Veins have valves that normally block or open blood flow in the vessels. Since the blood flow in the veins is directed from the tissues to the heart, the job of the valves is to prevent the return of venous blood to the veins of the lower limbs.
When the elasticity of the vessel wall decreases and the vein expands, the valves do not regulate blood flow and varicose veins develop, characterized by stagnation of venous blood in the veins. That is, 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, appear lumpy, bulging and misshapen. Not always with varicose veins swell on the surface, as they can be located deep in the tissues of the lower limbs. For this reason, leg pain is often confusing for people because there is no apparent cause for the pain.
Varicose veins need to be treated, as they can lead to thrombophlebitis - inflammation of the venous wall. With thrombophlebitis, blood clots are formed, 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 valve insufficiency. The following contribute to the development of varicose veins:
- sedentary lifestyle and long-time work. It often develops in office workers, weightlifters, dentists, and surgeons;
- hereditary predisposition;
- female: women suffer from varicose veins more often than men, as the "female" hormones estrogen negatively affect the venous wall. In addition, during pregnancy, the pressure in the veins of the pelvis and lower limbs increases, thus increasing the risk of developing varicose veins in the lower limbs.
- 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 limbs;
- swelling in the ankles;
- burning or throbbing sensation in the legs;
- seizures that occur mainly in the evening or at night;
- itching at the site of the dilated vein;
- fast leg fatigue;
- changed skin color.
These symptoms become more pronounced in the evening, at the end of the working day, during the hot 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 limbs is severe and localized deep in the legs. Pain can often signal phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and blood clot formation. The development of thrombophlebitis is accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
An enlarged vein can burst and then a bruise occurs where the affected vessel passes. Skin ulcers can occur, even after minor skin damage. Typically, varicose vein ulcers are small, superficial, and painful.
The danger of phlebitis, thrombosis and ulcers in the varicose veins of the legs is that they lead to the development of small, thin-walled blisters on the ankles. These blisters are easily damaged and bleed. During sleep, the blisters can burst, which can lead to minor bleeding.
Varicose veins of the lower limbs lead to other skin and vascular pathologies:
- lymphadenopathy. An enlarged vein can damage the vessels of the lymphatic system, which carry and dispose of toxins and metabolic products. In addition, damage to the lymphatic vessels can lead to lymphedema, in which swelling of the lower limbs occurs;
- dermatitis, which is accompanied by itching and a rash in the varicose vein area. 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 the preventive measures that a phlebologist will prescribe (treats diseases of the veins). But when varicose veins cause discomfort, such as pain, a cosmetic defect, leg fatigue, swelling or changes in skin color, therapy is required, which consists of the following methods:
- compression stockings, which moderately compress the legs and veins of the lower limbs so that blood does not stagnate in them. Compression stockings can help relieve pain and swelling. The stockings must be worn for at least 6 months for the symptoms to resolve. In addition, wearing socks 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 collapses the vein. 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 carried by the nearby healthy vessels;
- surgical methodsinvolving 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 the 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 in 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. Micro-invasive 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 the affected veins.
Trophic ulcers most often form on the inner surface of the lower leg and above the ankle. The first signs of ulcer development 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 can rupture. Then there is profuse bleeding, which leads to massive blood loss.
Prevention of varicose veins
To prevent varicose veins in men and women, it is necessary to follow the recommendations. The most effective tips and methods:
- you always prefer physical activity to immobility, for example, instead of the elevator, go up the stairs alone, if you have to make 1-2 stops, do not get on the vehicles and walk;
- watch your weight - excess body weight is a provoking factor for varicose veins;
- a mobile lifestyle is the key to preventing varicose veins. However, physical activity must be reasonable. It is not recommended to engage in weight lifting, because weight lifting puts a lot of pressure on the legs and leads to stagnation of blood in them. The best sports for the lower limbs are running, cycling, swimming, aerobics. Choose an activity that involves the lower leg and ankle, such as soccer or skiing.
- if you have a sedentary lifestyle, get up from your chair every 40 minutes and do some warm-up: sit 5-10 times or just walk;
- choose comfortable shoes without high heels, try to walk barefoot as often as possible;
- walk for at least 30 minutes a day, at least 3-4 times a week;
- if you have a standing job, get some compression stockings and wear them while you work. So it tones the veins of the lower limbs and the blood does not stagnate in them.
If your legs hurt for no apparent reason, there is fatigue and swelling, and blue or purple curved veins appear on the skin, you may have varicose veins in your lower limbs. Do not delay treatment and consult a doctor for advice and diagnosis.