly recommend wearing compression stockings: socks, knee braces, tights. They improve blood microcirculation and prevent the formation of edema. It is very important to choose the right size of elastic stockings and the degree of compression, which can be prophylactic and therapeutic.
To improve the tone of blood vessels, use venotonic tablets for varicose veins - phlebotonics. These preparations are analogous and contain a purified flavonoid fraction consisting of 90% diosmin. They take one tablet twice a day, the course of treatment is chosen individually.
Horse chestnut preparations can be used to reduce capillary permeability, reduce blood viscosity, and increase venous tone
There are a large number of methods for treating varicose veins in the legs with folk remedies, both for external and internal use. The following are the most common:
In addition to folk remedies, many patients with varicose vein complementary therapy with special gymnastics - Mikulin exercises allow you to feel a noticeable improvement.
Very often,acute superficial vein thrombophlebitismanifests as a complication of varicose veins. Sometimes the damage results in ruptured veins with varicose veins and bleeding. When blood flows from a ruptured joint, a very significant blood loss is possible.
Furthermore, arterial blood flow slows down due to increased pressure in the venous system. Because of this,hypoxiaandoxygen starvation may develop. Due to the development of such a condition, tissue cells can die, which is a dangerous process for the body. Due to the pronounced stagnation of blood in the veins, toxins accumulate in the tissues.
Complications of this disease also become blockages from blood clots, malnutrition of foot tissues, the appearance of pigmentation and darkening of the skin.
The subcutaneous fat layer gradually becomes denser, appeardermatitis,venous trophic ulcers. In very rare cases, such ulcers degenerate into malignant formations.
If the disease persists for a long period, then the person can then developchronic venous insufficiency.
But the most dangerous complication of varicose veins ispulmonary embolism. This disease is fatal.
If you belong to a risk group, your relatives suffer from varicose veins or have to spend a lot of time standing close to the nature of their work - you need to pay special attention to the condition of your feet soso as not to lose the first "bells".
Basic prevention measures help prevent the onset of the disease and also slow down the progression of existing varicose veins.
Prevention measures:
Despite its prevalence, varicose veins are difficult to treat. When the first alarming symptoms appear, do not postpone a visit to the vascular surgeon, because the sooner the disease is detected, the more chances to avoid surgery are.
The prognosis depends on the stage at which treatment begins. A set of measures for prevention in the early stages (treatment of varicose veins with venotonics 2 times a year and a healthy lifestyle) allows you to stop the further development of the disease. You will need to adhere to a strict prevention framework throughout your life.
In the later stages (with the appearance of severe deformity, nodules, edema and signs of tissue oxygen starvation), the prognosis determines the presence of concomitant diseases (diabetes mellitus, overweight) and the patient's willingness to follow the doctor's recommendations(to be examined, to take medication, to lose weight).
In diabetes the complications of varicose veins (thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers) develop in 89%.
Varicose veins are considered a non-life-threatening disease, but its complications can greatly worsen quality of life and prognosis. With deep vein thrombosis, about 50% of patients die from thromboembolism within 3 months.