If the human veins are in normal condition, then they will not be visible on the surface of the skin, regardless of what color skin you have. However, if they begin to bulge and wriggle, this may indicate the presence of such a dangerous disease as internal varicose veins. Symptoms of the pathology at the initial stage are difficult to recognize. However, it is simply impossible to miss a progressive disease.
In this article we will consider what is internal varicose veins, what are its symptoms, what diagnostic and therapeutic methods are used. Carefully read this information in order to arm yourself and protect yourself as much as possible.
What is this pathology?
Internal varicose veins is one of the most dangerous diseases of the veins, in which deep vessels are affected. This disease leads to irreversible changes in the structure of the veins themselves, as well as to subsequent damage to muscle and bone tissue.
Not only is pathology dangerous in itself, it can also cause very serious consequences. Its progression is accompanied not only by aesthetic unattractiveness, but also by strong pain. If no treatment is attempted, this can lead to a blood clot.
Internal varicose veins most often occurs in older people and is often inherited. Over time, the veins of a person wear out, and this creates obstacles to the outflow of blood.
Main reasons
Most often, patients experience internal varicose veins on the legs. Symptoms of this pathology can be recognized even at home. However, treatment should be prescribed by a qualified specialist. Of course, the main reason for the development of the disease is heredity. However, there are a number of factors that can ensure its rapid progression.
In deep veins stagnation occurs, which provokes the expansion of blood vessels. In this case, the blood becomes more viscous, which sometimes leads to the formation of a blood clot. Consider the presence of what factors can trigger the development of internal varicose veins on the legs:
- excessive exercise. This is especially true for people lifting weights;
- in women, this pathology can begin to actively progress during pregnancy and after childbirth;
- stagnant or sedentary work also leads to stagnation;
- the use of certain medications. Corticosteroids have a negative effect on human veins;
- people who abuse alcohol and also take drugs are prone to causing internal varicose veins on their legs;
- also provoking factors include injuries of the lower extremities.
According to statistics, women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men. Moreover, with age, this trend begins to increase significantly.
Damage to deep veins is initially asymptomatic, and only with time can a person learn about the presence of pathological processes in his body.
Leg varicose veins: symptoms
Of course, the main symptom of such a disease is a modification of the veins. They become large, wavy and swollen. But this is far from the only sign determining the presence of this pathology in the body. There are also a number of other signs, namely:
- significant discoloration of the skin on the legs. It acquires a violet-burgundy hue and becomes excessively dry;
- limbs begin to swell. Ulcers can form on them, as well as small tubercles;
- the patient feels constant tiredness, he is disturbed by pain in the legs;
- quite often, especially in the afternoon, when the legs are already tired, you can notice some throbbing in the veins;
- during sleep, as well as with prolonged walking, the disease can be accompanied by severe cramps;
- wounds and sores that occur on the legs heal for a very long time, since blood circulation in the lower extremities is impaired.
Dangerous complications of pathology
At the first symptoms of internal varicose veins in the legs, immediately consult a phlebologist. The later you do this, the greater the risk of various complications. The presence of bleeding ulcers on the legs indicates that the form of the disease has already begun to move to the last stage - therefore, there is a risk of huge blood loss.
In the presence of the disease, internal bleeding may occur. Such phenomena make themselves felt by strong pain in the organs of the reproductive system. After that, obvious symptoms will arise. The skin on the legs will acquire a bluish-burgundy hue.
In some cases, the disease can also affect the deep veins that are in the stomach and esophagus. Usually it is accompanied by other pathologies of the digestive tract, as well as the liver.
The disease can lead to the separation of a blood clot, and this is fraught with death.
Diagnostic research methods
It is impossible to completely get rid of internal varicose veins on the legs, the symptoms and treatment of which you can read in this article. However, the sooner you contact a qualified healthcare provider, the better you can expect. Go to the medical facility as soon as you notice even slight changes in the appearance of the veins. Your doctor will first assess your condition visually and then prescribe a series of procedures, including duplex ultrasound scanning. This diagnostic method will help to qualitatively assess the condition of the veins, analyze the features of blood flow, and also detect the presence of blood clots.
If necessary, your doctor may also refer you to plethysmography. Using this method, it is possible to easily determine disorders of the vessels of a functional nature.
There is also a technique for which the doctor injects some substance directly into a vein and, based on the results obtained, establishes a picture of the disease.
Conservative treatment methods
Many people wonder how to treat internal varicose veins. Therapeutic measures depend on what stage of progression this pathology is at. Usually, at the very first stages of its development, doctors prescribe conservative treatment methods to their patients.
This includes the use of special anticoagulant drugs. With their help, you can suspend the process of thrombosis. Most often, phlebologists prescribe medications such as Heparin and Phenylin to their patients.
If the pathology has already begun to be accompanied by the formation of blood clots, then treatment of internal varicose veins can occur using a procedure such as thrombolysis. With its help, you can dissolve already formed blood clots. To do this, use such medications as “Celiasis” and “Streptase”.
Also conservative methods of therapy include the use of compression underwear. Stockings or tights are worn constantly or during exercise. You can also use an elastic bandage. What suits you best will tell your doctor at the appointment.
If the disease is in neglected form, then in this case the patient is recommended to observe bed rest. It is best to keep your legs slightly elevated. To do this, you can put a pillow under them, twisted into a roller.
Surgical methods
Treatment of internal varicose veins of the legs in the later stages usually occurs with the help of surgical methods. Most often, such procedures are indicated if movable blood clots were found in the veins. Consider the most effective methods of surgical intervention.
- Thrombectomy This operation involves the removal of a blood clot. Usually it is carried out if the threat of its separation is insignificant, and at the same time the vein has already gained a sufficiently large diameter.
- Plication is recommended if the patient needs to ligate the vessel. It is usually prescribed if the patient has thrombophilia.
- Bypass surgery. This procedure allows you to insert an artificial vessel that can replace a heavily affected part of the vein.
- Using a cava filter. Such a device is installed when there is a huge risk of separation of the thrombus.
Alternative methods of treatment
Symptoms of internal varicose veins on the legs usually make themselves felt not at the very initial stage. That is why pathology is considered very dangerous and can even lead to death. In addition to conservative and surgical methods of treatment, there are also recipes for traditional medicine that have a very good effect on the human body. However, the best results can be achieved only by taking an integrated approach to treatment, while using conservative and alternative medicine.
Consider the most popular recipes that allow you to fight internal varicose veins (you can read about the treatment and symptoms of the disease in this article).
- A decoction of hop cones. To prepare the healing composition, you need to take one tablespoon of a fresh or dry plant and pour it with a glass of boiled water, then put it on a steam bath for about a quarter of an hour. Wait for the medicine to cool and make lotions to the most painful places.
- Medicinal collection based on birch bark. To prepare such a composition, you will have to take three tablespoons of oak bark, birch, and horse chestnut. Add two tablespoons of horsetail here. One liter of boiling water is added to the resulting mixture, boiled over low heat for five minutes. The drug is taken orally, four times a day, one glass at a time.
Preventative measures
To protect yourself from such a dangerous disease as varicose veins of an internal nature, you will have to comply with a number of necessary requirements. Of course, this is not easy, but it is even more difficult to deal with the advanced stages of varicose veins. Consider what experts advise to maintain veins in good shape:
- It is very important to play sports. However, this should be done not to obtain professional results, but to maintain your health in good condition. Avoid exercises that have a strong effect on the legs, especially exclude exercises with weight lifting. If you have a sedentary job, try to get out of your workplace every hour and walk around for at least a few minutes. The best sport that phlebologists recommend for people prone to varicose veins is swimming. Performing exercises in the water, you minimize the load on the legs and at the same time work out the muscles of the whole body well.
- Start eating right. If you are overweight, be sure to get rid of it, because it gives you an additional burden on the veins. Include foods that can thin your blood in your diet.
- Give up bad habits. Alcohol use, malnutrition, drug mischief can provoke the development of the disease.
- Pay attention to the condition of your endocrine system. If you have any pathologies of a hormonal nature, urgently proceed to stop them.
- Give up the habit of putting your foot in the foot. Despite the fact that it looks very sexy, this position of the body does terrible harm to your legs and greatly impairs the blood circulation.
- Form a habit of lying with your legs up. Do this every day before bedtime, for thirty minutes. Also do exercises such as birch and bike.
Information in conclusion
Internal varicose veins are a very dangerous disease, most often inherited. It is completely impossible to cure him. However, it is still possible to suspend its progression. Women are more likely to encounter this pathology than men. This is due to the special hormonal background of the fairer sex.
It is very important to start treatment measures in a timely manner, until the disease has not yet begun to progress. It is recommended that you also contact a phlebologist for those people who had ancestors with varicose veins in the genus. It is much easier to prevent this disease.
Internal varicose veins can contribute to the separation of the thrombus, therefore, if the doctor ordered you to have surgery, do not refuse, in any case, otherwise it can lead to death.
Take care of your health right now. Improve your lifestyle, go in for sports, eat right and follow other preventive measures. Do not forget that you have only one health. As soon as you start taking care of yourself, your body will begin to take care of you. Be healthy and take care!