Symptoms and treatment of varicose veins in the legs

One of the oldest diseases of the vascular system is varicose veins of the legs. The disease develops in most women. The pathological process is based on the dilation of internal or deep vessels, which leads to an inflammatory process of the superficial venous network. As a result, blood flow and tissue nutrition are impaired, leading to the most dangerous complication in the form of trophic ulcers.

Causes of pathology

The disease affects the arteries of the lower extremities the most, because it is the part of the body that is most burdened. Symptoms of varicose veins in women often appear during pregnancy.There are many reasons that contribute to the development of symptoms of varicose veins in the legs:

• Hereditary predisposition to the development of varicose veins is due to the transmission of a special gene from parents to children that is mutated and contributes to the formation of a weak vascular wall.
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal disorders in women during menopause have a negative impact on the condition of blood vessels, lead to the formation of blood clots and other pathological conditions.
• Severe forms of obesity lead to physical inactivity, circulatory disorders, and increased intra-abdominal pressure. As a result, the outflow of venous blood is impaired, which leads to the development of varicose veins. An additional factor is the disruption of lipid metabolism and the deposition of harmful cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels.
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus adversely affects the condition of the vascular system and leads to complications. The second type is less dangerous for blood vessels, so it rarely provokes varicose veins.
• A sedentary lifestyle, heavy physical work always leads to disruption of venous flow.
• Frequent abuse of alcohol, coffee, strong tea, especially with minimal water intake, leads to thirst. As a result, the blood thickens, blood clots form, causing blockage of blood vessels and disruption of blood circulation.
• An unbalanced diet with enough vitamin C in the diet is responsible for the condition of the vessels and their strength.
• Congenital, chronic blood abnormalities characterized by excessive formation of blood clotting factors and the formation of blood clots.
• Wear tight clothing that prevents venous return.
• Intermittent or chronic constipation. During tension, intra-abdominal pressure rises, blood flow is disrupted.
• Chronic pathologies of the heart have a negative impact on the entire vascular system.
• Use of drugs that increase blood clotting.

Another factor that triggers the symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities in women is the frequent wearing of high-heeled shoes. Men have been shown to be twice as ill.

Symptoms and stages of development of the disease

Symptoms and treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities depend on the stage of the pathological process. There are several stages in the development of the disease:

1. At the initial stagePathologies in the area of the legs and feet, dark blue or purple spider veins appear. They do not bother the patient and do not rise above the surface of the skin.
2. In the second stageseveral dilated veins appear, the touch is hard and painful. Knots are felt in the affected veins.
3. The third stageis characterized by the appearance of a large number of deformed vessels protruding above the level of the epidermis.
4. In the fourth stagered spots or bruising of the epidermis appear at the site of the affected vessels. Itching is so intolerable that the patient can not control himself. A weeping, painful surface appears at the scratches.
5. In the fifth or sixth stagespots combine to form ulcers. In the absence of treatment, the process of tissue necrosis begins, reaching the bone in advanced cases.

In the early stages, there may be no pain in the legs with varicose veins. Symptoms appear as the pathological process progresses.Common symptoms of the disease include:

• At the end of the working day, even with minimal force, a feeling of heaviness in the legs.
• Swelling after physical exertion disappears after resting in a horizontal position.
• Convulsive contraction of nocturnal muscles.
• Excessive dryness of the epidermis in the legs, itching and burning.
• Increased fatigue.

In addition, the patient begins to worry about constant, arch pain in the limbs. As a result, he avoids physical activity and spends a lot of time in a sedentary position. In the advanced stages, when the trophic ulcers turn into a necrotic form, the patient's movement becomes very difficult because the pain becomes unbearable.

Possible complications of varicose veins

Lack of treatment leads to the development of severe consequences of varicose veins. Complications develop in 30% of patients. Common complications are venous hemorrhage, thrombophlebitis, dermatitis, eczema, which develop as a result of disruption of blood supply to tissues.

Trophic ulcers often appear, which significantly reduce the patient's quality of life. Improper and untimely treatment causes tissue necrosis. In this case, surgical treatment is indicated by cutting the necrotic foci.

Methods of diagnosing the disease

When diagnosing the disease, it is very important to determine the cause. This will facilitate treatment.

The first stage of the examination will be a test: the patient is placed on a couch, raises his leg perpendicular to the body and holds for 30 seconds to allow blood to flow from the veins of the lower extremities. After that, a limb is pulled to the thigh with a special tourniquet and the patient is invited to stand up. Normally, blood flow to the limb should last at least 15 seconds. If this period is shorter, the presence of the initial stage of varicose veins is suspected.

During phlebography, the patient is injected with a special intravenous contrast agent and the openness of the deep veins is assessed by X-ray. Dopplerography is performed to determine the openness in a particular vessel.

The most informative method is ultrasound angiography, which allows not only to assess the openness of the dilated vessel, but also to see the extent of its damage.

Based on the results of the diagnostic examination, the doctor develops a treatment regimen that is individual in each case.

Principles of conservative therapy

The initial stages of the pathological process are successfully treated conservatively. Tablets and agents for external application in the form of gels and ointments are used to relieve the symptoms of pathology.The most commonly prescribed medications are:

1. Tablets against varicose veins. They have anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic, tonic properties, stimulate blood circulation, strengthen the vascular wall, eliminate itching, burning, restore vascular elasticity. Some of them are in the form of ointments or gels.
2. External agents act like tablets. It is effective in the early stages of the pathological process. In the absence of trophic ulcers, the use of such drugs is allowed.
3. A mandatory step in treatment will be the administration of anticoagulants, such as acetylsalicylic acid, which will help prevent further blood clots.
4. In the later stages of the disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.

The early stages of varicose veins are successfully treated with laser photocoagulation. During the procedure, the affected vessels are exposed to a laser that seals them, preventing further pathology. Manipulation is often performed to remove a cosmetic defect because the affected limb does not look attractive.

Methods of surgical intervention

Advanced cases are less suitable for conservative therapy. When the pathological process progresses to the stage of trophic ulcers, the patient is offered an operation that will solve the problem.

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive therapy that involves the removal of nodules. During the manipulation, a special sclerosing substance is injected into the lumen of the vessel, which contributes to its gradual death. Prior to admission, the vessel is removed from the general circulation by closing and cutting.

Phlebectomy is the complete removal of diseased blood vessels through small incisions or punctures. It is performed to remove extensive lesions.

As a rule, the recovery period is painless. For 2-4 weeks, the patient should wear compression underwear or wrap the patient's limb with an elastic bandage.

Alternative Medicine Recipes

In the early stages of varicose veins, folk remedies are quite effective. Most doctors approve of a combination of conservative therapy and non-traditional prescriptions.The following are considered the most effective:

1. A compress of chopped green tomatoes will help relieve pain and swelling, apply to the affected area and stay overnight, normalize blood circulation, closed with a bandage. Many people do not understand why green tomatoes, because they have less nutrients. But the secret of this product is its high content of lycopene, which eliminates congestion. Ripe fruits are allowed to use in the form of paste.
2. To increase the effect of the drug, it is recommended to consume freshly squeezed vegetable juices from carrots and beets every day. Especially valuable is the juice from celery leaves, which has a very positive effect on blood vessels.
3. An effective remedy for pain is grated potatoes, which should be applied to the feet, left for 4 hours and washed. Repeat the procedure daily until the patient's condition improves.
4. The veins can be treated with a special compress consisting of 1 part chopped garlic and 2 parts butter. The compress is applied at night for 2 weeks.
5. Chestnut-based tincture will help relieve heaviness and pain in the legs. To prepare it, take 200 g of peeled fruit, grind and pour a liter of alcohol, leave for 2 weeks to infuse. Use to rub every night for 21 days. Take a break for 10 days and repeat the course.
6. An effective remedy is chamomile oil. It should be prepared from 150 g of crushed flowers and 500 ml of olive oil. After 10 days of infusion, the composition is ready for use. It is allowed to rub or apply compresses to painful joints at night. Continue treatment until the condition resolves.

Such funds must be used with a doctor's permission. Allergic reactions can be avoided with the help of an initial test for individual intolerance to a particular drug.

Disease prevention measures

People prone to the development of varicose veins should take preventive measures. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing that does not interfere with venous flow. You need to follow the principles of healthy eating, go for a walk, give up bad habits.

As a prophylactic measure, it is necessary to periodically take multivitamins that strengthen the vascular wall.

At the first signs of varicose veins, you should immediately contact a specialist to determine the necessary treatment. This will help prevent serious complications.