Varicose veins on the legs

Varicose veins are a disease of subcutaneous veins that is expressed in their excessive expansion and stretching, the elasticity of the veins is lost, and the process of blood circulation is disturbed. Swollen varicose veins usually appear on the legs.

Varicose veins are considered a cosmetic problem, but if left untreated, they can lead to complications. The main ones are trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis, which develop in 70% of patients with varicose veins.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Signs that are declared already in the initial stages:

• legs get tired quickly;
• burning and heaviness in the legs;
• small swellings appear;
• there is pain in the veins;
• there are leg cramps.

Another characteristic sign of varicose veins is the localization of pain in the calves, which appears in the evening and disappears in the morning. The pain is not sharp, the sensations are moderate, receding.

In the first stages, varicose veins are not visible, but varicose veins are already developing. Sometimes it takes decades. Gradually, the symptoms are more disturbing, signs of venous insufficiency appear:

• leg swelling - in patients (most often women suffering from varicose veins), chronic vein disease is usually accompanied by an increase in the volume of the lower leg. At the same time, edema, as well as pain and heaviness, are noticed in the afternoon and disappear after sleep. Foot edema is not typical for the mentioned pathology, but is a symptom of lymphatic edema;
• itchy skin;
• knots, tortuosity, which are visible to the naked eye;
• darkening, thickening of the skin, the appearance of a bluish tint.

As the venous disease progresses, the symptoms intensify. The appearance of the skin of the legs deteriorates, eczema and trophic ulcers appear.

Causes of varicose veins

The cause of varicose veins is the insufficiency of the venous valves of the legs, which worsens the outflow of blood. The venous network on the legs consists of superficial and deep veins connected by veins. Superficial veins drain blood away from the skin and subcutaneous structures, while deep veins drain it away from internal organs. The veins that connect them act as compensators that equalize the pressure in the superficial and deep veins.

Proper blood flow goes in the direction from the superficial veins to the deep ones. This direction can be ensured by the movement of the surrounding muscles and the work of the vasomotor center, because the movement from the bottom to the top opposes the forces of attraction.

If for some reason the outflow becomes difficult, the wall of blood vessels becomes inflamed, thinner, varicose veins and cyanotic nodes characteristic of varicose veins appear.

The disease develops in response to a number of adverse conditions listed below:

• heredity - weakness of blood vessel walls can be passed from generation to generation and lead to loss of vascular tone;
• exhausting work, standing on your feet - the high-risk group includes people who, by the nature of their activities, have to sit or stand for a long time;
• frequent pregnancies and childbirth - during this period, the total volume of blood increases and veins are compressed, which causes varicose veins;
• obesity - increased venous pressure in obese people increases the possibility of varicose veins;
• failure in the hormonal system - self-administration of contraceptives and other hormone-based drugs causes changes in the vein wall. In women, such a reaction can be observed during pregnancy;
• diet - the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in the menu leads to a lack of fiber, as a result - the weakening of the vein wall.

What do varicose veins look like?

Since varicose veins are a modification of the veins, the disease is also called a cosmetic problem:

• first, patients notice the appearance of webs and a vein pattern on the legs;
• later the veins become tortuous, lifting the skin;
• in the most advanced stages, enlarged nodes are clearly visible, representing the expansion and entanglement of blood vessels.

What is the danger of disease

What happens if the disease is not treated? This will inevitably lead to complications. The most dangerous are thrombophlebitis and "separation" of a blood clot. 5% of all patients have similar complications. With age, a trophic ulcer often forms, which is difficult to treat. The risk of complications from varicose veins increases over time.

1. Thrombophlebitis. In addition, blood clots form in the veins of the legs, which can break off and block the arteries, which leads to myocardial infarction.
2. Venous thrombosis.Blockage of a blood vessel by a clot. It is manifested by pains in the legs, which are intensified by physical exertion.
3. Pulmonary embolism. Obstruction of its lumen by thrombus detachment. Death can occur within the first half hour. If the clot is small, it can lead to a lung infarction.
4. Trophic ulcers.Darkening and thinning of the skin with further appearance of ulcers. It occurs as a result of tissue malnutrition. Poor response to treatment.

Risk factors

1. Heredity. If both parents have varicose veins, then the probability that the child will have it is 90%, if one has 60%.
2. Pregnancy.In this period, vein disease is caused by 3 factors:
   • hormonal change - production of progesterone in large quantities relaxes muscles, makes veins more vulnerable;
   • the pressure of the uterus, which has increased - in connection with this, the outflow of blood from the legs worsens;
   • an increase in blood volume by 20-30% - the venous valves of the legs cannot withstand the load, especially if they were initially weak;
3. Wrong diet.The uncontrolled consumption of processed food, sugar and salt, fast food, fried and fatty food, trans fat, preservatives and artificial additives from industrial products also leaves its mark.
4. Hormonal background.The effects of hormones can weaken the veins, which causes vasodilation and prevents the valves from closing normally.
5. Tight clothes. Tight belts, tight jeans and underwear interfere with the harmonious flow of blood, hindering blood circulation.
6. High heels. When you walk, the veins work to their limits. This is due to the fact that the load is unevenly distributed - the main part falls on the front foot. Pain in the veins, swelling of the legs are the first signs of varicose veins.

Diagnosis of varicose veins

In the early diagnosis of varicose veins, ultrasound technologies are used - angioscanning and dopplerography.

Ultrasound angioscanning (USAS) is an informative method of non-invasive examination of peripheral blood vessels. It allows obtaining a two-dimensional image of the artery, visualization of intravascular structures and assessment of the direction and nature of fluid flow.

In severe cases, when an answer cannot be obtained with USAS, computed tomography (CT) is used.

Doppler ultrasound (Doppler ultrasound) is the easiest method to evaluate the peripheral vessel. He evaluates the condition of the artery with indirect indicators: blood flow reaction to functional tests, etc.

X-ray contrast phlebography is used in the diagnosis of arteriovenous angiodysplasia, acute thrombosis and their consequences, as well as varicose veins of the small pelvis.

Treatment of varicose veins

Surgical techniques

Complete healing of varicose veins is possible only after surgical treatment. It is done in three ways:

• phlebectomy - removal of an enlarged varicose vein;
• Sclerosis is the introduction of a special substance into dilated veins, which "glues" the walls of blood vessels, normalizing blood flow. The swelling of the veins disappears, even the cosmetic defect disappears;
• laser coagulation - the walls of the vein are exposed to heat, due to which the vein lumen "closes". Manipulation is performed only if the vein is dilated by no more than 10 mm.

Medical treatment of varicose veins

The leading role in treatment is played by venotonics in the form of tablets. They improve the process of blood circulation, heal the arteries.

Also prescribe venotonics - phlebotonics. They are taken for thinning of blood vessel walls, increased permeability, reduced elasticity and fluid stagnation. The preparations strengthen the vein walls, increase their elasticity, reduce swelling and other negative signs. An additional quality of phlebotonics is the establishment of microcirculation in the affected area.

Antiplatelet agents are used to thin the blood in the veins. Medicines needed when you need to reduce the formation of blood clots. Indicated for patients with increased blood viscosity. You can take antiplatelet drugs only if there is no predisposition to bleeding.

Anticoagulants are sometimes used to stop blood clots from forming on an individual basis. They remove blood clots, reduce viscosity. But the decision is made by the doctor after evaluating the potential health benefits and potential rice.

Compression therapy

A reliable assistant in the treatment of varicose veins is compression clothing. The working principle of the product is as follows:

• while wearing compression stockings, the pressure on superficial and deep veins increases;
• the greatest pressure is at the bottom, where the veins are more narrowed and the outflow of blood is the fastest;
• due to the narrowing of the veins, the work of the valves improves;
• pain, swelling, fatigue in the legs disappear.

A complex approach

There are many treatment options, but the most correct will be an emphasis on improving the whole organism as a whole. Varicose veins in the broadest sense are not only a problem of veins, but also a symptom that indicates malfunctions in the body. Therefore, we advise you to treat your body consistently and wisely.

• drink a lot of water - dehydration is one of the causes of blood clotting, especially in hot periods;
• help the liver in detoxification - add artichokes, flax, grapefruit, oranges, apples, cruciferous vegetables, rosemary, dandelion, olives to your diet (make sure there are no allergic reactions and individual intolerance to the product);
• exclude from the diet all pro-inflammatory foods that thicken the blood and have a harmful effect on the walls of blood vessels (alcohol, coffee, sugar, pastries, dairy products, smoked, canned food, fast food, refined food);
• they eliminate constipation - they displace pelvic venous blood flow. Start drinking symbionts or microbiotics. The bacteria in their composition create a balance of microflora and thus normalize the stool. They improve the condition of the small and large intestines, as well as the gastric mucosa;
• take an analysis for homocysteine - it should not be higher than 10. If it is higher, you need to make sure that there is no deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron. At the same time, restore the microflora, otherwise their absorption could be disturbed;
• restore protein levels. For verification, a biochemical blood test is given: the optimal protein concentration in an adult should be 72-86 g/l, in children - 45 to 80 g/l. ;
• working with insulin resistance - often the problem goes hand in hand with this disorder. You can recognize it by the symptoms: constant feeling of hunger and frequent desire to eat, multiple papillomas, red dots that look like moles, swelling, thirst and high blood pressure;
• introduce exercises - pilates, yoga, light cardio;
• improve lymph drainage - drink water with herbs, cranberries, spices, lemon, ginger;
• take a contrast shower - under the influence of cold, small vessels begin to narrow, and under the influence of heat, on the contrary, they expand. This leads to the strengthening of the vascular walls and an increase in their tone.
• they restore hormone levels - excessive hormone production activity dilates blood vessels and prevents normal valve closure. To support the process of restoring hormonal balance, symbionts with broccoli are suitable. The active substance - sulforaphane - which it contains, removes excess estrogen from the body. This is due to the content of anti-cancer substances in broccoli, such as potassium, zinc, selenium, beta-carotene, amino acids, vitamins A, C and E.