Varicose veins.
Usually with these words people imagine thick twisted vessels that entangle their legs. But this is only the most famous sign of pathology. There are others.
Sometimes dilated veins cause only cosmetic discomfort, but some of the symptoms of varicose veins directly affect the quality of life. For example, many have pain in the veins in their legs. Basically, the sensations are mild, but in rare cases, even an ordinary walk becomes painful.
Therefore, a little later we will talk about pain with varicose veins. On the reasons and ways of dealing with it.
But first, let's talk about the disease itself: about the mechanism of development, risk factors and complications.
So, blood moves through the arteries from the heart to organs and tissues, where it gives oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow returns through the veins.
It is especially difficult for blood to flow through the venous system of the legs, because here it must rise from the feet almost always straight up.
Gravity interferes with it.
Some of the blood flows down and accumulates in the vessels. As a result, the veins expand, and their walls stretch too much. Overfilled vessels are visible on the skin.
In healthy people, the drainage of blood is prevented by a protective mechanism - the venous valves. This is the name of the membranes in the vessels. They trap the flowing blood and return it to the bloodstream. However, for many people, this system malfunctions.
For a variety of reasons, the valves sometimes become weakened or injured, which increases the likelihood of overflowing the veins. This is how varicose vessels appear.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- Genetic predisposition. . . Scientists have not yet figured out why some people are born with weakened venous valves. But this fact is confirmed. If both parents suffer from swollen blood vessels, then with a 90% probability their child will inherit this pathology.
- Elderly age. . . The body gradually fades away. The eyes see worse, the skin dries out. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more fragile and weak . . Therefore, people over 60 years old often develop varicose veins - worn-out valves simply cannot withstand the load from flowing blood.
- Excess weight. . . The amount of blood in humans is not the same. First of all, it is influenced by body weight - the greater the mass, the greater the volume of blood in the body. Unfortunately, the increase in weight does not strengthen the valves. They are forced to withstand the overpressure of a huge volume of blood, which increases the likelihood of overflowing the veins.
- Pregnancy. . . The bodies of expectant mothers are subject to great stress. For many reasons. The pressure on the valves increases due to an increase in the amount of blood, hormonal imbalance and the effect on large vessels. We have already spoken about the influence of blood. Changes in hormone levels impair the elasticity of the venous walls, making them easy to stretch, but slowly return to their original state. The baby grows next to large veins. Sometimes the fetus pinches them. In such cases, the lumen of the vessels decreases, and the body increases the pressure in the veins to push the blood upward. Therefore, the load on the valves increases.
- Prolonged immobility while sitting or standing. . . When you walk, the muscles in your legs help blood vessels pump blood to your heart. They contract and constrict the veins. As a result, the blood is pushed upward. In motionless legs, the muscle pump does not work, which is why the entire load falls on the veins and the valve system.
As you can see, some factors are related to natural processes, while others are related to lifestyle. But the results are the same.
Varicose veins cause many symptoms:
- Fatigue and heaviness in the legs
- Spider-like or tree-like mesh of dilated veins
- Burning and itching
- Convulsions
- Edema
- Pain when walking after long immobility
- Discoloration of the skin
- Twisted thick vessels
Varicose veins develop slowly.
Doctors even distinguish stage zero in him, during which external signs have not yet appeared, but the problem with the venous valves has already arisen.
Usually, patients first suffer from heaviness in the legs, and then others are added to this problem. The strength of the symptoms also changes. In the early stages, the signs of pathology intensify in the evening and disappear by the morning. With advanced disease, they last all day.
But persistent annoying symptoms are not the main danger in the last stages of varicose veins.
Patients may experience complications:
- Bleeding. . . Breakthrough of swollen subcutaneous vessels. In rare cases, the fragile walls of diseased veins cannot withstand pressure, and a bleeding wound occurs. Such damage is difficult to repair. So urgent medical attention is required.
- Thrombosis and embolism. . . Due to poor blood circulation, blood clots, dense blood clots, often accumulate in the dilated vessels. They close the lumen of the veins. Sometimes fragments of blood clots break off and enter the bloodstream, and then they can get stuck in the vessels of the lungs. This phenomenon is called embolism. Breathing sometimes stops during it.
- Trophic ulcers. . . Due to oxygen starvation, the tissues near the diseased veins gradually die off, and non-healing wounds appear in their place. It is very difficult to cure ulcers. They are at high risk of relapse.
Fortunately, complications of varicose veins occur only in some patients - trophic ulcers in 6%, and bleeding and embolism are even less common.
As you can see, without treatment, pathology sometimes causes great inconvenience. And it can even destroy a person.
Therefore, for any of its symptoms, it is recommended to consult a phlebologist. Including when the veins hurt. In order to respond in a timely manner to this threat, it is advisable to understand the reasons for the appearance of such a symptom.
What causes severe pain with varicose veins?
In most cases, people with varicose veins do not experience severe pain. Only with sudden movements. For example, when, after a long immobility, they get to their feet.
But constant severe pain torments patients, usually in the later stages of the pathology. Simply because by this time all the symptoms of the disease intensify and do not disappear even at night.
What causes the veins in your legs to hurt?
Mainly due to oxygen starvation. The dilated vessels do not supply neighboring tissues well, which can lead to unpleasant sensations.
Another cause of pain is trophic ulcers. These non-healing wounds are painful to touch, which means that even light contact with clothing will cause severe discomfort.
Pain in the leg with varicose veins can be a sign of thrombophlebitis. This is the name of a pathology in which blood clots form in the inflamed veins.
Summarize.
If mild pain in the dilated vessels is a standard symptom, then it rarely intensifies. In the later stages of pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when the swollen veins are very sore, it indicates the rapid development of the disease. In such a situation, you should immediately consult a doctor. Although many people put off going to a vascular specialist and try to get rid of the symptoms on their own.
How to eliminate severe pain in the veins with varicose veins?
Heaviness in the legs, slight swelling and other mild symptoms of pathology can be alleviated by simple methods - a contrast shower, some types of massage. However, with developed varicose veins, this will not help.
In addition, if the veins in the legs are very sore, then a delayed visit to a phlebologist will only worsen the condition of the vessels. There is no point in enduring such torment.
Timely treatment of varicose veins will eliminate irritating symptoms and prevent complications. Therefore, choose a reliable clinic and make an appointment with a doctor. One examination will help your veins with more than hundreds of folk recipes.
What treatment is prescribed if you are concerned about severe pain with varicose veins?
First, the doctor will check the blood vessels. He will conduct an ultrasound examination of the veins and find out the cause of the pain. Only then will the doctor choose a therapy option.
For example, a certain procedure may be effective against varicose veins, but it does not deal well with complications.
When the veins in the legs hurt, an accurate diagnosis is extremely important for proper treatment. Without it, the cause of the symptom cannot be eliminated.
But after the diagnosis, phlebologists often offer patients several therapy options at once to choose from:
- Miniflebectomy
- Endovasal laser coagulation
- Foam sclerotherapy
These methods are less traumatic - that is, they do not damage the skin and do not leave scars.
Now let's summarize.
What to do if the veins in your legs hurt?
Go to your doctor right away.
Yes, some remedies and methods can reduce pain, but this is only a temporary measure. Sooner or later, the disease must be treated.
And it is better early, because in this case you will get rid of swollen veins before dangerous complications appear.
In addition, if the veins on the legs hurt very much, then such a picture is not typical for varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is to blame for the discomfort. The doctor will help identify her.
Which clinic should I go to?
Now, ultrasound diagnostics of blood vessels is carried out in many medical centers. But it is best to choose a clinic with experienced doctors.