The veins have valves that usually block or open the flow of blood in the vessels. Because blood flow in the veins is directed from the tissues to the heart, the purpose of the valves is to prevent the return of venous blood to the veins of the lower extremities.
When the elasticity of the vessel wall decreases and the vein dilates, the valves do not regulate blood flow and varicose veins develop, which is characterized by stagnation of venous blood in the veins. That is, the blood cannot be transported normally from the legs to the heart - it is constantly slowed down.
In varicose veins, the superficial veins of the legs become blue or dark purple, appear lumpy, convex and deformed. Not always with varicose veins stand out on the surface, as they can be located deep in the tissues of the lower extremities. Therefore, leg pain is often confusing for people because there is no apparent cause of the pain.
Varicose veins should be treated, as this can lead to thrombophlebitis - inflammation of the venous wall. In thrombophlebitis, blood clots form, if they enter the pulmonary circulation, a person can die from a pulmonary embolism, in which a blood clot clogs vital vessels.
Causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins of the legs occur due to reduced elasticity of the venous wall and valve insufficiency. The following factors contribute to the development of varicose veins:
- sedentary lifestyle and long work. It often develops in office workers, weightlifters, dentists and surgeons;
- hereditary predisposition;
- women: women suffer from varicose veins more often than men because the "female" hormones estrogen negatively affect the venous wall. In addition, the pressure in the veins of the pelvis and lower extremities increases during pregnancy, so the risk of developing varicose veins in the lower extremities becomes higher.
- congenital weakness of the vascular system;
- Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, in which pathological messages are formed between the arteries and veins, contributing to the reverse outflow of venous blood.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins can be symptomatic and almost hidden. In the first case, the symptoms of varicose veins are as follows:
- discomfort and painful pain in the lower extremities;
- swelling of the ankles;
- burning or throbbing sensation in the legs;
- convulsions that occur mainly in the evening or at night;
- itching at the site of a varicose vein;
- rapid fatigue of the legs;
- changed skin color.
These symptoms become more pronounced in the evening, at the end of the working day, during the warm season and after the person has been standing for a long time. With hidden varicose veins there are no external signs of varicose veins, but there is pain in the legs.
As a rule, the pain in the lower extremities is strong and deep in the legs. Often the pain can signal phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and the formation of blood clots. The development of thrombophlebitis is accompanied by a rise in body temperature.
The varicose vein may rupture and then bruise the area where the affected vessel passes. Skin ulcers may occur even after minor skin damage. Usually varicose veins are small, superficial and painful.
The danger of phlebitis, thrombosis and ulcers in varicose veins of the legs is that they lead to the development of small blisters with thin walls at the ankles. These blisters are easily damaged and bleed. During sleep, blisters can burst, which can lead to minor bleeding.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities lead to other skin and vascular pathologies:
- lymphadenopathy. A varicose vein can damage the vessels of the lymphatic system that transport and expel toxins and metabolic products. Also, damage to the lymph vessels can lead to lymphedema, in which swelling of the lower extremities occurs;
- dermatitiswhich is accompanied by itching and rash in the area of varicose veins. Most often the rash is localized on the lower leg and ankle joint. Dermatitis can lead to mild bleeding, skin irritation and infection.
How to treat varicose veins?
If the symptoms of varicose veins are mild, it is enough to take preventive measures, which will be prescribed by a phlebologist (treats venous diseases). But when varicose veins cause discomfort, such as pain, a cosmetic defect, fatigue in the legs, swelling or discoloration of the skin, therapy is needed, which consists of the following methods:
- compression stockings, which moderately compresses the legs and veins of the lower limbs so that blood does not stagnate in them. Compression stockings can help relieve pain and swelling. Socks should be worn for at least 6 months to relieve symptoms. Also, wearing socks should be combined with regular physical activity in which the legs are more involved: running, exercise equipment, cycling;
- radiofrequency ablation. This is a minimally invasive method: a disposable catheter is inserted into the vein, which heats up and causes the vein to contract. As a result, the vein closes and venous blood flows to the heart through healthy veins;
- sclerosing therapy. The doctor injects a drug that turns part of the vein into connective tissue, as a result of which the lumen of the vein closes and the blood is transported by neighboring healthy vessels;
- surgical methodswhich include ligation or complete removal of the affected vein.
How to treat varicose veins in the legs in women?
The treatment of varicose veins does not depend on gender: in women it is the same as in men. However, there are characteristics of therapy in pregnant women. Varicose veins in pregnant women increase the risk of obstetric and vascular complications, can lead to unstable pregnancies and increase the incidence of toxicosis in pregnant women. Therefore, special attention is paid to the treatment of varicose veins in pregnant women.
Surgical treatment is used in extreme cases when varicose veins are accompanied by venous insufficiency and complications such as trophic ulcers or thrombotic pathologies. Microinvasive methods such as sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation are contraindicated during pregnancy. Also, women are rarely prescribed hormonal drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy.
The main method of treating varicose veins in women is conservative therapy in the form of compression (compression stockings) in combination with drugs that improve the nutrition of blood vessel walls (phlebotropic drugs). If compression therapy is ineffective, doctors prescribe drugs that do not penetrate the placenta and do not affect the fetus.
Complications of varicose veins
Untreated varicose veins can be complicated by trophic ulcers, acute thrombophlebitis, and bleeding from the affected veins.
Trophic ulcers most often form on the inner surface of the lower leg and above the ankle. The first signs of developing ulcers are dermatitis: the skin becomes inflamed and itchy. Then single and numerous small painful wounds are formed, from which pus or inflammatory fluid is released in small quantities.
In acute thrombophlebitis, seals appear on the superficial veins, accompanied by pain and redness along the vein. A patient with acute thrombophlebitis has difficulty walking due to discomfort and pain in the legs. A thrombosed vein may rupture. Then there is heavy bleeding, which leads to massive blood loss.
Prevention of varicose veins
To prevent varicose veins in men and women, you should follow the recommendations. The most effective tips and methods:
- always prefer physical activity to immobility, for example instead of the elevator, go up the stairs yourself, if you have to travel 1-2 stops, do not get on transport and walk;
- monitor your weight - being overweight is a provoking factor for varicose veins;
- a sedentary lifestyle is the key to preventing varicose veins. However, physical activity must be reasonable. It is not recommended to do weightlifting, as lifting weights puts a lot of pressure on the legs and leads to blood stasis in them. The best sports for the lower extremities are running, cycling, swimming, aerobics. Choose an activity that involves the lower leg and ankle, such as football or skiing;
- if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, get up from the chair every 40 minutes and do a little warm-up: sit 5-10 times or just walk;
- choose comfortable shoes without high heels, try to walk barefoot as often as possible;
- walking at least 30 minutes a day, at least 3-4 times a week;
- if you have a permanent job, take compression socks and wear them while working. This tones the veins of the lower extremities and the blood does not stagnate in them.
If your legs hurt for no apparent reason, there is fatigue and swelling, and curved blue or purple veins appear on the skin, you may have varicose veins in the lower extremities. Do not delay treatment and consult a doctor for advice and diagnosis.