Varicose veins on the legs: symptoms and treatment

Varicose veins on the legs are not only a cosmetic problem that causes concern for people about their attractiveness, but also a dangerous disease that requires adequate treatment and compliance with preventive measures.

The causes of varicose veins are very many: from sedentary lifestyles, physical overloads and ending with hormonal failures, congenital weakness of the walls of the vessels, pregnancy. What happens during varicose veins? With varicose veins of the lower limbs, they lose their normal elasticity, and under the pressure of blood stretch.

Valves in the veins in a normal state are certain locks, and when the blood passes through them, they close and give the possibility of a reverse outflow of blood. If the valves are malfunctioning, the blood can be freely delivered down, which leads to stagnation of blood.

In this regard, the veins do not cope with the pressure, expand, the valves are no longer able to block a large lumen... all this provokes the emergence of the initial stage of varicose veins (see Fig. a photo).

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Causes

Why does varicose occur, and what is it? The main risk factors for the development of the disease is genetic predisposition and gender. Because of the love for high heels, hormonal adjustment during pregnancy and the reception of contraceptives, women become victims of varicose veins twice as often as men.

Development of the disease is facilitated by:

Heredity. The inheritance is not the disease itself, but the genetically conditioned structure of the veins: weak connective tissues of the venous walls, congenital defective valvular valves. That is why varicosity can be observed in young, healthy and active (regardless of gender) people and even in children. According to scientists, genetic predisposition is the main factor leading to varicose veins of the legs.
Hormonal changes. Because of the peculiarities of the organism in women, periods of hormonal failures become causes of blood stagnation. For them, the most dangerous periods - puberty, pregnancy, time after childbirth. It's also dangerous when the climax comes. This sexual category of patients appeals to doctors 2-3 times more often. In the female organs, there are not enough hormones called estrogens. Instead of them, the so-called hormones of the yellow body predominate. It is believed that it is he that exerts a relaxing effect on the musculature. This contributes to the expansion of veins.
A sedentary, sedentary lifestyle, or work that requires a long stay standing, contributes to the development of varicose veins.
Age. Over time, the valves and walls of the veins become thinner, which leads to disruption of their work.
Obesity. Excess weight leads to an increase in the burden on the veins of the legs.

Secondary varicose occurs with leg injuries, heart defects, violations of the liver and spleen. In this case, first of all, appropriate treatment of the primary disease.

Stages of

There are 3 stages in the progression of symptoms in the development of varicose veins.

Compensation stage. No complaints. When examined, varicose veins are observed on one or two legs.
Stage of subcompensation. When examined on the legs, pronounced varicose veins are visible. Patients complain of a feeling of raspiraniya, paresthesia ("goose bumps") in the region of the legs, night convulsions. There is a slight swelling of the feet, ankles and lower legs in the evenings. In the morning edema disappears.
Stage of decompensation. Dermatitis, eczema join the listed signs. Patients are troubled by itchy skin. The skin becomes dry, shiny, tightly welded to the subcutaneous tissue. Minor hemorrhages and subsequent deposition of hemosiderin cause hyperpigmentation.

In itself, varicose veins are not considered a very serious disease, but if it has already developed, it will never pass independently and even more, will progress, leading to all sorts of complications, which are the greatest danger.

Symptoms

The first signs indicating the onset of development of varicose veins:

rapid fatigue of the feet;
swelling of the lower extremities;
feeling of heaviness in the legs.

In later stages, the appearance of vascular asterisks on the skin, protruding veins and various seals, indicative of stagnant phenomena in the vessels, can be noted.

Symptoms of varicose veins on the legs

In different stages of varicose veins, the symptoms can be different - from almost asymptomatic small vascular "stars" to severe and painful manifestations.

To suspect development of an initial stage it is possible on such symptomatology:

the appearance of pain in the legs, a feeling of warmth, and sometimes burning on the veins of the legs;
heaviness in the legs;
in the evening there are edemas on the legs;
at night, leg cramps begin;
enlarged veins;
the skin of the lower leg acquires a dark color, seals appear, and trophic ulcers are possible.

Having found out in itself any primary signs, it is necessary to start immediately treatment of varicose veins - the symptoms by themselves will not disappear.

Varicose photos: the initial stage

As the ailment looks, we offer to view detailed photos of varicose veins in the initial stage.

Diagnostics

In order to diagnose varicose veins of the lower extremities and prescribe appropriate treatment, the specialist will suggest the patient to undergo a comprehensive examination, including various methods.

Duplex scanning (ultrasound of veins)- the most informative method of diagnosis of varicose veins of the legs, giving an opportunity to get an idea of the degree veins, the direction of blood flow through the veins and their patency, and also to detect the presence of blood clots (thrombi).
Contrast venography, which is a method of examination, which allows to detect enlarged veins and to learn about the degree of their patency for blood.

Diagnosis of deep vein varicose can only a highly qualified phlebologist.

Effects

Complicated flow of varicose veins is accompanied by the formation of thrombosis and inflammation of the veins, trophic ulcers and skin disorders. These complications are manifested in changes in skin color on the legs, redness, darkening, blue skin.

Also characteristic are permanent swelling of the ankle, especially when walking or standing. In the field of calves, pain occurs when walking, soreness along the vein, a seal on the skin and the formation of ulcers of various sizes on it.

Prevention

If you have a tendency to this disease, the following recommendations will help slow its progression:

Wear comfortable shoes with no heels or low heels.
At loads it is possible to do bandaging of legs or to put on medical knitted things, but only after consultation of the doctor.
Do not stand or sit for a long time in one place - move, warm up, change the position of the body more often.
Do not take hot baths, especially in the morning - it's better to replace them with a warm shower with the final cold dousing.
Refuse from smoking, which worsens the condition of the vessels.

The main prevention is moderate motor activity: swimming, walking, cycling, charging.

During pregnancy

Pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing varicose veins of the lower extremities, this is facilitated by such reasons:

Hormones circulating in the blood during pregnancy, increase the extensibility of the venous wall and contribute to the stagnation of venous blood in the legs.
Increased intra-abdominal pressure in late pregnancy complicates the flow of blood through the veins of the legs.
Varicose veins that occurred during pregnancy can completely pass after childbirth, or progress further, which depends on individual factors (heredity, the presence of other contributing factors).

Treatment of varicose veins on the legs

Varicose veins on legs photo With varicose veins on the legs, treatment can not be a medical necessity if the symptoms are not problematic.

Nevertheless, some people may want to be treated for varicose veins for cosmetic reasons, because they are unhappy with their appearance.

We will discuss the basic methods that will help get rid of this problem.

Sclerotherapy. This method of treatment is applied both independently and in combination with conservative procedures. The essence of it is that a special needle filling the vein with a thin needle or syringe is inserted, then the vein completely disappears. Sessions are held once a week, 3 to 6 such sessions are required. The method allows you to avoid scars and scars.
Non-surgical treatment. If varicose veins are in the initial stage, and if it does not cause too much inconvenience, elastic compressive stockings can be recommended. They are worn during daily activities. They help compress the veins, keeping them from stretching and limiting any discomfort or pain.
Medicationvaricose relieves symptoms, reduces swelling and pain, slows the development process, but is unable to stop the disease completely and repair damaged veins. With medicamentous treatment, the following drugs are used: Venitant, Venoplant, Geparoid, Ascorutical Forte, Venza, Gepatrombin, Escuzan, Troxerutin, and others.
Laser treatmentVaricose veins on the legs can be used on the skin surface. With the help of a small flash of laser light in the vein wall, the sclerosing process develops and the varicose vein disappears, as if it has been removed.

A major role in the treatment and prevention of physical activity - fast walking, gymnastics, swimming and exercise in the water (excluding sports exercises with a heavy load on the legs - tennis, weightlifting, jumping).

VENTONICS

The effect of these drugs is aimed at increasing the tone of smooth muscles in the walls of the vessels, which allows to maintain their elasticity and normalize blood circulation in the affected areas.

Detralex. The drug has a venotonic effect due to the composition based on the derivatives of flavonoids. This is one of the most effective structural substances for the creation of venotonics.
Flebodia tablets are manufactured by Innothera Chouzy (France), contain 600 mg of diosmine as an active substance. The effect is increased when the dosage is increased. The ability to reduce the extensibility of venous vessels and capillaries, the increased outflow of blood from the periphery, and the reduction of vascular permeability are proved.
Exkuzan is a preparation based on the substance "Eszin", which is extracted from chestnut. The drug is available in the form of drops, as well as in the form of tablets for internal use. This drug has a wide spectrum of action, and is recommended for fighting various diseases.

Many of the venotonics are preparations of complex action. The effect that is achieved with their use extends not only to the veins, but also to all the vessels in our body.

How to treat varicose veins folk remedies

There are a huge number of methods for treating varicose veins on legs with folk remedies, both for external and internal use. Below are the most common:

Flowers of horse chestnut(50 grams), it is required to fill 500 grams of alcohol, after which it is given 14 days, every day shaking the bottle. Pass the tincture through a mesh and use on a tablespoon, with water, three times a day before meals. How to be treated a week - take a break for two weeks. Then the treatment can begin anew.
Infusion of dried nettleapply for varicose veins. Dry crushed plant leaves are poured in a thermos 1/2 liter of boiling water, insist 30-40 minutes, filter and take 1/3 cup 3 times a day 1 hour after eating.
Compress from tomatoes.Finely chopped tomato, lie down on a bandage, gauze, and is applied to a sore spot. For convenience, it is possible to bundle with elastic or other bandage. This compress lasts for 2 hours, then changes to a new one, and so in total 3 times. The convenience of this compress is that it can be repeated every day.
Oilytincture of walnuts: immature nuts chop, pour into a glass container, pour olive oil and insist 40 days in a sunny place. Finished tincture lubricate sore spots. The course of treatment is long, as with the use of Kalanchoe.

In addition to folk remedies, many patients with varicosity supplement therapy with special gymnastics - Mikulina exercises make it possible to feel a significant improvement.