Many people think that varicose veins in the legs are just an unwanted cosmetic manifestation. However, over time, it becomes clear that varicose veins are a serious disease associated with pathological distortion of the venous vessels.
As a result, the tone of the venous walls weakens and the tissues do not receive the necessary blood supply due to the loss of good flow pressure. Knowing how dangerous varicose veins on the legs in women are, it is worth preventing the disease or starting its treatment at the very beginning.
Features of the development of varicose veins
The disease most often develops in the lower limbs. Furthermore, women suffer more from varicose veins than men. Therefore, the fair sex should be especially alerted to the first signs and symptoms of the disease - the appearing vascular "asterisks". Such signs cannot be ignored, but it is imperative to consult a doctor to prescribe conservative treatment.
Otherwise, the following may appear in the future:
- feeling of heaviness, itching and pain in the legs,
- cramps and numbness at night and in the morning,
- peeling and blemishes on the skin,
- muscle pain when walking and on palpation of superficial veins,
- venous nodules on legs, feet, ankles.
Important!With the advanced stages of venous disease, radical methods will be needed to stop the development of varicose veins, right up to surgery.
Why do varicose veins in women appear more often
According to statistics, varicose veins of the lower limbs are diagnosed in eighty-nine percent of the fair sex against sixty-six percent in men. This is due to the natural structure of the female body and to those main functions, the implementation of which is assigned to it. And this is the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the beginning of menopause, carrying and feeding a baby, when hormonal changes occur in the body.
Other causes of female varicose veins include:
- love for high heels in shoes,
- thyroid disease: women are more common than men,
- type 2 diabetes mellitus, most commonly diagnosed in women,
- female professions "standing" sellers, waitresses, teachers, educators.
Not insured against varicose veins and those women who use hormonal drugs.
The risk of developing varicose veins is among fans of frequent sessions in a hot bath, being in a bath / sauna.
It is worth paying close attention to the condition of the veins on the legs of those who are overweight, who cannot imagine their life without smoking, alcohol, immense consumption of fatty, salty and spicy foods.
Important!In women, varicose veins form mainly during pregnancy and postpartum recovery and progress at an accelerated rate to stage 2-3.
What complications can there be?
Understanding the danger of varicose veins on the legs and why it is better not to perform it, but to cure it right away, women who have experienced symptoms of varicose veins should visit a phlebologist. The specialist will talk about the consequences of the disease if it is not treated and prescribe therapy.
- The threat of varicose veins on female legs leads to insufficient venous circulation. This has an unsatisfactory effect on the activity of the entire circulatory system, which directly affects the favorable course of pregnancy.
- A common occurrence in pregnant women is the formation of hemorrhoids. Such varicose veins in the anus, and this is hemorrhoids, frightens with bleeding and malignant changes in the varicose tissue.
- The disease develops faster in women than in men. As a result, the fair sex has to face the consequences of varicose veins earlier.
- If left untreated, varicose veins of the cervix and uterine body can form during pregnancy. This occurs in the late 2nd trimester with pain in the lower back and lower abdomen. And if there is already a hypothesis about the presence of varicose veins, then before planning a pregnancy, it is necessary to examine the vessels of the pelvic organs.
Most patients go to the doctor with complaints of pain and swelling in the legs. Such symptoms are characteristic of the 2nd stage of varicose veins.
And this is what varicose veins on the legs lead to, if you ignore the prevention and treatment of the disease:
- In the first stage, women are concerned about the non-aesthetic appearance of their legs and hide flaws under trousers and long skirts.
- At the 2nd stage an inflammatory process develops, which causes stagnation of blood in the veins. This leads to the appearance of knots and pains, rather rare and not too severe.
- At the 3rd stage, swelling and heaviness in the legs appear, the skin of the ankles darkens. Skin inflammation, eczema, thrombophlebitis of the subcutaneous vascular filaments, deep vein thrombosis are also possible. The danger of the latter lies in the unpredictable separation of a blood clot, which, once in the heart or pulmonary artery, threatens the life of a woman.
- At the 4th stage, varicose trophic ulcers are formed which, together with bleeding and wounds, give intolerable pain.
Important!To avoid complications from varicose veins, it is necessary to adhere to the treatment tactics developed by the doctor.
Treatment methods
Treatment of a formidable disease must be carried out at any stage. Early examination and detection of the disease result in faster and easier relief. The abandonment of varicose veins will require persistent and long-term therapy (conservative or surgical), as well as spending money.
The phlebologist's professional awareness of the dangers of varicose veins offers options for dealing with it:
- Medicinal methods using venotonic drugs in the form of tablets, gel,
- bandaging technique with compression stockings, and these are leggings, knee-highs, stockings, tights (at home they are replaced with elastic bandages,
- hardware procedures using household appliances.
In a duel with the enemy, you should include the following house options:
- contrast shower, the flow of which is directed from the bottom up (it is necessary to start with hot water and end with cold water),
- special diet limiting animal products,
- Refusal of high heels and orthopedic shoes - particularly indicated in the presence of flat feet.
Conclusion
Varicose veins in female legs should be checked. And if you can not avoid the disease, then at the first signs you need to start treatment to prevent the development of serious complications (trophic ulcer, acute thrombophlebitis, bleeding of varicose veins and others).