Varicose veins are always characterized by transformation of veins and changes in the functioning of the entire venous system. As a result of the dilation of the veins, blood flow in the venous system is disrupted, which leads to a slowdown in the flow of blood back to the heart. All this leads to serious consequences (trophic purulent ulcers, pulmonary embolism).
Therefore, the main reasons for the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities are considered to be incompetence of the venous valves and high venous pressure. The tone of the venous wall depends on the contraction of muscle fibers, and malfunction of the valves and constant pressure in the veins reduce their number. The lumen in the internal cavity increases, and the valve flaps shift. Constant excess blood volume puts pressure on the walls of the veins. Varicose veins begin to progress
On our portal we publish articles about the prevention of varicose veins. We will pay attention to the diagnosis of veins and describe the main methods of treating varicose veins. Also, you can ask a phlebologist a question. The doctor will tell you what measures need to be taken in the initial stages of the development of venous diseases.
Our editors will try to write articles about all existing diseases of the veins and blood vessels. They will analyze which drugs and tablets are the most effective. And of course they will not forget about folk remedies for treating veins.
Unfortunately, less attention is paid to the causes of occurrence, as well as measures to prevent varicose veins, as clearly evidenced by the ratio of cardiologists and phlebologists per capita in many developed countries, including Russia.
Every fourth man and every second woman suffer from varicose veins. Varicose disease, or varicose veins, is a very common phenomenon in itself.
About 70% of people around the world have the beginnings of this disease or even suffer from it in a very advanced stage throughout their lives. It is worth noting that 2/3 of this number are women; they are most prone to varicose veins, but the aesthetic side of the issue is also important for them.
And what kind of beauty can we talk about in the presence of varicose veins?
The causes of varicose veins can be very different; it has even been proven that it is often inherited. However, the most common reason is a person’s poor lifestyle.
The main reasons why varicose veins may appear:
This entire list contributes to a person developing this disease, so to prevent it, you should avoid the above points or at least reduce them to a minimum. Thus, pregnant women are advised to wear special underwear and knitwear during pregnancy, people with a sedentary lifestyle should move more or at least periodically stretch their legs, and those who care about their appearance should not overuse various beauty procedures.
Over time, the veins become more and more noticeable and begin to protrude from under the skin. At first, thin small areas of accumulation are noticeable, then the veins become wider. At this stage of the disease, the vessels still cope well with their direct responsibilities. The blood does not stagnate. Therefore, this stage of varicose veins in medicine is called the cosmetic stage of the disorder.
When varicose veins begin to progress, the legs begin to get tired very quickly, and heaviness and swelling begin to bother you. Cramps occur at night. Noticeable dilated veins appear on the legs. The process moves into the second stage. Moreover, a varicose vein does not hurt and does not cause pain to the touch.
If pain or swelling occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor. The complication of the disease is obvious.
As the disease progresses, the number of varicose veins increases each time. The veins stop fulfilling their tasks, namely carrying blood to the heart.
Brown spots appear on the skin and itching appears. The legs begin to get tired even earlier, and the veins swell so much that you can touch them. These symptoms indicate that you have the third stage of the disease.
Manifestation of varicose veins on the lower extremities
At the fourth stage, complications begin, which are expressed:
Our portal is a reference book about varicose veins of the lower extremities. We will collect a lot of information about this disease and share interesting articles with you. We will pay great attention to the prevention and treatment of varicose veins. We will tell you how to quickly identify the symptoms and causes of the disease. What diagnostic methods exist and how to treat the disease at home.
Medicine these days is reaching a new level and we are following advances in the field of phlebology. We will definitely write about new possibilities for treating varicose veins in new articles on the portal.
If symptoms indicating varicose veins are detected, treatment should begin with a visit to a phlebologist. When examining the affected limb, the doctor analyzes the general condition of the veins, and also determines the presence of swelling of the legs and changes in skin deformation. After collecting the patient’s medical history, they resort to additional methods for diagnosing blood vessels and veins.
The main method for diagnosing veins and blood vessels is ultrasound duplex scanning. The method allows you to assess the condition of the veins and analyze the movement of blood throughout the venous system. After the ultrasound, the doctor will learn about the strength of the reverse flow of blood.
During a comprehensive clinical examination of a patient with complaints of varicose veins, additional research methods may be included: Doppler ultrasound, plethysmography, radiopaque phlebography, radionuclide phlebography (radiophlebography), computed tomography (spiral computed tomography, CT venography), magnetic resonance imaging, intravascular ultrasonography, thermography.
The main goal of traditional treatment of varicose veins is to improve the general condition of the patient (elimination of pain, swelling of the limb, constant cramps). If varicose veins are detected, doctors try to remove or close the affected vein so that the blood bypasses the healthy veins.
Today, doctors use many methods for treating varicose veins of the lower extremities.
The main methods of treating varicose veins are:
In preventive methods, the use of compression therapy is aimed at preventing the occurrence of venous thrombosis. Compression is also used for complicated forms of varicose veins. For example, special compression bandages are used to treat trophic ulcers.
In modern medicine, elastic bandages have begun to be replaced with compression hosiery. Such underwear is presented in the form of stockings, golf, tights. Compression garments for varicose veins have their own classes, which differ in the degree of compression. Such therapeutic underwear is no different from ordinary knitwear. Wearing compression stockings every day is the key to healthy legs!
If the veins are of small diameter, use a liquid form of sclerosant. When treating varicose veins of large diameters, a foam form of sclerotherapy is used.
Sclerotherapy is very popular in the treatment of varicose veins, as it is a painless and quick method of influencing the affected vessels. After a sclerotherapy session, the patient continues to live an active life; hospitalization is not required.
The method is suitable for everyone, including patients with complicated forms of the disease. The only contraindications are an allergy to the drug and obstruction of the affected deep vein.
Laser treatment of varicose veins is very popular in Russia. A catheter is inserted into the vein, through which laser radiation is emitted. When heated, the venous wall is deformed and simply sticks together.
The popularity of laser treatment is due to the fast procedure, the absence of pain, and the absence of restrictions. The patient goes home the same day on his own feet.
Varicose Vein Removal
Surgical removal of varicose veins remains a common treatment for varicose veins. Every year such surgical operations become less and less traumatic. Some of them are already called procedures, since hospitalization is not required, and they are performed under local anesthesia.
The most popular surgical method for treating varicose veins is phlebectomy. Varicose veins are removed through small incisions. Depending on the complexity, both general and local anesthesia are used. After the procedure, small cosmetic stitches are applied.
In some cases, doctors use miniphlebectomy (removal of a vein through punctures) and cryostripping (removal of varicose veins using cold and a probe).
In advanced stages of varicose veins and when post-thrombotic disease is detected, they resort to shunt interventions and restore the patency of deep veins. Surgical treatment is performed on the saphenous and perforating veins.
In phlebology, among the main methods of surgical intervention for the spread of varicose veins, there are: crossectomy and removal of the trunk of the small and large saphenous vein, ligation of incompetent perforating veins, removal of varicose tributaries of the saphenous veins, correction of the valve apparatus of the deep veins, thermal obliteration.
It is better to coordinate the intake of medications with your doctor. The doctor will prescribe the required dosage and select the optimal treatment option that is right for you.
Pharmacotherapy eliminates the following symptoms: swelling, cramps, feeling of heaviness in the legs, fatigue, pain. Creams for varicose veins, in addition to relieving the symptoms of CVI, prevent the appearance of blood clots, eczema, and dermatitis.
Among phlebotropic drugs, the following are very popular: Detralex, Venarus, Antistax, Phlebodia 600. Among the gels and ointments, one can highlight Troxevasin, Varicobooster, Lyoton.
Edema is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid in the body. This accumulation of water may occur on the face, arms, neck, legs, or other part of the body. The reason for this may be uncomfortable shoes, a large amount of water drunk, or maybe an allergic reaction of the body to some irritant.
But diseases of some internal organs are also often accompanied by asymmetrical swelling in the lower extremities. Therefore, it is not always possible to accurately determine why the legs swell. This may be associated with “running around” at work, or it may also be a symptom of a serious illness.
Do not confuse the accumulation of fluid in the tissues with a compaction, which can be a tumor. To determine that it is indeed swelling and not a tumor, press your finger on the area. If a hole remains within 30 seconds, then this is definitely swelling.
Depending on the causes of occurrence, swelling is divided into 2 types:
They arise as a result of contact of the body with an allergen or under short-term unfavorable conditions. Such swelling disappears some time after the causes of its occurrence are eliminated. Such reasons may be:
Such local fluid retention does not go away for a long time, and a person cannot accurately explain the reason for its occurrence. Most likely, such swelling is associated with chronic diseases. Based on the location of the fluid accumulation, we can guess what disease the person is suffering from. But only a doctor can do this.
Another classification divides edema into local and general. Local swelling occurs on certain parts of the body, such as the feet or legs. And the common ones spread from the feet, completely cover the legs and can reach the neck and face.
Local persistent swelling of the lower extremities is a fairly common symptom of many diseases. Usually, if local accumulation of water is caused by some kind of disease, other symptoms of the disease will also be present.
Pregnant women carefully monitor their health. But, even in the absence of serious illnesses, expectant mothers often have excess fluid deposited on their ankles.
The legs of pregnant women swell due to the additional amount of blood that a woman produces when carrying a child. The uterus grows and compresses the pelvic veins, which receive blood from the legs. As a result, circulation is impaired and blood pressure in the lower extremities creates fluid retention in the ankles and legs. When a pregnant woman has even a slight excess of fluid, it turns into edema.
But drinking less water is not the answer. If you consume less water than your body needs, it will store this same water. And, as a result, swelling will form again. In this case, the woman needs to consult her doctor, and he will prescribe a special diet.
Another cause of leg swelling in pregnant women may be varicose veins. In this case, it is recommended to wear special compression garments, which are sold in pharmacies.
If the swelling is not caused by a disease and is temporary, then it can be quickly eliminated. It’s better not to allow excess water to accumulate in your body at all.
Swelling of the legs is a fairly common problem. Find out what to do with swelling and how to prevent its occurrence.
There are many reasons why legs swell. This could be flat feet, improperly selected shoes, excess weight, heavy physical activity, or sedentary work. Legs also swell due to heart and kidney failure or varicose veins. You can avoid swelling of the legs only by eliminating the root cause.
Heart problems are usually indicated by swelling of the ankles. Such swelling occurs in older people. In young people, the cause of swelling is mainly vascular disorders.
In any case, if your legs often swell, then you should go to the doctor. This problem is most often addressed to a general practitioner, who can refer you for further tests to a cardiologist, urologist or phlebologist (a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of venous diseases).
The chief physician of the Dr. Bubnovsky Center, kinesitherapist Valery Pavlenko, says that the cause of leg swelling can be weak muscles. “Due to the fact that the muscles do not perform their functions well enough, the outflow of lymph is disrupted,” says the doctor.
To strengthen muscles, our expert, Valery Vitalievich, recommends the following exercises:
This set of exercises trains the main muscle groups that are involved in lymphatic drainage, and after a certain time the condition of the legs improves.
Baths and massage for fatigue
Often the legs swell after a hard day at work, especially if you have to be in one position (standing, sitting) all day. To relieve tired legs, you can use special baths with sea salt. This procedure will help relax your feet, and after the bath, the swollen areas can be massaged with light pinches.
Contrast foot baths will also be very effective: keep your feet in hot (5-7 minutes) and cold (10-15 seconds!) water. However, remember that hot baths are contraindicated for varicose veins!
Diuretics of traditional medicine
If your legs swell due to fluid accumulated in the body, then traditional medicine will help. A good diuretic is a decoction of birch leaves and buds, linden flowers and horsetail.
Astragalus is a good remedy for swelling of the legs. A decoction based on this plant reduces swelling of the legs and also improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Here are some tips to help keep your feet looking healthy:
Unfortunately, almost every person faces swelling of the legs, and it doesn’t matter at all whether they are overweight or have kidney or heart disease. There can be many reasons for swelling of the legs. Let's try to understand them and decide - if your legs swell very much, what should you do?
Causes of swelling of the legs
1. High-heeled shoes. When putting on dress shoes again, ladies run the risk of swelling, as the pressure on the feet and ankles increases. You should also avoid shoes that are too narrow and too tight.
2. Transfers and flights. You cannot stay in a sitting position for a long time. Even with the best blood circulation, swollen legs cannot be avoided. Therefore, at each stop you need to take a walk and do a little warm-up. If possible, you need to stretch your legs and give them an elevated position. Also try to drink less liquid on the road. Such a small restriction will help you get rid of discomfort in your legs and make your vacation more enjoyable.
3. Standing for a long time. This is also harmful; the legs become very swollen due to the load. What to do? Try to change your lifestyle. You also need to wear special compression garments.
4. Taking hormonal and other medications. You should contact your doctor, who will replace the medicine with another, more suitable one.
Swelling of the legs can also appear as a result of any disease. For example, heart failure. Then swelling appears often, without reason. Accompanied by other symptoms - bruises and circles under the eyes, shortness of breath, etc. Varicose veins may also be the cause. Typically, swelling appears in the lower part of the leg. Varicose veins should be combated with the help of vitamins to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, compression garments and special creams and ointments. Swelling of the knee can occur due to arthritis, arthrosis and other joint diseases. Local remedies will help relieve swelling: cinquefoil, Chondroxide, Chondroitin. Regular use of these drugs will eliminate knee pain and swelling.
Sometimes swelling of one leg also occurs. This means that the cause is in the legs themselves, and not in the disease. Perhaps the cause is some kind of injury. If swelling and pain occur, it is better to consult a doctor to rule out fractures and cracks.
So, your legs are very swollen. What to do?
Firstly, you should not drink large amounts of liquids. Try to eliminate overly salty foods from your diet. In some cases, diuretics may be necessary. It is better to turn to natural ones (herbs and decoctions). For example, tea made from bearberry leaves helps relieve swelling. Fruits and vegetables remove excess fluid from the body well. Try to stick to a vegetarian diet for a couple of days, and the swelling will go away. Do not forget that there may be a serious illness, which is why your legs swell very much. What to do in this case? See a doctor, take the necessary tests, undergo an examination. Even varicose veins are better not to be treated on your own, so as not to worsen the situation. And if we are talking about joint disease, then severe inflammation and swelling sometimes have to be removed with the help of special injections.
Leg swelling is an excess accumulation of fluid in the lower extremities. About 70% of men and women face this problem. Swelling of the legs can be a symptom of various diseases. All edema is divided into types:
There are a huge number of reasons why legs swell. These can be general diseases and pathologies of the lower extremities. Edema can be unilateral or bilateral, and can have varying degrees of severity. Based on these signs and other additional symptoms, the patient is given a definite diagnosis.
Edema can also occur in healthy people. They are associated with excessive consumption of water and salt. In the summer, the legs swell due to the fact that a person consumes a lot of fluid, which enters the blood, is excreted in the urine and then does not have time to leave the body. A large amount of salt contributes to the stagnation of fluid in the tissues. As a result, the heart cannot cope with the increased amount of blood, which begins to stagnate in the lower extremities. If your ankles are swollen, there can be a variety of reasons for this. For example, wearing uncomfortable shoes, a sedentary lifestyle, excess body weight, unusual physical activity, prolonged sitting on very low or soft seats, flat feet, metabolic disorders.
Swelling of the legs appears with varicose veins of the legs, post-thrombophlebitis syndrome, thrombophlebitis of the deep veins of the legs, and inferior vena cava syndrome. If your legs swell in the evening, the reasons for this most likely lie in a violation of the venous outflow. With varicose veins, the appearance of swelling is preceded by aching pain, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, and convulsive muscle contractions at night. Dilatation of the subcutaneous veins and itching may occur. Swelling is most pronounced in the evening, and by morning it decreases. In some cases, dermatitis, eczema, and trophic ulcers appear on the legs.
With thrombophlebitis of the deep veins of the legs, pain is observed in the calf muscles, which intensify with movement in the ankle joint. One of the reasons why the ankles of the feet swell is thrombophlebitis. In addition, in the area of the legs there may be a local increase in body temperature, as well as pain when palpated.
The reason why the left or right leg swells may be postthrombophlebitic syndrome, which usually occurs in women 30-60 years old. This pathology is characterized by swelling of the legs on the legs, and sometimes on the hips. This swelling increases with prolonged standing and decreases with lying down. Most often, swelling is observed on one leg. It is accompanied by nagging pain, which increases with physical activity and a feeling of heaviness in the leg. If you press, there will be no hole left. On the affected lower leg, the skin becomes thinner, the hairline disappears, and brown pigmentation and cyanosis appear.
Inferior vena cava syndrome occurs as a result of impaired blood flow. In this case, the swelling covers the legs completely, spreading to the genitals, buttocks, and anterior abdominal wall. There are trophic ulcers on the legs that are not amenable to conservative treatment.
Leg swelling due to heart failure is a very common occurrence. They arise as a result of diseases such as cardiac aneurysm, myocardial infarction, heart defects, atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis, and hypertension. Swelling may be accompanied by an increase in the size of the heart, liver, and cardiac arrhythmia.
Such swelling is located symmetrically and grows slowly, spreading from bottom to top. In the evening they intensify. When pressed, the hole remains for a long time. The skin over the area of edema is bluish and cold. If a person is in a lying position for a long time (for example, with a spinal fracture), then swelling in the legs may disappear completely, but new ones will appear in the lumbar region.
The reason why the right or left leg swells may be lymphangitis - damage to the lymphatic vessels, which is a complication of purulent-inflammatory disease of the legs. Swelling, redness, and increased body temperature are observed. Edema of the limb is caused by the involvement of deep lymphatic vessels in the process.
Elephantiasis is also a cause of impaired lymphatic drainage. With this disease, protein and water metabolism in tissues is disrupted, and lymph stagnation occurs. As a result, the legs become very swollen, and they become like those of an elephant.
Swelling of the legs occurs due to inflammatory diseases such as erysipelas, rheumatism, osteomyelitis, infectious arthritis, phlegmon, and boil. Such swelling is vague and accompanied by pain and redness.
The saliva of some snakes and insects contains allergens or is poisonous. Therefore, after a bite in the leg, swelling occurs. Swelling of the legs can appear after the bite of wasps, bees, poisonous snakes, and arachnids.
If you have swelling in your legs, then you should not diagnose yourself, especially if this problem recurs. You need to contact a therapist, he will give directions for instrumental studies and tests that will help make a diagnosis and decide on treatment. In addition, you may need to consult a specialized specialist: nephrologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, phlebologist.
Pregnant women often have swollen feet, the reasons for this lie in high water consumption. Strong thirst is usually provoked by changing hormonal levels. In addition, sodium accumulates in blood vessels and other tissues, which contributes to water retention in the body. Typically, swelling of the legs during pregnancy develops in the third trimester and does not pose a serious danger. But there are other more serious causes of swelling of the lower extremities during pregnancy:
Treatment methods for swelling of the lower extremities depend on the cause that caused the swelling of the legs. In most cases, swelling can be eliminated on your own. But if they are a consequence of any serious disease, then specific drug treatment is required. In order to eliminate fluid stagnation in tissues, various diuretics and drugs that improve microcirculation are used. Remember that you should not reduce fluid intake to prevent swelling (unless your doctor recommends it), as this usually contributes to even greater fluid stagnation.
To alleviate your condition and reduce swelling in your legs, you can resort to the following measures:
If there are no contraindications, then you can use folk remedies. A good effect is achieved by using diuretics from horsetail, knotweed, birch buds, as well as a decoction of elderberries and flaxseed. Black radish juice with honey and parsley will help relieve swelling. Pregnant women and people with kidney, heart, and metabolic diseases can only use natural remedies after consulting with their doctor.
Leg swelling is not a symptom that requires immediate medical attention. But if they arise as a result of serious diseases and appear simultaneously with their other symptoms, then emergency help is necessary.