Varicose veins: causes, symptoms and treatment

Varicose veins are an extremely common vascular pathology. According to statistics, an illness in varying degrees of development is recorded in almost every fourth inhabitant of the planet. The causes of varicose veins can be very diverse, as well as treatment methods.

Naturally, many people are looking for additional information about this pathology. What is varicose veins on the legs? Causes, treatment, symptoms, stages of development - this is important and interesting information that is worth exploring.

General information about the development of the disease

Many people today suffer from a disease such as varicose veins. Causes, symptoms, treatment methods are, of course, important issues. But first, consider the general facts.

Varicose veins are called pathology, accompanied by the expansion of the walls of the venous vessels, the formation of nodes, impaired normal 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 a greater exposure of the body to hormonal changes. However, in men, the disease also occurs, although less frequently.

To understand the mechanism of development of the disease, it is worth considering some physiological features. As you know, blood is ejected into the aorta under pressure, and then spreads to smaller arteries and arterioles.

From tissues, blood with low oxygen levels is collected in the veins. Blood moves through these vessels, overcoming the force of attraction. That is why the veins are equipped with special valves that prevent the return flow 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 stagnation. The walls of blood vessels sometimes form nodes that protrude through the skin. In most cases, the disease affects the veins of the lower extremities - first small, superficial, and then larger, deeper.

Varicose veins: causes

As already mentioned, this disease is associated with impaired blood flow. The causes of varicose veins can be very different. It is worth considering the most common risk factors:

• There is a genetic predisposition. Some people are born with various pathologies that are characterized by weak connective tissue. According to statistics, 70% of children whose parents suffered from varicose veins face the same problem, and pathology can occur at any age.
• Risk factors include hormonal changes. The fact is that against the background of certain hormonal disruptions, weakening (often even temporary) of muscle tissue is often observed, which leads to expansion of 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, blood volume increases, blood pressure increases.
• Many scientists call this pathology retribution for upright posture. 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.
• Sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work is dangerous. By the way, these are the most common causes of varicose veins in men. Hypodynamia affects muscles and blood vessels, makes them weak, as a result of which the walls of the veins are more prone to varicose expansion.
• Risk factors include the presence of a mechanical obstruction that disrupts blood flow (for example, the appearance of blood clots or tumors that block the lumen of the vessel).
• The causes of varicose veins can be covered in an emotional state. The fact is that constant stress, nervous overfatigue and overstrain affects the level of hormones, which can lead to a weakening of the heart and blood vessels.
• Pathology is sometimes the result of the ingress of toxins into the body. The same group of factors includes alcohol abuse, prolonged use of certain drugs, and 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. Often, obese people suffer from a similar problem.

What are the symptoms of the disease?

You already know what varicose legs are. The causes of the pathology may be different, but the symptoms, as a rule, look more or less the same:

• In the initial stages, heaviness appears in the legs, which intensifies after prolonged standing or physical exertion.
• Patients also complain of a feeling of warmth, and sometimes burning in the affected areas of the body.
• By evening, the lower extremities often swell strongly, which indicates the presence of congestion in the vessels.
• As the pathology progresses, the veins expand. If at the initial stages only light outlines of blood vessels are visible through the skin and spider veins appear, then gradually they turn into rather large, sinuous nodes.
• The skin of the lower legs becomes more red. Sometimes it is possible to observe the appearance of seals.
• In a horizontal position, the network of vessels partially disappears. If the patient is standing, then the venous nodes become larger, more voluminous.
• Symptoms of the disease include increased pigmentation in the affected areas of the body. The skin here becomes very thin and dry. The appearance of trophic ulcers.

This is what varicose veins on the legs look like. Causes, symptoms you already know. It is worth to get information about the treatment.

Stages of the 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. In this case, 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. Blood clots are already possible at this stage. This is the beginning of true varicose veins.
• In the third stage, persistent edema of the feet and legs is added to the above symptoms.
• The fourth stage is accompanied by trophic disorders. 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. Perhaps the appearance of small areas of inflammation.
• At the fifth stage, ulcers form on the skin, which are still sensitive to the therapy.
• At the sixth stage, active trophic ulcers appear on the skin, which are practically not treatable.

Possible complications

Most patients, in particular women, perceive this disease only as not a very pleasant aesthetic defect. However, impaired circulation can have dangerous consequences:

• In the absence of treatment, varicose veins sometimes lead to the development of chronic venous insufficiency.
• Thrombophlebitis is a disease that is accompanied by inflammation of the venous walls with the further formation of blood clots.
• Against the background of progressive varicose veins, trophic ulcers are often formed on the skin of the legs. Since skin tissue is thinned, even the slightest trauma 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 thromboembolism develops against venous 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.

Diagnostics: what methods are used?

The 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 the venous blood flow. Informative is the x-ray examination of blood vessels with the preliminary introduction of a contrast agent into the blood.

Conservative therapy

The treatment regimen is made by the attending physician, general attention to the symptoms present, the stage of the development of the disease, the presence of concomitant pathologies.

• Corticosteroids help to narrow the vessels, relieve the inflammatory process, eliminate itching, burning, the manifestation of allergic reactions.
• In the treatment regimen, as a rule, venotonic drugs are also included, in particular, Venoruton, Detralex. Such funds help relieve swelling and a burning sensation, eliminate night leg cramps, improve vascular wall tone, normalize blood circulation, and prevent the formation and growth of nodes.
• Antiplatelet agents (for example, Warfarin, Aspirin, Trental) are used if there is a risk of thrombosis. Such drugs thin the blood, help normalize body temperature and relieve soreness.
• Antithrombotic drugs are used to prevent the formation of blood clots or to eliminate existing blood clots. Effective anticoagulants 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, have a positive effect on the work of the body, including the cardiovascular system.
• Patients are prescribed a course of therapeutic massages. Such manipulations help to eliminate stagnation, relieve muscle spasm, improve blood circulation and trophism of skin tissues.
• Also, patients are recommended to wear special compression underwear, which ensures normal blood flow, prevents the development of edema.
• In this case, hirudotherapy is considered effective, since leeches release natural substances in the human blood that prevent clotting.

Surgical removal of affected vessels

What to do if a patient has varicose veins on his 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 form, remove nodes. In this case, surgical excision and stitching of the affected vessels is possible, but such a procedure is rarely performed, as it involves a lot of complications. To date, minimally invasive procedures are considered more effective:

• Laser or electrocoagulation helps “cauterize" a diseased vessel. This procedure deals with small vascular networks.
• Popular and effective today is sclerotherapy. During the procedure, the doctor introduces 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.
• If we are talking about large veins, then patients are usually sent for laser coagulation. A special diode is introduced into the affected vessel, through which laser radiation is then launched. Under the influence of a laser, blood cells change, forming a “plug”, which blocks the blood flow. Subsequently, the clot resolves naturally.

Alternative methods of treatment

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 it possible to do something at home?

Of course, there are a large number of recommendations from folk healers:

• Horse chestnut is very effective for varicose veins. It’s easy to prepare tincture. 50 g of horse chestnut flowers need to pour 0.5 liters of alcohol. Close the container and leave for two weeks in a dark, cool place (the contents of the jar must be shaken every day). Further, 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 the tincture can be resumed.
• Juices from spinach leaves, carrots, beets, celery stalks, parsley are considered useful for varicose veins.
• You can clean and strengthen the vessels with lemon and garlic. To prepare the medicine, four lemons (with peel) and four heads of garlic (previously peeled) must be passed through a meat grinder. Spread the resulting mixture in a jar and fill with three liters of boiled water (warm, not hot). The medicine is infused for three days, after which it can be filtered. It is recommended to take 100 ml three times a day with meals. Store the product in the refrigerator.

Preventive measures

Unfortunately, people can face such a problem as varicose veins on their legs. The causes of the development of the disease, we have already studied. But sometimes it’s much easier to prevent the appearance and further progress of the pathology. Prevention in this case includes several simple rules:

• An active lifestyle, moderate physical activity (for example, swimming, cycling, walking in comfortable shoes), especially if a person has “sedentary” work. ”
• You need to abandon clothing that squeezes the skin of the lower extremities, groin and waist too much.
• During sleep or relaxation, it is recommended that you place a small pillow under your feet.
• It is important to eat right, maintain body weight within normal limits.
• A positive shower affects the condition of the vessels (if the procedure is carried out regularly).
• It is important to monitor the drinking regimen, drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day.
• It is necessary to abandon alcohol and other bad habits.

Compliance with such simple recommendations will help stop the development of varicose veins (if we are talking about the initial stages of pathology, of course).