Many people occasionally experience red spotted skin rashes. They appear due to the leakage of a small amount of blood through the wall of small vessels - capillaries. If such changes are single, do not sound the alarm. Periodic violation of the integrity of the vessel wall can be in absolutely healthy people.
But if such dots cover almost the entire body and appear frequently, this may indicate vascular fragility. It is for such people that this article.
Pathogenesis of the disease
Pathogenesis is the phased development of a certain disease from the moment the pathological process starts until recovery. You need to know it, as this simplifies the understanding of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pathology.
The main mechanism of increased fragility of blood vessels is a violation of the structure of the vascular wall. This can occur due to direct exposure to toxic substances, damage to the vessel by inflammatory mediators, changes in vascular tone due to excessive activation of the sympathoadrenal mechanism.
This part of the nervous system is included in the work during the action of stress factors. Increased adrenaline rush leads to narrowing of the lumen of the vessel and hypertonicity of its smooth muscles. Short-term activation of the sympathetic nervous system does not cause any problems, but its prolonged excitation ultimately leads to an increase in the permeability of the vascular wall. That is why with severe nervous shocks in humans, vascular fragility occurs and pinpoint rashes appear.
Causes of the disease
The fragility of blood vessels appears not only with an increase in the tone of their walls, but also, on the contrary, with their sagging. This is a characteristic symptom of a lack of vitamins C and P, which are called ascorbic acid and rutin, respectively. In addition to hypovitaminosis, the following causes of vascular fragility are possible:
- acute viral diseases (flu, adenovirus infection);
- purulent tonsillitis;
- nephritis;
- autoimmune inflammatory processes (rheumatism, lupus erythematosus);
- vasculitis - inflammation of the vascular wall;
- diabetes;
- hypertonic disease;
- chronic stress, neurosis;
- septic condition;
- idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - reduced platelet count.
The spectrum of conditions that lead to fragility of blood vessels is really wide. Therefore, when diagnosing a disease, it is important not only to indicate the fact of damage to the vascular wall, but also to find out what caused it. Indeed, the causes and treatment of vascular fragility in women and men have a direct relationship. To restore the structure of the vascular wall, it is necessary to eliminate the initial process.
Symptoms of increased fragility of blood vessels
The disease can manifest itself in completely different forms. It all depends on the severity of the problem. So, with pronounced fragility of the vessels, nosebleeds occur. Women may even experience uterine hemorrhages. If the disease passes in a mild form, small spots appear on the body, the diameter of which is several millimeters.
Vessels perform a trophic, or nutritional, function. In addition, they are actively involved in heat transfer. Therefore, with increased fragility of the vessels on the legs, the patient feels a constant cold in the feet, even in the heat. The skin of the lower legs becomes dry, cracks appear on it. When running processes, ulcers arise that heal with difficulty.
Most often, symptoms appear in the cold season. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, in winter and spring, a person suffers from a lack of vitamins due to the cold, less outdoor activity, and the absence of many fruits and vegetables.
Secondly, cold air causes spasm of the vascular wall. And a long spasm, as we have already found out, leads to fragility of the vessel and impaired blood circulation.
Methods for Determining Increased Fragility: Harness Symptom
Violation of the structure of the vascular wall can be determined already at the first examination of the patient, without the use of laboratory and instrumental diagnostics.
There are several methods for detecting vascular fragility:
- pinch symptom;
- malleus symptom;
- symptom of tourniquet.
The last symptom on the list is used to determine fragility of blood vessels in the hands. To do this, take the cuff, which is in the kit for measuring blood pressure. Mentally divide the patient’s shoulder into three parts and apply a cuff to the middle third with such force that it blocks the blood flow in the veins, and the arterial current is preserved. Veins are thinner vessels than arteries, so it’s easier to squeeze them. Inflate the pressure in the cuff so that it is equal to diastolic. An ordinary tourniquet is also possible. In this case, it is enough to apply the cuff for 5 minutes, and the tourniquet for 10 minutes.
The symptom is considered positive if small and larger hemorrhagic rashes appear at the site of compression and beyond. They are called petechiae and ecchymoses, respectively.
Most often, such a reaction is observed with the following diseases:
- typhus;
- scarlet fever;
- idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura;
- sepsis;
- flu.
Methods for determining increased fragility: symptom of pinching and malleus
A pinch symptom is performed on the skin of the front or lateral surface of the chest, it is most convenient and informative to do this between the first and second ribs. The doctor takes a fold of skin with the index and thumb, so as to capture two to three millimeters. Next, the doctor moves the crease with two fingers in opposite directions. If fragility of blood vessels occurs, a hemorrhagic spot appears on the skin.
For carrying out the malleus symptom, a special percussion malleus is needed. The doctor gently taps them on the surface of the sternum. If the symptom is positive, small red rashes appear on the sternum.
Additional diagnostic methods
The above survey methods help determine the presence of fragility of the vascular wall, but do not say anything about its origin. If the doctor suspects the presence of a more serious pathology on the basis of a patient examination, collection of complaints and anamnesis, he prescribes laboratory and instrumental methods.
The most commonly used diagnostic methods are:
- general and biochemical blood tests - to detect signs of inflammation of an infectious or autoimmune origin;
- urine tests - if there is a suspicion of impaired renal function;
- blood test for sugar - to confirm or exclude diabetes;
- ultrasound examination - if necessary, examine the vessel wall;
- Ultrasound with Doppler - allows you to see the blood flow through the vessel.
Treatment of the disease: etiotropic
If, after conducting additional examination methods, the doctor made an accurate diagnosis, he prescribes treatment for the cause of vascular fragility. For example, in autoimmune disease, corticosteroids and cytostatics are used. These drugs inhibit the immune response, thereby inhibiting the production of antibodies against their own cells.
If an acute viral disease is the basis of increased fragility, the doctor may prescribe specific antiviral drugs. For example, Oseltamivir is effective for influenza. If the cause is a purulent process, antibacterial drugs are used.
With diabetes, a strict diet and the use of drugs that lower blood sugar are important. With high blood pressure, it is necessary to correct it with antihypertensive agents.
Treatment of the disease: symptomatic
In addition to eliminating the cause, symptomatic treatment is performed. It is aimed at restoring the vessel wall and eliminating a hemorrhagic rash. The following groups of drugs are used:
- multivitamin complexes containing vitamins C and P;
- drugs that increase vascular tone and strengthen the wall of a blood vessel: Ascorutin, Kapilar, Rutozid.
If large bruises are observed on the body that cannot be resolved after drug therapy, cosmetic intervention is possible:
- ozone therapy;
- sclerosis;
- laser photocoagulation;
- electrocoagulation.
Reviews say that such methods show high efficiency.
Preventative measures
To avoid fragility of blood vessels, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:
- give up bad habits: alcohol, smoking;
- strengthen blood vessels with the help of physical activity: walking, exercising, cycling, jogging;
- increase vascular tone using a contrast shower;
- increase the amount of foods containing vitamins A, C, E and P in your diet; these vitamins are found in vegetables, fruits, fish, herbs, cereals.
The right way of life is a guarantee not only of strong vessels, but also of health in general!