Vascular problems are a fairly common occurrence that is found in modern society more and more often. Nowadays, varicose veins of the extremities are diagnosed not only in the elderly. The disease affects youth and even children.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins on the legs, arms and other parts of the body? The first signs of the disease are very important to know. Since the effectiveness of all subsequent treatment depends on a timely diagnosis.
The symptoms of varicose veins on the legs and other parts of the body will be the focus of this article. We also talk about the causes of diseases and the necessary preventive measures to prevent the development of the pathological process. And, of course, we will pay attention to all kinds of treatment methods for varicose veins in the legs, arms, or other organs.
It is believed that this disease affects only the limbs of the human body. However, it is not. Recently, doctors are increasingly diagnosing varicose veins of the pelvis in women. Also, pathology is found in the veins of the esophagus and other internal organs. How to identify and treat such anomalies? Let's find out.
Definition of ailment
Before you find out what the disease is, you need to get general information about the structure of the human circulatory system.
As you know, the blood in our body circulates through the vessels. Arteries are vessels through which blood flows from the heart to various organs and tissues. Veins are also vessels, but blood flows through them in the opposite direction - from organs and tissues to the heart.
In order for this process to be carried out in the right direction, one-way valves are located inside each vein. They provide the necessary blood circulation in the right direction. What else is achieved thanks to such valves? Blood does not accumulate in one place, but circulates and enriches the body.
Varicose veins are characterized by damage to intravascular valves or even their complete absence. As a result, the general flow of blood is disturbed, it accumulates in the place where the pathology is detected. Because of this, the veins increase in volume and expand abnormally.
In our body, there are several types of veins - superficial (located immediately under the skin), deep (hidden deep in muscle tissue) and communicative (connect the first two types).
Most often, varicose veins of the superficial veins are diagnosed, for example, on the legs in the knees, calves or thighs. However, the disease can also affect vessels located in the pelvic or rectal region.
Lower limbs
First, pay attention to varicose veins of the lower extremities. Outwardly, the disease manifests itself in the form of lilac, blue or bluish-green veins under the skin, which curl and bulge outward. Similar manifestations can be seen in the photo below.
Causes of leg varicose veins
The main reason for the appearance of the disease, as mentioned above, are pathological processes that occur in the blood vessels themselves. What can provoke such changes?
The main provocateurs of the disease include a hereditary predisposition to deformation of the veins. Excessive loads on the legs can also negatively affect blood vessels, for example, when a person is constantly standing or walking due to his professional work. It is not surprising that teachers, athletes, and hairdressers are predisposed to such a disease.
Other negative factors that affect the elasticity of blood vessels are overweight people, hormonal changes, cardiovascular diseases (for example, thrombosis).
Do not forget about bad habits that have a negative effect not only on the veins, but also on the whole organism. It is clear that smoking and alcohol abuse may well provoke the development of the pathological process in the blood vessels.
Often a pregnancy can provoke the development of an ailment, which is a great stress and load for the whole body of a woman. Also, bearing a baby affects the hormonal background of the expectant mother, which can also cause pathological processes that occur in the circulatory system. However, it is worth remembering that, as such, pregnancy is not the cause of varicose veins. Bearing a fetus may be the cause or one of the causes of the manifestation of the disease.
It is no secret that the disease is most often diagnosed in women, and this is not always associated with the period of pregnancy or hormonal changes. Wearing uncomfortable shoes (too narrow or with very big heels) is another of the main reasons for the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities.
An important factor in the development of abnormal expansion of blood vessels can be various damage to the veins. This may include injuries or inflammatory processes taking place in the vessels, as well as the formation of blood clots.
How to identify the disease at an early stage in order to start timely and high-quality treatment? Let's find out.
Symptoms in detail
The very first sign of a problem is considered to be a pain in the legs, namely in the place where the valve was disturbed. It is also very important to pay attention to the unpleasant sensations in the lower limbs, as if the leg was heavy. This feeling is an important signal of vascular deformity.
Abnormal protrusion of the veins is another sign of the development of pathology. Veins of dark purple hues appear under the skin, they curl and swell.
The skin in the area of ​​the affected vessel becomes dry, can peel and darken, itch and itch. At the site of the development of the pathological process, edema is formed, the skin swells or swells.
If you do not pay attention to these manifestations in time, then the symptoms can intensify. Convulsions begin to bother the person, open ulcers form in the varicose region, which can bleed and cause pain. Wounds are the possibility of joining the infection, therefore you should consult a doctor as soon as possible so as not to complicate an already difficult situation.
Detection of ailment
What will the hospital say? Most likely, the specialist will refer you to the necessary examinations in order to diagnose the disease and exclude other possible diseases.
The most important diagnostic measure is the physical examination of the patient. The patient will be asked to stand, sit and wave. It is on the basis of an external examination that a diagnosis will be made.
After that, the doctor may recommend an ultrasound Dopplerography, on the basis of which it will be possible to examine the blood flow and, if available, detect a blood clot.
An angiogram may also be prescribed by a specialist. This study involves the introduction of a certain dye into the vein, due to which the structure of the vessels and their pathological changes will be clearly visible on the x-ray.
General principles of recovery
Is it possible to cure varicose veins at home? Yes, especially when it comes to the initial stages of the disease.
The first thing a doctor will advise is to adjust the weight and nutrition program. That is, if the patient has extra pounds, then he should go on a special diet to normalize his body weight. If the patient’s weight is normal, then he will still need to monitor his diet, avoiding fatty and salty foods, which can negatively affect blood vessels, as well as provoke obesity.
Moreover, a therapeutic diet may include refusing strong coffee (and sometimes even tea), smoked meats and canned goods. Alcoholic beverages are also a contraindication for people with varicose veins. It is very important to eat more vegetables and fruits (including freshly squeezed juices), cereals and soy. And, of course, do not forget about greens. Parsley, dill and salad - this is what will help to cope with any ailment!
Also, the attending physician may prescribe wearing compression underwear, for example, stocking or even pantyhose.
Many men can be complex about such an unusual treatment for varicose veins in their legs. However, do not focus on this problem. Compression underwear is a fairly common method of treating vascular pathologies of the lower extremities. Reasonable use of it will not only save the patient from unpleasant symptoms and pain, but also help prevent the progression of the disease. In some cases, such a piece of clothing for the patient will be recommended for continuous use throughout life. Very often, compression stockings are prescribed for pregnant women to alleviate their condition during gestation, when it is impossible to help the body in any other way.
The essence of this therapeutic underwear is that they squeeze the foot in the ankle area, gradually weakening the effect on the skin up the leg. Thanks to this, proper blood circulation is stimulated towards the heart.
Now on sale you can find different compression stockings and tights, differing from each other not only in size, but also in the degree of compression (pressure exerted on the leg).
Another way to treat varicose veins is to prescribe special exercises for the legs. The specialist recommends that the patient certain exercises that will help normalize blood flow in the limbs.
We pass to medical treatment
To help combat the disease, special ointments and oral medications can be prescribed, the purpose of which is to thin the blood and improve its circulation. Also, such drugs can strengthen the walls of blood vessels, relieve inflammation, anesthetize.
Most often, doctors prescribe phlebotonics (or venotonic drugs). They improve lymph flow, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, give them elasticity, and reduce the permeability of capillaries. Among the most common drugs in this group are Veniton, Antistax, Detralex and Phlebodia 600.
Also, antiplatelet agents can be prescribed for the patient, which dissolve clots and improve blood flow due to inhibition of platelet aggregation and suppression of their adhesion. Most often, for these purposes, people suffering from varicose veins take Curantil or Trental.
In the period of exacerbation of the disease, it is very important to take funds that would prevent blood coagulation. To this end, the attending physician may prescribe drugs based on heparin or its derivatives.
Against inflammation, according to experts, it is best to use non-steroidal drugs, such as Nimesulide, Diclofenac, or Reoperin.
And, of course, we must not forget about ointments. Local drugs on the pharmacological market are represented in large quantities. This and “Lyoton gel”, and “Curiosin”, and many others.
More radical treatments
Not always described above methods achieve the desired result.
In such cases, the attending physician may recommend non-invasive treatment options. What do they include? We discuss each method.
Laser treatment
One of the most gentle treatments for varicose veins is the use of a laser on the surface of the epidermis. A small flash of light illuminating the walls of the vein contributes to the development of the sclerosis process, as a result of which the affected vein disappears as if it were removed.
Laser intravenous coagulation is another treatment for varicose veins. However, it involves performing a small incision in a place located just above or slightly below the affected vein. Then a catheter is inserted into the vessel and ultrasound is sent. The laser lasts about a minute, after which the patient feels heat in the affected vein, which, after a certain time, disappears, becoming part of the connective tissue.
Since local anesthesia is administered to the patient before the procedure, the person feels absolutely nothing. After manipulation, a feeling of heaviness in the lower extremities, the appearance of bruises is possible. However, this in no way affects the recovery period. The very next day, the patient can go to work and do their usual business.
Radio frequencies
Along with the laser, the ablation method can be used, which is carried out almost in the same way as the laser coagulation described above. The difference is only in the equipment used. Instead of a laser, a specialist uses radio-frequency energy, which enters the affected vessel through a catheter, heats it until the vein walls collapse and it closes. After that, the blood goes to another channel - to a healthy vessel.
Surgical intervention
It involves the complete or partial removal of the affected vessel. Surgery for varicose veins is prescribed only as a last resort, when other treatment methods have failed. Surgeons use various surgical procedures to combat varicose veins. Some of them will be listed below:
- Crossectomy
- Venoextraction.
- Miniflebectomy.
- Endoscopy
The essence of these manipulations is as follows: small incisions are made on the leg in several places (most often under and over the affected area), after which a thin flexible wire is inserted into the vessel, which removes the diseased vein. These operations are done quite often, and almost always they go without complications, but they entail certain risks and inconveniences.
For example, such surgical interventions are performed under general anesthesia (general or spinal). The use of anesthesia can lead to allergic reactions to the drugs used, the opening of bleeding, the appearance of breathing problems.
Among the other negative factors that may occur after the operation, it is necessary to mention the possibility of infection, bruising and swelling in the affected area, nerve damage, irritation of the veins or the formation of blood clots inside the vessels. Also, one should not forget that the implementation of surgical intervention does not guarantee the absence of relapse in the future.
The postoperative period does not last long. In just one or two days, the patient can begin his daily duties. Wearing compression underwear will be recommended to him for a week.
Sclerotherapy
This is one of the methods of treatment of varicose veins, which should also be paid attention to, and it can be carried out directly in the doctor’s office without hospitalization. In the process of manipulation, a special chemical solution is injected into the diseased vein, which acts as an irritant, as a result of which the vein condenses and closes. After this, blood circulation is carried out through healthy vessels.
This procedure is applicable when a small vein is located in the knee. Sclerotherapy is usually combined with other treatments for varicose veins.
As a chemical solution, the preparations “Trombovar”, “Fibrovein” or “Ethoxycrolol” are used. After the manipulation, the patient will need to wear compressive bandages soaked in sclerosing agent. The wearing time will be determined by the attending physician individually.
Side effects of such injections include the following negative manifestations:
- The appearance of blood clots in other vessels of the lower extremities.
- Headache.
- Pain in the lower back.
- Temporary visual impairment.
- Fainting.
- Irritation of the epidermis around the injection site.
Nevertheless, most patients tolerate sclerotherapy well. If contraindications are taken into account, and the manipulation is correctly carried out, a positive result in the treatment of varicose veins is provided.
People’s first-aid kit
Is it possible to cure the disease with the help of alternative medicine? In some cases, yes, especially when it comes to the primary manifestations of the disease, and if treatment with grandmother's methods will be carried out with the permission of the attending physician.
So, what components should be stocked in order to begin an effective treatment of pathology? First of all, take apple cider vinegar. We stir two teaspoons of the product in a glass of water, add a little honey and drink on an empty stomach in the morning.
Apple cider vinegar can also be used for topical application in the form of raster, after dissolving it in water (1 to 10 ratio). Gently rub the affected area overnight - by morning, unpleasant symptoms should decrease.
Very often, tincture of chestnuts is used against varicose veins. To do this, collect beautiful and intact fruits and grind them through a meat grinder. Then fifty grams of the raw material is poured with a half-liter bottle of vodka and put in a dark place for two weeks. After this, the tincture is filtered and taken orally, thirty to forty drops per tablespoon of water half an hour before meals three or four times a day. The course of such treatment is a month. Then take a break of two weeks and, if necessary, repeat again.
This tincture can also be used to rub the affected area at night.
An old method of getting rid of varicose veins is to use leeches. How much hirudotherapy is needed in each individual case is up to the patient and his doctor.
So, we paid enough attention to varicose veins of the lower extremities. Now let's talk about other types of ailment.
Pelvic vessels
This pathology is very easy to confuse with gynecological ailments in women.
Varicose veins in the pelvic area can be regarded as hormonal disorders, pathology of the genitourinary system, or even as ordinary sciatica. However, it is very important to identify the disease as early as possible. Varicose pelvic veins in women can cause malfunctions in the ovaries and the entire circulatory system.
What are the causes of this intimate ailment?
Disease provocateurs
The main reasons for the development of the ailment include heavy pregnancy, regular high-intensity physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle, some gynecological diseases, prolonged use of hormonal medications, dissatisfaction in sexual life, and so on. Most often, varicose veins of the small pelvis occur against the background of an increased amount of estrogen. And, of course, do not forget that overweight and bad habits do not improve, but only exacerbate the situation.
How to identify such a disease?
This important symptomatology
First of all, pelvic varicose veins are manifested in pains of different intensities, which are aggravated after or during intercourse, physical exertion or prolonged stay in the same position. Also, the disease is characterized by bleeding, frequent urination, accompanied by painful sensations, swelling, redness of the vulva or perineum, burning or itching in this area.
A few words about the treatment
How to get rid of pathological dilatation of the pelvic veins? First of all, you should contact a specialist. He can recommend wearing compression underwear and special gymnastics (these are all well-known exercises performed in the supine position - “birch”, “scissors” and “bicycle”).
Also, the attending physician may be prescribed medication. About some drugs below:
- “Flebodia 600”. Tablets, the active substance of which is diosmin.
- “Chimes.” Another tabletted drug, the main component of which is dipyridamole.
- Comprehensive prescription of Wobenzym and Flogenzim preparations. The composition of the first drug is truly unique. The tablets contain extracts of papaya and pineapple, as well as the pancreas of some animals.
Among folk methods, decoctions of dandelion or chaga root, as well as chestnut tinctures, have proved to be the most effective.
And what about one more variety of varicose veins - pathology of the gastrointestinal tract?
Digestive organs
Varicose veins of the esophagus are not considered a very common ailment, most often the disease is a concomitant symptom of some more serious disease.
Why does such a pathology arise, and how to determine it?
Briefly about the causes and symptoms
The main reasons for the expansion of the veins of the esophagus are congestion in the vessels of the liver, provoked by thrombosis or cirrhosis. This pathology is most often diagnosed in men, as well as patients with serious chronic diseases, especially those who are over fifty years old. How to identify an ailment?
Esophageal varicose veins are most often asymptomatic, manifesting in rare bouts of heartburn, heaviness in the abdomen, difficulty swallowing, burping. Sometimes, patients may manifest external signs of the pathological process - protrusion of blood vessels and veins on the front wall of the abdomen (abdominal cavity).
Most often, an illness is diagnosed during a crisis, that is, when the vein wall ruptures and bleeding forms. In most cases, bleeding is accompanied by vomiting (with a bloody impurity), low blood pressure, general weakness, increased heart rate, spotting (or impurities) in the feces.
If such symptoms occur, you should definitely take a blood test and take an x-ray (with the introduction of special contrast solutions).
Treatment of pathology of the esophagus
Most often, the treatment of this disease is carried out in intensive care. In conditions of bleeding, the primary task of doctors is to eliminate it. For this, astringent preparations, colloidal solutions, and blood reducing agents can be used. In some cases, doctors recommend a transfusion of blood or its main components (or blood substitutes).
If the above methods do not give a result, specialists may consider it appropriate to conduct surgery or sclerosis of the esophagus. After recovery, the patient will need to adhere to a fairly strict diet all his life. Proper nutrition will include fractional meals, the rejection of fatty, smoked, salted and fried foods, the exclusion of hot or too cold dishes, and so on.
Prevention
It is known that the disease is easier to prevent than to treat. What measures should be taken to prevent the occurrence of a pathological process in the veins?
First of all, a healthy lifestyle! A reasonable diet, moderate physical activity, getting rid of bad habits, wearing comfortable shoes and clothes - all this will help not only to improve well-being, but also to avoid many serious ailments. I wish you good health!