Varicose veins are an extremely common vascular pathology. According to statistics, almost every fourth inhabitant of the planet has an ailment in varying degrees of development. The causes of varicose veins can be very diverse, as well as the methods of treatment.
Naturally, many people are looking for more information about this pathology. What is varicose veins in the legs? Causes, treatment, symptoms, stages of development - this is important and interesting information that is worth studying.
General information about the development of the disease
Many people today suffer from a disease such as varicose veins. Causes, symptoms, methods of treatment are, of course, important issues. But first, let's look at the general facts.
Varicosis is a pathology accompanied by the expansion of the walls of venous vessels, the formation of nodes, and a violation of normal blood circulation. By the way, it is believed that only the fair sex is affected by this disease. The causes of varicose veins in women lie in the greater susceptibility of the body to hormonal changes. Howeverhowever, in men, the disease also occurs, although less often.
To understand the mechanism of the development of the disease, it is worth considering some physiological features. As you know, blood is ejected into the aorta under pressure, after which it spreads through smaller arteries and arterioles.
From the tissues, blood with low oxygen levels is collected in the veins. Blood moves through these vessels, overcoming the force of gravity. That is why the veins are equipped with special valves that prevent the backflow of blood.
Sometimes, for one reason or another, the pressure in the vessels rises, as a result of which their walls expand. Gradual blood flow is disturbed, which leads to congestion. The walls of blood vessels sometimes form knots that bulge through the skin. In most cases, the disease affects the veins of the lower extremities - first small, superficial, and then larger, deep ones.
Varicosis: Causes
As already mentioned, this disease is associated with impaired blood flow. The causes of varicose veins can be very different. The most common risk factors to consider are:
- There is a genetic predisposition. Some people are born with various pathologies that are characterized by weakness of the connective tissue. According to statistics, 70% of children whose parents suffered from varicose veins face the same problem, and the pathology can manifest itself at any age.
- Risk factors include hormonal changes. The fact is that against the background of those orother hormonal disruptions are often observed weakening (even if temporary) of muscle tissue, which leads to varicose veins. The cause may be various diseases of the endocrine glands.
- Pregnancy is a very common cause of varicose veins in women. The fact is that during this period the hormonal background of a woman changes, the volume of blood increases, the pressure on the vessels increases.
- Many scientists call this pathology a retribution for bipedalism. The vertical position of the body creates increased pressure on the vessels of the lower extremities. The risk group includes people who, for one reason or another, are forced to stand for a long time.
- Dangerous is a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work. By the way, these are the most common causes of varicose veins in men. Physical inactivity affects the muscles and blood vessels, makes them weak, as a result of which the walls of the veins are more prone to varicose veins.
- Risk factors include the presence of a mechanical obstruction that interferes with blood flow (for example, the appearance of blood clots or tumors that block the lumen of the vessel).
- The causes of varicose veins may lie in the emotional state. The fact is that constant stress, nervous overwork and overstrain affect the level of hormones, which can lead to a weakening of the heart and blood vessels.
- Pathology is sometimes the result of toxins entering the body. The same group of factors includes alcohol abuse, long-term use of certain drugs, drug use.
There are other causes of varicose veins. For example, the risk of developing such a disease increases with the constant wearing of socks and stockings with too tight elastic bands. Obese people often suffer from a similar problem.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
You already know what varicose veins are. The causes of the pathology may be different, but here are the symptoms, as a rule, look more or less the same:
- In the initial stages, heaviness in the legs appears, which increases after prolonged standing or physical exertion.
- Patients also complain of a feeling of warmth and sometimes a burning sensation in the affected areas of the body.
- By evening, the lower limbs are often very swollen, which indicates the presence of congestion in the vessels.
- As the pathology progresses, the veins dilate. If at the initial stages only light outlines of vessels are visible through the skin and spider veins appear, then gradually they turn into rather large, tortuous knots.
- The skin of the lower legs becomes more red. Sometimes you can observe the appearance of seals.
- In the horizontal position, the vascular network partially disappears. If the patient is standing, then the venous nodes become larger, more voluminous.
- The symptoms of the disease include increased pigmentation in the affected areas of the body. The skin here becomes very thin and dry. Trophic ulcers may appear.
This is what varicose veins look like on the legs. Causes, symptoms you already know. Worth checking outtreatment information.
Stages of development of pathology
Despite the fact that the causes of varicose veins can be extremely diverse, the clinical picture in most cases looks the same. The disease develops in several stages, each of which is accompanied by very characteristic symptoms.
- The onset of the disease is characterized by a blurred clinical picture. The patient complains of swelling, heaviness and pain in the legs, but it is almost impossible to determine the disease.
- The first stage is accompanied by physical discomfort. At the same time, the vascular network begins to be visible under the skin.
- At the second stage, vessels appear under the skin. Knots can be seen with the naked eye or palpated. At this stage, the formation of blood clots is already possible. This is the beginning of real varicose veins.
- In the third stage, persistent swelling of the feet and legs is added to the above symptoms.
- The fourth stage is accompanied by trophic disturbances. The skin does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. There is a change in pigmentation - sometimes the tissues become brown. Some areas of the skin atrophy. Small areas of inflammation may appear.
- At the fifth stage, ulcers form on the skin, which are still sensitive to ongoing therapy.
- At the sixth stage, active trophic ulcers appear on the skin, which are practically untreatable.
Possible Complications
Most patients, in particular women, perceive this diseaseonly as a not too pleasant aesthetic defect. However, disruption of normal circulation can have dangerous consequences:
- Varicosis, if untreated, sometimes leads to the development of chronic venous insufficiency.
- Thrombophlebitis is a disease that is accompanied by inflammation of the venous walls with further formation of blood clots.
- Against the background of progressive varicose veins, trophic ulcers often form on the skin of the legs. Since the skin tissues are thinned, the slightest injury can lead to erosion and ulcers. Such wounds remain open for a long time, giving a person a lot of discomfort. They are difficult to treat.
- Pulmonary embolism develops against the background of vein thrombosis. The formed blood clot blocks the lumen of the pulmonary artery, disrupting the flow of blood to the heart. This is an extremely dangerous condition that can lead to almost instant death of the patient.
Diagnosis: what methods are used?
Causes of varicose veins in women and men can be varied. During the diagnosis, it is important not only to make an accurate diagnosis, but also to determine what exactly led to the development of pathology.
As a rule, first the doctor conducts a general examination, collects an anamnesis, studies the symptoms. Next, a duplex study is performed, which allows you to determine the speed and direction of venous blood flow. An X-ray examination of the vessels with a preliminary injection of a contrast agent into the blood is also informative.
Conservative Therapy
The treatment regimen is made by the attending physician, general attention to the symptoms present, the stage of development of the disease, the presence of concomitant pathologies.
- Corticosteroids help constrict blood vessels, relieve inflammation, eliminate itching, burning, allergic reactions.
- The treatment regimen, as a rule, includes venotonic drugs, in particular Venoruton, Detralex. Such funds help relieve swelling and burning sensation, eliminate nighttime leg cramps, improve the tone of the vascular walls, normalize blood circulation, and prevent the formation and growth of nodes.
- Antiplatelet agents (eg, Warfarin, Aspirin, Trental) are used if there is a risk of thrombosis. Such drugs thin the blood, help normalize body temperature and relieve pain.
- Antithrombotic drugs are used to prevent blood clots from forming or to eliminate existing clots. An effective anticoagulant is Heparin.
- Sometimes the treatment regimen is supplemented with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain, reduce swelling, and have antipyretic properties. Effective are "Diclofenac", "Ketorol".
- An obligatory aspect of therapy is the intake of vitamin complexes, since these substances normalize metabolism, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, and have a positive effect on the functioning of the body, including the cardiovascular system.
- Patients are prescribed a course of therapeutic massages. Such manipulations help to eliminate stagnantphenomena, relieve muscle spasm, improve blood circulation and trophism of skin tissues.
- Also, patients are advised to wear special compression underwear that ensures normal blood flow and prevents the development of edema.
- Hirudotherapy is considered effective in this case, since leeches secrete natural substances into the human blood that prevent clotting.
Surgical removal of affected vessels
What to do if the patient has varicose veins on the legs? Causes, symptoms, inflammation, the development of further complications - all this can be eliminated with the help of medications. However, drugs are not able to return the vessels to their natural shape, remove the knots. In this case, surgical excision and stitching of the affected vessels is possible, but such a procedure is rarely performed, as it is associated with a lot of complications. To date, minimally invasive procedures are considered more effective:
- Laser or electrocoagulation helps to "burn" the diseased vessel. This procedure copes with small vascular networks.
- Sclerotherapy is considered popular and effective today. During the procedure, the doctor injects a special substance (sclerosant) into the vessel, which glues the walls of the vessels together, thereby removing the affected vein from the general bloodstream. The technique is used to treat varicose veins of small vessels.
- When it comes to large veins, patients are usually sent for laser coagulation. Injected into the affected vessela special diode, through which laser radiation is then launched. Under the influence of a laser, blood cells change, forming a “plug”, which blocks the blood flow. In the future, the clot resolves naturally.
Folk treatments
You already know what varicose veins are. Causes and treatment, symptoms and complications are important information. Modern medicine offers a huge number of medicines and therapeutic procedures that can cope with the problem. But is there anything you can do at home?
Of course, there are a large number of recommendations from folk healers:
- Horse chestnut is very effective for varicose veins. Preparing the tincture is easy. 50 g of horse chestnut flowers should be poured with 0.5 liters of alcohol. Close the container and leave for two weeks in a dark, cool place (every day the contents of the jar must be shaken). Next, the liquid can be filtered. Take the medicine three times a day before meals in a tablespoon. After a week of therapy, you need to take a break for 14 days, after which you can resume taking the tincture.
- Useful for varicose veins are juices from spinach leaves, carrots, beets, celery stalks, parsley.
- You can clean and strengthen blood vessels with lemon and garlic. To prepare the medicine, you need to pass through a meat grinder four lemons (with a peel) and four heads of garlic (pre-peel). Put the resulting mixture in a jar and pour three liters of boiled water (warm, not hot). The medicine is infused forthree days, after which it can be filtered. It is recommended to take 100 ml three times a day with meals. Keep the product in the refrigerator.
Preventive measures
Unfortunately, people can face such a problem as varicose veins on the legs. We have already studied the causes of the development of the disease. But sometimes it is much easier to prevent the appearance and further progress of pathology. Prevention in this case includes a few simple rules:
- Active lifestyle, moderate physical activity (eg swimming, cycling, walking in comfortable shoes), especially if the person has a "sedentary" job.
- You need to give up clothes that are too tight on the skin of the lower extremities, groin and waist.
- When sleeping or resting, it is recommended to place a small pillow under your feet.
- It is important to eat right, keep your body weight within normal limits.
- A contrast shower has a positive effect on the condition of the vessels (if the procedure is performed regularly).
- It is important to follow the drinking regime, drinking at least 1.5 liters of water a day.
- You need to give up alcohol and other bad habits.
Following such simple recommendations will help stop the development of varicose veins (if we are talking about the initial stages of pathology, of course).
