Symptoms and treatment of varicose veins in the legs

Varicose veins are a systemic disease that can affect blood vessels anywhere in the body. Its essence lies in the dysfunction of the valves that control the direction of blood flow. Because of this, an excessive amount of fluid accumulates in the veins, under the influence of which the walls stretch and lose their elasticity.

Clinical presentation

Dysfunction of venous blood flow develops due to damage to the valves of the perforating (connecting) veins, their overload and deformation. When the work of deep (internal) arteries is disrupted, blood circulation becomes chaotic, which leads to entering the superficial vessels and the formation of characteristic knots. Such defects are clearly visible with the naked eye or on palpation of the lesion site.

Varicose veins are progressive pathologies that, without prompt treatment, are fraught with serious health complications and disabilities. In advanced cases of varicose veins in places of vascular damage, the formation of wounds, ulcers and blood clots is possible.

What makes it

Various factors cause venous dilation. They can be conditionally divided into major and minor. The main sources of varicose veins are:

• Constant intense physical activity;
• Prolonged stay in a static position - sitting or standing;
• Unfavorable environmental conditions - for example, constantly high air temperature;
• Weight fluctuations or chronic obesity;
• Hormonal imbalance - during pregnancy or menopause;
• Diseases of the endocrine system;
• Hereditary and genetic predisposition, manifested in the features of the structure of blood vessels, namely, congenital anatomical inferiority of the venous valves and weakness of the connective tissue of the arterial walls;
• Neurosis.

In the anamnesis, the development of varicose veins, as a rule, stimulates not one, but a complex of factors.

Tips for everyday life

If you are constantly sitting, for example, due to work, you can put a low bench under your feet. This will significantly reduce the strain on your legs.

It is advisable to give up high heels. Wearing such shoes will significantly limit the contraction of the calf muscles, in addition, it will prevent the joints from popping. As a result, the blood will simply stagnate.

A sudden change in temperature can greatly affect the filling of the veins with blood. For example, when the temperature rises, the veins are very full of blood, thereby increasing the load on the valves. It is advisable to reduce the number of hot baths, sunbathe on the beach and so on. Remember, the drop in temperature should be gradual.

Cycling, swimming and, of course, brisk walking are very useful. It is worth remembering that while walking it is necessary to give preference to shallow water or sand, and to avoid difficult roads as much as possible. A two-minute contrasting soak of the legs will help you get rid of the feeling of heaviness and numbness easily. Also, this wetting can be done with the help of a shower.

Remember that when you cross your legs, you obstruct blood flow and constrict blood vessels.

When resting, place your feet so that they are level with your heart. You can also slightly raise one side of the bed so that the legs are slightly higher than usual.

Symptoms of the disease

Varicose veins can have a variety of manifestations, which depend on the degree of complexity of the pathology and the physiological characteristics of the patient's body. In accordance with the stages of varicose veins, the following symptoms of vascular disease are noted:

• Venous patterns or "stars" (telangiectasias) on the skin;
• Swelling of the limbs, especially at the end of the day;
• Pain in the legs or along the veins during probing;
• Recurrent seizures;
• Quick fatigue, especially when walking;
• Visual manifestation of veins on the skin surface;
• Feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• Burning in venous lesions;
• Muscle itching;
• Pains of different nature and pains;
• Enveloping veins in the legs and feet;
• Dermatological changes in the skin - the appearance of dryness, pigmentation, darkening;
• Development of dermatitis, eczema and trophic disorders in the form of non-healing wounds and ulcerations;
• Firming of the skin at the sites of progression of varicose veins;
• Formation of hematomas.

Symptoms can begin as early as adolescence. Developing imperceptibly, over time, the disease makes itself felt with a mass of unpleasant consequences for health. If at least one of the above signs is present, you must immediately undergo an examination. A phlebologist or surgeon treats diseased veins.

Classification

According to the decision of the international scientific community, the pathological dilation of the veins of the lower limbs is usually classified according to a special CEAP or Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathology classifier. According to this typology, varicose veins have 6 clinical stages:

1. Zero. There are slight subjective patient complaints about some of the symptoms of varicose veins, but with visual examination and medical examination there are still no obvious signs of the disease.
2. I degree. Small vascular networks appear on the surface of the skin, rare edema, heaviness, burning, sensation of "buzzing" in the legs.
3. Grade II. It is considered the starting point of true varicose veins. It is characterized by a distinct external manifestation of enlarged vessels, the formation of venous nodes, aggravated after a long stay in a static state or walking in high heels. From this stage, the possibility of thrombus formation is observed.
4. III degree. Symptoms of the second group are accompanied by regular swelling, most noticeable at the end of the day, and excruciating, aching pain in the calves.
5. IV degree. There are trophic changes in the skin. Due to the excessive accumulation of pigment in the epidermis, the skin begins to change color from dark brown to black. It is also possible to develop small local inflammations in the form of erythema or moist wounds, which over time lead to skin atrophy and ulcers.
6. Grade V. Has the same course as the fifth stage, but with healed trophic ulceration.
7. Grade VI. It is characterized by severe progression with the formation of non-healing wounds and ulcers.

Varicose veins are a serious disease. Without timely treatment and constant prophylaxis, it progresses rapidly and leads to irreversible consequences and disastrous consequences, up to and including death. Just 10 years after the diagnosis of varicose veins is enough for the disease to develop from stage I to stage VI.

Phases

The first signs of varicose veins on the legs appear in progressive stages, when the venous valves perform their functions for less than 50%. At the first or zero stage of varicose veins, known as the "clearing stage", no unpleasant sensations occur, as well as visible changes. Detection of the initial stage of varicose veins on the legs occurs with a careful examination of the limbs by a phlebologist.

In the second phase of varicose veins, known as "undercompensation", the changes are quite well expressed:

• large veins are visible under the skin, but may not protrude above the skin surface;
• on the surface of the skin of the thighs and below the knees, a pattern of a thin varicose network consisting of blue or red capillaries is clearly visible;
• legs swell in the evening;
• The calf muscles have nocturnal cramps.

This stage of varicose veins of the lower limbs is distinguished by an increase in symptoms, which weaken after rest.

In the final phase of varicose veins, decompensation occurs: the body cannot replenish the oxygen requirements of the tissues and the valves in the veins lose their function by 90%. The condition of the limbs worsens due to insufficient blood supply. This stage of varicose veins is characterized by a decrease in the ability of tissues to regenerate. The abundance of complications worsens the general condition of the patient. Symptoms in the final stage of varicose veins persistently persist.

Pathology in men

Venous pathology has no gender. However, according to the pathogenesis, the disease is conventionally divided into male and female varicose veins, each of which is inherent in its own specificity of formation and development. Thus, the features of male physiology do not contribute to the formation of problems with veins in the representatives of a strong half of humanity, however, there are a number of factors that favor this. Among them:

1. Intense physical work or professional sports involving carrying or lifting a load;
2. Sedentary lifestyle;
3. Bad nutrition;
4. Genetic propensity;
5. Long-term use of hormonal drugs;
6. Bad habits.

Varicose veins develop in men more often after the age of 40 and are accompanied by increased leg fatigue, leg pain, visible edema, venous pattern on the skin surface, frequent cramps and itchy skin such asallergic dermatitis. In some advanced cases, blood clots and vascular infections are possible. And if at first the disease is invisible, then over time its manifestations become noticeable. But the main changes take place inside the veins, the walls of which weaken so much that any exposure, even minimal, to a toxic substance or infection causes their damage. The method of treating varicose veins in men is the same as in women and has no specific features.

Pathology in women

The beautiful half of the population suffers from varicose veins many times more often than men. The favorable factors for this are:

• Wear high-heeled shoes or shoes that do not fit the size and fullness of your feet;
• Slimming or excessively tight clothing that interferes with blood circulation;
• Work that requires you to stand all day: salesman, receptionist, hairdresser, teacher, cook, etc. ;
• Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth and age-related changes in the body (menopause);
• Experiments with weight: frequent fluctuations in body weight, extreme diets aimed at drastic weight loss, uncontrolled streak of extra pounds.

It is women who are frequent patients of phlebologists and cosmetologists. In an effort to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the skin for as long as possible, women are more responsible for treating varicose veins than men and achieve visible improvements in the clinical state of the arterial system.

Given the increased natural tendency to varicose veins, the appearance of symptoms such as leg swelling, excessive leg fatigue, itching and burning sensation, the manifestation of small vessels and venous pattern should seriously alert a woman and become a reason foran immediate visit to a doctor.

Treatment of varicose veins with folk remedies

When studying the presented disease, one should not panic, because with proper and timely treatment, varicose veins are practically cured.

Why practically? Because after the cessation of certain actions, including preventive methods, the disease can reappear and cause no less problems than it originally was.

How to treat varicose veinsquickly and painlessly? You should turn to traditional medicine.

Infusions and tinctures

First of all, the disease must be treated from within. To do this, you should prepare infusions or tinctures using natural products, herbs and other ingredients that will improve blood circulation. Some of them can be cured here:

• Nettle. Dry and grind the herb in any convenient way. To prepare the infusion, 2 tablespoons of the herbal component are poured with a glass of boiling water. The content is stored for one hour and filtered. So they drink ¼ of a glass during the day at least 3 times. The course of treatment lasts six months with one-month intervals.
• Horse chestnut. The chopped horse chestnut grains are placed in half in a three-liter jar and poured to the edges of the jar with vodka or alcohol. Within a month, the jar is stored in a dark place, periodically shaking the contents. After the time has elapsed, you can start rubbing the legs with the resulting tincture. Carry out such procedures 2-3 times a week without interruption.

Treatment of varicose veins at home with folk remedies involves the use of medicinal herbs that can improve blood circulation in the human body.

Apples for varicose veins

Apples have an excellent healing effect. Here you can use the fruits in their pure form and as additives for other products.

How to get rid of varicose veins with apples:

• Make the apple tea. To do this, soak the apples in hot water in the amount of 1 liter for 4 hours. Then pass the fruits through a meat grinder or a sieve, mix them with the water in which the maceration was carried out. Squeeze the water from the mixture and take it twice a day in the amount of 50 g.
• Apple cider vinegar for varicose veinscan be used as a rub or inside. For treatment, it is enough to rub a small amount of vinegar overnight on the problem areas. You can also use vinegar diluted with a little honey, drinking a glass of вып before meals half an hour before meals.

Be careful when using internally diluted vinegar. This method is prohibited for people with gastrointestinal diseases.

Treatment of varicose veins at home, video:

Diagnosis of the disease

To make an accurate diagnosis of varicose veins, as well as to determine the degree of its severity, special research methods are used. The standard examination scheme when contacting a phlebologist consists of the following procedures:

1. Collect a history of the disease, which determines possible risk factors and causes;
2. Visual examination of the patient by changing the last position, as well as palpation of venous lesions;
3. Laboratory blood test;
4. Ultrasound duplex color ultrasound of the arteries of the lower limbs, which allows you to correctly perform a medical opinion, measure the speed and direction of blood flow, draw a map of its movement, obtain a characteristic and clear picture of the vesselssanguine;
5. Vascular radiography (phlebography) which uses a contrast agent to determine the appearance and shape of the veins, the function of the valves and the direction of blood flow.

Often these research methods are sufficient to determine the exact clinic, but in some cases they resort to the use of additional diagnostic methods:

• 3D CT (computed tomography) with venography;
• Photoplethysmography, using infrared and light radiation from a photoresistor or phototransistor;
• Phleboscintigraphy, based on the use of radionuclide isotopes, and phlebomanometry, a dynamic study of the venous pressure of the lower limbs;
• Lymphoscintigraphy, which shows the condition and degree of changes in the lymph nodes.

The need for a particular diagnostic method is determined by the physician, based on the complexity of the situation and the patient's individual clinical parameters.

The timely and well-chosen method of research allows you to determine the location of the superficial and deep veins and form an exact scheme of the therapeutic course in accordance with the indicators.

Conservative treatment

In the initial stages, varicose veins are reversible and with a responsible approach to treatment they are completely eliminated. In other cases, to combat varicose veins, they resort to conservative therapy using drugs, intravenous corrective agents and special compression underwear. Each of this type of treatment has its own indications for the appointment and specifics of the impact on the diseased organ.

1. Pharmacological therapy. It involves the oral use for a certain period of phlebotropic drugs - phlebotonics, anticoagulants and antioxidants - which help to strengthen blood vessels and reduce their fragility, better thin the blood and normalize blood flow and remove accumulated toxic substances from the body. For local treatment, tonic, pain relieving, soothing and swelling gels and ointments are used. In addition, vitamins of groups B, A, K, etc. are introduced into the therapeutic complex. The decision on the duration of treatment is made based on the results of the diagnosis and the nature of the dynamics of the disease.
2. Arterial sclerotherapy. The method involves the use of special drugs that act according to the type of gluing of the vein affected by varicose veins from the inside. As a result, the reflux is stabilized and conducted through healthy vessels. The procedure is performed invasively by intravenous administration of a solution. It is prescribed for a certain state of blood vessels and small sizes of venous nodes.
3. Ozone therapy. It is part of cosmetological medicine and consists of exposing the inner space of the vessel to cold ozone to glue the defect site. The method is also actively used to remove unsightly vascular networks from the surface of the skin. Effective in the initial stage of the disease. To achieve the desired result, just a few procedures are enough.
4. Compression therapy. It consists in wearing special medical underwear, which creates pressure of varying intensity on different parts of the legs, which in turn helps to reduce the load on the veins and restore blood circulation. Constant use of corrective underwear protects blood vessels from stretching and the development of thrombosis. Depending on the purpose, compression underwear can be prophylactic (minimal compressive force), medical (worn only during the exacerbation of venous disease) and hospital (used in the postoperative period in a hospital). Available in tights, stockings, knee-highs and elastic bandage. The choice of compression underwear is carried out only on the advice of a doctor

Surgical methods for influencing dilated veins

The operation for varicose veins is performed only as a last resort, when a deep vein injury is diagnosed, aggravated by concomitant complications. Indications for the appointment of surgical intervention are:

• Significant aggravation of the disease;
• Development of thrombophlebitis;
• Visible enlargement of the saphenous veins;
• Severe swelling and fatigue of the lower limbs;
• Pathological reflux disorder.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia using modern surgical techniques, such as:

1. Radio-frequency obliteration of blood vessels. Restoration of the structure of the veins from the inside using disposable catheters and automatic radio wave generators.
2. Endovenous Thermal Steam Occlusion (SVS). Impact on the vessels of an abundant flow of heated steam. It allows to penetrate into the most inaccessible areas of the venous bed and to directly influence the deformed vessels.
3. Laser coagulation of the veins. It involves the use of a laser beam directed at the diseased vein. The procedure leaves no cuts, burns or scars.
4. Venaseal technique. It consists in gluing the valves of the vessels with a special biological glue.
5. The Varadi method. The most difficult method of treatment, which involves the removal of the affected vessel. Thanks to its 100% efficiency, it is one of the priority methods of neurosurgery.

Despite the high efficiency of surgical treatment, it often occurs in combination with conservative therapeutic methods. This approach allows you to speed up the healing process and reliably consolidate the result.

Self-massage of legs from varicose veins

• First you need to massage your thighs. Further, with light stroking and kneading, rise from the knee area to the groin area. Using a spiral, straight and circular motion, stretch the knee joint with your fingertips. Press the popliteal fossa several times with your fist and knead this area in circular motions.
• Lie on your back, relax your muscles and bend your knees. Grab the shins with your hands and rub the skin with strokes. Shake your leg muscles.
• Extend each toe with light strokes. From bottom to top, rub your ankle and both feet. Massage your feet and heels in a circular motion and, with a little force, massage your ankle.

Repeat the entire self-massage complex 2-3 times.

Rehabilitation period

During the recovery period and in the future, in the fight against varicose veins of the lower extremities, a competent rehabilitation program, including periodic drug therapy, as well as adherence to the rules of a healthy lifestyle and theimplementation of therapeutic exercises.

In addition to sanatorium physical education, a patient diagnosed with varicose veins, regardless of the stage of development and the rehabilitation period, to improve blood circulation and prevent stagnation of blood in the veins, it is useful to wear medical underwearcorrective.

Nutrition for varicose veins of the lower limbs

Diet is very important in this disease. The following food items should be present in the diet:

• pepper;
• carrots;
• white cabbage;
• citrus fruits;
• apples;
• nuts;
• rose hips;
• currant;
• sea fish;
• eggs;
• lean meat;
• legumes;
• cereals;
• cheeses;
• liver.

The diet for varicose veins of the lower limbs involves the rejection of such products:

• canned food;
• semi-finished products;
• muffins and pastries;
• beverages containing caffeine;
• smoked meats;
• pickled foods;
• jellied meat;
• chicory;
• alcoholic beverages.

Prevention

To prevent the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities, it is necessary to monitor your health from a young age. Prevention of the disease is more effective than treating the legs when complications develop.

To have good blood circulation, it is necessary to ensure sufficient physical activity. If a person at work stays in the same position for a long time, you should do some warm-up regularly. It is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of shoes: it should be with a small heel (no higher than 6 cm), comfortable, do not squeeze the leg.

The weight should be monitored. Excessive weight is one of the predisposing factors for the development of the disease. In addition, it leads to increased stress on the blood vessels. Clothes should be made from natural fabrics. Using underwear that is too tight should be avoided to avoid squeezing the large vessels in the groin area.

During hygiene procedures, it is advisable to use a shower, which allows you to change the pressure and temperature of the water. With the help of these tricks, you can tone blood vessels, activate blood flow.

It is recommended to exercise or exercise daily. It is not necessary to run several kilometers at a time, just visit the pool, walk or cycle for pleasure.

Before using hormonal contraceptives, you should consult not only a gynecologist, but also a phlebologist, to get tested for hormones. If you change the level of female hormones in the blood, this can adversely affect the condition of the vessel walls.