Many people think that varicose veins in the legs are just an unwanted cosmetic manifestation. Over time, however, it became clear that varicose veins were a serious disease associated with pathological venous curvature.
As a result, the tone of the vein walls weakens and the tissues do not receive the necessary blood supply due to the loss of good pressure in the flow. Knowing how dangerous varicose veins are in women, it is worth preventing the disease or starting treatment at the very beginning.
Features of the development of varicose veins
The disease develops more often in the lower extremities. In addition, women suffer more from varicose veins than men. Therefore, the fairer sex should be especially warned of the first signs and symptoms of the disease - the appearance of vascular "stars". Such signs can not be ignored, but it is mandatory to consult a doctor who will prescribe conservative treatment.
Otherwise, the following may appear in the future:
- feeling of heaviness, itching and pain in the legs,
- cramps and tingling at night and in the morning,
- peeling and spots on the skin,
- muscle pain when walking and on palpation of superficial veins,
- venous nodules on the legs, feet, ankles.
Important!In advanced stages of venous disease, radical methods will be needed to stop the development of varicose veins until surgery.
Why varicose veins appear more often in women
According to statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities are diagnosed in eighty-nine percent of the fairer sex compared to sixty-six percent in men. This is due to the natural structure of the female body and those basic functions whose performance it is assigned. And this is the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the onset of menopause, carrying and feeding a child when hormonal changes occur in the body.
Other causes of female varicose veins include:
- love of high heels in shoes,
- thyroid pathology - women are more common than men,
- type 2 diabetes mellitus, more commonly diagnosed in women,
- female professions "on their feet" salesmen, waitresses, teachers, educators.
Not insured against varicose veins and those women who use hormonal drugs.
The risk of developing varicose veins is among fans of frequent sitting in a hot tub, in a bath / sauna.
It is worth paying close attention to the condition of the veins of the legs of those who are overweight, who can not imagine their lives without smoking, alcohol, huge consumption of fatty, salty and spicy foods.
Important!In women, varicose veins form mainly during pregnancy and recovery after childbirth and progress at an accelerated rate to the 2-3rd stage.
What complications can there be?
To understand the danger of varicose veins in the legs and why it is better not to let it go, but to cure it immediately, women who have found symptoms of varicose veins should visit a phlebologist. The specialist will talk about the consequences of the disease if left untreated and will prescribe therapy.
- The threat of varicose veins in the female legs leads to insufficient venous circulation. This has an unsatisfactory effect on the activity of the entire circulatory system, which directly affects the favorable course of pregnancy.
- A common phenomenon in pregnant women is the formation of hemorrhoids. Such varicose veins in the anus, and this is hemorrhoids, scares with bleeding and malignant modifications of varicose tissue.
- The disease develops faster in women than in men. As a result, the fairer sex has previously faced the effects of varicose veins.
- If left untreated, varicose veins of the cervix and uterine body can occur during pregnancy. This occurs at the end of the 2nd trimester with pain in the lower back and lower abdomen. And if there is already a suspicion of the presence of varicose veins, then the vessels of the pelvic organs should be examined before planning a pregnancy.
Most patients come to the doctor with complaints of pain and swelling in the legs. Such symptoms are characteristic of stage 2 varicose veins.
And varicose veins of the legs lead to this, if you neglect the prevention and treatment of the disease:
- In the 1st stage, women are concerned about the unaesthetic appearance of their legs and hide defects under pants and long skirts.
- In stage 2, an inflammatory process develops, causing blood stasis in the veins. This leads to the appearance of nodules and pain - quite rare and not too severe.
- In the 3rd stage, swelling and heaviness appear in the legs, the skin of the ankles darkens. Inflammation of the skin, eczema, thrombophlebitis of the subcutaneous vascular fibers, deep venous thrombosis are also possible. The danger of the latter is in the unpredictable release of a blood clot, which, once in the heart or pulmonary artery, endangers a woman's life.
- In stage 4, varicose trophic ulcers form, which, along with bleeding and wounds, cause excruciating pain.
Important!To avoid complications from varicose veins, you should follow the treatment tactics developed by your doctor.
Methods of treatment
The treatment of the dreaded disease must be carried out at every stage. Early examination and detection of the disease leads to faster and easier relief. Neglecting varicose veins will require persistent and prolonged therapy (conservative or surgical) as well as spending money.
The phlebologist's professional awareness of the dangers of varicose veins provides opportunities to deal with it:
- medical methods using venotonic drugs in the form of tablets, gels,
- compression bandage technique using compression stockings, which are knee-high leggings, socks, tights (at home they are replaced by elastic bandages,
- hardware procedures using household appliances.
In a duel with the enemy you must include the following options for the home:
- contrast shower, the flow of which is directed from the bottom up (you should start with warm water and end with cool water),
- special diet restricting animal products
- Refusal of high heels and wearing orthopedic shoes - especially indicated in the presence of flat feet.
Conclusion
Varicose veins of female legs should be controlled. And if you can not avoid the disease, at the first signs you should start treatment to prevent the development of serious complications (trophic ulcer, acute thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, etc. ).