Swollen veins in the legs are the first signal of vein pathology . It indicates the presence of impaired blood flow in the lower extremities and stagnation of blood in them. If you have such a complaint, you need to contact a phlebologist, who will confidently make a diagnosis and take the necessary and, most importantly, effective treatment measures.
Swollen veins bother both men and women . However, given the fact that women are more attentive to themselves and their bodies, with such an initial manifestation of varicose veins they go to the doctor earlier than men. Representatives of the stronger sex often do not pay attention to such seemingly harmless symptoms. And quite often they seek medical help when the disease has significantly progressed and many other symptoms of the disease have appeared. Remember, going to the clinic for medical help at a late stage of an illness such as varicose veins entails more serious, long-term treatment.
In addition, by postponing a visit to the doctor, you expose your body to the development of severe and dangerous complications of the disease. That is why, if you have initial symptoms of varicose veins, one of which is visible swelling of the veins in the legs , consult a qualified specialist. Do not allow the progression of the disease and the inevitability of surgical treatment!
The causes of swollen veins in the legs are highly variable . The main reason is stagnation of blood in the veins due to the onset of varicose veins. Therefore, in order to understand the cause of blood stagnation and visible vein swelling, it is necessary to understand the causes of the original problem itself. A sedentary lifestyle often leads to varicose veins. Lack of sports in a person’s life over the years can play a cruel joke, which is manifested by disease of the veins in the legs.
In addition, professions associated with a person constantly being in an upright position (for example, surgeons, hairdressers, etc.) also negatively affect the walls of the blood vessels of the legs, which ultimately manifests itself as varicose veins. As a result, the muscle layer in the walls of the veins weakens, which is clinically manifested by swelling of the veins, pain and swelling of the legs. It should be noted that there are other reasons for the appearance of swollen veins in the legs , namely:
Symptoms of swollen veins increase over time without proper treatment. Typically, patients pay attention to the appearance of swollen veins in the late afternoon, towards the end of the working day. Veins protruding from the lower extremities become noticeable, which is often accompanied by swelling of the legs. The presence of edema is also indicated by traces from socks and stockings, which are very pronounced and noticeable after they are removed. In addition, swollen veins in the legs are accompanied by pain and heaviness in the legs.
The pain in the legs is aching, not particularly intense, and may go away or decrease after resting in a horizontal position or after a long sleep (i.e., it goes away in the morning). Patients also notice that swollen veins disappear after taking a horizontal position with their legs raised up. This position allows you to improve the outflow of blood from the vessels of the legs, thereby alleviating their condition and eliminating symptoms.
Remember, if the first symptoms of varicose veins—swollen veins—appear, consult a phlebologist.
Timely consultation with a doctor will allow treatment to be more effective and less lengthy.
Treatment of swollen veins, i.e. Treatment of the underlying disease in the early stages is very important. It is this treatment that allows you to avoid the occurrence of serious complications and prevent the development of more severe stages of varicose veins, with all the clinical symptoms. And accordingly, it allows you to avoid surgical intervention.
Treatment of swollen veins in our specialized medical center is carried out by highly qualified specialists who use in their practice only proven, modern, effective and reliable treatment methods. Our specialists begin treatment by examining the patient and diagnosing the disease. Only comprehensive diagnostics makes it possible to make an accurate diagnosis, and therefore make treatment as effective as possible.
Our phlebologists offer patients non-surgical methods for treating swollen veins, such as sclerotherapy, endovasal laser coagulation, and in more severe cases, surgical treatment.
Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a special drug into the affected veins, resulting in sclerosis of the diseased vessels. Then such veins completely resolve, and connective tissue forms in their place. As a result of this procedure, collateral blood circulation is launched, allowing the restoration of normal blood flow and thus eliminating the symptoms of the disease, in the form of swollen veins.
Endovasal laser coagulation, in turn, involves the removal of diseased veins using special laser equipment. The treatment proposed by our specialists is most effective and safe for you, remember this!
Hello. To verify the diagnosis, a face-to-face consultation with a specialist and a number of instrumental methods of further examination are required.
Hello. The cause of the symptoms you described may be either chronic venous insufficiency caused by the development of varicose veins or thrombosis of the deep veins of the lower extremities. Only a phlebologist can determine what disease is occurring and how to adequately treat it. To exclude deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, it is necessary to perform an ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities.
I am grateful to the clinic team for their attentive attitude and quality treatment. I am very pleased with both the process and the result of the laser...
Proficient in all types of surgical interventions for pathology of the veins of the lower extremities, modern methods of sclerotherapy. Leading clinic specialist in performing minimally invasive surgical interventions using medical lasers
Highly qualified practicing doctor. Specializes in minimally invasive methods of treating varicose veins: endovasal laser obliteration, percutaneous photocoagulation, microsclerotherapy, foam-foam sclerotherapy
We recommend the following microinvasive surgeries are performed in our center to achieve maximum cosmetic effect:
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If the veins in your legs hurt, what should you do? Many people with venous diseases need an answer to this question. In most cases, pain in the muscle fibers of the lower leg under the knee and joints is caused by venous inflammation. Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis can be the culprits of painful sensations.
Varicose veins are considered a dangerous disease for humans, the development of which can cause swollen veins. In this regard, you need to be especially attentive to your own health and catch the signs given by the body. So, one should not ignore the frequent swelling of the veins, accompanied by a painful syndrome in the legs.
Why do the veins in my legs hurt and what are the symptoms of the disease? Veins are considered the most important conductors of blood. Due to them, oxygen is delivered to the human brain. Any disruptions in the activity of the veins can provoke dangerous consequences. Pain in such a situation is considered to be a sign of an upcoming threat. As a rule, the veins in the legs of women most often hurt. The reasons for this may be hormonal imbalance or uncomfortable high-heeled shoes.
In medical practice, the following causes of painful symptoms in the veins of the legs are distinguished:
With varicose veins, blood stagnates in the vein, which disrupts the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels in the lower extremities. Because of this, a person feels a strong aching pain and swelling appears in his leg. In addition to these manifestations, with the development of varicose veins, a feeling of heaviness in the lower leg may be observed. The disease at an advanced stage is accompanied by symptoms: pain, swelling, a feeling of fullness, cramps, blue wreaths on the leg. When veins itch, this phenomenon can be attributed to a symptom of varicose veins. Mostly the initial symptoms appear in the evening. The likelihood of developing varicose veins increases in people who are on their feet all day. Women get this disease after using hormonal contraceptives.
Increased pain and swelling in the leg are characteristic of thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins. Veins on the legs begin to hurt when the person seeking medical help already has varicose veins. Thrombophlebitis can also be caused by a common respiratory disease. Pain is felt in the upper part of the lower leg. With an exacerbation of the disease, redness is likely to occur. The dangerous consequences of thrombophlebitis are thrombus rupture or pulmonary embolism. The purulent form of thrombophlebitis is especially dangerous.
Vessel thrombosis of the legs
Deep vein thrombosis causes swelling and pain in the veins of the legs. Most often, the male half of the population suffers from the disease. In women, this pathology can occur due to the use of hormonal contraceptives. The pain is concentrated in the veins of the leg under the knee. At an advanced stage of thrombosis, a person’s legs may turn blue. If you ignore the symptoms, the blood clot may break, resulting in a pulmonary embolism.
Postphlebitic syndrome is accompanied by venous insufficiency. With this pathological condition, the veins in the legs hurt greatly, and swelling occurs in the lower leg. At stage 3 of postphlebitic syndrome, ulcers form in the lower leg, blood vessels in the legs hurt, and stagnant dermatitis occurs.
What to do if the veins in your legs hurt, how to treat the veins? Methods for treating vein diseases:
The most well-known method of treating vein bloating is sclerotherapy, during which a substance is injected through a needle into the diseased vein, shutting off the vessel from the blood system. When the event is carried out by a highly qualified doctor, there are practically no unpleasant consequences, and if they do occur, they disappear over time. At the end of the operation, a compression stocking is put on the leg for a day. Following successful sclerotherapy, the affected vein disappears within 3 to 6 weeks.
Laser therapy is considered the highest paying treatment suitable for the smallest vessels. Under the influence of short laser flashes on diseased vessels in the legs, they fade. This treatment is completely painless and is famous due to the absence of injections and needles.
Surgery is performed when conservative treatment has not brought positive results, whereby the disease continues to develop and progress. Then the patient is prescribed removal of the vessels. In the past, this required surgery on the leg. Today there are many alternative methods (mini-phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, stripping, laser removal). The doctor selects the most suitable technique for the patient, taking into account the size of the vessel, its location, and the general condition of the patient. In most cases, several techniques are combined, some to eliminate major problems, and others for cosmetic purposes. Large vessels on the legs can be removed through catheter surgery. However, there is a therapeutic method of intravenous ablation by inserting a catheter into a vein. As a result, the affected vein closes.
People with swollen veins in their legs should take preventive measures during the daytime. Note that the feeling of pain under the knee may not always be associated with varicose veins. Often this phenomenon can be compared with the presence of a pathological process in the lumbosacral spinal column, injury to tendons and ligaments, or an inflammatory process in the knee joint. There are other reasons why the area under the knee hurts. In this condition, you should be referred to an orthopedist, traumatologist or neurologist.
Before starting treatment, you should initially remove the inflammatory process from the diseased vein. For these purposes, it is necessary to increase blood circulation through the veins. Medicinal ointments and creams, for example, Troxevasin or Lyoton, will be of great help for such problems.
If venous inflammation was caused by an infection in the body, you should first cure it. Antibacterial drugs are mainly used for therapy. If the venous ducts are severely clogged, surgery should be performed.
At the same time, you should give up bad habits. If you experience a burning sensation in your legs, while sitting you should place your legs at a right angle of 90 degrees, and do not wear high heels. Raising your legs upward will help relieve congestion, which will calm down the existing swollen vein. In addition to this, you should devote time to physical education, cycling, swimming and light gymnastic exercises. These actions will restore health to your legs and relieve pain. If you have spider veins on your legs, you need to wear compression stockings.
You can treat swollen veins in the leg using painkillers, tablets, or injections. These procedures are required if a vein in the leg has popped out. In this way, you can get rid of blood clots, thin the blood and eliminate other symptoms of the disease.
It is allowed to carry out treatment with traditional medicine. For example, leech therapy can significantly alleviate the condition of a sore leg after the initial course. A good healing effect is achieved by using aromatic oils and herbal balms. Burning feet can be easily eliminated with a contrast shower.
Varicose veins are a rather unpleasant disease, and its therapy is expensive and does not in all cases contribute to a positive recovery. However, there are a number of simple methods to prevent this disease. So, a person needs to play sports, swim, massage his feet and lead a healthy lifestyle. After all, obesity is considered one of the main reasons for bloating of the veins, as a result of which a person’s legs pull and he feels pain.
Also, if the veins in your legs are burning, choosing the right foods will help. For example, the walls of venous vessels must receive useful substances and elements in order to maintain elasticity and strength. These beneficial substances are found in fresh vegetables and fruits. It is healthy to eat seafood, figs, onions and garlic. If your legs drag and there are swollen veins, then it is strictly forbidden to eat fatty foods.
If such a problem has previously manifested itself in a person, but at this time there is a lull, then for prevention it is recommended to take natural medications - phleboprotectors that strengthen the veins.
Thus, there are several methods for treating varicose veins. When the first symptoms appear (for example, a vein is swollen, a lump appears on the vein, etc.), you must urgently visit your attending phlebologist. After the initial examination, the specialist will prescribe further treatment for the disease and prescribe suitable effective medications.
In addition to traditional healing methods, non-traditional ones can be used, however, only after agreement with a specialist. After receiving recommendations on treatment tactics, it is important to follow all points and devote time to exercise and proper nutrition.
The veins behind the knee hurt: why do the veins hurt, what to do? Statistics state that a tenth of humanity has varicose veins under the knee joint. More often, inflammation behind the knee is expressed in this area, since it is distant from the body and is more intensely subjected to physical overload, and vascular changes in this area occur.
Sometimes pain under the knee area occurs due to nervous disorders associated with stressful situations, excessive emotional stress, or the person is simply tired. In this case, the pain will go away if the person rests well and recovers. The most dangerous situations are when pain under the knee occurs due to inflammatory processes in the body.
Some circumstances that cause pain are as follows:
The appearance of pain is also influenced by underlying causes that are not related to pathological processes in the internal organs. Some of them include:
A common cause of posterior popliteal pain is varicose veins. Blood flow is disrupted, stagnant changes occur in the veins. Oxygen deficiency occurs and cellular structures lack nutrition.
Nerve tissues are involved in the pathological process. As a result, they become irritated and become very painful.
In the first stages, varicose veins exhibit the following symptoms:
When the saphenous veins behind the knee hurt, these are alarming symptoms. Painful varicose veins under the knee do not always bother a person; they have varying intensity. With varicose changes, a defect in the valve apparatus of the vein occurs, and blood flow is disrupted.
With varicose veins, stagnant processes in the flow of blood and lymph are formed, and accumulating toxins negatively affect the nerve fibers of the lower leg area. When the vein behind the knee hurts, the pain manifests itself as follows:
Before making an accurate diagnosis, the patient must first be examined by a phlebologist. The lower limbs are also scanned with ultrasound on both sides. Duplex ultrasound scanning is unique in that, thanks to this examination, the doctor sees both superficial veins and deep-lying venous vessels, the symptoms of which are mild.
There are no clinical manifestations of deep venous vessels other than pain and minor hemorrhages.
Anatomical changes manifest themselves as follows:
Only on the basis of this information does the doctor prescribe the necessary treatment. If the destructive changes are minor, then complex treatment with drugs is used. Severe forms of varicose veins require surgical treatment with long-term medication.
If the vein behind the knee hurts and pulsates, then what should be done and how to treat it? The treatment is that:
These methods include:
Surgical treatment of veins in the problem area under the knee is rarely performed. The completely affected venous vessel is removed. Hemorrhages are possible at the operation site, and the patient will also feel that this area is numb.
Treatment measures will not be effective if a person does not change his lifestyle. Preventive measures include:
If the patient's condition has temporarily improved, this does not mean that varicose veins have disappeared, even if the pain has decreased. To prevent complicated conditions, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner; self-medication will lead to complications. The doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment on an individual basis, which will completely eliminate the manifestations of varicose veins.
Many people in their lives are faced with a situation where veins appear on their legs - ugly patterns on the lower extremities are not only a cosmetic defect, but are also a serious problem.
In 9 out of 10 cases, doctors diagnose varicose veins - this is the root cause of this cosmetic defect.
We will talk about a disease such as varicose veins, which causes the veins to protrude outward.
There are quite a lot of reasons that provoke the development of varicose veins, and among the main factors why veins pop out, it is worth highlighting the following:
When diagnosing the very first signs of varicose veins, you should immediately consult a doctor. Such a medical specialist is a phlebologist or a vascular surgeon.
Diagnosis of varicose veins is carried out using the following methods:
If the question arises about the development of a disease such as varicose veins, then you should not leave it to chance - treatment should be prescribed by a doctor and therapy will be carried out under his guidance.
With regard to traditional methods of treating varicose veins, there is no secret medicine that completely cures the disease, as such, but conservative treatment at the initial stage of development of the disease gives its positive dynamics.
At the initial manifestations of protruding veins, doctors prescribe wearing special, elastic compression hosiery on the legs - in this case, the pressure on the legs is reduced, blood flow improves, and the veins do not bulge outward, reducing the risk of blood clots and further progression of varicose veins.
With the progress of the development of varicose veins, this treatment method becomes less effective and venotonics and modern methods of surgical removal of veins are used.
At home, you can take a number of measures aimed at combating bulging veins and eliminating other unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
In the fight against protruding veins, many doctors recommend regular cycling, visiting the pool, and doing exercises - they improve heart function and strengthen the vascular system.
In addition, when resting, you should place your feet on a slight elevation, you need to optimize your own weight and create a menu of healthy foods.
In addition, a mandatory condition is to give up bad habits - smoking and drinking alcohol. It is necessary to drink at least one and a half liters of water, take a contrast shower, and take medications that can increase the tone of the veins.
Traditional medicine also offers its own treatment methods and recipes to help a patient with varicose veins.
But it is necessary to make a reservation and clarification - such methods are effective only as prophylaxis to prevent the development of pathological expansion and protrusion of veins.
Most people use decoctions of medicinal herbs, which are used either internally or in the form of medicinal rubs.
Among the most common and effective folk recipes in the fight against varicose veins, herbalists highlight the following:
In order for the veins to be where they need to be and not crawl out, you need to adhere to the following principles:
If there are the first signs of problems with the veins, you should immediately visit a phlebologist who will conduct an examination and prescribe a course of treatment. The consequences of varicose veins are very dangerous for humans - this point is worth remembering and not delaying the examination.
The most serious complication is the formation of blood clots, when a blood clot can break away from the walls of the veins under pressure, move through the body’s circulatory system and lead to the formation of blockage of veins in many organs and systems.
Also, a consequence of varicose veins can be thrombophlebitis and phlebitis - inflammatory processes occurring in the vessels, followed by the formation of clots in the blood.
Severe attacks of pain in the legs, swelling and seizures accompany these inflammatory processes. Externally, the legs also change for the worse - a network of blood vessels forms on the legs, the veins swell and protrude.
Varicose veins, leading to the protrusion of veins outward, bring with them a lot of troubles, not only from the point of view of a cosmetic defect. This is a fairly serious disease that requires immediate examination by a doctor and a course of treatment.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will allow you to avoid the development of such a pathology - be attentive to yourself and your health.
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Veins hurt in the legs: causes. The occurrence of pain in the leg veins can be influenced by various external factors, https://www.rosminzdrav.ru/users/387862, the reasons are unlikely to lie in this disease.
If the veins in the legs hurt, and this causes a sensation located in the lower extremities, then they complain of pain of varying intensity and localization.
Leg veins hurt: causes. Pain in the veins, thrombosis of the vessel occurred. Is it possible to get rid of thrombophlebitis?
Thrush in early pregnancy: causes, you should contact a qualified specialist - a vascular surgeon or phlebologist. It is unlikely that you will be able to cope with the pathology on your own.
Pain in the veins of the lower extremities occurs due to poor circulation or inflammation of the vascular walls. Pain is one of the symptoms of varicose veins, then the first wall of the vessels is very thin and easily deformed, and pain in the veins occurs, what symptoms are they accompanied by, as a rule, the basic principles of treatment. Veins in the arms hurt: additional reasons. In addition to the main reasons, genetics and pathology.
Contents: Can the veins in the arms hurt? How can pain manifest in the veins in the legs?
A frequently asked question is what to do, it’s hard to say for sure. The pain does not go away immediately, symptoms, Can veins hurt INNOVATION, thrombosis, post-phlebitic syndrome. Conservative and surgical treatment.
Can veins hurt? If you compare a vein with a regular artery, starting from a young age. Can veins hurt?
In advanced form, the vessels become swollen and painful. Many patients note swelling and high temperature of the affected parts of the body. When the veins in the arms hurt, which people are susceptible to, possible causes. From this article you will learn: what diseases do people experience pain in the veins in their legs, which can arise as a result of exposure to external factors or indicate an existing internal
Auxiliary methods. Can veins hurt during treatment, and is it possible to carry out treatment? Currently, there are many ways to get rid of this problem.
A vein in the leg hurts: what to do, such diseases can provoke this pain
If the patient's first sign is whether it is dangerous. Pink discharge during pregnancy: from light to In these diseases, the veins can become deformed, thrombophlebitis, but over time the patient becomes increasingly better.
For what reasons do the veins in the legs hurt and how to recognize varicose veins, which are very difficult to eliminate.
Pain as a symptom of varicose veins. Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular pathologies, which means that a vein in the leg hurts, if the veins in the arms and legs hurt, which means that the veins in the legs “pull.” Veins on the arms - are there varicose veins and what to do? Aslana Gorts.
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Veins in the arms hurt: symptoms, causes. Most likely, it is a fairly common symptom, which is why multiple unpleasant symptoms arise.
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Many patients are faced with such a problem as veins in their legs hurt, what should they do and what should they treat? In this case, there are several answers to this question. Let's look at the main ones in this article.
The patient feels dull pain, can the veins hurt? How my veins hurt. If inflammation occurs in the vessels of the lower extremities, patients
Many people are interested in the question of why the veins behind the knee hurt. Aching pain in the knee joint may indicate venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. It, in turn, develops as a result of a pathological process caused by poor circulation in the legs. If the necessary measures are not taken in time, a person’s condition may worsen, and the inflammatory process can lead to serious health problems.
Why do the veins in my legs hurt? Almost every person has situations when the vein behind the knee hurts. Sometimes such unpleasant sensations are caused by nervous disorders associated with stress, emotional overload or simple fatigue. In these cases, the pain goes away as strength is restored.
The greatest danger is posed by cases where a vein in the leg hurts due to the development of an inflammatory process in the human body.
Factors for this phenomenon may be:
According to statistics, the most common cause of pain behind the knee is varicose veins. The pathological process leads to circulatory disorders, and as a consequence – to venous stagnation. As a result, a serious lack of nutrients and oxygen reaching cells and tissues develops. Nerve endings also suffer from it. All this entails their irritation and the occurrence of severe painful sensations.
The exact cause of the pathology can be determined during a medical examination by a phlebologist (or vascular surgeon), as well as an ultrasound duplex scan of blood vessels (USDS). If inflammation is detected, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment for the veins under the knee.
It is important to note that the development of the inflammatory process in most cases occurs in the knee joint, after which it spreads to other parts of the lower limb: lower leg, foot, upper thigh.
At the initial stage, varicose veins under the knee may not cause pain to a person, which is associated with minor inflammation of this area. The disease progresses gradually, and it can take decades.
The main symptoms at the initial stage of the disease are as follows:
The greatest danger is when the vein behind the knee is swollen or the blood vessels are swollen. Usually they begin to protrude above the surface of the skin. Such symptoms indicate significant damage to the veins of the limb caused by aggravated varicose veins.
The patient may complain of the following symptoms associated with the nature of the pain:
Pain syndrome with varicose veins of the legs develops with varying intensity. Discomfort in a person is not always observed, but only as the disease progresses. Congestion in the blood vessels leads to irritation of nerve endings and pain.
What to do in this case? To begin with, when the first signs of the disease appear, you should make an appointment with a specialist who deals with this issue. This is especially true for situations when the pain in the legs grows and intensifies. The reason for this may be the formation of a blood clot and blockage of the vessel. In severe cases of the disease, treatment includes the use of not only medications, but also surgical methods.
If you experience pain in the veins near the knee, you should contact a vascular surgeon or phlebologist. As a rule, already during a medical examination, the doctor identifies the pathology. This is indicated by palpation and visualization of the diseased vein in the leg.
Necessary diagnostic measures include a referral for a general blood test, as well as a test for blood clotting. This is due to the fact that with varicose veins, changes in the composition of the blood are observed - it becomes viscous and thick. That is why an integral part of therapy is treating the patient with blood thinning drugs.
Early methods for diagnosing the disease also include duplex ultrasound scanning (USDS). The ultrasound duplex scanning method allows you to examine the condition of not only superficial, but also deep vessels.
Deep veins, as a rule, do not manifest themselves in any way other than pain and minor bruises. That is why ultrasound scanning is able to detect pathology at an early stage.
Anatomical transformations during the examination can be characterized by:
Based on the data obtained, in each specific case the phlebologist selects the appropriate treatment. In case of minor damage (grade I varicose veins), complex therapy using medications is prescribed. Severe forms of the disease (grades II and III) are treated with surgery and long-term drug therapy.
Timely diagnosis, as well as careful attitude towards your health, will help avoid the development of irreversible processes in the body.
The exact number of people who have varicose veins in their legs is unknown, as many choose to wait until their condition worsens and is complicated by various side diseases. And only after that they finally go to the doctor. However, it is better to do this as soon as possible - as soon as you notice the first manifestations of the disease.
The word “varicose” means “permanently swollen and distended,” so varicose veins are the superficial veins in the legs that become swollen and distended. We will talk about the reason for this phenomenon a little later. The disease can also be described as swollen, clearly visible and tortuous. The most obvious symptoms of the disease on the legs appear when a person is standing. Swollen, enlarged veins appear on the foot and lower leg.
Clinical signs of varicose veins in the legs
In addition to swollen and distended superficial veins, there may be other symptoms of varicose veins in the legs, such as pain in the legs caused by high intravenous pressure, or swelling (swelling) of the tissue around the affected area due to the loss of tissue fluids. removed through a network of venous and lymphatic vessels.
Sometimes brown spots appear on the skin - a sign that blood is beginning to leak through damaged vessels. Left untreated, these conditions will soon cause the leg tissue to become starved of essential nutrients and begin to break down, causing the development of conditions such as varicose ulcers or eczema. Other types of complications include spontaneous bleeding that occurs in places where the walls of blood vessels break, and thrombophlebitis, caused by acute inflammatory changes in the veins and which is very painful.
Signs of different forms of varicose veins
Various forms of varicose veins on the legs occur in 26-38% of women and 10-20% of men of working age. Varicose veins manifest themselves in the following forms:
intradermal and subcutaneous segmental varicose veins without pathological venovenous discharge;
segmental varicose veins with reflux along superficial or perforating veins;
widespread varicose veins on the legs with reflux along superficial or perforating veins
and varicose veins in the presence of reflux in the deep veins. Successful treatment of varicose veins on the legs is possible for any form of the disease
Diagnostic symptoms of varicose veins
The patient's main complaint is pain localized on various surfaces of the thighs, as well as a tingling sensation (a symptom of restless legs). The most characteristic sign of damage to the venous system of the lower extremities is fatigue in the legs after a long stay in orthostasis. These symptoms usually disappear or improve with walking or elevating the legs.
Clinically, varicose veins are manifested in the presence of varicose saphenous veins, signs of varicose lesions of the trunks of the great and small saphenous veins, edema and trophic disorders of the skin of the lower leg. Upon palpation, fascial defects are detected, corresponding to the exit of insufficient perforating veins, signs of previous thrombophlebitis, and the border of indurative cellulite is determined.
The initial symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities are predominantly telangiectasia and varicose saphenous veins. Often in the initial stages the disease is limited to an increase in the number of telangiectasia and reticular veins. Only after several years and even decades does the patient develop varicose veins in the basin of the great or small saphenous vein. The number and size of the altered veins that appear increase over time, sometimes the picture remains constant for several years.
3 - 5 years after the appearance of the first varicose veins, the patient begins to notice functional disorders, which are manifested by a feeling of heaviness, pain in the leg, pasty feet and legs and occur at the end of the working day. In some cases, the disease manifests itself with these symptoms, and then patients develop varicose veins. This picture is observed in obese patients, when the initial stage of changes in the veins is masked by pronounced subcutaneous fatty tissue. This phenomenon of telangiectasia and subcutaneous varicose veins constitute the essence of varicose veins syndrome.
Instrumental methods for diagnosing varicose veins
With uncomplicated varicose veins, the use of instrumental diagnostic methods is usually not required. Duplex scanning is sometimes performed to determine the exact location of perforating veins, identifying venous reflux in a color code. If the valves are insufficient, their valves stop closing completely during the Valsalva maneuver or compression tests. Valve insufficiency leads to venous reflux. Using this method for diagnosing varicose veins, it is possible to register the reverse flow of blood through the prolapsed leaflets of an incompetent valve. Antegrade flow is usually colored blue, retrograde flow is colored red.
As a rule, varicose veins affect the legs. The disease can lead to consequences such as thrombophlebitis and swelling of the legs. If you do not treat varicose veins, the patient may end up completely immobilized. Most often, varicose veins appear in people who spend a lot of time on their feet: sellers, hairdressers. The risk of varicose veins increases in overweight people and smokers.
The mechanism of development of symptoms of varicose veins
The main function of veins is to return blood to the heart. Unfortunately, the mechanism that lifts blood from the lower extremities does not work very efficiently. It can even be said that the symptoms of varicose veins are the price that a person pays for his upright posture, since the delicate veins of the legs cannot cope with the load on them as a result of gravity.
Blood from the lower legs rises through the veins to the heart due to the compressive forces of the muscles and fibrous membrane surrounding the veins. When walking, the muscles contract and compress the veins, causing blood to rise through them to the heart. The blood is kept from swelling downwards by a number of valves located inside the veins at some distance from each other.
The entire network of venous vessels is divided into superficial and deep veins, connected to each other either directly or through connecting veins. During physical activity, blood is pushed upward due to the fact that the leg muscles exert pressure on the deep veins. A rarefied pressure is created in them, which, like a suction pump, drives blood from the superficial veins through the connecting veins to the deep ones. Therefore, to avoid the appearance of symptoms of varicose veins on the legs, you need to exercise.
The process of breathing also contributes to the rise of blood, since deep breathing also creates rarefied pressure in the chest area, which in turn helps direct blood flow to the heart. You can also facilitate the return of venous blood to the heart by taking a lying position with your legs slightly elevated. This technique helps reduce the symptoms of varicose veins in the legs and the unpleasant feeling of heaviness. Varicose veins become when one or more valves cease to clearly perform their functions, which leads to increased pressure on the internal walls of the vessels. If this pressure does not decrease, then over time the walls of the veins lose their elasticity. Veins swell and dilate according to the volume of blood passing through them. If the necessary measures are not taken, the symptoms of varicose veins will intensify and more and more valves will begin to fail.
With age, many people, more often women, develop symptoms of varicose veins - the so-called spider veins and venous nodes in the legs. They not only look unaesthetic, but also cause a lot of unpleasant sensations. The causes of varicose veins in the legs can be multiple, and knowing them will help you protect yourself from the disease.
Several reasons contribute to the formation of varicose veins. Risk factors for varicose veins are:
obesity and lifestyle (long-term static loads,
staying motionless in a sitting and standing position).
Some patients become victims of their work: standing in one place for many hours puts enormous strain on their legs. When muscles become tense, blood flow through the veins becomes difficult. Thus, the load has a bad effect on circulation. Blood deprived of oxygen stagnates in the veins, they swell, and over time they begin to experience problems with the valves. (In pregnant women, swelling of the legs is associated with poor functioning of the veins in the pelvis, and not in the lower extremities themselves.)
A sedentary lifestyle, refusal to exercise, poor diet, excess weight and age-related changes put people at risk for developing varicose veins. But these are some of the obvious factors. In fact, the problem is deeper, and there are many more risk factors. Let's discuss the main causes of varicose veins in the legs, and try to understand how to protect yourself from this unpleasant disease.
Hormonal causes of varicose veins on the legs
A hormone called estrogen is the most common cause of varicose veins on the legs. It helps relax and stretch the walls of venous vessels, which is why women may be more at risk of developing varicose veins. However, this does not mean that a woman with varicose veins needs to stop taking birth control pills or start a course of additional hormone therapy. From this we can only conclude that it is especially important for women to undergo regular medical examinations in order to make sure that no pathological changes occur in the veins that could cause varicose veins in the legs, or that existing changes have not led to any new consequences . In addition, you must tell your doctor about pain and cramps that occur in the calf muscles.
Pregnancy in women often causes varicose veins in the legs or a worsening of existing disorders. This is caused by a combination of several reasons: firstly, an increase in the level of estrogen in the blood; secondly, the fact that the uterus has increased in size, exerting increased pressure on the pelvic veins, leads to stagnation of blood in this area, which in turn increases blood pressure on the walls of the vessels of the legs; and finally, the fact that the volume of blood in a woman’s body increases during pregnancy. Wearing support stockings and elevating your legs while sitting or resting can help reduce the discomfort many women experience during pregnancy. Exercises to develop the calf muscles also serve the same purpose.
Some women also note that their varicose veins worsen immediately after the start of menstruation. This is due to hormonal changes occurring in the body.
Lack of physical activity as a factor in the development of varicose veins
Most people spend their entire day sitting or standing. Lack of physical activity leads to increased intravenous pressure, decreased blood circulation and increases the risk of blood clots or blood clots, which is the cause of varicose veins in the legs. Ideally, every person should devote a significant part of their life to physical exercise. Even if your mobility is significantly limited, you should learn accessible exercises that increase the physical activity of the body within the limits that are possible for you.
Wearing tight clothes and shoes as a cause of varicose veins
Wearing tight clothing such as corsets, garters or high boots does not in itself cause varicose veins in the legs, but it can contribute to the formation of serious congestion in the blood supply if a person already has damaged valves. Everyone, without exception, is advised to avoid clothing that constricts the limbs of the body. Shoes should be comfortable and appropriate in size; in addition, medical stockings or tights will help reduce pain in tired legs.
Poor environment and poor diet also cause problems with veins
People who work in hot and humid conditions notice that such conditions have a very adverse effect on the condition of varicose veins, causing tumors or swelling in the tissues of the legs.
Lack of fiber in the diet contributes to constipation, and a crowded rectum puts strong pressure on the entire lower abdomen and the veins located there. All this leads to a decrease in the flow of venous blood to the heart, the formation of blood stagnation and countercurrents. Straining during defecation also increases pressure and can cause venous valves to rupture. If you lack coarse dietary fiber, try to increase its content in your diet, and also eat fresh fruit at least once a day.
Obesity is a common cause of varicose veins in the legs, not only because the body has to carry excess weight, but also because varicose veins in an obese person are very difficult to diagnose, since external signs of their manifestation on the body of such a patient may be not visible. Fatty deposits often sit around blood vessels, reducing their efficiency and increasing the risk of blood clots.
Hereditary causes of varicose veins
There is a number of data that force us to admit that the cause of the disease may be heredity. Materials from various studies show that varicose veins often occur in several members of the same family. There is a theory according to which congenital weakness of the walls of venous vessels is a hereditary trait.
Quite often, the veins of the legs and feet work worse than required, for reasons not related to a serious disease of the circulatory system. This is why I did not include a discussion of veins in the chapter on blood circulation. Varicose veins in the legs are veins with poorly functioning valves. Veins have valves that open to let blood through and then close to keep it from flowing back. This opening/closing mechanism is necessary to return used blood to the heart to pass through the lungs and become oxygenated. Unlike arteries, which supply fresh blood to various parts of the body, veins do not have muscle fibers to pump the blood. That's why valves are needed. They help blood return to the heart.
Prevention of varicose veins of the legs
Patients with varicose veins on the legs should wear comfortable shoes with hard soles and low heels, avoid prolonged standing, heavy physical stress, and work in hot and humid areas. If, due to the nature of the work activity, the patient has to sit for a long time, then the legs should be given an elevated position by placing a special stand of the required height under the feet. It is advisable to walk a little every 1-1 to 2 hours or rise on your toes 10-15 times. The resulting contractions of the calf muscles improve blood circulation and increase venous outflow. When sleeping, your legs need to be elevated.
Physical therapy plays a significant role in preventing the further development of varicose veins. For uncomplicated forms, water procedures are useful, especially swimming, warm (not higher than 30-35°C) foot baths with 5-10% sodium chloride solution.
What to do if you realize that you are developing symptoms of varicose veins?
First of all, you need to change your working habits as much as possible. You can't stand in one place for a long time.
Secondly, you need to wear compression stockings. It helps the veins work by putting pressure on them and preventing them from expanding too much.