How to determine the stage of varicose veins?

Easy gait, long walks without fatigue even on high heels, beautiful ankles and hips that you do not want to hide from others - these are the advantages of healthy legs without signs of venous disease. Gradually, the way and rhythm of life changes if a person neglects the prevention of varicose veins.

This applies to both women and men. The disease develops in different ways and the stages of varicose veins in medicine on the issue of identification in a patient always provoke debate. But you need to understand the classification so as not to miss the moment when varicose veins are treated without surgery.

The nature of the problem

Varicose veins are disorders of blood flow in the saphenous veins. Due to problems with the venous valves, which must hold the portions of blood in order to travel further to the heart, the plasma flows in the opposite direction and stagnates.

The pressure cannot pass the blood through the veins in the lower extremities, which causes the walls to stretch. A pattern of blue stripes and zigzags gradually appears on the legs, complemented by puffiness and bulge at an advanced stage.

But varicose veins are not immediately noticeable. The problem can progress without visual symptoms, and therefore people who experience discomfort in the legs but do not find bulging veins attribute the discomfort to fatigue.

Varicose veins do not appear on their own as a separate disease. This is just a symptom of dysfunction of the circulatory system as a whole, which appears even at a young age. It is wrong to consider varicose veins of the lower extremities as a sign of old age. Many 20-year-old girls hide their legs under pants and long skirts due to varicose veins.

Different circumstances are the causes of circulatory disorders:

• Genetic inheritance from parents. If mom (most often) or dad have problems with blood flow from the legs to the heart, then children should be examined and prophylactic of the vascular and venous systems. But genetics does not work in all cases if there is no motivating factor - sedentary or constant lifestyle due to the peculiarities of the profession, unbalanced diet, diseases with complications;
• Ignoring the rules for technical rest when working in certain areas of work where there is a large load on the legs, but no movement (hairdresser, sales specialist, accountant, programmer, driver). Warming the feet every 30 minutes prevents blood stagnation;
• Some health problems affect blood vessels and veins - diabetes, heart disorders, injuries to the legs, spine, obesity;
• Pregnancy for many women is the impetus for the first symptoms of varicose veins. The embryo not only increases the weight of the expectant mother, which puts a strain on the legs, but also puts pressure on the internal organs and vital systems of the pregnant woman.

Varicose veins are a serious signal of internal problems that have not been declared, but require at least a standard examination by a therapist.

Different stages of development of venous insufficiency

Despite the fact that human veins are located not only in the legs but also throughout the body, varicose veins of the lower extremities are more common. Both women and men suffer from the disease, but a larger percentage of the beautiful half of the population.

There are several stages of varicose veins, which are classified according to their severity.The division is conditional, so the attending physician diagnoses and knows which treatment regimen to prescribe to the patient for specific complaints.

There are a number of classifications of varicose veins among medical experts. The international community distinguishes seven stages of varicose veins, delineating within narrow symptoms. But in practice, varicose veins are diagnosed in 3 stages of disease gradation:

• First degree (compensation stage) - the deterioration of blood flow from the legs to the heart is predetermined by lifestyle or genetically, but the patient has time to return the venous valves to normal functionality. The symptoms of varicose veins in the initial stage are mild and are not taken seriously;
• Second degree (subcompensation) - there are visual signs of venous insufficiency that are difficult to confuse with other changes. The discomfort in the legs disappears after a long rest or accompanies a person constantly. At this stage, patients most often seek medical help. Vascular and venous changes are significant, but it is possible to relieve tension and pain in the lower extremities;
• The third degree (decompensation) is the last stage of varicose veins, when the thinned walls of the circulatory system begin to burst from excess blood. Skin tissues do not receive food and they die. Skin ulcers develop that are difficult to treat. In some cases, in grade 3 varicose veins, the bacteria join the ulcers. Time, effort and complex therapy are needed to stabilize the patient's condition.

The listed stages of varicose veins are conditional division. In each group of venous insufficiency there is a mild, moderate and severe degree of the disease, which is determined by the symptoms described by the patients at the reception. Based on the fact that the pathology of the veins is individual in each case, the line of transition from one stage to another is insignificant, especially in cases of 1 and 2 degrees.

Characteristics of the initial stage of pathology

Grade 1 varicose veins are diagnosed by a doctor in rare cases, as people do not go to the clinic when short-term swelling or heaviness in the legs occurs. Folk remedies help relieve fatigue, puffiness goes away on its own after sleep or changing high heels with slippers. Grade 1 varicose veins in many people do not go to another stage in old age if there is no provoking factor.

Changes in the vascular system occur not only in adults but also in modern adolescents who are deprived of mobility and prefer a computer, telephone and other devices to active recreation.

Only the arms and the brain are trained, and the rest of the body does not change its position for a long time. Blood circulation slows down, especially in the lower skeleton. Bent knees, crushed muscles, veins and blood vessels in the thighs, buttocks lead to stagnation.

Teenagers often complain of leg pain and cramps. In some cases, swelling is seen, especially in overweight. There are no clear symptoms of grade 1 varicose veins, but the initial stage is ignored and its progression depends only on the attention of children or their parents to themselves.

Teenage girls choose uncomfortable high-heeled shoes to attract attention. The pressure in the veins of the lower extremities increases and leads to the initial degree of pathology. The inability to stand and move in high heels deforms the feet, increases the load on the spine and bones of the legs, hips. Distortions negatively affect the vessels because they are compressed.

The initial degree of varicose veins in young people is not alarming, as the symptoms disappear after a break or a little warm-up. The signs of grade 1 varicose veins are as follows:

1. Heavy legs even without physical activity;
2. Slight swelling in the second half of the day when the foot is too small to fit in the shoe, or if the ends are noticeable, digging into the skin. The symptom disappears in the morning if the legs have been rested or a procedure has been performed to relieve swelling and tension in the muscles - the vertical position of the lower limbs, foot baths, massage, change of uncomfortable shoes;
3. Short-term convulsions in rare cases.

In rare cases with varicose veins grade 1, external signs of venous pathology appear - thin streaks of veins or vascular network, which are subjected to stress due to reduced blood flow.

It is difficult to independently diagnose the initial stage of the pathology, as the listed symptoms are observed in other diseases, such as diabetes, kidney problems. For diagnosis and treatment you should visit your doctor at the first signs of discomfort.

Varicose veins are not only localized in the legs and the initial stage can be skipped if there are no changes in the lower extremities.

Class 2 features

The initial stage of venous pathology, in the absence of prophylaxis or therapy, after some time passes into the stage of subcompensation. Symptoms of grade 1 varicose veins appear more often and last longer.

External changes appear on the skin - swollen veins or a large number of spider veins. Cramps appear at night and even during the day, the patient feels pain and cannot move his legs. During a hardware examination of the veins of the lower extremities, changes in the operation of the valves are observed.

The pressure in the vessels increases, but it is difficult to expel the blood without closing the valves. Blood stasis is formed, which appears on the skin in the form of blue nodules.

1. A symptom of stage 2 venous insufficiency is swelling that does not go away after rest and preventative procedures. Swelling occurs due to the inability of the blood to rise through the veins, hemodynamics are impaired. The liquid part of the blood (plasma) begins to seep under the skin through the thinned walls of the veins and small vessels, as the function of its transport is impaired;
2. Skin color changes due to poor circulation and nutrient intake. The cells of the epidermis acquire a brown tint, gradually turning black. Inflammation develops and as a result the initial stage of ulcers;
3. Patients who see a doctor in stage 2 of the disease complain of severe pain, muscle stiffness and itchy skin. The symptoms are caused by a lack of adequate nutrition for the cells of the epidermis.

The stage of subcompensation for varicose veins is not considered hopeless if the therapy is diagnosed and prescribed in a timely manner. If one or more signs of grade 2 varicose veins are found, one cannot heal oneself and listen to well-wishers. Only a doctor will help deal with the problem.

Characteristics of degree 3

People reach grade 3 venous insufficiency if treated carelessly and without the necessary respect. The first stage of the pathology in rare cases causes discomfort and changes the quality of life, but the 2nd degree of venous insufficiency should not go unnoticed in order to neglect a visit to the doctor and undergo a course of rehabilitation.

Grade 3 pathology is the most severe and dangerous, as trophic ulcers are formed, which do not heal even with medical treatment. At the stage of decompensation, the body has exhausted its ability to keep the veins in working order.

The walls are stretched and thinned to the limit, there is a risk of rupture in case of injury. Another problem of grade 3 varicose veins is thrombophlebitis - blockage of a vessel, the formation of blood clots that can separate and lead to death.

Venous insufficiency reaches its final stage in extreme cases. The reasons for this attitude of people towards themselves are not clear. To endure pain, feel aesthetic discomfort and not be able to walk easily seems strange. Timely diagnosis of the problem and compliance with the doctor's recommendations will not allow varicose veins to go through even 1 stage of pathology.

After looking in detail at the classification of varicose veins of the lower extremities, it is worth noting that venous insufficiency occurs in other parts of the body and internal organs. Such a problem is more difficult to notice, but when there is discomfort in the legs, one can think of venous blood flow disorders elsewhere.

How to diagnose the pathology

At the first sign of leg discomfort, you should contact a medical facility. Diagnosis and treatment of venous insufficiency is performed by a phlebologist, but the initial consultation can be obtained from a therapist.

1. A visual examination of the condition of the skin on the legs, the presence of orthopedic changes and other signs is performed;
2. Palpation of problem areas not only of the legs but also of the groin and abdomen;
3. Patient complaints are heard;
4. A detailed medical history is compiled in the form of an interview. The questions focused on identifying the cause that became the starting point in the formation of varicose veins;

5. A referral for general blood and urine tests is needed to determine the patient's general health;
6. Functional testing to determine the degree of venous dilatation (Schwarz, Perthes, sole testing);
7. In case of varicose veins, a hardware examination of the patency of the veins and the condition of the venous valves is performed - duplex ultrasonography (DUS), plethysmography, phlebography, rheovasography.

After all measures to diagnose venous insufficiency and determine the degree of varicose veins are prescribed prophylaxis, conservative therapy, treatment with alternative methods and, in extreme cases, surgery, elimination of pathology with the help of laser.

How to deal with varying degrees of venous dysfunction

The earlier the signs of varicose veins are noticed, the easier and faster it is to deal with the problem. The initial stage of the pathology can be completely destroyed without the use of drugs, if you start timely prevention:

• Change your rhythm and lifestyle. Often the cause of impaired blood flow in the veins is a sedentary or permanent lifestyle due to professional activities. You need to add movement to increase hemodynamics and prevent high pressure on certain areas. If you are overweight, you should deal with its normalization, but gradually;
• Choose comfortable and correct shoes. In the presence of orthopedic deformities, shoes are chosen taking into account this problem. High heels only on special occasions;
• Give up bad habits that provoke problems in the vascular system;
• Lose weight if you are overweight and put extra strain on your legs;
• Choose the right exercise to help blood flow from your legs to your heart.

In the initial stage, the doctor prescribes venotonics, cream, pills to reduce the load on the venous walls and restore their elasticity. The medical leotard should be individually tailored to relieve tension in the legs.

When external signs appear that create aesthetic discomfort, a special composition (sclerotherapy) is introduced into the vein, but this is rare at an early stage.

The second stage of venous insufficiency requires more attention so that the problem does not become stage 3. The specificity of the elimination of the pathology of the 2nd degree is similar to the treatment of varicose veins in the initial stage. The drug is prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots, reduce tissue swelling and restore blood flow.

Surgical therapy of varicose veins of the 2nd degree is resorted to in the presence of obvious changes in the skin - bulging veins, venous network, vascular model. Radiofrequency or laser therapy is performed in the treatment room. Indicated, including sclerotherapy, when the external defect disappears in the eyes after injection at the problem injection site.

Compression garments are a must to improve blood flow and reduce stress on the legs.

How to treat grade 3 varicose veins when the condition of the veins and tissues is in a terrible state and the body is unable to correct the situation? Treatment is only surgical to prevent thrombosis, rupture of veins and restore hemodynamics throughout the body.

A phlebectomy procedure is usually performed to remove the affected vessels. The operation is performed using surgical instruments (classic method) or a laser without a single incision (modern method for the treatment of varicose veins of the 3rd degree).

The course of the disease is complicated by the formation of ulcers that do not heal even with drug therapy. Therefore, at this stage you cannot do without a surgeon. After a successful operation, an individual course of drugs, bandages and medical underwear is chosen.

Finally

Varicose veins are not a harmless cosmetic defect of the legs and other parts of the body, but a serious pathology that with the help will turn a person's life into torture and constant walking around the clinic offices.

The initial stage of venous insufficiency is common in the majority of the population, but the diagnosis is rarely made due to the lack of awareness of the possible consequences.

If the professional activity involves a sedentary image or constant standing, there are examples of pathology in relatives, you should take preventive measures and exclude the progression of the disease in the initial stage. Leaving the problem unattended, you may not notice how the veins will cause other pathologies.