Veins have valves that normally block or open the flow of blood in the vessels. Since the blood flow in the veins is directed from the tissues to the heart, the task of the valves is to prevent venous blood from returning to the veins of the lower extremities.
When the elasticity of the vessel wall decreases and the vein expands, the valves do not regulate blood flow and varicose veins develop, which is characterized by the stagnation of venous blood in the veins. That is, the blood cannot be transported normally from the legs to the heart - it is constantly delayed.
With varicose veins, the superficial veins in the legs turn blue or dark purple, look lumpy, bulging, and misshapen. Not always with varicose veins bulge to the surface, as they can be located deep in the tissues of the lower extremities. Because of this, leg pain is often confusing for people because there is no apparent cause for the pain.
Varicose veins need to be treated, as it can lead to thrombophlebitis - inflammation of the venous wall. With thrombophlebitis, blood clots form, if they enter the pulmonary circulation, a person can die from pulmonary embolism, in which a blood clot clogs vital vessels.
Causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins in the legs occur due to a decrease in the elasticity of the venous wall and valvular insufficiency. The following contribute to the development of varicose veins:
- sedentary lifestyle and long standing work. It often develops in office workers, weightlifters, dentists and surgeons;
- hereditary predisposition;
- female: women suffer from varicose veins more often than men, since the "female" hormones estrogens negatively affect the venous wall. In addition, during pregnancy, the pressure in the veins of the pelvis and lower extremities increases, so the risk of developing varicose veins of the lower extremities becomes higher.
- congenital weakness of the vascular system;
- Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, in which pathological messages are formed between the arteries and veins, contributing to the reverse outflow of venous blood.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins can be symptomatic and almost hidden. In the first case, the symptoms of varicose veins are as follows:
- discomfort and aching pain in the lower extremities;
- swelling in the ankles;
- burning or throbbing sensation in the legs;
- convulsions that occur mainly in the evening or at night;
- itching over the site of the dilated vein;
- fast fatigue of the legs;
- changed skin color.
These symptoms become more pronounced in the evening, at the end of the working day, during the warm season and after the person has been standing for a long time. With hidden varicose veins, there are no external signs of varicose veins, but there is pain in the legs.
As a rule, pain in the lower extremities is severe and deeply located in the legs. Often, pain can signal phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and the formation of blood clots. The development of thrombophlebitis is accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
An enlarged vein can burst and then a bruise occurs in the place where the affected vessel passes. Ulcers on the skin can occur, even after minor damage to the skin. Typically, varicose vein ulcers are small, superficial, and painful.
The danger of phlebitis, thrombosis and ulcers in varicose veins of the legs is that they lead to the development of small blisters with thin walls on the ankles. These blisters are easily damaged and bleed. During sleep, blisters can burst, which can lead to minor bleeding.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities lead to other skin and vascular pathologies:
- lymphadenopathy. An enlarged vein can damage the vessels of the lymphatic system, which transport and dispose of toxins and metabolic products. Also, damage to the lymphatic vessels can lead to lymphedema, in which swelling of the lower extremities occurs;
- dermatitis, which is accompanied by itching and a rash in the area of varicose veins. Most often, the rash is localized on the lower leg and ankle joint. Dermatitis can lead to minor bleeding, skin irritation, and infection.
How to treat varicose veins?
If the symptoms of varicose veins are mild, it is enough to take preventive measures that a phlebologist will prescribe (treats diseases of the veins). But when varicose veins cause discomfort, such as pain, a cosmetic defect, fatigue in the legs, swelling or changes in skin color, therapy is needed, which consists of the following methods:
- compression stockings, which moderately compress the legs and veins of the lower extremities so that the blood does not stagnate in them. Compression stockings can help relieve pain and swelling. Stockings must be worn for at least 6 months for symptoms to resolve. Also, wearing stockings should be combined with regular physical activity, in which the legs are more involved: running, exercise equipment, cycling;
- radiofrequency ablation. This is a minimally invasive method: a disposable catheter is inserted into the vein, which heats up and makes the vein collapse. As a result, the vein closes, and venous blood flows to the heart through healthy veins;
- sclerosing therapy. The doctor injects a drug that turns the part of the vein into connective tissue, as a result of which the lumen of the vein closes, and the blood is transported by neighboring healthy vessels;
- surgical methodsthat involve ligation or complete removal of the affected vein.
How to treat varicose veins in the legs in women?
Treatment of varicose veins does not depend on gender: in women it is the same as in men. However, there are features of therapy in pregnant women. Varicose veins in pregnant women increase the risk of obstetric and vascular complications, can lead to unstable pregnancy and increase the incidence of toxicosis of pregnant women. Therefore, special attention is paid to the treatment of varicose veins in pregnant women.
Surgical treatment is used in extreme cases, when varicose veins are accompanied by venous insufficiency and complications, such as the formation of trophic ulcers or thrombotic pathologies. Microinvasive methods such as sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation are contraindicated during pregnancy. Also, women during pregnancy are rarely prescribed hormonal agents and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The main method of treating varicose veins in women is conservative therapy in the form of compression (compression stockings) in combination with drugs that improve the nutrition of the walls of blood vessels (phlebotropic agents). If compression therapy is ineffective, doctors prescribe drugs that do not penetrate the placenta and do not affect the fetus.
Complications of varicose veins
Untreated varicose veins can be complicated by trophic ulcers, acute thrombophlebitis and bleeding from affected veins.
Trophic ulcers are most often formed on the inner surface of the lower leg and above the ankle. The first signs of developing ulcers are dermatitis: the skin becomes inflamed and itchy. Then single and multiple small painful sores are formed, from which pus or inflammatory fluid is secreted in small quantities.
In acute thrombophlebitis, seals appear on the superficial veins, accompanied by pain and redness along the vein. A patient with acute thrombophlebitis has difficulty walking due to discomfort and pain in the legs. A thrombosed vein may rupture. Then there is profuse bleeding, which leads to massive blood loss.
Prevention of varicose veins
To prevent varicose veins in men and women, you need to follow the recommendations. The most effective tips and methods:
- always prefer physical activity to immobility, for example, instead of the elevator, climb the stairs yourself, if you need to travel 1-2 stops, do not get into transport and walk;
- watch your weight - excess body weight is a provoking factor for varicose veins;
- a mobile lifestyle is the key to the prevention of varicose veins. However, physical activity must be reasonable. It is not recommended to engage in weightlifting, because lifting weights puts a lot of pressure on the legs and leads to stagnation of blood in them. The best sports for the lower extremities are running, cycling, swimming, aerobics. Choose an activity that involves the lower leg and ankle, such as football or skiing;
- if you have a sedentary lifestyle, get up from your chair every 40 minutes and do a little warm-up: sit down 5-10 times or just walk;
- choose comfortable shoes without high heels, try to walk barefoot as often as possible;
- walking for at least 30 minutes a day, at least 3-4 times a week;
- if you have a standing job, get compression stockings and wear them while you work. So you tone the veins of the lower extremities and blood does not stagnate in them.
If your legs hurt for no apparent reason, there is fatigue and swelling, and curved blue or purple veins appear on the skin, you may have varicose veins in the lower extremities. Do not delay treatment and consult a doctor for advice and diagnosis.