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Varicose veins: causes

Varicose veins is one of the oldest diseases of mankind, there are references to this disease in the works of Hippocrates, Avicenna and other founders of medicine. Dilation of the venous pathways can occur in various parts of the body and organs with wide veins. The most common site is the legs, although it can also form on the stomach, testicles, and esophagus. To examine the origin of the disease, let's first consider the causes of varicose veins.

General information on varicose veins of the lower extremities

Varicose veins are caused by irreversible pathological expansion of the veins.The problem is caused by changes in the function of the valves responsible for blood circulation in the body, mainly in the lower extremities.

The normal functioning of the valves implies the movement of blood back into the structure at the moment of relaxation or contraction of muscle fibers. The disease is characterized by the fact that the valves no longer close, the blood flow decreases, i. e. the veins expand.

In varicose veins, the walls of the blood vessels become thinner and weaker. The main problem is the lack of reversibility of the process, that is, even after blood circulation is restored, the walls do not return to their original position.

The disease is given special attention due to its widespread distribution, with 1 in 10 men and 1 in 3 women aged 30 to 40 suffering from varicose veins. The highest prevalence of the disease in Europe - up to 40% of the population, the lowest in Asia and Africa - about 0. 1%.

The main causes of varicose veins in men and women

varicose veins on the legs

The causes of the development of the disease are very diverse and incoherent at first glance, but these causes have been confirmed by research and are considered reliable. There are 6 main criteria for predisposition to varicose veins, which we will consider in detail.

There are also other, less important reasons:

  1. Reduced immunity;
  2. injuries to organs or lower extremities;
  3. Gender plays a fairly important role, as statistics show - women are three times more likely to get sick.

hereditary predisposition

Varicose veins are a genetic disease

The causes of varicose veins should be looked at from genetics as this cause occurs in one third of all patients.If the family has relatives susceptible to the disease, the risk of its manifestation in the offspring increases to 70%.The reason lies not so much in a family disease, but in pathological changes in the structure of blood vessels embedded in genes. Usually observed:

  • Inadequate valves, malfunctions in their work;
  • Connective tissue is present in the walls of the veins, it is likely that it is underdeveloped.

Because of this, the disease can be found not only in adults, but also in young girls and boys, as well as children. In men, genetic predisposition causes the disease much less often.

hormones

There are many reasons for the development of varicose veins, but despite all the variety, hormonal imbalance plays a large part.The causes of varicose veins in the legs in women are mainly manifested when:

  1. pregnancy, childbirth;
  2. During menstruation or failures;
  3. climacteric stage;
  4. The use of drugs that affect the hormonal background of the body, especially in case of overdose.

In men, testosterone is considered a sex hormone, in women progesterone, the latter tends to negatively affect the walls of blood vessels and provoke a lack of collagen. Ultimately, resilience and elasticity decrease and the risk of varicose veins increases many times over.

inflammatory processes

Important prerequisites for the disease are inflammation, especially in the organs located in the pelvis.Even when the inflammatory process touches small veins, increased pressure is created on a broad scale. At connections between arteries and veins, increased pressure occurs, which can disrupt the function of the valves. The veins expand due to the high pressure, the valves cannot hold back the backflow, which leads to the formation of knots.

Annoy

The tone in the vessels is controlled by nerve endings. With negative effects on the nervous system from external factors, the psycho-emotional state, the nerve center may not be able to fully adjust the valves. Subsequently, the tone decreases and the volume of the vessels increases.

Sedentary lifestyle

It is this cause of varicose veins that is becoming more and more common, some call it "computer". Muscle fibers contract and provoke the release of blood upwards, which is important for normal blood circulation. This does not happen when sitting, the metabolic rate dropsor the vessels dilate. A sitting position also provokes a blockage of some veins.

When sitting, a person is in a slightly bent position, which causes high pressure in the abdominal region. From there, blood flows with great pressure into the legs and the function of the valves is irregular. Especially with constipation, coughing, sneezing.

Physical activity

Heavy loads cause varicose veins

Heavy loads on the physical plane lead to an increase in pressure in the vessels.Most often the problem lies not in hard work, but in static loads, although the transfer of heavy loads often causes varicose veins.The main reasons are:

  1. overweight;
  2. pregnancy and childbirth;
  3. exercise with weights;
  4. Prolonged standing.

treatment

Varicose veins in the legs should be treated in a timely manner, then it is possible to reduce the risk of the situation aggravating and minimize the manifestations of the disease as much as possible.Treatment at the initial stage is carried out through the use of local drugs, after which, in the absence of therapy, surgical intervention may be required.

The causes of varicose veins of the legs and their elimination are considered comprehensively, based on the type of occurrence and the stage of development of the disease. You can determine the best treatment option with the help of a specialist who will identify suitable options, but there are no special contraindications to drugs.

creams and ointments

The advantage of using the cream is that it is easy to use and has an effect only on the affected part of the body, and not on the entire body. Ointments help eliminate pain, normalize muscle condition and prevent degenerative processes in the bloodstream.

The causes of varicose veins in women are often hormonal in nature, while the cream acts locally from the outside, so it is possible to achieve:

  1. Proper nutrition of the skin makes it more beautiful and healthier in appearance;
  2. Creating obstacles in the development of trophic formations, deviations in metabolism;
  3. Venous disease stops progressing when blood circulation becomes normal;
  4. If varicose veins are accompanied by swelling, creams can get rid of them.

medication

preparations for the treatment of varicose veins

Most often, the causes of varicose veins on the legs are internal, so you need to treat them from the inside or in a complex way.

Drugs appear in different types of effects on the course of the disease, mainly the following groups are distinguished:

  1. Phlebotonics - the main effect is to return the tone to the walls of blood vessels. It is considered the main group of prescribed drugs;
  2. anticoagulants - prevent congestion in the blood;
  3. decongestants;
  4. Disaggregants - reduce the blood's ability to form blood clots.

surgery

Surgery to remove varicose veins

Varicose veins on the legs and other parts of the body have a variety of causes, but regardless of these, the disease tends to progress. There are certain facets, if the disease has spread beyond that, then conservative treatment rarely has a positive effect. In extreme cases, you will have to resort to surgical intervention.

Today, there are various surgical methods: laser, radiofrequency, miniphlebectomy, etc. By and large, it is possible to easily restore leg health or prevent the development of foot diseases.

classification

The causes of varicose veins are different, and the form of the disease is correspondingly different. It is generally accepted to distinguish several forms and 4 degrees of the disease:

  1. Descending form - the spread of the disease begins from above, gradually descending along the femoral vein, starting from the mouth;
  2. Ascending form – if symptoms first start in the foot and gradually move up, the cause is problems with the valves.

The severity of the disease is conditionally divided into 4 categories:

  • 0 - the disease is at a stage when the diagnosis does not determine the pathology;
  • I - a slight swelling appears, it may feel like the legs are heavy or "spider veins";
  • II - increased edema, especially in the evening, the skin becomes somewhat discolored, eczema;
  • III - trophic ulcers, they cannot be regenerated.

danger and complications

Varicose veins on a man's leg complicated by trophic ulcers

The causes of varicose veins can be individual, which cannot be completely cured, but therapy should still be carried out.. The main risk of the disease is complications from varicose veins.Dangerous side effects:

  1. trophic ulcers;
  2. Inflammations, especially of the erysipelas type;
  3. Thrombophlebitis - increases the risk of blood clots.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Symptoms of the disease sometimes appear, sometimes they weaken a little, but in any case it is necessary to treat varicose veins, without waiting for acute manifestations. You can recognize the disease by the characteristic symptoms:

  1. Heaviness in the legs, increased tiredness, especially often in the evenings;
  2. The color of the veins becomes bluish and they bulge a little. A characteristic manifestation when, when the limb is raised, everything returns to normal;
  3. Small nodules or conglomerates may appear over time;
  4. Swelling in the area of the feet, ankles, shins, the legs seem to burst, cramps often appear;
  5. As the disease progresses, dry skin is observed, and dark-colored seals also form;
  6. Trophic Ulcers.

At what stage should you see a doctor?

The phlebologist deals with the treatment of varicose veins

Treatment of female or male varicose veins should be started as soon as possible.Usually the patient does not attach great importance to the primary manifestations, but they should not be ignored.

You need to contact a phlebologist immediately, having identified the main symptoms of the disease - feelings of fatigue and increased heaviness of the legs, as well as changes in skin color, puffiness, etc. To determine the cause of the disease, they often turn to other specialists: a family doctor, a gynecologist and a neurologist.

diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis can only be made on the basis of a comprehensive diagnosis:

  1. Complete blood count - checks the degree of blood clotting and the presence of inflammation;
  2. Ultrasound examination - detects the affected vessels;
  3. Rheovasography - determination of the level of tissue nutrition to determine the stage of varicose veins;
  4. Phlebography - a contrast agent is used to study the patency of the veins;
  5. Physiological tests - the function of the valves is checked.

Forecasts and preventive measures

A timely visit to the doctor will help eliminate the symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins are among the irreversible processes, so full recovery is almost impossible to achieve.With a timely visit to the doctor, correct diagnosis, preventive measures and treatment, it is quite possible to get rid of the symptoms.

Prevention is quite normal:

  1. Healthy lifestyle;
  2. Healthy eating;
  3. elimination of bad habits;
  4. When staying in one position for a long time, don't cross your legs;
  5. perform exercises, warm up;
  6. Regularly use the services of a masseur;
  7. Wear comfortable clothing as often as possible.

Many no longer pay due attention to the disease, although such carelessness can cost the health of the whole organism. In order to prevent the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to follow the doctor's recommendations at all stages and carry out preventive measures.