Varicose veins are an abnormal expansion of the veins in the legs, which, according to statistics, affects 50-55% of women and 40-45% of men over 40 years of age. As the disease progresses, in addition to a cosmetic defect, the disease causes significant physical discomfort: pain, swelling and even trophic ulcers. It is much more comfortable and correct to start treating the first symptoms of varicose veins. Let's consider how the initial stage of varicose veins manifests itself and how to prevent the progression of the first signs of the disease.
The first signs and symptoms of varicose veins on the legs are minimal. The disease progresses slowly, so people do not pay attention to the discomfort due to poor awareness of the consequences or do not begin treatment due to a simple lack of time. Patients whose lifestyle and working conditions are closely related to prolonged standing in an upright position should be well aware of the initial symptoms of varicose veins. Adequate treatment can easily stop the pathological expansion of veins in the legs in the first stages of the disease. Initial signs:
All the described symptoms indicate the initial degree of peripheral circulation disturbance in the legs. We owe the appearance of such a clinical picture to the incompetent valves of the superficial and deep veins in the legs. In such situations, blood flows from the legs through paths not provided by nature, which causes the expansion of the venous vessels. Photos of the vascular network of the lower extremities can be found in any anatomical atlas.
Cramps in the calf muscles indicate an advanced stage of varicose veins.
Varicose veins in the initial stages should already alert a potential patient of vascular surgeons. Having the symptoms described above, as well as belonging to one degree or another to a risk group, it is better not to postpone a visit to the doctor and treatment. Risk factors for developing varicose veins:
Obesity provokes the appearance of varicose veins.
If you have doubts whether you really are faced with varicose veins at the initial stage, and the question of what the mesh on your legs looks like is haunting, look for photos on the Internet. This way you will be more sure whether you really need professional medical help.
Many patients prefer not to pay attention to the obvious clinical manifestations of the initial stage of varicose veins. They think that treatment is not carried out at such early stages of the disease. Varicose veins in the legs are easiest to treat at the initial stage. Professional help can stop further expansion of the veins and the first unpleasant complications that follow.
The pathology tends to progress slowly, but sometimes untimely treatment can provoke the development of unpleasant complications:
Timely treatment for minor varicose veins helps to avoid the complications described above. Women who have received adequate professional help will not be embarrassed to take a photo in a skirt because of unsightly veins on their legs.
It is possible and necessary to fight varicose veins in the initial stages. Treatment and preventive care at the first signs of illness depend entirely on the patient’s consciousness, since all measures to prevent pathology must be carried out independently at home. Here's what it's recommended to do:
It is possible and necessary to treat the initial stages of varicose veins. Regular conservative treatment helps to avoid or delay surgical procedures. Even minimally invasive interventions such as sclerotherapy and laser coagulation have their own risks and lead to temporary disability.
Compression garments and venotonics slow down the pathological process and reduce visual symptoms and signs. Women can no longer be shy about taking beautiful photos on the beach.
Many women notice that during pregnancy, networks of dilated veins appear on their legs. Swelling of the legs, heaviness and fatigue - this is how varicose veins manifest themselves during pregnancy. Varicose veins affect 20 to 40% of pregnant women. At the same time, 20-30% show signs of varicose veins after the first pregnancy, 40-60 - after the second. After the third pregnancy, the probability of developing the disease increases to 80%. As a rule, varicose veins during pregnancy occur in those women who are predisposed to this disease.
Problems with veins visually look like “worms” or “spider veins”. These can be small vessels that are visible through the skin of the legs and resemble a cobweb. They are often blue or purple in color. They do not rise above the surface of the skin. The worms, on the contrary, protrude and swell. This is what the expansion of the main veins looks like. They can be about as thick as a finger, and the color of these veins is usually green.
Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic problem. The disease is dangerous due to its complications (trophic ulcers, thrombophlebitis, bleeding). Blood clot formation is one of the most serious complications. A blood clot, once broken, creates an immediate threat to the life of the mother and child.
The initial stages are asymptomatic. The woman notices only a slight deformation of the veins. In fact, the mechanism for the occurrence of the disease is something like this: blood is pumped through the arteries into the lower extremities, but blood stagnation occurs there due to the fact that the veins are partially compressed. Sufficient blood outflow is not ensured, venous blood stagnates and bursts the veins from the inside.
The initial stage is characterized by the appearance of swelling in the evening, which completely disappears overnight. If the condition is more severe, the pregnant woman may be bothered by cramps in the calf muscles, which often occur at night. The disease may be accompanied by severe pain in the legs and itching of the skin of the legs. Usually all symptoms are worse at night.
The next stage in the development of varicose veins is their significant deformation. Dilated and intricately curved veins protrude above the surface of the skin. Some women suffering from varicose veins do not experience pain even with severe deformation of the veins, and some have pain in their legs with minor external manifestations of the disease. Doctors are sure that hormonal changes in the body have an effect. It is the change in hormonal levels that leads to a weakening of the venous walls, an increase in the volume of blood in the veins, due to which the load on the veins increases. Another feature of the “pregnant” body is the woman’s constantly increasing weight, which also affects the manifestation of the symptoms of the disease. Let's add here the individual characteristics of the body. Different women have different elasticity of blood vessels, venous valves may be underdeveloped, and in some they are completely absent.
It is a mistaken belief that varicose veins during pregnancy are just a problem with the legs. Pregnant women sometimes experience varicose veins on the labia, vulva, and anus. Vulvar varicose veins are especially dangerous. Without timely treatment, the disease can lead to vein rupture and life-threatening bleeding.
Prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy should be applied to all women expecting the birth of a baby, and not just to those who have discovered the first manifestations of the disease. To prevent varicose veins on the legs, pregnant women are recommended to wear special stockings. Please note, these are stockings, not tights. If these are tights, then they should be special anti-varicose tights for pregnant women.
It is not recommended to select anti-varicose stockings on your own; this should be done by a phlebologist, taking into account your weight, stage of pregnancy, degree of manifestation of varicose veins and your well-being. The doctor will also tell you that you need to put on stockings not as you please, but in the morning, without getting out of bed in a lying position. Such stockings redistribute the load on the veins, and if you get up, take a shower, and only then put on stockings, the redistribution will be incorrect. The doctor will recommend not wearing clothes that restrict movement in the knees and hips.
All pregnant women should be careful when choosing shoes, especially those who suffer from varicose veins. Many people know that pregnant women should not wear high-heeled shoes, so they choose ballet flats. Meanwhile, ballet flats with absolutely flat soles are also not entirely healthy shoes. The optimal heel height for pregnant women is from 3 to 5 cm.
It is recommended to sleep on your left side, this improves blood flow. Try not to cross your legs when you sit, don't stand for long periods of time, and get plenty of rest. If circumstances are such that you have to stand for a long time, rise on your toes from time to time.
Watch your weight. Significant weight gain during pregnancy increases the symptoms of varicose veins.
Self-treatment of any disease (without consulting a doctor) is unacceptable, especially during pregnancy. In addition to all the preventive measures described above, you should add proper nutrition and walking. The basis of nutrition for pregnant women suffering from varicose veins should be eggs, lean fish and meat, and cottage cheese.
Special local medications against varicose veins (gels, ointments) will be selected by your attending physician. You should not buy advertised products on your own, the manufacturers of which promise to save you from problems with veins once and for all. In your condition, it is important to choose a drug that is safe for you and your baby. The active ingredients of most gels and ointments penetrate into the blood, and this can harm the child. The doctor will select the remedy that you need.
Particularly complex cases of varicose veins are an indication for surgical intervention (for example, trophic ulcer, ascending thrombophlebitis). Doctors decide to operate on pregnant patients only in extreme cases when there is a real threat to life. Typically, the operation is performed in the first six months of pregnancy. The method of sclerosing veins with special solutions is also used.
As for the method of delivery for pregnant women with varicose veins, the doctor chooses it based on the situation. If possible, they prefer natural childbirth. Women in labor with varicose veins on their legs bandage their legs with elastic bandages or use special underwear. This is done to prevent the backflow of blood during pushing. In the postpartum period, physical therapy and observation by a phlebologist are recommended. In the case of deep vein thrombosis, the issue of surgery is decided.
There are sports that are an excellent prevention of varicose veins, and, by the way, they are not contraindicated for pregnant women. You can do swimming and walking, and after giving birth you can add jogging. But if you already have varicose veins, it is better to discuss a set of physical exercises with your doctor. After all, physical activity for varicose veins should be reasonable. The doctor will recommend a special set of exercises aimed at relieving tension in your legs and will tell you whether you need a contrast shower for “problem” areas.
For many people, varicose veins appear only as an external cosmetic defect in the form of blue swollen vessels on the legs. But you need to know that, in addition to an aesthetic drawback, varicose veins can cause serious health problems, and in advanced cases of deep vein varicose veins there is a risk of complications that can even lead to death. That is why it is so important to pay attention to the early symptoms of varicose veins and, at the first suspicion of the development of such an insidious disease, immediately consult a doctor.
Typically, symptoms of varicose veins begin to appear at an early stage of the development of the disease. They are often attributed to other reasons or not noticed at all. But if everyone knows what symptoms indicate the onset of varicose veins, then the pathology can be identified at an early stage, and this will successfully prevent its further development. Let's take a closer look at what signs of varicose veins appear at the very beginning.
The appearance of spots is the very first subtle sign of varicose veins. The spots can be red, which are the result of rupture of small subcutaneous capillaries, or blue (bruises), such spots indicate the development of venous insufficiency. Bruises with varicose veins differ from ordinary bruises in that when you press on them, the spot disappears. Apart from the cosmetic defect that is visible in the photo, this symptom may not cause absolutely any inconvenience for several years, so spots and bruises are not paid attention, especially by men, until other signs of varicose veins begin to appear. Sometimes a burning sensation may appear in the area of the spot, but this already indicates inflammation of the venous walls.
This symptom appears after standing or walking for a long time, usually in the calf area. Heaviness in the legs is accompanied by increased fatigue and a feeling of tiredness. In the initial stages, this symptom occurs periodically and quickly disappears after rest, and as the disease progresses, it begins to appear more often and more acutely.
In advanced stages, fatigue does not go away after rest.
Tissue swelling becomes the first signal that the valves in the venous vessels have begun to lose their functions, resulting in blood stagnation. Swelling mainly forms at the end of the day and spreads to the area of the foot and lower leg. In the initial stages of varicose veins, swelling may not be immediately visible externally, but it is very easy to notice it in shoes, because in the morning they are put on easily and loosely, but by the evening they become tight and are difficult to remove. In this case, swelling mainly appears in the area of the foot and lower leg. You can see what it looks like in the photo. After an overnight rest, this swelling goes away completely. In advanced cases, swelling becomes persistent, it is observed throughout the day, and it is impossible to get rid of it even after long rest and rest.
Usually this symptom makes itself felt at night and mainly in a horizontal position of the body. Cramps are felt in the area of the calf muscles and are accompanied by numbness in the leg, the causes of which lie in tissue metabolic disorders. Cramps are a common occurrence with varicose veins of the deep veins of the lower extremities.
The reasons why legs hurt when varicose veins develop are very numerous. In the early stages of deep vein disease, pain may appear as aching legs or mild pain when walking. If spots appeared earlier, then with the development of varicose veins, pain may appear in this area. As varicose veins develop, the legs hurt more and more often and more severely, and gradually a symptom such as a feeling of painful fullness is added. At advanced stages, the pain becomes simply unbearable.
As the disease progresses, the pain in the legs becomes stronger.
Another external sign of varicose veins is spider veins, or spider veins, called telangiectasia. They can appear on different parts of the body and, as shown in the photo, even on the face. Phlebologists consider the formation of a vascular venous network on the legs, chest or face to be an intradermal form of varicose veins, which is basically only a cosmetic defect, and the legs do not hurt. But if they are present in large quantities on the legs, then this leads to large stagnation of blood, swelling increases and symptoms of venous insufficiency appear.
Itching and burning are usually observed along the course of the venous vessel affected by varicose veins, even if outwardly it does not yet protrude. Also, itching can appear in the muscles during the progression of deep vein varicose veins, especially often this symptom manifests itself at night. As the disease progresses, spots and swelling that appeared earlier may begin to itch.
In the early stages of development of varicose veins of the lower or upper extremities, it is quite difficult to recognize the disease on your own, but with the help of qualified specialists this is quite possible, so if any of the symptoms listed above do not postpone a visit to the doctor.
It is very difficult to determine the presence of the disease on your own.
The signs of varicose veins listed above are its very first heralds, but, unfortunately, few people pay attention to them. They begin to seek medical help when the disease already noticeably manifests itself in the form of blue blood vessels and swollen venous nodes, but these signs of varicose veins indicate an advanced disease. So what symptoms are added in advanced cases of the disease:
Protrusion of visible blue subcutaneous blood vessels on the thighs, legs or feet is the first symptom to look for with varicose veins. But in fact, this sign indicates the full bloom of the disease. At first, this symptom does not cause any discomfort, except for its unattractive appearance, since the legs do not hurt yet. But as the disease progresses, the blood vessels and nodes become brighter and darker, and begin to protrude more strongly on the skin, which is clearly visible in the photo. Added bursting pain, itching and burning along the venous canal and heat in the area of the affected vessels.
2. Skin changes
The changes most often affect the inner lower side of the leg and thigh. With the gradual progression of the disease, in the part where swelling is more often observed, a sign such as dry skin appears. It may be itchy and flaky. Next, hyperpigmentation appears in some areas - dark brown spots, as shown in the photo, and they are gradually joined by rash, eczema and other types of dermatoses. The rash looks like small blisters filled with clear liquid.
3. Trophic ulcers
In the most advanced cases of varicose veins, ulcers begin to form, which are visible in the photo. Moreover, ulcers can appear even with a minor cut or bruise. Trophic ulcers can bleed and not heal for a long time, and the person experiences terrible pain. Ulcers are usually flat, have clear rounded edges, and can be single or multiple. If you allow an infection to get into the wound, suppuration may begin, and the process of general intoxication of the body will begin.
Ulcers with varicose veins appear in advanced stages.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities without appropriate treatment leads to severe venous pathologies, therefore, when the first signs and symptoms of the disease appear, one cannot remain inactive and allow the disease to develop to the final stage.
Throughout the world, there are several classifications of varicose veins of the lower extremities, but in Russia the most commonly used option is the one proposed in 2000 by the country's leading phlebologists, which distinguishes 4 stages of varicose veins. Each stage is characterized by a specific set of symptoms and signs.
At stage I there are no complaints, there is no pain, but significant changes occur inside, which gradually lead to complications. Symptoms include fatigue, heaviness in the legs after long walks, and slight swelling in the evenings. Of the visible manifestations, only periodically appearing spots and bruises can be noticeable. What the first stage of varicose veins looks like externally can be seen in the photo. The disease is rarely diagnosed at this stage, because few people pay attention to its characteristic symptoms.
At stage II, swelling increases, and cramps begin to appear at night. Occasionally, mild general pain may accompany fatigue. External manifestations include a venous network and spider veins, which are most often noticed on the thighs and legs. They are especially clearly visible in representatives with thin, pale skin, as in the photo. The appearance of spider veins is not accompanied by any unpleasant sensations, so this stage of manifestation of varicose veins of the lower extremities also often goes unnoticed.
At the second stage of the disease, venous networks and spider veins appear on the skin.
Stage III is characterized by a gradual increase in the vascular pattern, the veins become more noticeable and dark. Some of them begin to protrude above the skin on the legs. Venous nodes may also appear protruding above the skin. Painful sensations appear, and sometimes itching and burning along the swollen vessels and nodes. Symptoms such as pain in the legs when walking, heaviness and a feeling of fullness in the calves at the end of the working day occur. Cramps at night are becoming more and more common, which indicates the progression of deep vein varicose veins. Persistent swelling of the legs and feet is noticeable, and this symptom no longer goes away completely even after a full night's rest. The skin begins to lose elasticity, dryness, itching, and sometimes a rash appear. Pigmentation increases, the skin begins to darken, forming brown spots and bruises. A general view of a limb with the third stage of varicose veins is shown in the photo.
At stage IV, the disease reaches its peak. As varicose veins of the superficial and deep veins of the lower extremities develop, all of the listed symptoms and signs begin to appear more and more acutely. The veins protrude more and more, forming convoluted patterns on the surface of the skin. Trophic skin disorders begin to appear: ulcers, eczema. The skin becomes very vulnerable, and even light scratches and cuts can cause wounds. The resulting trophic ulcers do not heal for a long time. The pain in the legs at this stage becomes simply unbearable. It is accompanied by heat and a feeling of fullness in the legs. The disease moves to the stage when the whole body begins to suffer, an increase in temperature and signs of general intoxication may appear. As a complication of varicose veins, phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of blood vessels can develop, and this condition is already becoming a real threat to life.
Varicose veins of the superficial and deep veins of the upper and lower extremities as a disease develops very slowly, over the years, so a very long time can pass between the first stages of the disease.
But you should always remember that the success of treatment for varicose veins depends entirely on the stage at which the disease was diagnosed. The sooner vascular pathology is detected, the greater the chances of getting rid of it. Therefore, when the first symptoms and signs of varicose veins appear, or even at the slightest suspicion of its development, you should not postpone a visit to a phlebologist, because sometimes it can cost your life.
First of all, you need to pay attention to your well-being. Especially in the evening. If, with the same physical activity (with the same work schedule) as before, symptoms such as fatigue and heaviness in the legs appear in the evening, then you should be wary. These may be the first manifestations of varicose veins. Moreover, after a short rest, fatigue goes away, and by the morning you feel good again, then most likely these are the first signals of the development of varicose veins. In addition to fatigue and heaviness, swelling may appear in the legs. At first, swelling is insignificant and therefore difficult to detect. Most often, the main manifestation of swelling of the lower extremities is that by the end of the day the shoes become tight. If such symptoms appear almost every evening, then you should pay attention to the appearance of the lower extremities. Most likely, on the legs you will notice a capillary network or dilated veins that protrude to the surface of the skin.
The most correct action would be to consult a phlebologist. A phlebologist, using instrumental research methods, will determine the degree of dilation of the veins of the lower extremities. It is the phlebologist who treats varicose veins of the lower extremities.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment options will be proposed. Fortunately, in the early stages of development of varicose veins of the lower extremities, non-surgical methods can be used. Most likely, a phlebologist will prescribe the use of compression hosiery. Compression jersey allows you to get rid of the problem of swelling, reduces the feeling of fatigue and heaviness in the legs. Plus, compression hosiery is an excellent measure to prevent the further development of varicose veins of the lower extremities.
If you do not pay attention to swelling, heaviness and fatigue in the legs, there is a high probability that varicose veins will progress. Gradually, others will join these complaints. For example, varicose veins may form on the legs, as well as the color of the skin may change, and in very advanced situations, varicose veins are complicated by trophic ulcers. With this development of varicose veins of the lower extremities, conservative therapy will not be enough. Surgery will most likely be required. Thus, it is better to start treating varicose veins as early as possible.
A disease of the veins, characterized by their expansion, lengthening, thinning of the walls, deformation and formation of nodes, is called varicose veins. According to statistics, females are more susceptible to this pathology than males, due to hormonal characteristics. Every fourth person suffers from a disease of the venous system. Everyone should know the symptoms of varicose veins in women so they can seek help from a specialist early.
Signs of varicose veins in women depend on the area of development of the pathological process and the stage of the disease. Vein dilatation may have the following localization:
The disease can be primary or secondary. The primary form is characterized by the fact that the symptoms of varicose veins in women indicate the development of an independent disease. In the second case, vein pathology develops against the background of some disease as a concomitant manifestation.
Signs of varicose veins in the legs, arms, pelvis, hemorrhoidal ring and groin area in women will be discussed in the article.
Symptoms of varicose veins in women depend on the stage of the disease. The compensation stage has no clinical manifestations, however, the first pathological changes in the vascular wall are already appearing.
Beginning varicose veins can be identified by the strengthening of the pattern of veins on the legs and the appearance of swelling, especially closer to the evening. Patients complain of a feeling of heaviness, a desire to rest, fatigue, and itchy skin. When examining the legs, a specialist can detect a slight pastiness that occurs when a finger presses on the skin of the lower leg. Symptoms of incipient varicose veins in the legs in women decrease after rest, especially at night.
Signs of varicose veins in women in the second stage are accompanied by impaired circulation in the areas of pathological processes. Swelling increases, especially after physical activity. Time to rest does not reduce swelling. Pressing the skin of the leg leaves an indentation that lasts for several minutes.
Due to impaired blood circulation, patients complain of increased hair loss, the formation of age spots on the skin, and erosions in some places. The legs look like poured barrels, the skin becomes taut and shiny. Sometimes patients complain of discomfort, itching and soreness.
Symptoms of varicose veins in women in the third stage appear due to severe microcirculation impairment. Trophic ulcers form on the skin, with cyanosis along the periphery. Patients complain of severe pain and a burning sensation in areas of pathological changes.
Symptoms of varicose veins in women when the process is localized on the hands also intensify as the stage of the disease increases. At first, only cosmetic defects appear in the form of a more distinct venous pattern. During this period, patients have no complaints, so they do not seek advice from a doctor.
Know! It is necessary to pay attention to the very first signs in order to begin treatment in the early stages of the disease. This will reduce the development of possible complications and speed up recovery.
Clear signs of the appearance of varicose veins in women's hands are visible when swelling of the skin and a feeling of heaviness appear. The development of the disease resembles the signs of varicose veins in women. Patients complain of a feeling of fullness and night cramps. As the disease progresses, a pain syndrome appears, which intensifies with load on the affected arm. The skin becomes dry and fingers may become numb.
Visual examination allows you to determine the presence of deformed veins. The vessels become curved and dilated. You may notice spider veins on the skin. Worsening symptoms indicate thrombosis of varicose veins. In this case, the following symptoms arise that require immediate intervention from specialists:
Symptoms of pelvic varicose veins in women resemble those of most other diseases. For example, inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, cystitis, enterocolitis, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Symptoms of the appearance of pelvic varicose veins in women do not make themselves felt for a long time. This disease can manifest itself during pregnancy or in case of long-term treatment with hormonal drugs. Female representatives begin to complain of aching pain in the lower abdomen, which radiates to the lumbar and sacral region.
The nature of the menstrual cycle changes. The breaks between menstruation increase by 1.5 times, and the discharge itself becomes light. The vagina has increased sensitivity, especially during sexual intercourse.
In some cases, symptoms of pelvic varicose veins in women are accompanied by disorders of the urinary system. There is pain when urinating, heaviness in the bladder area, which makes it difficult to diagnose varicose veins. You may also feel pressure in the rectum, which is especially common during pregnancy. The woman begins to think that she is going into premature labor.
Signs of varicose veins in women are quite varied. Varicose veins can also be observed in the rectal area (hemorrhoids). Symptoms of the disease depend on the form of damage to the hemorrhoidal plexus.
The internal form of vein dilation and deformation does not have a clear clinical picture, so it is quite difficult to diagnose it at an early stage. As a rule, unpleasant sensations appear in the anal area, and during bowel movements an unusual heaviness is felt. Emptying the bowel does not relieve symptoms.
In later stages, the act of defecation or excessive physical effort can cause hemorrhoids to prolapse outward. Their thrombosis and infringement are possible. Photos of varicose veins can be seen on specialized medical websites.
The external form of varicose veins is clearly visualized upon examination. The doctor can see, and the patient can independently palpate, dilated nodes that have a bluish color. The surrounding skin is hyperemic and swollen. Mucous and bloody discharge appears. The patient complains of a burning sensation, itching and pain, aggravated by defecation.
The addition of bacterial microflora leads to increased inflammatory processes. Body temperature rises, signs of intoxication of the body appear.
Varicose veins in the groin in women, the symptoms of which will be discussed below, more often appear during pregnancy and after childbirth. Already in the initial stages of the disease, one can notice an increase in the venous pattern and tortuosity of the vessels. The most common localization of the pathological process:
Varicose veins in the groin in women have similar symptoms to dilation of the pelvic vessels. Accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies during the premenstrual period. Soreness is also noted in the groin with irradiation to the genitals, perineum, and lower back.
Sexual intercourse causes a feeling of discomfort. Patients complain of a feeling that they are “pulling” in the area of pathological processes. Urinary disturbances and a burning sensation also develop.
Pathological dilatation of the veins of the labia can accompany varicose veins in the groin in women. Symptoms are complemented by a feeling of fullness, the skin becomes cyanotic and dry. Spider veins and nodules can be seen in the area of the affected veins.
Any manifestations of the disease require immediate medical attention. This will help reduce the possibility of thrombosis of the altered veins and prevent complications.
Varicose veins of the small pelvis appear as a result of impaired blood flow. The veins change their shape and become inelastic. Varicose veins are dangerous not only because of pain, but also because of the possibility of blood clots, which can lead to extremely undesirable consequences.
Typically, varicose veins of the pelvis occur in women of childbearing age. The disease is quite common, but difficult to diagnose. A woman can walk for many years with pain in the lower abdomen and treat non-existent inflammation, without even suspecting that she has varicose veins of the small pelvis.
Varicose veins of the legs are the most common among all types of this pathology. This is due to the upright posture of a person, which creates a large load on the lower limbs.
11 more articles on the topic: Varicose veins during and after pregnancy: is it possible to protect yourself?
Have you walked several stops on the metro or stood in line at the bank, and after that your legs felt like cast iron? This may be the first sign of varicose veins. What does this mean and how to treat it?
Everyone knows that arteries are vessels through which blood flows from the heart to the internal organs and skin, and through veins it, on the contrary, returns to the heart. But sometimes, for various reasons, it becomes more and more difficult for her to do this, she begins to stagnate in the veins, which swell as a result and begin to ache. This is called varicose veins.
Why is this happening? Blood rises through the veins under the influence of residual blood pressure. In this case, the speed of blood flow is influenced by muscle tone - by contracting, the muscles seem to squeeze the blood upward. The reverse flow of blood is resisted by venous valves. But if excessive pressure is constantly created in the veins (for example, if you are too zealous with strength training or stand for a long time), then they gradually expand and lengthen, the muscular walls of the veins gradually atrophy, and the nerves responsible for the tone of the veins die. Venous valves shrink, become deformed by scars and cease to perform their function. These processes gradually take over the entire venous trunk and its tributaries and move on to the capillaries. This leads to the fact that tissues and organs are poorly supplied with oxygen and nutrients, and protruding and writhing “patterns” of a bluish color appear on the legs (and - oh, horror! - goodbye, short skirts).
Doctors believe that the main cause of varicose veins (vessels that carry blood to the heart) is heredity. That is, the risk of varicose veins increases if your mother or grandmother suffered from it. Weakness of the venous wall is inherited, which is why over time the veins stretch and the blood flow through them slows down. The main danger of varicose veins is that stagnation of blood in the veins can lead to the formation of blood clots in them. And thrombophlebitis is already a serious disease that can lead to dangerous complications. But to bring it to this point, you need to be absolutely deaf to your own body.
• It is rightly believed that varicose veins are a “disease of salesmen and hairdressers,” that is, people who spend a lot of time on their feet. But this list of professions can be continued, including surgeons, waiters, merchandisers (these are the people who put goods on shelves in a supermarket) and everyone who at the end of the working day can safely say: “I haven’t sat down even once today!”
• Prolonged sitting without movement can also serve as a trigger for varicose veins, because it causes stagnation of blood in the pelvis. And since not only truck drivers, but also more or less all office workers sit in one place for a long time, you need to force yourself to periodically get up and walk - at least while talking on a mobile phone.
• Also, obese women have a risk of encountering varicose veins (to clarify, obese women are those who have serious problems with excess weight, and not those who just need to lose a couple of extra pounds).
• pregnant women – due to weight gain, the uterus begins to compress the pelvic veins, causing blood stagnation.
Usually the onset of varicose veins is preceded by a number of symptoms that are difficult to miss:
• feeling of heaviness in the legs, especially at the end of the day;
• a burning sensation that periodically occurs along the veins;
• swelling of the legs, which appears in the evening and disappears by morning;
• swollen, bulging, tortuous veins (even if just one vein) appeared on the surface of the skin of the legs.
Four strict “DON’Ts” for varicose veins
• DO NOT wear high heels.
• DO NOT sit with your legs crossed.
• DO NOT wear knee socks with an elastic band that is too tight, shoes that are too narrow, or jeans that are too tight.
• DO NOT lift anything heavier than 5kg.
Some women develop spider veins (called telangiectasias) on their legs, chest, or even face. Phlebologists consider them to be an intradermal form of varicose veins. In most cases, this problem is purely aesthetic in nature, but if there are a lot of stars and they are mostly on the legs, then a fairly large amount of blood stagnates in them and the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (a feeling of heaviness and pain in the legs) are added. In this case, the problem must be dealt with for medical reasons. And the recommendations regarding sports will be the same as for varicose veins.
If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, you should not let the situation slide. It will not resolve on its own, but it can easily get worse, especially if you engage in those types of physical activities that are contraindicated for varicose veins. Therefore, first of all, you need to go to a phlebologist to find out how serious everything is (for this, as a rule, you need to undergo an ultrasound examination of the vascular bed). Depending on the results, the doctor will decide what to do - take a wait-and-see approach (if the manifestations of the disease are minimal) or prescribe physiotherapeutic or drug treatment. If there are no manifestations of the disease yet, but there is only a hereditary predisposition to it, it still won’t hurt to visit a phlebologist. The doctor will tell you how not to provoke the disease.
If suspicions of varicose veins are confirmed, be sure to discuss with your doctor whether it is possible to continue fitness training according to the usual pattern. Don’t be shy and ask your doctor as thoroughly as possible about what is possible and what is not. Examples of correct questions: “Doctor, I’m very worried, can I now run 5 km every day, as I usually do?”, “Doctor, I’ve already bought tickets to the ski resort, but can I ski now?” etc. Ideally, in this case, the training program will be drawn up individually with an instructor who understands the problem, because a person without the appropriate education and experience will not be able to take into account all risk factors.
For those who already have manifestations of varicose veins, even minor ones:
• loads that “clog” (overload) the leg muscles are not recommended - for example, snowboarding and alpine skiing, step aerobics, running, weightlifting, etc.
• you should not do exercises that require you to strain or hold your breath.
If varicose veins develop, you cannot completely give up playing sports, because physical activity improves blood flow. Proper work in the gym will force those muscle groups to work that act as a “muscle pump” and force the venous bed to empty. There is no universal recipe for training, but anything related to the pool will definitely be useful - aqua aerobics, aqua yoga, just swimming. The ideal exercise equipment is a stepper, bicycle and elliptical trainer, and cardio equipment. On everyone's favorite treadmill, you will have to switch to a step - there is no need for shock loads on your legs.
You need to be careful even with such seemingly calm types of physical activity as Pilates and yoga, since they also contain poses with a lot of stress on the legs. It is better to choose stretching and relaxation exercises.
1. During training, alternate tension and relaxation and dissipate the load - perform exercises either up or down.
2. Avoid vertical starting positions - it is better to perform the exercises sitting and lying down. For example, do bench leg presses instead of squats.
3. Exercise in special compression stockings or socks (they can only be bought in pharmacies and are selected individually on the recommendation of a doctor).
4. It is best to do exercises without weights. If you need to increase the load, do more repetitions of the exercises rather than increasing the weight of the apparatus. And, of course, do not forget about proper breathing during fitness.
So, you shouldn’t leave varicose veins unattended, even if their manifestations are minor. Don’t be lazy and visit a phlebologist. After all, a relationship with him is more useful than with a surgeon, whom you will have to go to when the problem is completely advanced. In general, if you have concerns about varicose veins, just try to move as much as possible in everyday life - walk one stop from work to home, walk along the corridor while talking on your mobile - these are the useful little things that will allow the veins to work more efficiently.
Varicose veins are a dangerous disease that is often not given due attention: people think that many people suffer from this disease (for example, more than half of older women), and it is often perceived as something ordinary. For women, cosmetic defects caused by problems with veins are often more important than possible health problems.
Let's find out how you can understand that you are at risk, take preventive measures, catch the disease at an early stage, or at least prevent serious consequences.
The first thing you can do for yourself if you suffer from varicose veins is to suspect its presence.
This is all the more important because the mechanism of occurrence and course of the disease is irreversible changes in the veins; therefore, it is extremely important to notice discrepancies in the functioning of the circulatory system in a timely manner .
The second thing you can do for yourself, if you already know that you suffer from the named disease, is to once again realize this fact, read how the symptoms worsen in the absence of treatment, and what consequences result from inattention to vascular health.
So, varicose veins: symptoms in women. The disease is the price to pay for a person’s upright posture and most often affects the lower half of the body, but its manifestations can be almost anywhere: on the face, eyes, tongue, back, stomach, buttocks, legs, and internal organs.
Let's look at the signs of common cases.
The last three symptoms are worse in the afternoon when the legs are tired.
With further development of varicose veins, the following signs of the disease appear:
Swelling is an alarming signal; it means that for the most part the vessels of the legs do not cope with their functions. Also a sign that the disease is progressing is a more acute manifestation of symptoms even after not too intense exercise.
Red spots on the legs and trophic ulcers are signs of an extremely advanced disease.
The consequences of varicose veins are thrombophlebitis, bleeding from burst vessels, venous insufficiency, gangrene.
The formation of blood clots, as we know, can lead to their separation and blockage of any vessels, and this causes acute oxygen starvation of tissues, including such terrible diseases as thromboembolism, heart attack, stroke .
Visual symptoms of varicose veins in women, photo below:
It is better known as “ rosacea ” and is manifested mainly by cosmetic defects in the form of spider veins on the cheeks, near the wings of the nose, in the form of bags under the eyes with visible stars .
Cosmetologist-dermatologist Irina Kotova talks about rosacea:
Protrusions, nodes on the skin of one or two buttocks.
In women, unfortunately, the predisposition to varicose veins is 3 times higher than in men. At risk are women who are exposed to the following factors :
Next, we will name the reasons, coupled with the above, that cause disease in certain parts of the body.
So, you have learned a lot of information about varicose veins and, we hope, it will help you or your loved ones and friends see a doctor earlier than this would happen under the influence of serious symptoms of an advanced disease.