Adverse conditions have ambiguous effects. When a person who has predisposing factors to the development of varicose veins is placed in such an environment, he or she will inevitably develop pathology. In other patients, the amount of negative impact and prevention is important. Risk factors for developing the disease include:
Even the constant action of any of the factors cannot lead to varicose veins if appropriate preventive measures are in place.
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Varicose veins are swelling of peripheral veins under the skin, most often on the surface of the leg muscles; the veins take on the appearance of swollen and strongly tortuous, bluish in color. At the same time, nodes form and the valve apparatus is destroyed. The outflow of blood in the veins cannot proceed as usual. When the valve flaps close, problems begin. The blood cannot move as it should - rising up. Veins experience pressure due to stagnation of blood.
When it becomes high, the blood seems to be pushed out, and its excess stretches the walls of the veins, which initially vary in thickness. Vessels stretch. Their edges are pressed against the skin and become visible. Because of this, characteristic “spider webs” (vascular networks) are formed. If the vessel is visible through the layer of epidermis, it means it is weakened. The thicker the veins, the more noticeable their blue color. Nodules are created that are clearly visible on the legs.
This disease has been well known since ancient times. Archaeologists have encountered the first mentions of this topic in the texts of laws on medicine that were created in the Byzantine state. The Egyptian pharaohs had elastic bandages in their hands to help prevent the disease. Medical specialists - Hippocrates, Paracelsus, and Avicenna - tried to discover methods of treatment.
This pathology is very common. Every fourth person on the planet suffers from it. Among the main development factors is insufficient development of connective tissue. Predisposing conditions are necessary for the development of varicose veins. This partly explains why there are so many women among the phlebologist’s visitors. In their body, the restructuring of hormones occurs especially actively.
It is very important to take care of the condition of your veins in a timely manner. They bring a lot of trouble, starting with the ugly appearance of your feet. This is a great threat to health and even life. When this disease reaches an advanced state, its complications begin. Meanwhile, if you contact doctors in time, it is not difficult to get rid of the disease. If treatment is started on time, surgery will not be required. This is the best way to make the veins disappear on their own, returning to their normal appearance.
According to statistics, varicose veins affect 18–20 percent of the population and almost 50% of patients in the initial stage do not even suspect that they are seriously ill. Most often, this disease affects women.
The causes of varicose veins can be spending a long time standing, obesity, pregnancy, wearing stockings or socks with tight elastic bands for a long time, as well as congenital weakness of connective tissue. The above refers to the primary causes of the development of the disease.
Varicose veins form when blood flows incorrectly through the veins. Scientists have investigated the causes of this disease, which is not found in other living species to the extent that it affects humans. Among the identified reasons:
Upright walking. Researchers attribute lower limb disease to excessive pressure that the body puts on them. The column of blood extends to the heart muscle. Those who spend a lot of time on their feet are especially at risk.
Genetically determined predisposition. In most people, this disease turns out to be a factor passed on from their parents. The statistics in this case are very clear - in infants whose parents suffered from this disease, the likelihood of getting varicose veins increases to 70%. But such a risk can be avoided if concomitant factors are not created. Hereditary varicose veins often appear at a very early age.
Nature of work, standard lifestyle. With insufficient mobility, many modern professions have a certain risk. Phlebologists suggested using the term “computer varicose veins”.
Endocrine and hormonal system disorders. Due to the characteristics of the body in women, periods of hormonal imbalances become causes of blood stagnation. For them, the most dangerous periods are puberty, pregnancy, and the time after childbirth. The time when menopause occurs is also dangerous. This gender category of patients consults doctors 2-3 times more often. The female organs do not have enough hormones called estrogens. Instead, the so-called corpus luteum hormone predominates. It is believed that it has a relaxing effect on the muscles. This promotes the expansion of veins.
Obstructions in the outflow of blood through the veins. They arise as a purely mechanical formation - a blood clot, a uterus, a tumor.
Stress and nervous disorders affect the condition of blood vessels. The vein walls contain nerve endings that give them elasticity. When pressure increases in them, exposure to toxins, alcohol, the lumen of blood vessels loses tone and expands.
Arterial-venous junctions. They can form due to pressure in the area of the flow of arterial blood cells.
The so-called muscle pump is located in the calf muscles, and they constantly need activation. It is very important to monitor your health, avoiding lingering illnesses such as coughs and seizures.
Factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins can be overcome by taking care of your health.
In order not to miss the onset of the disease, you need to know the first symptoms of varicose veins and have time to take the necessary measures.
The main symptoms of varicose veins are:
The appearance of pain in the legs, a feeling of warmth, and sometimes a burning sensation in the veins of the legs;
Heaviness in the legs;
In the evening, swelling appears in the legs;
Leg cramps begin at night;
The skin of the lower leg becomes dark, compactions appear, and trophic ulcers are possible.
You can also identify the following symptoms of varicose veins:
There are manifestations that cover only the area of the popliteal fossa, as well as the back surface of the legs. With thick skin, as with excessive hairiness of the legs, it appears less.
Easily palpable - the affected veins appear tortuous on palpation.
If the patient is laid down with his legs raised, the mesh disappears, and in a vertical position, it thickens again.
You feel a kind of heaviness in your legs, dull pain, and cramps. Often the patient complains of a burning sensation. The manifestations are especially aggravated in the evening, or after a period of prolonged standing.
The feet may also swell, particularly in the soft tissue area. They also occur at the ankles, in the lower regions of the legs.
These are the main symptoms of varicose veins. They become aggravated if the disease is not treated on time. Trophic changes spread further to the skin of the legs and feet. The epidermis becomes dry, blue in color, and swelling easily occurs. Due to the progression of varicose veins, the following are observed:
Impaired skin nutrition.
If third-party symptoms of varicose veins appear, such as fever or weakness, it means that the disease has entered the complication stage. There are quite rare symptoms such as bleeding when nodes rupture. Most often they occur at night.
Complications of varicose veins take painful forms. They are easy to recognize by their manifestations:
Acute stage of thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins.
Bleeding varicose veins.
Acute thrombophlebitis has the following differences:
noticeable compactions according to the location of subcutaneous vessels.
The resulting blood clots can enter a favorable course of the process, and then, against the background of the treatment, they are organized (grow into connective tissue) and then dissolve. Thanks to this, the process of vessel recanalization begins. The lumen may also be completely blocked. Because of this, there is a risk of obliteration and sclerosis of the affected vein.
As the disease progresses, factors accompanying ascending varicothrombophlebitis arise. Following this, lebothrombosis occurs. It covers the deep vein system, and pulmonary embolism begins. If you do not want to be treated, occlusion of the vessels of the limb is possible, when the outflow of blood stops and gangrene begins.
Development goes through several stages. The initial changes are considered to be minimal changes in hemodynamics, due to which horizontally directed venovenous reflux is formed. At the same time, the valves of the communicating vessels begin to suffer from insufficiency, and the disease affects the areas of the saphenous vein anastomosis, spreading to the deepest of them.
There are four stages characteristic of chronic venous insufficiency:
Zero, without clear clinical symptoms. Edema is very mild, as is visible ectasia of the superficial veins.
The first, characterized by noticeable varicose veins of the lower extremities. There are no trophic disturbances.
The second, with obvious growths of veins. Characteristic nodes are formed, a noticeably persistent edematous syndrome, areas of hyperpigmentation, eczema lesions, and trophic ulcers. If you conduct an echographic examination, you can identify valve insufficiency of the vessels of different types of collectors - superficial and deep.
The third, in which the above symptoms are supplemented by a persistent type of trophic disorders that do not respond to conservative treatment.
Chronic venous insufficiency has its own symptoms:
nighttime cramps in the limbs,
stagnant formations in soft tissues,
This pathology is characterized by a certain pain syndrome - it intensifies when the patient places the lower limbs in a forced position, due to the use of elastic compression and walking at a walking pace. There is a type of edema that proves that the deep veins are affected.
If only superficial vessels are affected, transient pastosity of the ankles can be diagnosed, based on orthostasis (vertical position). The lower limbs are in a state of discomfort, which is why chronic venous insufficiency makes it impossible to lead normal life activities. Physical activity is noticeably reduced, patients experience tension, emotional disruptions, and an inappropriate feeling of anxiety.
Decreased performance also leads to certain consequences. Because of them, self-esteem and social activity suffer. Disadaptation is setting in in society. It is important to contact medicine in a timely manner, in particular to a phlebologist.
The essence of the pathology is the formation of blood clots that clog the lumen in the subcutaneous vessels. At the same time, inflammation of the venous wall of an aseptic type develops. Blood viscosity increases, venous outflow becomes difficult.
The location of the disease is often the lower third of the thigh, possibly the upper third of the leg. Theoretically, every part of the body is susceptible to this disease. The great saphenous vein and its tributaries are especially susceptible to disease (95%). Minor - accounts for only 5% of cases.
Experts easily identify the disease, since the clinical manifestations of thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins are quite clear. The classic symptoms are as follows:
hyperemia (redness) over the varicose vein,
general health does not change significantly (low-grade fever, weakness),
if you feel the affected vessel, you can determine the compaction of soft tissues,
As the pathology develops, it covers more and more veins. 10% of such cases lead to damage to nearby vessels. Pulmonary embolism may develop.
Diagnosis of thrombophlebitis of this type is carried out in several stages:
The exact location of the apex of the new thrombus is determined.
The extent and characteristics of pathological changes are identified.
Determining the risk of developing life-threatening complications using ultrasound scanning of blood vessels based on color mapping of blood flow.
Determination of thrombosis when visualizing the inferior vena cava and iliac vessels in an echographic study.
Unprepared patients undergo radiopaque venography.
A blood test, which in standard cases indicates moderate leukocytosis, an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, an increase in the concentration of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein.
The coagulogram shifts to hypercoagulation.
For the treatment of thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins, delay is unacceptable. At the first characteristic signs, immediately contact specialists. This is an acute vascular pathology and requires hospitalization with emergency surgery.
Outpatient treatment is allowed if the pathology has not reached the limits of the lower leg. For conservative treatment, the following is used:
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
It is necessary to determine the optimal motor mode and calculate the formula for compression therapy. Surgery is required only in certain cases - for example, with an ascending type of thrombophlebitis of the base trunk of the great saphenous vein, when the apex is located above the middle third of the thigh.
Appears as a result of an advanced form of the disease, with decompensation of the venous outflow. Has certain symptoms:
The formation of a trophic ulcer is slow.
The permeability of the vascular wall increases, it enters the area of the bloodstream, where red blood cells contain hemoglobin that has undergone degradation, with hemosiderin, due to which the dermis acquires an unnaturally dark color and hyperpigmentation appears.
The process progresses to the formation of a whitish, varnished induration, which is a pre-ulcerative condition.
Due to any slightest injury, there is a danger of developing an ulcer.
With timely treatment, the deformity quickly closes. If there is no treatment, the ulcer progressively enlarges, and perifocal inflammation develops in the soft tissue area. There is a risk of secondary infection, with the threat of purulent-septic complications of varying severity.
Treatment of trophic ulcers is preceded by its diagnosis, which is characterized by the absence of any difficulties. The disease is eliminated in several stages. First, scarring of the defect is necessary, and then surgery is performed.
Therapy is aimed at the specific phase of the ulcerative process. During exudation, wound substance is abundantly separated. This indicates an inflammatory reaction of the surrounding soft tissues, accompanied by bacterial contamination. The patient must adhere to semi-bed rest for 14 days. There will also be a course of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Infusion therapy may be prescribed, supplemented with antimycotics and nitroimidazole derivatives. Local treatment is inevitable, with the obligatory daily two to three times toileting of the ulcerated area using an antiseptic solution, and then applying a bandage with a water-soluble osmotically active ointment, a specially absorbent compress, and an elastic bandage.
It is necessary to clean the wound surface. If granulation tissue is formed and the severity of perifocal inflammation decreases, then this is a signal for the next phase of repair.
A course of measures is prescribed, whose task is to activate growth with the maturation of connective tissue elements. The procedures of polyvalent venotonics, antioxidants, deproteinized derivatives of calf blood cells of the solcoseryl and actovegin series, and zinc hyaluronate will help with this. It is also necessary to undergo laser and ultraviolet blood irradiation. This will improve its rheology. An elastic compress is used.
During epithelization, it is necessary to ensure protection of the maturing scar. It should not be subject to external mechanical damage. This is helped by medical compression hosiery or an elastic bandaging procedure for sore lower extremities. The course of phlebotonics continues. When the defect is completely covered with new tissue, in the absence of contraindications, the stage of combined surgical intervention begins.
It is an acute blockage of the pulmonary trunk, as well as the branches of the arterial system, which is represented by a thrombus in the pulmonary circulation. It is created in the large venous circulation, as well as in the area of the right side of the heart. The essence of thromboembolism is blockage of the arterial bed by a thrombus. In the standard version, a thrombus migrates into the pulmonary artery and its branches from the system of deep veins affected by the disease in certain pathologies.
A disease such as pulmonary embolism often causes sudden deaths.
You can list the risk factors that cause the disease:
Oncological types of diseases.
Performed surgical interventions.
Attacks of heart failure.
Excessively long bed rest.
These conditions often cause thrombosis of the veins of the lower extremities (legs). The consequence may be thromboembolism. Female patients are particularly susceptible to the disease. In this category, the normal process of blood circulation, as well as homeostasis, is more disrupted. This disease also occurs in children. Often - as a result of complications of umbilical sepsis, or as a consequence of cauterization of the veins of the subclavian and umbilical varieties. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism are as follows:
Wet wheezing.
There are manifestations that depend on individual symptoms. Then we can talk about the following syndromes:
Cardiac syndrome (at the same time, chest pain, tachycardia, fainting occur, the neck veins swell, the heartbeat increases, the venous pulse becomes positive, especially against the background of a massive pulmonary embolism).
Pulmonary pleural (together with chest pain, shortness of breath, cough with sputum, aggravated by a small submassive embolism, blockage of the peripherally branched artery of the pulmonary region may be observed).
Cerebral syndrome is typical for older people (loss of consciousness, attacks of hypoxia, convulsions, hemiplegia are typical).
It is very difficult to diagnose this disease yourself. And the treatment itself should only be carried out by an experienced specialist. It is being built comprehensively.
The basis for it is the severity and duration of the disease. Conservative therapy can be used, which is combined with surgical treatment. Conservative therapy is based on taking anticoagulants, thrombolytics and antiplatelet agents, which help restore patency in the vessel, normalize hemostasis, and stop the destruction of thrombus cells. Finally, the identified manifestations of complications are treated.
Pulmonary embolectomy is used surgically. The procedure is carried out by specialists from specialized cardiovascular centers. If systemic hypotension and increased pressure of the right ventricle of the heart are detected, surgery is required immediately. Such interference is very serious. It is better to prevent this type of venous insufficiency complication.
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Now let's talk about the risk factors for varicose veins. Varicose veins can occur due to:
hormonal influences, in particular pregnancy;
weight gain, obesity;
lifestyle, work involving heavy physical activity, standing for long periods of time, or high ambient temperatures.
Watch your feet carefully! Most people, having noticed rapid fatigue of their legs, heaviness in their legs, associate this with anything, but not with the onset of a serious disease - varicose veins. But if you still tie together all the seemingly minor troubles of the legs, such as swelling in the legs, rapid fatigue of the legs, burning and warmth in the veins, bluish translucent veins, which are faintly noticeable at first - then here are the first signs of varicose veins. It is necessary to carry out preventive treatment of varicose veins in order to avoid big problems with this disease in the future.
Take care of your feet - and they will reciprocate!
Prevention of varicose veins is a system of methods. As a result, the appearance and development of the disease can be prevented. It is built on:
Optimal construction of work and rest regimes, which allows best to reduce orthostatic loads, which is especially important in case of congenital predisposition.
Selecting different body positions if you have to sit a lot.
Refusal of the “leg-to-leg” pose.
Refusal of all things that cause severe compression of the lower limbs, groin area, waist, stockings with tight elastic bands.
Long walks in comfortable shoes, not tight, without heels or stilettos, which are only permissible on holidays, provided they are worn for the shortest possible time.
Avoiding constipation, which chronically increases the level of pelvic circulatory pressure.
Cycling (improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system).
When resting the legs, position them on a certain height (at a level of 15-20 cm above the heart).
Constant morning or evening exercises.
Optimal weight normalization.
Healthy food menu.
Quitting bad habits, smoking.
Contrast shower procedures.
From 1.5 liters of water per day.
A special set of exercises that promote effective blood flow.
Prescribed medications or herbal preparations to increase the tone of the venous wall.
These are simple measures. They are recommended for use in most cases where no acute contraindications have been identified.
Prevention of varicose veins is very important, especially in modern society. With the initial signs of varicose veins, by following fairly simple rules, you can slow down the development of the disease, as well as avoid its further progression. To prevent varicose veins, try to avoid hot baths, saunas, and do not stay in the sun for a long time. All of the above helps reduce venous tone, which contributes to blood stagnation in the legs.
Also, to prevent varicose veins, under no circumstances wear constrictive items such as socks and stockings with tight elastic bands, as such clothing strongly compresses the veins, which can have a negative impact on the health of your legs in the future. You should also not wear high heels; the heel should not be higher than four cm. It is not recommended to engage in sports such as tennis, weightlifting, and bodybuilding, as these sports increase venous pressure in the legs. You should not sit cross-legged, as crossing one knee over the other creates some kind of obstacle to normal blood flow in the legs.
Useful tips. If after a long day of work or just at the end of the day you feel heavy in your legs, then while resting or sleeping, try to keep your legs above the position of your body, i.e., as if in an elevated state.
If at work you have to sit a lot or, on the contrary, stand a lot, then try to change the position of your legs as often as possible, i.e. if you are standing, then step from foot to foot, walk in place, if you are sitting, rotate your feet. Doctors also advise rinsing your feet with cold water after taking a shower.
For varicose veins, there are several sports that have a positive effect on the limbs: swimming, walking, skiing and cycling.
Varicose veins on the legs are one of the most unpleasant and common diseases. This disease can cause enormous discomfort, harm the circulatory system and prematurely deprive the legs of their natural beauty.
To be fully armed and maintain health for many years, it is important to know everything about varicose veins.
Varicose veins (VV) afflict every third representative of the fair sex who have reached the age of 30-40 years. The disease is less common in men and adolescents.
The veins in the legs have special valves. With their help, blood is passed in only one direction (up). Failure of these valves results in blood being able to move downward (in the opposite direction to the normal direction), which prevents its outflow
Over the years, blood vessels lose their tone, become more fragile, and venous valves lose their ability to effectively circulate blood. As a result, blood flow throughout the body is disrupted. The appearance of subtle venous networks and stars becomes the first sign of the development of varicose veins.
Further, venous expansion of the veins in the legs begins to progress. The veins increase in size, swell, and acquire an unhealthy bluish tint. They often become inflamed and burst, which causes severe discomfort, pain and burning. A common location for vascular formations is in the popliteal fossa and in areas adjacent to it.
In addition to the lower extremities, other areas of the body are susceptible to the disease:
Often, with varicose veins, women are embarrassed to wear dresses and skirts and are forced to give preference to men's clothing styles.
Interesting fakie ! The term "varicose veins" comes from Latin. The word varix is translated as “knot”. The disease is accompanied by the characteristic formation of vascular nodes.
Many people are familiar with the expression: movement is life. This is exactly the case with venous diseases. What causes varicose veins on the legs? A sedentary lifestyle is the first reason for its occurrence . Lack of proper activity negatively affects the condition of blood vessels. Blood circulation deteriorates, blood stagnates and the first vascular web appears.
In case of constant stress on the legs, the risk of developing the disease also increases. Standing for a long time puts undue pressure on the lower limbs, causing blood to stagnate in them.
A sedentary lifestyle is no less harmful - it contributes to the weakening of blood vessels, and as a result, the manifestation of symptoms of varicose veins. The causes of varicose veins of the lower extremities vary from person to person.
Among the most common are:
The cause of vascular pathology in men can be heavy physical activity, excessive sports, excessive use of saunas and baths.
There are many signs of the development of RVV. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the appearance of pain in the legs. This is the first wake-up call. The diagnosis of varicose veins is confirmed if the following manifestations are present:
Traditional healers add psychological causes to the traditional causes of illness. In their opinion, the internal state of a person largely influences the development or containment of the disease.
Varicose veins in the legs develop unnoticed. The first lesions most often appear in the posterior region of the knee joint (in the popliteal fossa) and on adjacent areas of the legs. Spider veins and edema are often overlooked. It is these minor manifestations that become the initial signs of vascular circulation disorders.
If treatment is neglected, trophic ulcers, thrombophlebitis, bleeding from varicose veins, muscle deformation and irreversible changes in the skin may develop. The most dangerous consequences are the risk of developing gangrene or blood clot rupture, which naturally leads to death.
It is important to know! The advanced stage of varicose veins often cannot be treated with medications and folk remedies, and therefore requires mandatory surgical intervention.
The disease is rapid in nature, develops and progresses quite quickly. Varicose veins on the foot become the beginning of “full-fledged” varicose veins. Venous insufficiency is systemic in nature ; its characteristic manifestations are observed in various parts of the body and can coexist with hemorrhoids and other signs of the disease.
The international classification below is called CEAP (Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathology).
Phlebologists distinguish 6 stages of varicose veins:
The first stage represents the initial stage of the development of the disease, during which increased fatigue, heaviness and swelling of the lower extremities by the end of the day, and the development of a mild vascular network are observed. Sometimes, already at this stage, cramps in the calves are felt.
Initial stage - reticular varicose veins or spider veins
The capillaries (small vessels) dilate first, then the problem ceases to be cosmetic, and the period itself can last more than one year.
The second stage contributes to the occurrence of noticeable discomfort. Enlarged veins in the legs and vascular networks are visible very clearly, and swelling and pain become increasingly intense. Venous valves lose their ability to perform their function. The second stage of the disease requires qualified medical care.
The third stage is characterized by the constant presence of pain, severe swelling and cramps in the lower extremities. The veins in the legs are enlarged, and swelling makes it impossible to wear shoes with the same comfort. These symptoms appear as a result of intense physical activity or, conversely, after a long period of limited mobility.
The fourth stage is diagnosed if the metabolism in the skin is disrupted. With it, the skin becomes covered with brownish-brown spots, mainly localized in the ankle area. The pigmented area of the skin thickens, and subsequently trophic ulcers form on it. If there is a risk of blood clots, the patient is advised to undergo immediate surgery.
The description of the first four stages helps to obtain a complete understanding of the development of varicose veins.
The fifth stage is determined by the presence of keloid scars that have arisen after a course of treatment of trophic ulcers. Often the wound reopens in the same place.
The sixth stage implies exactly this (an open ulcer). In this case, there is a need for urgent surgery; skin grafting is often done.
Having information about what varicose veins are and how to treat them, you can confidently resist the insidious enemy. If you contact a medical facility in a timely manner, a qualified specialist will help solve the problem. The approach to treatment is always individual.
In the initial stage, you can get by with changing the lifestyle that led to the development of the disease. With pronounced signs of venous insufficiency, complex therapy is required with the prescription of systemic drugs, local agents and physiotherapy.
The use of traditional medicine recipes can also bring a lot of benefits, but they require the approval of the attending physician.