Varicose veins.
Usually with these words people imagine thick, twisted vessels that entangle their legs. But this is only the most famous sign of the pathology. There are others.
Sometimes varicose veins only cause cosmetic discomfort, but some of the symptoms of varicose veins directly affect the quality of life. For example, many have pain in the leg veins. Basically, the sensations are mild, but in rare cases even a normal walk becomes painful.
Therefore, a little later we will talk about pain with varicose veins. On the reasons and ways to deal with it.
But first, let's talk about the disease itself: the mechanism of development, risk factors and complications.
Hence, the blood moves through the arteries from the heart to the organs and tissues, where it supplies oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow returns through the veins.
It is particularly difficult for blood to flow through the venous system of the legs, because here it has to rise from the feet almost always upwards.
It got in the way of gravity.
Part of the blood flows down and accumulates in the vessels. As a result, the veins expand and their walls stretch too much. Overcrowded vessels are visible on the skin.
In healthy people, blood drainage is prevented by a protective mechanism: 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 doesn't work properly.
For various reasons, the valves sometimes become weak or injured, which increases the likelihood of overflowing from the veins. This is what varicose vessels look like.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- Genetic predisposition. . . Scientists still haven't 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 up. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more fragile and weak. . Therefore, people over the age of 60 often develop varicose veins - worn valves simply cannot withstand the load of flowing blood.
- Excess weight. . . The amount of blood in humans is not the same. First of all, it is affected by body weight - the greater the mass, the greater the volume of blood in the body. Unfortunately, the weight gain does not strengthen the valves. They are forced to withstand the overpressure of a huge volume of blood, which increases the likelihood of overflow of the veins.
- Pregnancy. . . The bodies of expectant mothers are subject to great stress. For many reasons. The pressure on the valves increases due to the increase in the amount of blood, hormonal imbalance and the effect on the great vessels. We have already talked about the influence of blood. Changes in hormone levels impair the elasticity of the venous walls, which makes them easy to stretch, but slowly return to their original state. The child 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 upwards. Thus, the load on the valves increases.
- Prolonged immobility while sitting or standing. . . When walking, the leg muscles help the blood vessels pump blood to the heart. They contract and constrict the veins. As a result, the blood is pushed upwards. In immobile 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 network of dilated veins
- Burning and itching
- convulsions
- Edema
- Pain when walking after a long immobility
- Skin discoloration
- Thick twisted vessels
Varicose veins develop slowly.
Doctors even distinguish the zero stage 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, then others add to this problem. The strength of the symptoms also changes. In the early stages, the signs of pathology intensify by the evening and disappear in the morning. With advanced disease, they last all day.
But persistent nagging symptoms are not the main danger in the later stages of varicose veins.
Patients can have complications:
- bleeding. . . Breakthrough of enlarged subcutaneous vessels. In rare cases, the fragile walls of diseased veins cannot withstand the pressure and a bleeding wound occurs. Such damage is difficult to repair. So urgent medical attention is needed.
- Thrombosis and embolism. . . Due to poor blood circulation, blood clots, thick blood clots, often accumulate in dilated vessels. They close the light of the veins. Sometimes fragments of blood clots break and enter the bloodstream, so they can get stuck in the vessels of the lungs. This phenomenon is called embolism. Breathing sometimes stops during this.
- Trophic ulcers. . . Due to oxygen starvation, the tissues near the diseased veins gradually die, and wounds appear in their place that do not heal. It is very difficult to cure ulcers. I am at a high risk of relapse.
Fortunately, complications of varicose veins only occur in some patients: trophic ulcers in 6%, and bleeding and embolism are even less common.
As you can see, without treatment, the 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. To respond to this threat in a timely manner, 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 stand up.
But constant severe pain torments patients, usually in the later stages of the pathology. Simply because at this time all the symptoms of the disease intensify and do not disappear even at night.
What hurts the leg veins?
Mainly due to lack of oxygen. 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 the touch, which means that even light contact with clothing will cause severe discomfort.
Leg pain 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.
Recap.
If mild pain in dilated vessels is a standard symptom, it rarely intensifies. In the later stages of the pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when the swollen veins hurt a lot, 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 get rid of severe pain in the veins with varicose veins?
Heaviness in the legs, slight swelling and other mild symptoms of pathology can be relieved by simple methods: a contrast shower, some types of massage. However, with developed varicose veins, this will not help.
Also, if the veins in the legs are very sore, 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 the irritating symptoms and prevent complications. Therefore, choose a reliable clinic and make an appointment with a doctor. An examination will help your veins with more than hundreds of popular recipes.
What treatment is prescribed if you are worried about severe varicose vein pain?
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 treatment option.
For example, a certain procedure may be effective against varicose veins, but it doesn't deal well with complications.
When leg veins hurt, an accurate diagnosis is extremely important for proper treatment. Without it, the cause of the symptom cannot be eliminated.
But after diagnosis, phlebologists often offer patients several treatment options at once to choose from:
- Miniflebectomy
- Intravascular laser coagulation
- Foam sclerotherapy
These methods are less traumatic, that is, they do not damage the skin and leave no scars.
Now let's summarize.
What to do if the leg veins 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 soon, because in this case you will get rid of swollen veins before dangerous complications appear.
In addition, if the veins in the legs hurt a lot, then such a picture is not typical of varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is to blame for the discomfort. Your doctor will help identify it.
Which clinic should I go to?
Now ultrasound diagnostics of blood vessels is carried out in many medical centers. But it is better to choose a clinic with experienced doctors.