Varicose veins.
Usually with these words people imagine thick twisted vessels that entwine their legs. But this is only the most famous sign of pathology. There are also other.
Sometimes varicose veins cause only cosmetic discomfort, but some of the symptoms of varicose veins directly affect the quality of life. For example, many people have pain in the veins of their legs. In general, the sensations are mild, but in rare cases, even a simple walk becomes painful.
Therefore, a little later we will talk about pain in varicose veins. About the reasons and ways to deal with it.
But first, let's talk about the disease itself: the mechanism of development, risk factors and complications.
Thus, blood moves through the arteries from the heart to organs and tissues, where it provides oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow returns through the veins.
It is especially difficult for blood to flow through the venous system of the legs, because here it must almost always rise upwards.
It prevented gravity.
Some of the blood flows down and accumulates in the vessels. As a result, the veins dilate and their walls stretch too much. Overcrowded vessels can be seen on the skin.
In healthy people, blood flow is prevented by a protective mechanism - the venous valves. This is the name of the membranes in the vessels. They capture the flowing blood and return it to the bloodstream. For many people, however, this system does not work.
For various reasons, the valves sometimes become weakened or injured, which increases the likelihood of overflow of the veins. This is how dilated vessels appear.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- Genetic predisposition. . . Scientists have not yet understood why some people are born with weakened venous valves. But this fact is confirmed. If both parents suffer from swollen blood vessels, then 90% chance their child will inherit this pathology.
- Adult age. . . The body gradually fades. The eyes see worse, the skin dries out. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more fragile and weak. . Therefore, people over the age of 60 often develop varicose veins - worn valves simply can not withstand the load of flowing blood.
- Overweight. . . The amount of blood in humans is not the same. First of all, it is influenced by body weight - the greater the mass, the greater the volume of blood in the body. Unfortunately, weight gain does not strengthen the valves. They are forced to withstand the overpressure of a huge volume of blood, which increases the likelihood of venous transfusion.
- Pregnancy. . . The bodies of expectant mothers are under great stress. For many reasons. The pressure on the valves increases due to an increase in the amount of blood, hormonal imbalance and effect on large vessels. We have already talked about the influence of blood. Changes in hormone levels disrupt the elasticity of the venous walls, making them easy to stretch, but slowly return to their original state. The baby grows to large veins. Sometimes the fruit pinches them. In such cases, the lumen of the vessels decreases and the body increases the pressure in the veins to push the blood up. Therefore, the load on the valves increases.
- Prolonged immobility while sitting or standing. . . When walking, the leg muscles help the blood vessels to pump blood to the heart. They constrict and constrict the veins. As a result, the blood is pushed up. With stationary legs, the muscle pump does not work, so the entire load falls on the veins and the valve system.
As you can see, some factors are related to natural processes, while others are related to lifestyle. But the results are the same.
Varicose veins cause many symptoms:
- Fatigue and heaviness in the legs
- Spider-like or tree-like network of varicose veins
- Burning and itching
- Convulsions
- Swelling
- Pain when walking after prolonged immobilization
- Skin discoloration
- Twisted thick dishes
Varicose veins develop slowly.
Doctors even distinguish stage zero, during which no external signs have yet appeared, but the problem with the venous valves has already arisen.
Usually patients first suffer from heaviness in the legs, and then others are added to this problem. The severity of the symptoms also changes. In the early stages, the signs of pathology intensify in the evening and disappear by morning. With advanced disease, they last all day.
But constant annoying symptoms are not the main danger in the later stages of varicose veins.
Patients may experience complications:
- Bleeding. . . Perforation of swollen subcutaneous vessels. In rare cases, the fragile walls of the diseased veins cannot withstand the pressure and a bleeding wound occurs. Such damage is difficult to repair. So urgent medical attention is required.
- Thrombosis and embolism. . . Due to poor blood circulation, blood clots, thick blood clots often accumulate in the dilated vessels. They close the lumen of the veins. Sometimes fragments of blood clots break off and enter the bloodstream and can then get stuck in the vessels of the lungs. This phenomenon is called embolism. During it, breathing sometimes stops.
- Trophic ulcers. . . Due to oxygen starvation, the tissues near the diseased veins gradually die and non-healing wounds appear in their place. It is very difficult to cure ulcers. They are at high risk of recurrence.
Fortunately, varicose vein complications occur only in some patients - trophic ulcers in 6%, and bleeding and embolism are even less common.
As you can see, without treatment sometimes the pathology causes great inconvenience. And it can even destroy a person.
Therefore, for each of its symptoms it is recommended to consult a phlebologist. Including when the veins hurt. To respond to this threat in a timely manner, it is advisable to understand the reasons for the appearance of such a symptom.
What causes severe pain in varicose veins?
In most cases, people with varicose veins do not experience severe pain. Only with sharp movements. For example, when after prolonged immobilization they stand on their feet.
But the constant severe pain torments patients, usually in the later stages of the pathology. Simply because at this time all the symptoms of the disease intensify and do not disappear even at night.
What causes the veins in your legs to hurt?
Mainly due to oxygen starvation. Dilated vessels do not supply the adjacent tissues well, which can lead to unpleasant sensations.
Another cause of pain is trophic ulcers. These non-healing wounds are painful to the touch, which means that even light contact with clothing will cause severe discomfort.
Leg pain with varicose veins may be a sign of thrombophlebitis. This is the name of a pathology in which blood clots form in inflamed veins.
Summarize.
If mild dilated pain is a standard symptom, then it rarely worsens. In the later stages of the pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when the swollen veins hurt a lot, it indicates the rapid development of the disease. In such a situation you should consult a doctor immediately. Although many people delay the course of a vascular specialist and try to get rid of the symptoms themselves.
How to eliminate severe pain in varicose veins?
Heaviness in the legs, slight swelling and other mild symptoms of pathology can be relieved by simple methods - contrast shower, some types of massage. However, with developed varicose veins, this will not help.
In addition, if the veins in the legs are very inflamed, then a delayed visit to a phlebologist will only worsen the condition of the vessels. There is no point in enduring such torment.
Timely treatment of varicose veins will eliminate irritating symptoms and prevent complications. So choose a reliable clinic and make an appointment with a doctor. One examination will help your veins with more than hundreds of folk recipes.
What treatment is prescribed if you are worried about severe pain with varicose veins?
First, the doctor will check the blood vessels. He will perform an ultrasound examination of the veins and determine the cause of the pain. Only then will the doctor choose a treatment option.
For example, a certain procedure may be effective against varicose veins, but it does not cope well with complications.
When the veins in the legs hurt, an accurate diagnosis is extremely important for proper treatment. Without it, the cause of the symptom cannot be eliminated.
But after diagnosis, phlebologists often offer patients several treatment options at once to choose from:
- Miniphlebectomy
- Endovasal laser coagulation
- Foam sclerotherapy
These methods are less traumatic - that is, they do not damage the skin and do not leave scars.
Now to summarize.
What to do if the veins in your legs hurt?
See your doctor immediately.
Yes, some medications and methods can reduce pain, but this is only a temporary measure. Sooner or later the disease must be treated.
And it is better early, because in this case you will get rid of swollen veins before dangerous complications occur.
In addition, if the veins of the legs hurt very much, then such a picture is not typical of varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is to blame for the discomfort. The doctor will help identify her.
Which clinic should I go to?
Now ultrasound diagnosis of blood vessels is performed in many medical centers. But it is best to choose a clinic with experienced doctors.