People often note that the venous nodes on their legs protrude above the skin level. This often serves as a reason for the appearance of complexes and refusal to wear previously liked clothes. But the aesthetic side of the issue is not the only one, since thickening of the veins can be a sign of varicose veins, which threatens the development of acute phlebitis, thrombosis and other dangerous pathologies.
It is possible to eliminate compaction of varicose veins. To do this, contact the phlebologists of the First Family Clinic of St. Petersburg.
If a seal has formed on a vein, this is a sure sign of the development of varicose veins. In addition to this symptom, common signs of the disease are:
In any case, thickening of the vein in the leg is subject to mandatory treatment, since non-intervention is fraught with the development of complications that are dangerous to health and life. Make an appointment with a phlebologist at the First Family Clinic of St. Petersburg. We will help you understand the causes and treatment of nodules in the veins of the legs. Our clinic is conveniently located in the Primorsky district, not far from the Pionerskaya and Udelnaya metro stations on Kolomyazhsky Prospekt, 36/2.
Accepts children and adults
Treatment of nodes in the veins of the legs begins only after the patient has undergone a series of laboratory and instrumental examinations, the key of which is ultrasound duplex scanning of the vessels of the lower extremities. Based on the results obtained, the doctor can judge the need for minimally invasive surgery and its safety for the patient.
Today, a nodule in a vein in the leg can be eliminated under local anesthesia in the following ways:
After completion of the procedure and recovery period:
Thanks to this, the patient can lead an active lifestyle without pain and unnecessary embarrassment regarding the unsightly appearance of the legs.
Modern science has long appreciated all the advantages of using lasers in medicine. Therefore, today new, more advanced devices are constantly appearing, one of which is the domestically produced Lakhta Milon device.
With its help, you can perform minimally invasive operations in the shortest possible time, differing in:
After the operation, the patient is recommended to:
However, in some situations, seals in the veins of the legs are not recommended to be removed using the proposed methods, as this is fraught with great risk for the patient. This is about:
Thus, a node in a vein in the leg is not only a cosmetic problem, so it must be dealt with radically and decisively. Phlebologists from the First Family Clinic of St. Petersburg will help you with this. Make an appointment, we are waiting for you at Kolomyazhsky Prospekt, 36/2.
Read information on the topic:
Inflammation of the veins (phlebitis) is a very common occurrence, from which it is almost impossible to protect yourself. It is accompanied by swelling and a feeling of pain in the legs and arms, a clear appearance of the pattern, rapid heartbeat, increased body temperature, and the limbs turn bluish-red.
There are 2 main types of inflammation:
Thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of blood vessels with the formation of a thrombus (blood clot), which can travel through the circulatory system and enter the lungs. This is a very dangerous disease that requires hospitalization and treatment with anticoagulants. With superficial phlebitis, the veins are tense and painful, there is redness (the appearance of red stripes) and thickening of the skin over the affected area, weakness and increased body temperature.
Phlebitis often occurs in the veins of the legs, but can also appear in the arms. Inflammation of the vein in the arm is usually associated with complications after catheterization. Inflammation of the vein after a catheter can depend on factors such as the size of the catheter and its insertion site, the type of fluid that is injected, and the length of time the catheter is in the vein. Phlebitis on the arm can also occur as a result of catheter infection, the main pathogens of which are enterococci, staphylococci, Candida, etc.
Varicose veins, left unattended, can serve as a prerequisite for the occurrence of phlebitis or thrombophlebitis of the legs. The main factors causing inflammation of blood vessels in the legs:
Signs of inflammation depend on where the blood clot has formed and what form the disease generally takes. Symptoms such as swelling in the legs, changes in skin color, sharp pain in the calf muscles, heat and heaviness in the legs may indicate inflammation of the internal veins.
Depending on the location of the blood clot, swelling of the lower leg, ankle or thigh may occur, the vessels swell and become hard, and the body temperature rises. Often, inflammation of the internal veins can develop asymptomatically, which leads to complications that can be fatal.
Treatment of thrombophlebitis is conservative and surgical. Inflammation of the internal veins requires strict bed rest to avoid embolism and the spread of microflora.
The position of the limbs should be maintained in an elevated position on the splint, which will help improve venous outflow, reduce pain and swelling. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids - up to 2-3 liters per day.
With superficial thrombophlebitis, the patient can turn and sit down, keep the leg in a horizontal position, and apply warm compresses. To reduce pain and improve blood circulation, a lumbar novocaine blockade is performed.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins in the legs is a radical method of treating this disease. Surgery on the veins of the legs excludes all affected veins from the general circulatory system; methods such as sclerotherapy, ligation or removal of veins can be used for this.
One of the relatively common complications after this type of surgical treatment is the reappearance of varicose veins , since many patients remain predisposed to developing this disease.
Mechanical damage to nerves during surgery is an extremely rare occurrence; the surgeon’s high qualifications and care during the operation can prevent the occurrence of such a complication.
Small, inconspicuous scars on the legs can also be considered a complication after surgery on the veins of the legs, but their appearance cannot be prevented by any preventive measures.
After one and a half months after the operation, the patient should contact a surgeon for examination and possible subsequent removal of small veins that do not require radical treatment. In order to remove them, sclerotherapy : injection into a vein of a special solution that acts on the affected veins in such a way that their walls shrink and the pattern of the veins on the legs disappears.
The formation of small “stars” - capillaries protruding under the surface and having a red or blue color, also does not require serious surgical intervention. To remove them, a method such as is used . As a complication after its implementation, small marks on the legs may appear - a consequence of the doctor’s insufficiently precise work, when the syringe needle does not enter the capillary itself, but into the tissues surrounding it.
Thromboembolic complications are the most serious complication after surgery on the veins of the lower extremities.
Phlebeurysm
Thromboembolic complications are the most serious complication after surgery on the veins of the lower extremities. Fortunately for patients, there are effective preventive measures that can significantly reduce the risk of their occurrence. These include:
It should be remembered that varicose veins are a complex disease. It is extremely difficult to completely cure it even through surgical interventions, so the main attention should be paid to the prevention of varicose veins.
The use of elastic bandages reduces the risk of thromboembolic complications
Structure and functions of the venous system
Arterial blood from the left ventricle in the heart enters the aorta, then through the arteries extending from it, which are divided into smaller ones (down to capillaries), it is sent to organs and tissues. In the process of circulation through the capillaries, this blood takes metabolic products from the tissues, is saturated with carbon dioxide and is collected through the venous capillaries into veins, gradually increasing in size, and directed to the heart. The venous system of the systemic circulation consists of a number of morphologically distinct systems. These primarily include the portal and inferior vena cava systems, as well as the portal vein system, which collects blood from all organs and tissues. The superior and inferior vena cava empty into the right atrium. The superior vena cava system consists of veins of the trunk, head and upper extremities. The inferior vena cava system consists of the vessels of the lower extremities, partly the veins of the torso located below the diaphragm, the renal and portal veins. The portal vein collects blood from the unpaired abdominal organs (spleen, stomach, pancreas and intestines), divides into right and left branches and drains into the liver. Here the branches gradually divide into capillaries, the blood from which collects in the hepatic veins. The latter flow into the inferior vena cava.
The structure of the veins of the upper and lower extremities has its own characteristics. The first is the presence of a superficial and deep vein system; the second is the presence of valves on the inner surface of the veins, which play a large role in the outflow of blood.
The valves are located from the fingers to the shoulder and from the toes to the thigh. The number of valves in the arms and legs decreases from the fingers to the shoulder and the toes to the thigh. There are up to 20 veins in the arms and up to 25 valves in the legs. A feature of superficial veins is the presence of large trunks running independently of the artery. Deep veins always follow strictly along the arteries of the same name. They usually come in pairs. Superficial veins flow into deep veins. In addition, they are connected to each other by connecting vessels through which blood flows from the superficial veins to the deep ones.
Functions of the venous system
The venous system carries out the outflow of blood saturated with carbon dioxide and metabolic products. In addition, hormones from the endocrine glands, as well as various nutrients absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, enter the bloodstream thanks to the veins. Veins play a role in the regulation of general and local blood circulation, as well as in the spread of various disease processes: inflammatory (thrombophlebitis), tumor (metastasis), embolism (fat, air, etc.).
Blood circulation through veins is significantly different from circulation through arteries. Arterial blood is normally expelled by heart contraction under a pressure of 120 mmHg. Art., in the capillary network the force of the cardiac impulse fades, and the pressure drops to 10 mm Hg. Art.
In this regard, the pressure and speed of blood flow in the veins are much lower, the total capacity of the venous system is 2 times higher than the capacity of the artery. That is why the same volume of blood thrown into the aorta by contraction of the left ventricle must be distributed in a much larger container with a slower flow of venous blood. This is the main difference between the venous system and the arterial system. The exception is blood circulation in the small circle, where the vessel capacities are the same.
The second distinctive feature of the venous system is the movement of blood predominantly against the force of gravity, and therefore the venous blood experiences the full force of hydrostatic pressure.
Structure of the venous system
The venous wall consists of three layers without sharp demarcation with a predominance of collagen tissue in all of them, which provides special strength to the vein wall. Muscle tissue is located in the form of separate bundles in the longitudinal and spiral-circular directions. Passive resistance to hydrostatic pressure is carried out in the vein due to the collagen layer of elastic fibers, active - due to muscles. However, the muscles do not provide complete compensation for hydrostatic pressure, therefore, under unfavorable conditions, stretching of the veins occurs and obstruction of blood outflow.
The most important factors determining normal venous outflow of blood include contraction of the muscles of the limb, respiratory movements of the diaphragm, tension and relaxation of the abdominal press and the suction force of the chest with changes in negative pressure during inhalation and exhalation. The suction force of the chest most affects the venous outflow of the upper extremities and other vessels flowing into the superior vena cava.
Valves play a primary role in venous blood flow. The presence of a valve apparatus in the veins determines the central movement of venous blood and regulates collateral circulation. The speed of venous blood flow and pressure largely depends on the tone of the venous wall, which is constantly under the influence of motor and sensory innervation, as well as under the influence of substances in the blood. The thickness of the venous walls, along with other factors, promotes the movement of blood to the heart and regulates the filling of blood in the right ventricle.
Veins have one more ability: when venous outflow is difficult, through connecting connections, an additional path of blood is carried out from one system to another (for example, from deep to superficial).
The structure of the veins of the lower extremities
The veins of the lower extremities are located in the soft tissues at different depths and form a venous network, which is divided into two sections - superficial and deep.
Superficial veins are located directly under the skin. These are the large and small saphenous veins and their smaller tributaries. The tributaries of the great saphenous vein collect blood from the front surface of the foot, from the front and inner surfaces of the leg. Next, the trunk of the vein passes along the inner surface of the thigh and flows into the femoral vein in the groin area. Through the system of the great saphenous vein, blood flows from 2/3 of the surfaces of the lower limb. The small saphenous vein is located on the back of the leg and flows into the popliteal vein at the border of the knee joint. The superficial saphenous veins of the thigh and leg are accessory and assist the veins located deep in the muscles. The small saphenous vein provides the outflow of venous blood from the outer surface of the leg. It anastomoses with the deep vein system of the leg through direct and indirect connecting veins.
The deep veins (posterior and anterior tibial, popliteal, femoral, deep vein of the thigh) are located along the muscles and provide the outflow of 80–90% of venous blood from the legs. There is a communication between the deep and superficial veins - communicating veins (connecting). Under normal conditions, the communicating veins of the leg and thigh carry out the outflow of blood from the superficial veins to the deep ones.
In ensuring the direction of both arterial and venous blood flow, the valves of the heart, pulmonary artery, aorta, and also the venous system play a decisive role. There are a lot of valves in the lymphatic vessels. The valves are composed of collagen, elastic and smooth muscle fibers. On both sides they are covered with endothelium. A feature of the veins of the lower extremities is that in their branches, at the point of confluence with a more fragile vein or at the confluence of equal veins, there is a valve, and where the vein flows into a more fragile one, a valve is always found in the latter below the confluence of the collateral. There are significantly more valves in the venous collaterals than in the main veins. There are especially many valves in the muscle veins. The valves are specific to the veins of the lower extremities. They are not found in the portal vein system, in the veins of the lungs, brain, or neck. There are no valves in the vena cava, the common iliac vein, and there are few or none in the external iliac vein.
The venous valves regulate the maintenance and direction of blood flow in the inferior vena cava system. They ensure the movement of blood in a strictly defined direction. Valves in the main saphenous veins ensure that blood flows only towards the center. Meanwhile, the movement of blood through connecting (communication) veins is possible only towards the deep veins. In the system of deep veins of the lower extremities, with full valves, blood flows only to the center.
Despite the presence of valves in the inferior vena cava system, the movement of blood through it largely depends on the position of the person. In the supine position, blood flow occurs at a venous pressure equal to the pressure in the veins of the upper extremities. In a standing position, 85–90% of the blood from the saphenous veins enters the deep veins through the connecting veins, where hemodynamic conditions are much better than in the superficial veins. Thus, if the structure of the valves is normal, the horizontal discharge of venous blood from the saphenous vein system is directed only towards the deep veins. While walking, hemodynamic conditions improve dramatically as a result of the active function of the musculofascial pumps of the foot and lower leg.
Vein valves are subject to various kinds of pathological changes. During intrauterine development and in childhood, when the formation of venous valves is largely completed, anomalies in their structure are already observed. Congenital inferiority of the valves creates the preconditions for disturbances of venous outflow and accelerates the development of varicose veins.
Observations of complete congenital absence of valves in the veins of the lower extremities, manifested by severe forms of varicose veins, are described. In turn, factors contributing to the development of varicose veins lead to the occurrence of relative insufficiency of previously complete valves. With the development of varicose veins, the relative insufficiency of the valves increases and is accompanied by deformation and then destruction of the valve leaflets in the process of phlebosclerosis. To the greatest extent, phlebosclerosis develops in the superficial veins, therefore severe pathological changes in the valves are also observed in the superficial veins. Due to fibrosis, thickening, shortening and deformation of the valve leaflets occur; they no longer close, which is the cause of valve failure. In deep veins, the process of phlebosclerosis is, as a rule, less pronounced, and valve incompetence is often caused by uniform dilation of the veins. Naturally, the anatomical inferiority of individual valves can be combined with the acquired relative inferiority of other venous valves. In addition, with increasing age, atrophy of individual valves may develop, which also creates the preconditions for disturbances in venous outflow and the occurrence of local hypertension in the veins. As a result, the function of the underlying valves may also be impaired.
The second most common cause of morphological changes in valves, up to their complete destruction, is thrombosis. Venous valves are sometimes damaged during injury. A person falling from a height of several meters onto their feet can be accompanied by rupture of the valve flaps. Thus, with varicose veins, valve dysfunction develops under the influence of various factors and is observed in all parts of the venous system of the lower extremities: in the deep, superficial, connecting and smallest veins. Valve dysfunction underlies the development of varicose veins.
For normal blood circulation, it is necessary for blood to move through the veins from the periphery to the center, i.e., to the heart, and not move back under the influence of gravity. This is ensured by the valves located on the inner wall of the vein. When blood flows in the normal direction towards the heart, the valve flaps open and allow blood to flow through. If the blood flow rate is high, the valve leaflets are pressed against the walls of the vein. If the blood slows down, the valve gradually closes its doors. When the blood tends in the opposite direction, the valves close completely and thus prevent the reverse flow of blood. Blood circulation is ensured due to the pressure difference. From places of high pressure, blood flows to places where the pressure is lower, and the greater this difference, the stronger the blood circulation, the more intense the metabolic processes. The pressure in arterioles should be greater than in venules. This forces blood from the capillaries to flow into the venules, and then into larger veins and move further to the heart, where the pressure in the vein is lowest. If the pressure in the venules increases, then the rate of metabolic processes decreases accordingly. If the pressure in the venules was equal to the pressure in the arterioles, then the blood would stop altogether and metabolic processes would cease. There is one more important circumstance. The walls of veins and arteries are structured differently. Both vessels must be elastic, i.e., have the ability to expand and contract depending on need. But arteries have a thick wall due to a large number of collagen, elastic and muscle fibers. This allows the arteries to pulsate, helping blood flow. But the walls of the vein contain fewer such fibers and therefore are not as elastic as the walls of the arteries. However, the elasticity of the veins of the extremities is maintained externally. After all, they are surrounded by muscles, which, when in contact, put pressure on the veins and promote blood flow.
The diameter of each specific vessel and the structure of its wall are determined by the direct function of this particular vessel. For example, the smallest veins, venules, do not have a muscular layer, but have only an endothelial and fibrous membrane. The walls of the venules are thin. Therefore, in the event of an excessive increase in internal pressure due to obstacles that arise in the veins during the outflow of blood, these smallest vessels will be the first to fail. The largest veins, the hollow ones, have a large diameter and, accordingly, the thickest wall. They do not participate in metabolism and play only the role of a transfer capacitance. The question arises: what causes blood to rise through the veins back to the heart? To do this, there is not only one mechanism in the body that promotes constant and uniform circulation of blood flow through the veins.
Firstly, this also happens due to the fact that when you inhale, a partial vacuum is formed in the lungs due to their expansion, due to which a kind of blood suction occurs. Secondly, this is facilitated by the work of muscles, which, when tense, squeezing the veins, help push blood further. Human muscles are therefore sometimes called the second heart. Finally, the venous valves come into play, preventing blood from flowing in the opposite direction. And since it is the malfunction of the venous valves that causes varicose veins, the leg veins are primarily susceptible to varicose veins. Not only because they are the longest, but also because they are the most distant, and the effort required for the blood from the wall to reach the heart is much greater. The large and small saphenous veins are most susceptible to varicose veins.
The great saphenous vein is the longest vein in the human body; it merges with the femoral vein and flows with it into the saphenous vein located in the pelvis. The iliac vein, in turn, flows into the inferior vena cava, which carries blood to the heart. Both veins are located in the fat layer directly under the skin.
To get blood from the lower extremities to the heart, it is necessary to overcome a much greater distance and a much greater force of gravity than from all other parts of the body.
This may be one of the reasons for vein deformation, especially if you inherited weaker veins. If the veins in the lower extremities begin to dilate, this can lead to insufficient closure of the valves, which in turn leads to backflow of blood.
Sections of the veins begin to fill with blood, stretch even more, wriggle, and form peculiar nodes and sacs in the weakest places. Thus, one disturbance causes another. And this process, if you do not intervene in time and stop it, can lead to the most tragic consequences. The process of stretching of the superficial saphenous veins, i.e. the actual development of varicose veins, occurs in cases where the blood does not encounter any obstacles in covering the distance from the foot to the heart.
In these cases, there is a kind of discharge of blood from the deep veins into the superficial ones, which have more degrees of freedom due to the elasticity of the skin. If such a “reset” is a short-term phenomenon, then no special violations occur. If the “obstacle” is not removed for a long time, then eventually distortion and overstretching of the superficial veins occur, especially if they are hereditarily weak.
The speed of venous blood flow and pressure largely depend on the tone of the venous wall, which is constantly under the influence of motor and sensory innervation, as well as under the influence of substances in the blood.
The tone of the venous walls, along with other factors, promotes the movement of blood to the heart and regulates the filling of the right heart with blood. Veins have one more ability: when venous outflow is difficult, a collateral (additional) blood path is carried out through communication connections from one system to another (for example, from deep to superficial).
Valve insufficiency of the subcutaneous, perforating and deep veins is considered as the cause of dynamic hypertension in varicose veins. The valves in the veins of the lower extremities of a person are laid in order to prevent non-physiological movement of blood. The opinion that they segment the blood column and reduce pressure is erroneous. In a calm state, in any position of a person, the valve leaflets flutter freely in the lumen of the vein, without touching each other. But as soon as you cause tension, increase intra-abdominal pressure, or make any movement with your legs, the valves begin to work: they close in the path of the return wave, preventing the retrograde movement of blood. This happens in any vein of the lower limb.
With varicose veins, the valves of the trunks of the great saphenous vein are most often affected, resulting in the formation of vertical reflux, the length of which can be from a few centimeters to the entire length of the saphena. Ultrasound studies in recent years have demonstrated that all valves of the greater saphenous vein can be incompetent, including the ostial one, but often we find a functional valve at the mouth, and distally, against the background of vessel ectasia, and sometimes without it, the valves do not close completely. If the ostial valve is defective, then blood is discharged from the femoral vein into the large saphenous vein at the height of the Valsalva maneuver. When the wellhead valve closes, the Valsalva maneuver is negative, but with the help of manual compression, the inferiority of other valves in the trunk can be detected. Variants of vertical reflux can be considered retrograde blood flow through the sapheno-femoral anastomosis not into the great saphenous vein, but into one of its tributaries on the thigh. And finally, ultrasound scanning often reveals an incompetent Dodd perforator on the thigh, through which blood reflux into the safena and then along it in the distal direction.
A peculiar type of vertical reflux is the retrograde flow of blood into the saphenous veins from the pelvic veins. The detection of such a pathology has become possible in recent years thanks to the advances in ultrasound diagnostics, and its frequency has turned out to be high.
With these examples, we want to emphasize the variety of starting points for the formation of vertical reflux in the saphenous veins of the lower limb, which cannot but be taken into account when determining the indications, as well as choosing the volume and technology of surgical intervention.
Vertical reflux should also include the discharge of blood through the small saphenous vein in case of valvular inferiority of the sapheno-popliteal anastomosis. However, the latter does not exist in all people, and therefore reflux of blood through the small saphenous vein is a rare phenomenon. It, as in the trunk of the great saphenous vein, has similar varieties. More often, short reflux is observed in the proximal part of the lesser saphena, which can be considered as an indication for isolated ligation of the anastomosis.
In second place in frequency is valvular insufficiency of the perforating veins. Between the veins of the large and small saphenous veins there are a large number of communications, which are called communicating veins and are located in the subcutaneous fat. Often the communications between the superficial and deep venous vessels are also called the same, but for a clearer mutual understanding, as well as in order to emphasize the specific significance of these communications in treatment tactics and to separate them into a separate group, the term “perforating veins” seems more reasonable according to their main difference from other communicating veins: they pierce the fascia. Through these venous vessels, due to their valvular deficiency, horizontal blood reflux is formed, the elimination of which during surgery is also considered mandatory today.
In addition to the above-mentioned Dodd perforators, there are several more clinically important communications between the subfascial veins and the trunk of the great saphenous vein. However, more often with varicose veins, incompetent perforating veins are observed, through which the discharge of blood goes into the tributaries of the long saphena. No parallelism was found between the number of incompetent perforating veins and the severity of varicose veins. The most significant are the perforating veins of Cockett, located in the lower third of the medial surface of the leg and most often involved in the development of trophic skin disorders.
Valvular insufficiency of deep veins in varicose veins ranks third in frequency of observations. Its role in the formation of chronic venous insufficiency is beyond doubt, although it is too early to consider it fully studied.
Detection of blood reflux in the femoral and popliteal veins became possible after the development of so-called retrograde venography. With its help, it was learned that valvular insufficiency of the deep veins can vary in extent:
a) reflux within the upper third of the thigh,
b) reflux up to the knee,
c) reflux below the knee joint
d) reflux to the ankles.
With varicose veins of the saphenous veins, the most common is the first reflux. The latter type of reflux is extremely rare. A special type of femoral-popliteal reflux is the retrograde flow of blood into the popliteal vein through the deep vein of the thigh when the femoral vein valves are intact. In the middle of the 20th century, it became known that valvular insufficiency of the femoral and popliteal veins is of a primary nature in patients with varicose veins, that is, it is not the result of thrombosis of these veins, but develops as a result of ectasia of these lines. It has also been learned that blood reflux along the femoral-popliteal segment may be a manifestation of congenital malformation of individual valves or even their complete absence. This anomaly may accompany varicose veins, or may be observed in the absence of any pathology of the superficial veins. From here it is clear that correction of valvular insufficiency of the deep veins is an individual task.
Published: 02 Nov 2016 at 21:52
Low physical activity, prolonged stay of the body in one position, congenital pathology of the blood channels and other negative factors often lead to insufficient outflow in the venous vessels.
Venous insufficiency is a pathology associated with impaired functionality of the valves of the blood channels. This disease is common among older people. The main cause of valvular venous insufficiency is the loss of functionality of the endothelium lining the inner surface of the vessels.
With thrombosis of blood channels, clogging of their lumens is observed. During treatment, the diameter of the lumen is restored, and the valves are destroyed. This prevents the restoration of normal blood flow.
Insufficiency of the vein valves causes an acute form of the disease. The symptoms of the disease are varied and can be manifested by the presence of one sign or several. Typically, patients are concerned about pain and heaviness in the lower extremities, swelling of the legs, the presence of a pronounced vascular network, cyanosis, lack of elasticity of the skin, and night cramps in the legs. The severity of these symptoms depends on the stage of progression.
Valvular insufficiency of the veins can spread to the subcutaneous, deep, and perforating vessels. Moreover, insufficiency of the valves of the perforating veins, the GSV (greater saphenous vein), is much more common than damage to the deep blood channels.
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Insufficiency of the deep vein valves causes an increase in blood pressure on the walls of the vessels of the lower extremities. As a result, the biological substance gradually leaks through the walls of the blood channels into neighboring tissues, causing swelling and compaction. Swelling leads to compression of the smaller vessels of the leg and ankle, causing ischemia, which subsequently leads to the formation of ulcers.
The role of valvular insufficiency of deep canals in the formation of a chronic pathological process is undeniable. CVI is often caused by primary incompetence of the valves of deep venous channels, as well as factors that cause varicose veins.
One of the forms of this disease is a violation of the functionality of the sural vessels. The disease has an unclear clinical picture. Swelling of the extremities with this form is practically absent. During diagnosis, pain occurs when the calf muscles are compressed, and discomfort when bending the foot.
The clinical picture of sural vein insufficiency is blurred; the diagnosis can only be confirmed by using additional methods. Treatment consists of low molecular weight heparins and compression stockings. Patients are advised to move more and be regularly monitored by a phlebologist.
As the disease progresses, destruction of the valves of the large subcutaneous canal is most often observed. As a result of the pathology, vertical reflux occurs. According to ultrasound studies, all valves of the subcutaneous lines may be damaged, including the ostial one, located in the GSV.
If the functioning of the ostial valve is disrupted, there is an outflow of blood from the hip into the large subcutaneous line. The flow of blood from the pelvic vessels into the subcutaneous vessels leads to the formation of vertical reflux. This pathology is often diagnosed using ultrasound.
Perforating vessels are messages between the deep and subcutaneous blood channels, as well as communicating structures connecting the large and small subcutaneous lines. Valvular insufficiency of the perforating veins and trunk tributaries forms horizontal blood reflux, which can only be eliminated surgically.
The most common diagnosis is insufficiency of the perforating veins of the leg. This is caused by an imbalance in the physiological balance of muscle and elastic tissues, as well as collagen structures. Prolonged blood stagnation leads to thickening of the perforating veins of the leg. Valve insufficiency does not provide outflow and blood is discharged into the subcutaneous network of vessels.
Symptoms of the disease include protrusion of blood channels, swelling, heaviness and pain. The skin at the site of the pathological area thickens and darkens. In the absence of timely therapeutic intervention, ulcers begin to form.
Due to the neglect of valvular insufficiency of the perforating veins of the leg, thrombophlebitis may develop. The danger of this form of pathology lies in the absence of visible symptoms. Only instrumental diagnostics can identify the disease.
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Chronic venous insufficiency is a disease of the valve apparatus, which is more common in the subcutaneous vessels. This disease often affects women, as well as people forced…
Types of venous insufficiency
Vascular insufficiency is a pathological condition, the cause of which is a circulatory disorder, complicated by tissue hypoxia. There are two forms of venous and arterial insufficiency: acute...
The first records of this disease are found in the medicinal papyri of Ancient Egypt and on the pages of the Old Testament. However, humanity has not yet found the cause that triggers the pathological process in the vessels, and is still coming up with methods for treating and preventing varicose veins.
Varicose veins, or, as they more often say, varicose veins (from the Latin “knot”) is a disease in which the diameter of the veins increases, the walls become thinner, the vessels swell from the volume of blood and venous nodes form under the skin. Varicose veins can occur in different parts of the vascular system:
• in the veins of the legs (nodular, dilated veins on the thighs, legs and feet);
• in the veins of the esophagus and stomach (with portal hypertension);
• in the veins of the rectum (one of the provoking factors of hemorrhoids);
• in the veins of the spermatic cord (varicocele).
Trophic ulcers are one of the most common complications of varicose veins. Ulcers often occur on the lower legs. First, the person experiences excruciating itching. Weeping eczema appears at the site of scratching, then the damaged tissues become inflamed and an ulcer forms - a non-healing wound on the skin. Ulcers can be either single or multiple.
Acute thrombophlebitis is inflammation of the vein wall with the formation of a blood clot. Sometimes the complication develops without significant symptoms, but most often thrombophlebitis makes itself felt. The thrombosed vein becomes inflamed, turns red, becomes hot, and then darkens.
In the dilated vein, a compaction is felt - a painful cord.
Important! Thrombophlebitis is dangerous, first of all, due to the possible detachment of a blood clot and its introduction with the bloodstream into the lungs, heart, and brain. What can cause heart attack, lung, stroke.
Varicose vein bleeding occurs when a varicose vein ruptures. The skin at the site of varicose veins and the wall of the inflamed vessel are thinned, so they are very easy to damage. As soon as a vein is injured, blood flows out of the wound in a stream. It is important to stop the bleeding in time, otherwise blood loss can be serious.
Varicose veins begin with cosmetic changes: spider veins and small veins a couple of millimeters thick appear on the skin of the thighs, legs or feet.
Since the skin over them is very thin, the affected areas are easily injured and often become pigmented, that is, they acquire a dark shade. It is best to begin treatment in these early stages. If varicose veins start to develop, then heaviness and pain in the legs, cramps in the calf muscles, and swelling will appear (most often the legs swell in the afternoon).
Then the veins will begin to appear more and more noticeably, causing a feeling of fullness and itching. Ulcers may open at the site of the venous nodes.
As a result, it will no longer be possible to cope with the disease using only conservative methods - an expensive operation will be required.
Cycling is very useful for the proper functioning of the veins, because fresh air and optimal functioning of the lower leg muscles normalize blood flow. However, when riding a bicycle, you must definitely use underwear (stockings, tights, knee socks), which creates the “correct” pressure in the vessels and valves of the veins. Swimming and walking are useful, but volleyball, basketball, tennis and other sports with jumping and jerking that are harmful to the blood vessels of the legs are contraindicated.
In the treatment of varicose veins, a special diet plays a huge role, which strengthens the walls of blood vessels, promotes good blood circulation, reducing the likelihood of the formation of edema and blood clots. The anti-varicose diet must include foods with blood-thinning properties - cabbage, fresh onions and garlic.
It is necessary to switch to a balanced diet, eliminating from your diet all seasonings, coffee, strong tea, refined sugar and confectionery, marinades, jellies, canned food and smoked foods, which contribute to the destruction of valves and walls of venous vessels. Instead, start eating foods rich in vitamin E, which makes veins firm and elastic. These are soybeans, peas, beans, lettuce, green onions, liver, egg yolk, as well as corn, olive and soybean oil. And to replenish vitamin C reserves and strengthen venous walls, eat large quantities of sweet peppers, white cabbage, tomatoes, parsley, and dill. For dessert, prepare yourself fruit desserts from oranges, lemons, grapefruits, rowan berries, black currants and walnuts. The vitamin R they contain, the so-called rutin, strengthens the valves and walls of venous vessels. Drink at least two liters of fluid daily, otherwise the blood will begin to thicken and circulate worse, and this can lead to the formation of blood clots.
Do you have any cases of varicose veins in your family? Or have you noticed the first spider veins on your legs? Then consult a phlebologist (a specialist in vein diseases) and take care of disease prevention.
• Foot contrast baths
Great for training the blood vessels in your legs! Pour water into 2 basins. The water temperature in one is 40 °C, in the other - 20 °C. Keep your feet alternately in both basins: 30 seconds in hot water and 10 seconds in cold water. Alternate at least 5 times, ending the procedure with cold water.
• In the evening at home, you can get rid of swelling and a feeling of heaviness in your legs using a small cushion made from a blanket or rug. Lie on your back and place a bolster under your shins. This position will facilitate the movement of blood through the veins.
• At work, if you have to stand or sit for a long time, try to warm up your legs every hour. Take off your shoes and walk around the room if you work while sitting. Or, conversely, sit down and relax if you are forced to constantly stand. It’s good to have a special massage ball with soft spikes for your feet at work. It is sold in pharmacies and orthopedic salons.
• Start every morning with self-massage of your feet. With light movements of your palms, stroke your legs from bottom to top - from the feet to the hips. Walk the same route, doing semi-circular rubbing, without touching the area of the inflamed veins. From the legs, rise to the buttocks and lower back: this way you will stimulate the nerve endings that are connected to the skin, muscles and blood vessels of the legs.
• Choose the right shoes! High-heeled shoes are best worn only on occasion. And for every day, choose comfortable, loose models with low heels and orthopedic soles. Men's shoes should also be comfortable - with a high instep that does not pinch the veins in the feet.
• If you are overweight, keep in mind: extra pounds increase the load on blood vessels. Therefore, you need to monitor your weight. And the beginning of a new year is perfect for starting a new life. Forward - to diet and gymnastics!
Before eating, dilute 2 tsp in a glass of warm boiled water. apple cider vinegar. Take before meals three times daily. This remedy improves the condition of blood vessels and has a positive effect on blood composition.
Medicinal plants, when used regularly, also help diseased veins. They help strengthen and increase the tone of the venous walls. In addition, they help prevent blood clots and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Horse chestnut improves blood quality - reduces its clotting and prevents the formation
blood clots It strengthens the walls of blood vessels and makes them more elastic.
Prepare the tincture: pour 50 g of flowers and fruits into 0.5 liters of vodka and leave for 2 weeks in a warm, dark place, shaking occasionally. Course of treatment: 30 drops 4 times a day for a month.
• Kalanchoe has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Wash, dry, chop the leaves and put them in a half-liter jar. They should take up half the volume. Fill the jar to the top with alcohol or vodka and place it in a dark place for a week. Then filter the tincture. Use it externally: rub your legs, moving from your feet to your thighs. In case of severe varicose veins, avoid “knots”. Rubbing can be done every evening for several months.
• Hops are an excellent vein tonic.
Pour 2 tbsp. l. dried hop cones 1 cup boiling water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes, then strain. Drink the decoction in 2-3 doses throughout the day. Be careful: hops have a pronounced sedative effect.
Herbal mixture 1. Pour 2 tbsp. l. crushed willow bark with 2 glasses of water and boil over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Drink 1/3 glass 2-3 times a day for two months and take foot baths with the same infusion every day. Pour 1 glass of this broth into a bowl of warm (not hot) water and keep your feet in it for half an hour. And every other day, make honey compresses after the bath: apply a thin layer of honey on a linen cloth and apply it to the dilated veins. Cover the top with a thick cloth and bandage for one to two hours.
Please note that hot baths are contraindicated for varicose veins, as high temperatures provoke thrombosis. Foot baths at room temperature and contrast showers are recommended, which are an excellent means of prevention for varicose veins: changing temperatures perfectly strengthens blood vessels. It is best to take a contrast shower twice a day - morning and evening.
2 collection For varicose veins, the following collection of herbs helps: mix 20 g of horse chestnut fruit, birch bark, oak bark, 5 horsetail herbs, Icelandic moss, 30 g of astragalus herb, immortelle flowers. 1 tbsp. l. of this collection, pour 1 glass of boiling water, boil for 5 minutes, leave for 40 minutes and drink 1/4 glass 3-4 times a day.
You need to take equal parts of oak and willow bark, pour about three handfuls of the mixture into 5 liters of water, and boil for 20 minutes over medium heat. Strain when the broth has cooled to body temperature, pour into a bucket or basin and immerse your feet to the knees. Keep your feet watering them with this decoction for about 20 minutes. Do the procedures every evening. Course - 12-15 baths.
At the same time, take herbal tea that strengthens blood vessels: mix equally the flowers of rowan berry, arnica, and wheatgrass rhizomes. 1 tbsp. l. the mixture is poured with 2 cups of boiling water, kept in a water bath for 10 minutes, and drunk in several doses throughout the day. Take for 2-3 weeks two to three times a year.
Simple exercises will allow you to strengthen your venous system. They also tone the leg muscles.
• Take off your shoes, sit up straight, keep your legs elevated. Rotate your feet clockwise and counterclockwise 10 times. Point your toes toward you, then straighten them, extending them forward. Alternate 8-10 times. Turn your feet left and right 10-20 times. Bend and straighten your toes with tension - 10 times.
• Walk around for about a minute. Try to raise your knees high. Then, standing still, rise to your toes and lower to your heels - 20 times. Do you feel warm in your feet? Now you can make a smooth roll from toes to heels and back 10 times. If standing straight is difficult, lean against a wall or chair.
• Lie on your back, raise your legs and pedal (bicycle exercise) for about a minute. Now lower your feet to the floor, knees bent. Breathe deeply, trying to inflate your stomach as you inhale, and completely release the air as you exhale (60 seconds).
• Turn onto your right side. The right hand is a support for the body. While inhaling deeply, lift your left leg and arm 10 times. Then turn onto your left side and repeat the exercise for your right leg and arm.
If you have completed the tasks correctly, after gymnastics your legs will feel warm and slightly tired.
Your body must receive enough building material from food to strengthen blood vessels, as well as for hematopoiesis. Let's name just three essential vitamins.
• Vitamin E makes veins firm and elastic. Eat more foods containing this important vitamin! These are sprouted grains of rye and wheat, lettuce, green onions, liver, egg yolk, as well as corn and olive oil.
• Vitamin C will help strengthen the walls of blood vessels. It is found in: fruits and berries - citrus fruits, black currants and sea buckthorn, strawberries and gooseberries, rose hips; in vegetables - bell peppers, white cabbage, tomatoes; in garden herbs - parsley, dill.
• Vitamin P, or rutin, will take care of the condition of the valves in the veins. There is a lot of rutin in lemons, grapefruits, walnuts, tea, as well as in homemade compotes and jam.
The protein elastin is also very important. It is needed so that the venous walls can withstand the pressure of blood and do not stretch. Foods high in elastin include shrimp, oysters, crabs, mussels, and squid.
You can maintain normal blood viscosity by drinking: try to drink 1.5 liters of fluid daily.
But it is better to consume flour, sweets, coffee and alcohol in minimal quantities and as rarely as possible.
• Excess weight and congestion are of no use to you.
Clay has long been used to treat varicose veins. Moreover, a variety of different types are suitable.
Clay relieves inflammation, heals wounds, and has a beneficial effect on hematopoiesis and metabolism. It also activates the immune system and removes toxins.
• Applications for legs. Add water to the clay powder and knead into a tight dough. Shape it into a 2 cm thick cake and apply it to the affected area on your leg. Tie the cake with a terry towel and keep the application for 2 hours.
You can repeat the procedure every day for a month.
• Wrapping. Stir the clay in water to form a creamy mass. Apply the mixture to the affected area and apply the first layer of bandage or gauze. Apply a second layer of clay - and again a layer of bandage. Repeat this until you get a clay bandage 1 cm thick. Wrap your feet in cotton cloth and cover yourself with a blanket. It is better to keep the bandage for an hour and repeat every day for 2 weeks.
• Clay bath. Soak 150 g of clay powder and 1 tbsp in 3 liters of cold water for a couple of hours. l. oak bark. Then boil the mixture for 30 minutes. Add the finished infusion to a warm bath and take it for about half an hour. The course of treatment is 15 baths (1 time every 2 days).
At different stages of the disease, in the postoperative period and for the prevention of varicose veins, phlebologists often advise wearing compression stockings.
These are socks, stockings, tights made of special material.
The choice of product depends on where and how varicose veins are located on the legs and how advanced the disease is. Compression garments support and train them by putting pressure on the veins. Under pressure, the tissues narrow and blood flow in the legs increases. Products made from compression knitwear take part of the load on the veins, preventing blood stagnation and reducing the risk of blood clots. In addition, compression gives a feeling of lightness in the legs, relieves swelling and pain, and prevents tissue stretching. Therefore, therapeutic knitwear is advised to be worn by pregnant women, athletes and anyone who works while standing or has to spend a lot of time on the road (on planes, trains, cars).
When choosing compression stockings, keep the following in mind:
• product markings are in millimeters of mercury, not in denies;
• the doctor determines and prescribes the necessary parameters and type of knitwear;
• the product is selected individually, based on the anatomical characteristics of the legs, and not on the weight and height of the person;
• at different stages of the disease, different compression classes (pressure levels) are recommended.
Such products should maintain compression properties for six months, even with daily use.