Varicose veins are a very insidious disease. For years, it is unlikely to manifest itself, because at the initial stage it does not bother anyone, and mild diseases are not related to vascular problems, but to living conditions. And then it starts to get worse, the disease progresses and it becomes very difficult to treat. In this case, varicose veins can affect different parts of the body, which are the veins. However, the vast majority of women suffer from varicose veins, so the symptoms of varicose veins in women should be given special attention.
Varicose veins are a very insidious disease. For years, it is unlikely to manifest itself, because at the initial stage it does not bother anyone, and mild diseases are not related to vascular problems, but to living conditions. And then it starts to get worse, the disease progresses and it becomes very difficult to treat. In this case, varicose veins can affect different parts of the body, which are the veins. However, the vast majority of women suffer from varicose veins, so the symptoms of varicose veins in women should be given special attention.
The mechanism of the disease
The main cause of varicose veins in the legs is the weakening of the walls of blood vessels and blood vessels, as a result of which they can no longer push the blood upwards with optimal force.
The blood stagnates and the arteries dilate further. As it expands, it loses its elasticity, becomes brittle, and finally stops providing normal blood flow. Due to the constant stagnation of blood in the arteries, they swell, nodules and blood clots form, and the lumen of the arteries becomes blocked. This causes thrombophlebitis.
Skin cells that do not receive enough oxygen begin to die, tissue necrosis develops, trophic lesions and ulcers form. This is called the final stage of varicose veins of the lower extremities and can only be treated with surgery.
It is no longer possible to completely cure this stage of the disease, but it is likely to slow its progression and achieve a more or less stable remission.
It is important! Doctors believe that the main cause of varicose veins of the lower extremities is a hereditary predisposition, so it is necessary to pay special attention to their health, especially if the disease is recorded in the older generations of the family. ships.
How to avoid the onset of the disease?
It is very important to carefully monitor all diseases, even the smallest. If you catch the first stage of development, when the symptoms of varicose veins in the legs begin to appear new, in most cases it is possible to reverse the process and maintain healthy veins. Thus, the first signs of varicose veins of the legs:
- increased swelling that begins to bother not only in the evening but also at other times of the day;
- a feeling of heaviness and "tired legs" syndrome, which is already visible in the middle of the day or earlier;
- general weakness and apathy due to insufficient oxygen supply to tissues;
- spider veins or mesh in the legs and thighs, which are often the first sign of varicose veins that people notice.
In this case, the simplest methods of treatment can help by timely consultation with a doctor: folk remedies, drugs to prevent varicose veins in the legs - venotonics in tablets and capsules, ointments, creams and gels.
If varicose veins in the legs need to be treated, a phlebologist may prescribe medications that thin the blood and prevent blood clots from forming, as well as wearing special compression underwear or using an elastic bandage.
It is important! Although many medications have few side effects and are prescribed to prevent the disease, the decision on which one to take should be made by the phlebologist, not just the patient.
What is the danger of the disease?
First of all, varicose veins, which have reached an advanced stage, threaten the formation of blood clots that can block the flow of blood and oxygen to the most important arteries and veins near the lungs and heart. Pulmonary embolism often leads to sad consequences.
In addition, varicose veins in the legs can be hidden, affecting the deep vessels in the legs. It is dangerous that external symptoms begin to appear when the disease has already passed to the 2nd or even 3rd stage, in which case you can not do without surgery. A visit to the doctor should not be delayed in the following cases:
- the legs often began to swell, although the kidneys were completely healthy, diabetes was not diagnosed, fluid intake was normal;
- pulling or sharp second pains appear in the pelvic organs, groin and upper thighs;
- periodic cramps in the legs, especially at night;
- areas in the lower extremities along the veins began to swell after any load.
Internal varicose veins in the legs can seriously complicate a person's life, cause him constant pain and lead to the intervention of a surgeon.
It is important! Varicose veins are common during pregnancy. Most women are convinced that this is temporary and will definitely pass after giving birth, but in reality it does not always happen.
Very often, the disease begins to progress after the load on the arteries during childbirth. Therefore, the symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy should never be ignored.
Can other parts of the body be affected?
Symptoms of varicose veins can affect various organs. In particular, varicose veins in the arms are less common than varicose veins in the lower extremities, but they cause the same amount of anxiety and sadness. If you see symptoms similar to the manifestation of this disease on your hands, you should see a doctor as soon as possible:
- veins are very visible, darkened and swollen;
- swelling occurs in the hands, including the fingers;
- there is often a burning sensation and pain;
- doing the same exercises for a long time is problematic due to the weight on the hands;
Varicose veins on the hands appear at about the same frequency in both women and men, but nevertheless, the disease strongly affects the genitals less than 1, 5-2 times.
This is due to the fact that the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity are more sensitive to fluctuations in the hormonal system, which is one of the main factors that provoke varicose veins in the arms.
It is important! The first signs of varicose veins of the upper and lower extremities are very similar, but varicose veins of the legs have symptoms that are considered to be the result of flat feet, long walks or high-heeled shoes, osteochondrosis and varicose veins of the hands. symptoms that many accept the physical nature of the vascular structure.
Intestinal lesion
There are varicose veins of the rectum and its prolapse at almost the same frequency as the varicose veins of the legs.
Famous hemorrhoids are hidden under this name. Those who do not have a chance to get this disease can tell how unpleasant the symptoms of varicose veins are in such a delicate area:
- sudden attacks of sharp pain while walking;
- severe pain while sitting until unable to sit;
- appearance of blood from cracks in the anal passage and its obvious swelling, itching and burning;
- The act of defecation is also accompanied by pain, especially in this area, which is often associated with constipation, which occurs with varicose veins.
It is not difficult to feel the symptoms of internal varicose veins as external ones, because there is usually no unpleasant sensation in the anus.
However, when you see a proctologist, you usually put in grade 2 varicose veins. It is not easy to treat as the first stage of the disease, but it is quite possible without the use of radical measures.
If varicose veins of the arms and legs are more common in women, varicose veins of the rectum affect the male body more. The main reasons for this are heavy physical exertion, strenuous exercise, alcohol consumption and large amounts of harmful foods, as well as diseases of the prostate gland that cause narrowing of the urethra.
It is important! When you notice the first signs of varicose veins of the rectum, you should start treatment as soon as possible, because the danger of the disease in this area is that the intestines may suffer and the gastrointestinal tract may malfunction. .
The disease develops gradually without sudden jumps, but can cause intestinal neoplasms that are both benign and oncogenic.
people's problems
While varicose veins in the legs are very rare in men, varicocele is a purely male disease. Enlargement of the spermatic cord and testicular vessels is one of the causes of infertility due to the male factor.
The venous canal, which is a varicocele, is filled with blood, and the veins cannot move more to the kidneys or the small vena cava. In most cases, this problem occurs in the left testicle, because two vessels connect in this area: the kidney and the seminal.
The symptoms of testicular varicose veins do not manifest themselves in any way until the couple has a problem with conception. Then both partners go to the doctor, the woman - to the gynecologist, the man - to the andrologist. And first of all, an experienced doctor will examine varicocele.
The disease can be detected both by ultrasound and Doppler imaging, as well as by probing the vessels during the patient's press tension. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the man is ordered to take a spermogram to determine how far the disease has progressed due to his sperm condition.
It is important! Varicocele can be treated only with surgery, and this is usually done to eliminate infertility in men.
In itself, this phenomenon is not dangerous and usually does not cause discomfort, but sometimes the veins dilate so much that they cause discomfort or pain. In this case, the operation is also displayed.
The result
Varicose veins are caused by many factors, most of which can be corrected. And because the disease belongs to the dangerous category and often causes serious complications, as a result of which a person may become disabled, it will be easier to take timely preventive measures to prevent the development of the disease:
- to normalize nutrition by eliminating the abundance of fatty, spicy, salty and fried foods;
- to give up smoking and alcohol;
- take venotonic drugs after consulting a doctor, use ointments that strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- do not spend too much time in the same position, sitting too long is as dangerous as standing;
- allocate enough time for sports;
- control weight, prevent the appearance of extra pounds, this is especially true for women during childbirth and breastfeeding;
- choose comfortable low-heeled shoes that do not squeeze your feet, and leave high-heeled shoes for exceptions;
- take a daily contrast shower, paying special attention to the legs, arms and pelvic organs;
- stay as little as possible in warm rooms, hot saunas and baths;
- It will be useful to wear compression stockings, tights or golf with a hereditary factor.
After finding the first signs of varicose veins, it is important to contact a phlebologist and develop a treatment plan with him.