What are varicose veins and how do they become noticeable? What happens if you don't treat varicose veins and how to prevent them? We talk about the complications of varicose veins, explain in detail why trophic ulcers appear and why compression stockings are needed.
What are varicose veins and how do they become noticeable?
Veins have special valves that prevent blood from flowing through the vessels. But with varicose veins, these valves don't close completely - blood pools in the vein and expands it.
Symptoms of varicose veins in the initial stages:
- The veins on the legs become lighter and more visible;
- Varicose veins begin to appear on the inner surface of the legs and thighs;
- If you stand, sit or walk for a long time, there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, a feeling of fullness (most often in the calves in the evening);
- In places of vein expansion, aching or sharp pains appear in the evening and at night - cramps in the calf muscles;
- The legs are very swollen at the end of the day, but in the morning the swelling goes away.
Important!
Already at this stage it is necessary to consult a doctor.
As the course progresses, varicose veins become chronic (chronic venous insufficiency). Symptoms:
- Strongly tortuous dark blue intradermal veins appear: they protrude above the surface of the legs and feet, they look like clusters of overripe red grapes;
- There are arching pains in the legs and calves, a feeling of heat in the legs, night cramps in the calf muscles, severe swelling;
- The skin becomes dry, pigmentation appears, it darkens, brown spots appear.
Important!
Don't start the disease! With varicose veins, tissue nutrition is disrupted. There is not enough nourishment for the vessels and skin - sores, eczema and even ulcers appear, which heal very poorly.
Treatment of varicose veins
There are two ways to treat varicose veins: conservative and surgical.
- Conservative: compression therapy. Compression underwear squeezes the affected leg - the diameter of the superficial veins decreases, the correct pressure in the vein is restored. The return flow of blood decreases, the walls of the vessels remain in good condition, the valves close, the blood does not stagnate and circulates well, the speed of blood movement through the deep veins increases. The volume of stagnant blood decreases, the outflow of lymph improves.
- In advanced cases, when conservative treatment does not help, the doctor suggests a surgical way: varicose veins are removed, the affected veins are removed. To restore function, shunts are placed or the valve's mobility is restored so that its leaflets close.
Compression knitwear for varicose veins and ulcers
Compression stockings are special stockings that are tight on the lower leg and become looser towards the thigh. This improves circulation and stimulates blood flow from the lower extremities to the heart.
Compression stockings are selected individually, so first consult a phlebologist: you cannot choose stockings yourself.
The phlebologist will examine the tone of the vein in which particular valve has a problem with the valves not closing. The problem can be in the thigh, for example: then you have to wear compression stockings. If there is a problem closing the valve under the knee, socks or stockings are selected.
Important!
For maximum effectiveness, compression stockings should be worn at all times – only removed at bedtime.
How do you put on compression stockings?
- After waking up, put your legs against the wall and lie like that for a while - so that the blood flows to the hips as much as possible;
- Without getting up, put on compression stockings.
In this position (lying down, legs raised), the blood flow is balanced, the blood does not stagnate. If compression stockings are on the legs, the veins are fine, the valves close well and push the blood further through the vessels.
What happens if varicose veins are not treated?
If you do not start treatment for varicose veins on time, life-threatening complications can occur:
thrombophlebitis- Inflammation of the vein due to the formation of blood clots in it. Symptoms:
- redness;
- the place where the thrombus is located becomes hot;
- An inflamed vein is very painful.
If treatment is started on time, the thrombus will stop growing. Blood clots that remain can take a long time to dissolve—sometimes months. If left untreated or done incorrectly, the clot can grow.
pulmonary embolism.The thrombus that occurs in thrombophlebitis detaches from the vessel wall in the leg and escapes with the bloodstream. It clogs the pulmonary artery or its branches - this is fatal. Unfortunately, doctors, even if they suspect this complication in time, cannot do anything about it.
Symptoms:
- chest pain;
- accelerated heartbeat;
- dyspnea;
- unreasonable fear and unreasonable feeling of fear.
Deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. This is a serious and dangerous complication of varicose veins. The internal veins are clogged, as a result of which the outflow of blood almost completely stops - all tissues of the leg are not nourished, and it turns blue.
Venous gangrene of the extremities- severe deep vein thrombosis, in which the limbs are not nourished, arterial blood flow is disturbed. Due to the fact that the blood does not flow, gangrene is formed: the leg actually dies - starting with the fingers.
Trophic Ulcers- long-term non-healing ulcers that appear due to malnutrition of tissues. The lymph stagnates in the lymphatic vessels, they experience a lot of stress and cannot cope with the amount of lymph. Therefore, lymph droplets begin to protrude through the skin. Because of this, the epidermis begins to peel off - an ulcer with jagged dense edges is formed. Any touch causes severe pain.
Bacteria quickly develop in ulcers: infection occurs, a bleeding ulcer begins to fester. This can lead to very serious complications, including blood poisoning.
There are two types of trophic ulcers:
- venous, when the subcutaneous and deep veins of the limb are affected;
- arterial, when the arteries of the legs are affected and the natural nutrition of the limbs is disturbed.
Treatment of trophic ulcers
Trophic ulcers are treated with elastic compression, medication, physical therapy, and surgery.
Treatment of trophic ulcers includes four stages.
The first stage - antiseptics
- Antiseptic solution for wound treatment. It is applied to the surface of a trophic ulcer, if voids have formed under the skin, they are also filled with gel.
- The gel, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, improves microcirculation, reduces redness and swelling of the skin, relieves pain, relieves itching and dandruff, blocks the spread of infection and prevents scarring.
- An aqueous solution of an antiseptic of the halogen group or benzyldimethyl-myristoylamino-propylammonium.
The second stage - gels to soften dead tissue
Dead tissue is necrosis: black, hardened tissue on the surface of the ulcer. If it is not removed, the ulcer will not heal. For this purpose, the necrosis is first softened. This is done with special gels.
The third stage is the creation of an optimal environment for wound healing
Healing is facilitated by creating a moist environment in the wound. If there is no necrosis, use bandages for quick healing. Here are some bandages that will fit:
Alginate Dressings:
- An alginate dressing that turns into a soft gel on contact with wound secretions and provides optimal conditions for moist wound healing;
- A dressing that fills the wound cavity and creates a microenvironment that promotes rapid healing;
- Sponge bandage with hydrogel layer. Its structure absorbs secretions and maintains a moist environment in the wound;
- Alginate sponge dressing consisting of calcium alginate and hydrocolloid;
- Self-absorbable sterile coating based on sodium alginate, which is good for wounds and burns, accelerates healing;
- Hydroactive dressing for deep wounds. Cleans the wound, accelerates wound healing, maintains an optimal environment in the wound for up to three days without changing the bandage.
sponge bandages:
- Double-sided foam bandage. It protects the wound, absorbs wound exudate, creates an optimal water balance in the wound;
- Hydrophilic polyurethane sponge dressing;
- For infected wounds (if there is pus in the wound), a dressing with a complex of enzymes and chitosan is suitable;
- Breathable antimicrobial sponge dressing composed of a polyurethane sponge layer and a silver alginate matrix.
Fourth stage - wound healing
Once the wound has been cleaned and an optimal environment has formed in it, it begins to heal and the edges of the wound shrink. For safe and quick healing, use special bandages.
Mesh ointment bandages:
- An ointment bandage with Peru balsam applied when fresh skin appears on the wound;
- Ointment dressing based on triglycerides, which promotes wound healing and cares for the wound edges;
- The bandage, which looks like a square of wax, is soft and fairly dense. Can remain on the wound for up to seven days;
Foil dressings that can be used to hold dressings on wounds:
- Film (but breathable) water-repellent dressing, protects the wound from microorganisms. It can be used to fix previous dressings and as a standalone dressing.
- Transparent film polyurethane dressing, the skin underneath does not sweat, breathes.
Important!
These dressings are useful not only for healing trophic ulcers, but also for long-healing wounds.
Prevention of varicose veins
- Move as much as possible: the more you move, the better the blood circulates in the veins;
- give up bad habits;
- Contact a phlebologist in a timely manner at the first symptoms of the disease.
- Periodically do an ultrasound of the vessels - the doctor will notice the first changes;
- Come home after a day at work and put your feet against the wall for about 15 minutes.
Prevention of trophic ulcers
- Watch your weight: it puts a strain on your legs, strains the vascular and lymphatic systems. If necessary, follow the diet;
- Walk as often as possible;
- If possible, raise your legs, keep them in an elevated position as often as possible. In the evening you can lie on the sofa and raise your legs and put them against the wall: you need to lie like that for at least 15 minutes;
- Treat the veins of the lower extremities in a timely manner;
- Give up smoking - it significantly reduces blood supply to tissues and contributes to the development of trophic ulcers;
- Take care of your feet: wear appropriate shoes so they don't sting or rub;
- Examine your feet regularly: Check the color of the skin on your feet. If the legs turn blue in the evening and veins are visible on the legs, consult a phlebologist.
- Moisturize the skin with softening, moisturizing and nourishing creams;
- Keep your feet warm, dress appropriately for the weather;
- Try not to hurt the skin.