Symptoms of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, the treatment of which should begin immediately, people often confuse with ordinary fatigue. This leads to the fact that the disease develops slowly and the diagnosis is made already at a stage that requires serious techniques. Most often, venous insufficiency is diagnosed in old age, in those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, drink alcohol in large quantities, and smoke. But recently there has been a noticeable trend in the development of this disease in young people, especially pregnant women.
Features of the disease
Venous insufficiency is a disease characterized by a violation of the outflow of venous blood from tissues and organs (in the specific case, we are talking about the legs) into the vessels that carry blood to the heart muscle for oxygen saturation. This process leads to the fact that the vessels begin to stretch, on the lower extremities it formsedema. The blood stagnates, and this provokes significant circulatory disorders.
As a result of this process, a disease called "varicose veins of the lower extremities" develops. This disease is dangerous for its consequences. In some cases, it causes death due to blockage of a vessel in the brain or heart.
Development principle
The disease develops according to this principle. Initially, blood stagnates in the lower extremities. Its excess leads to the fact that there is a significant pressure on the walls of the veins. The veins, in turn, stretch due to this pressure, and their valves begin to close incompletely.
As a result, blood circulation is disturbed, and the blood stops moving up. This leads to stagnation and partial downward movement of the blood.
Signs
Symptoms of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities are pronounced and leave no doubt for the correct diagnosis. The main signs of the disease:
- The person feels heaviness in the legs. This symptom is more pronounced in the evening, after a working day. Pain of bursting, aching nature.
- Sometimes there are cramps in the lower extremities (most often disturbed at night).
- In the calf muscle, the pain is pronounced.
- The presence of edema, which increases after the load on the legs. It can be walking, standing in one place. Edemas form in the evening, and disappear in the morning. The late stage of the disease is characterized by a significant increase in leg volume.
- Hyperpigmentation (skin darkens).
- The skin becomes dry, onpeeling appears, which is accompanied by constant itching. The elasticity of the skin decreases (symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities).
- A vascular network is visible on the legs, red-blue "stars" appear.
- At a late stage, trophic ulcers develop. The general condition of the patient is deteriorating.
Reasons
There is a whole range of reasons why the disease develops:
- hereditary predisposition;
- congenital vascular pathology;
- overheating of the body;
- pregnancy, childbirth (in cases where they are difficult);
- heavy weight (load on the lower limbs);
- excessive or no physical activity;
- lifting weights;
- work that requires long periods of standing or sitting;
- chronic gastrointestinal diseases leading to constant constipation;
- taking hormonal drugs without medical supervision;
- smoking, excessive drinking;
- age (symptoms of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, treatment of the disease in most cases are of interest to people in the elderly and senile age);
- hormonal restructuring (the main cause of illness in adolescents).
Acute and chronic forms
Symptoms of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, treatment of the disease with differentstages have their own characteristics. All the signs listed above are more related to the chronic form of the disease. But there are times when a seemingly stable state turns out to be unfavorable. Blockage of the veins occurs instantly, as a result of which the outflow of blood stops. In medicine, it is customary to call this condition "acute venous insufficiency of the lower extremities." Treatment in such cases should begin immediately.
The acute form manifests itself by darkening of the skin (it turns blue), severe swelling. A person has pain in the legs, the body temperature rises, the pulse quickens, cold sweat is released. Severe cases entail blockage of the veins. The acute form is fatal if not treated promptly.
Classification
Surgeons mainly use classification, depending on the severity of the symptoms. It is considered the most understandable for the average person.
Classification by degrees:
- 0 degree. Diseases can be determined as a result of instrumental research. The patient has no complaints: there is no pain, the legs do not swell. The doctor diagnoses small varicose veins.
- I degree. A person has small aching pains in the lower extremities, but they do not disturb constantly. Sometimes the legs swell. Working capacity is normal.
- II degree. It is characterized by persistent edema, age spots appear on the skin. The patient is disturbed by constant itching and peeling of the skin. A person can lead a mobile lifestyle only after taking supportingmedicines.
- III degree. A person is diagnosed with trophic ulcers on the legs, slight bleeding. Often a secondary infection joins, thrombophlebitis develops.
Examination
You should immediately consult a doctor when the first symptoms of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities occur. Treatment depends on the diagnosis, and this requires a complete examination. The patient must tell in detail all the signs of the disease that disturb him, and how long ago they arose. The doctor visually examines the legs and, on the basis of this, makes a diagnosis (for such a disease, identifying symptoms and visual examination is sufficient in almost all cases).
Additional diagnostic procedures:
- general blood test (pay attention to the level of leukocytes, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the patient's body);
- Ultrasound of the veins of the lower extremities;
- ultrasound duplex scanning.
Treatment
Chronic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, the treatment of which we will consider in detail, occurs most often.
Main treatments:
- drug therapy (internal and external use);
- compression therapy;
- surgery;
- folk methods.
Treatment of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities is aimed at eliminating pressure in the veins and neutralizingother factors that lead to endothelial damage.
Drug Therapy
Often people confuse the first symptoms of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities with other diseases. Treatment does not start on time, but it could be minimal. Therefore, the doctor has to resort to more serious therapy for the disease.
Goal of drug therapy:
- reduce the severity of the inflammatory process;
- improve blood circulation in the lower extremities;
- promote the outflow of lymph (the main cause of leg swelling);
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improve their elasticity;
- trophic ulcers require the use of local restorative agents, preparations for external use (ointments, creams);
- in the presence of a secondary infection, resort to antibiotic therapy or antifungal agents (depending on the causative agent of the infection);
- advanced stages of the disease require the use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents (to prevent blood clots);
- thrombosis that happened suddenly, thrombolytics are used in the first hours of the onset of this dangerous condition.
Treatment of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities requires a specific strategy:
- At the first stage, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate inflammation and prevent the development of a secondary infection.
- At the second stage, the task of therapy is to restore full blood circulation in the lower extremities.
- The third stage is maintenance therapy. But in cases where the treatmentturned out to be powerless, it will be necessary to turn to more serious methods.
When a person knows that he has venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, treatment (drugs) must be prescribed by a doctor. The most popular medicines for this disease are:
- "Phlebofa".
- Proctowen.
- Lyoton
- Fleboksar.
Otherwise, dangerous complications may develop. Sometimes it ends in death.
Compression therapy
In general terms, it is clear what constitutes venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. Symptoms, treatment (photos confirm how serious this disease is) are also considered by us. Therefore, treatment that includes compression therapy should not be neglected.
This method is suitable only for the initial stage of the disease, as well as for the prevention of varicose veins in pregnant women. Compression stockings can be used:
- stockings;
- socks (more suitable for men).
This jersey is designed to maintain optimal pressure in the legs. It is made from quality materials so that the pressure is evenly distributed throughout the limb.
Surgery
This method of treatment is used in severe cases when drug therapy has not helped. The purpose of the operation isremove the affected parts of the veins. The procedure depends on the severity of the disease.
Main methods:
- Sclerotherapy. A special drug is injected into the vein, due to which the wall of the vein is damaged (this leads to overgrowth).
- Linton's operation. This method is deprecated. It is based on an incision and ligation of a vein. Modern specialists do not resort to this type of operation.
- Ligature method. With the help of special punctures, the veins are tied up under the skin, and the knot remains on the skin. Blood circulation through such a vein stops. There are cases when the disease recurs after the procedure.
- Endovasal coagulation (thermal effect on the affected areas of the vein).
- Miniphlebectomy. Removal of veins through point punctures.
Folk methods
Now we know what venous insufficiency of the lower extremities is (symptoms). Herbal treatment has long been a well-known method used to get rid of this disease. But you can’t choose traditional medicine recipes on your own and use them uncontrollably. Preliminary consultation of the attending physician is needed.
The most popular and effective remedies:
- chestnut tincture;
- garlic and hop tincture;
- compresses with honey;
- hirudotherapy (use of leeches for treatment).
Complications
What can venous insufficiency of the lower extremities mean for a person?Treatment, drugs, compression therapy - this is a set of measures that cannot be neglected. But if a person does not turn to a doctor in time, or does not follow all medical recommendations, then this is fraught with dangerous consequences. First of all, trophic ulcers appear, after which blood clots form. As a result, such changes lead to thromboembolism.
Possible complications:
- significant limb edema;
- vein thrombosis;
- blue skin;
- severe pain.
Prevention
We analyzed the concept of "varicose insufficiency of the lower extremities" (symptoms, treatment of the disease). As for prevention, it implies compliance with a number of rules:
- increase physical activity;
- refusal to visit baths, saunas;
- diet:
- avoid fatty, smoked and spicy foods;
- inclusion in the diet of more fruits and vegetables;
- refusal of alcoholic beverages, smoking;
- avoiding overheating in the sun;
- no high heels.
