A less aesthetic disease is varicose veins, which are manifested by the expansion of superficial venous vessels, the network of which is visible through the skin.In this disease, there is a disruption of blood circulation through these vessels, which can lead to insufficient oxygen supply and removal of carbon dioxide.The symptoms are pronounced, so it is necessary to treat them in a timely manner.It is better to completely avoid this disease through prevention.Often the treatment of varicose veins involves surgery.
Why do varicose veins occur?There are reasons that are often found in the lives of many people:
- Metabolic disorder.
- Professions in which a person is constantly in a standing position (salesmen, waiters, etc.).
- Bad habits (smoking and alcohol) that negatively affect the condition of blood vessels.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Abuse of red pepper in food.
Reasons for the development of varicose veins
Doctors are less and less inclined to believe that varicose veins are a hereditary disease.This is not always the case.Scientists note several other factors that often cause the disease: lifestyle, hormone levels and diet.
Metabolic disorders are one of the causes of varicose veins.This leads to obesity, which is a consequence of an inactive lifestyle and poor diet, which are very common today.People are increasingly consuming highly processed foods, abandoning plant-based foods.
Also, professions that force a person to stand for a long time, or sit for a long time, or carry heavy loads, or make sudden movements, put a lot of stress on the veins.All this eventually leads to the development of varicose veins.
- Long flights or transfers affect the condition of the veins, which is often noted in the male half.
- Women often suffer from varicose veins in the inguinal veins due to wearing tight underwear.They also suffer from varicose veins of the lower extremities if they often walk in high heels or on uncomfortable soles.
Pregnancy also becomes a factor in the development of varicose veins, especially if there is a history of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis.
Other causes of varicose veins are:
- Deep vein thrombosis.
- Prostate adenoma.
- Cough.
- Constant constipation.
- Operation with anesthesia.
How to recognize varicose veins?
The first sign of varicose veins is the appearance of a blue vein pattern (reticulation) on the surface of the skin.It usually occurs on the thighs, in places where there is cellulite - disturbed fat metabolism, which puts pressure on the veins.
Another sign of varicose veins is swelling of the soft tissues of the legs.When diagnosing the disease, it differs from kidney urolithiasis and cardiovascular system failure.
The more varicose veins develop, the more severe the pain in the calf muscles becomes.The pain is excruciating or acute, usually intensifies by lunchtime after some exertion during the day.
The person complains about:
- Weight in the legs.
- Trophic changes in the leg area.
- Night cramps.
On external examination, a grid or stars are visible, especially if the person is standing.If the patient takes a supine position, the external manifestations of varicose veins may become invisible.The swelling usually goes away after a night's rest.
Stages of varicose veins
Varicose veins are progressive and go through the following stages:
- The first is swelling of veins, heterogeneity of structure, hardening of veins, formation of nodes and thrombophlebitis.
- Another is fatigue, irritability, tiredness, heaviness in the legs.Deterioration of health, insomnia and memory loss.Complaints of night cramps appear.The skin cannot return to its previous shape for a long time after removing the outer clothing due to swelling.
- The third is trophic changes in the lower leg area.The skin becomes brown, dry, cracked, lifeless.Development of dermatitis with characteristic rash and itching.The swelling can now be located in any part of the leg.The feeling of heaviness is reminiscent of muscle swelling.Any stress leads to rapid fatigue, which causes depression, insomnia and weakness.
- The fourth stage is the development of complications in the form of inflammation of the vein walls, bleeding or the appearance of trophic ulcers.
Varicose veins during pregnancy
If a woman has a tendency to develop varicose veins or the first signs appeared before pregnancy, then this disease will manifest itself in full force during pregnancy.Typically, 35% of women experience varicose veins during their first pregnancy, 50% during their second and 75% during their third pregnancy.
Dilated veins are explained by the fact that blood enters the lower extremities, but its outflow becomes difficult.This leads to stagnation of blood, due to which the veins expand and become visible.If the woman is not treated, there is a risk of the blood clot rupturing, which will lead to the death of the mother and the child.
Other causes of varicose veins during pregnancy are:
- Hormonal changes.
- Enlargement of the uterus and its pressure on the blood vessels.
- Increased amount of blood.
- Individual characteristics.
Pathology can also appear in the area of the anus or the outer lips.
Dilated pelvic veins
Varicose veins can develop not only on the legs,
but also in the pelvic region.Often this disease develops in women.It is diagnosed by three-dimensional ultrasound, where enlarged veins of the small pelvis can be seen, as well as inflammatory processes in the uterus, ovaries and bladder.
Symptoms of pelvic varicose veins are similar to those of varicose veins in the legs.Heaviness and pain are felt in the lower abdomen.The cause is often pregnancy, pathologies in the pelvis, difficult childbirth.Other factors are:
- Always carry the child in your arms.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Taking oral contraceptives.
- Congenital underdevelopment of the venous wall.
How are varicose veins treated?
Conservative treatment is allowed only if there are contraindications for surgery or in the initial stage of varicose veins, when pathological changes have not yet occurred.Here they are used:
- Bandaging.
- Compression socks.
- Constant change of posture.
- Elevate your legs so they can rest.
- Avoid poorly ventilated areas with high temperatures.
- Eliminating large amounts of liquid and salt from the diet.
- Taking diuretics.
- Venoprotectors.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Exercise therapy for uncomplicated varicose veins: bathing, swimming, water aerobics.
- Fats.
- Hirudotherapy.
Varicose vein operations
Tumescent anesthesia (use of local anesthetic) is part of the surgical procedure.This measure is necessary if pathological changes have already begun.
Miniphlebectomy is an operation in which local anesthesia is used - small punctures are made on the surface of the skin directly to the veins.
Another type of surgery is the removal of the affected veins by short scraping.
Endoscopic vein dissection is another type of surgery that uses an endoscopic machine to identify the area of the affected vein.
Prevention and prognosis of varicose veins
Varicose veins can be prevented or stopped from developing.To do this, it is necessary to follow preventive measures that give favorable forecasts:
- Getting rid of bad habits.
- Wearing compression garments.
- Leg, thigh and back massage.
- Exercise therapy.
- Stress relief.
- Maintain personal foot hygiene.
- Remove constipation.
The most effective method would be to change the daily routine.You should eliminate high physical activity and get enough rest.You can also use traditional medicine recipes.