Varicose veins on the legs - symptoms and treatment

27 May 2022

Varicose veins (VV) is a fairly common condition that affects both men and women. It can affect a person's lower limbs, as well as deep veins, which leads to the development of thrombosis and postthrombophlebitic diseases.

Spider veins that appear on a person's legs due to the development of the disease cause them to feel unattractive. In addition to external, there are also internal manifestations of explosives, which are expressed in the appearance of discomfort and pain in the calf muscles of the leg. The development of the disease increases the risk of other pathologies of the circulatory system.

The key to success in the fight against pathology lies in timely diagnosis and competent treatment. A big mistake of a person is the independent use of various ointments and creams, which in most cases do not bring the desired effect. As a result, time was lost that could have been devoted to correct and effective therapy.

To get rid of varicose veins, you need to solve the following tasks:

elimination of symptoms.
Removal of varicose veins.
Preventing the development and recurrence of VV.

Only a highly qualified specialist with sufficient experience in the treatment and prevention of such pathologies can successfully cope with each of the above tasks.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Symptoms of the disease are signs that clearly indicate its development. They are divided into:

Subjective:
1. Not intense and aching pain in the calf muscles.
2. Burning and itching along veins affected by varicose veins.
3. Heaviness in legs, worse towards the end of the day.
4. hyperpigmentation of the skin.
5. Increased fatigue in the lower extremities.
6. Trophic venous ulcer of the leg.
7. Pain in calf muscles, aggravated by walking.
8. The appearance of edema in the legs and feet.
Objective:
1. Varicose veins, which are clearly visible even without special equipment.
2. Dilated intradermal and saphenous veins are clearly visible.
3. The presence of spider veins.
4. Changes in the structure and color of the skin, the appearance of lipodermatoscoerosis and venous trophic ulcers.

What do veins look like?

The very first alarm signal for the presence of vein problems is the swelling of the lower extremities at the end of the day. Swelling is especially pronounced when a person stands on their feet for most of the day. It can disappear in the morning after a good night's sleep.

However, if you do not pay due attention to this problem, the condition can significantly worsen. Intradermal veins on the legs with varicose veins turn dark blue and protrude above the skin surface of the legs and feet. Outwardly, they look like overripe red grapes. Such external manifestations of the pathology are accompanied by pain in the calves, a feeling of heat in the legs, swelling and spasms in the calf muscles. Over time, these symptoms are accompanied by a change in the appearance of the skin.

Causes of varicose veins of the lower extremities

Lower extremity VV can develop under the influence of a number of factors and circumstances, the main ones being:

Pregnancy. This is a major risk factor for the onset of the disease. This explains the fact that varicose veins are several times more common in women than in men. In this case, the disease develops under the influence of an increase in the volume of circulating blood and compression of the pregnant uterus of the retroperitoneal veins.
Obesity. The association of this condition with the development of VV has been demonstrated by a number of studies. At the same time, a direct connection was established between increased body weight and an increased risk of developing pathology.
A lifestyle characterized by sustained static loading with regular weight lifting or prolonged standing or sitting immobility.
deshormonal states. Their role in the development of the disease has increased significantly in recent years. This is due to the widespread use of hormonal contraceptives, the spread of hormone replacement therapy in osteoporosis and during the pre-menopausal period.
inheritance. The role of this factor in the development of varicose veins on the legs today is not unequivocally confirmed.
Violation of the valvular apparatus of the veins, which causes blood flow under the influence of gravity every time a person gets to his feet. The muscles around the deep veins contract when you walk. These veins are subject to emptying, which increases venous pressure. Blood enters the superficial veins through communicating vessels with inadequate valves. This fills them with blood, causing them to stretch and expand (varicose veins).

Classification and Stages

Like any disease, VV has several stages that differ from each other in the degree of spread of the pathology and symptoms. Below are the following stages:

Initial (or Compensation).
The second (or subcompensation).
Third (or decompensation).

It is worth noting that complications can occur at any of the above stages, but their greatest likelihood lies in the last two. VV can serve as an impetus for the development of diseases such as:

thrombophlebitis.
erysipelas.
Deep vein thrombosis.
Trophic eczema.

A visit to a specialist, carried out at the first signs of the onset of the disease, will help reduce the risk of aggravation of the situation and start removing varicose veins. Do not ignore even minor symptoms, as this can lead to undesirable and extremely negative consequences.

diagnosis

Diagnosis of varicose veins, the symptoms of which are described above, involves solving the following tasks:

Determination of the presence of a pathology in each individual patient. It often happens that people who do not have varicose veins are sure that they have varicose veins and vice versa. However, only an experienced phlebologist, based on an external examination and a series of complex studies, can make an accurate diagnosis.
Determination of the type characteristic of the pathology of the veins. The doctor establishes exactly which veins have suffered a pathological lesion, and also establishes the degree of this lesion and the possible or already occurred consequences.
Prescribing the correct course of treatment. Based on the diagnosis and the characteristics of each specific organism, the attending physician makes a choice in favor of one or another treatment or a set of therapeutic measures.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy carried out by the attending physician during the elimination of the disease or after the patient has fully recovered.

The main methods for diagnosing VV are:

plethysmography.
thermography.
magnetic resonance imaging.
Ultrasound angioscanning.
Computed Tomography.
Clinical studies: talking to the patient, examining him externally and examining him with his hands.
Radionuclide phlebography.
Intravascular Ultrasound.
X-ray venography.

Most often, it is enough for a specialist doctor to conduct a clinical examination and ultrasound angiography to diagnose varicose veins in the legs.

treatment methods

Modern methods of therapy for varicose veins are aimed at reducing the degree of disability and trauma, which contributes to faster recovery of the patient. The main therapeutic methods include:

sclerotherapy. With this method, a special drug is introduced into the lumen of the varicose veins of the legs, which provokes a chemical burn of the inner wall of the vein. This leads to their adhesion and cessation of pathological blood flow through them. It can be used alone or in combination with other manipulations. It is performed without prior anesthesia with skin punctures with a thin needle. The duration depends on the extent of the lesion.
Foam sclerotherapy, in which a specialist creates a foam from a special drug that can use an impressive area of \u200b\u200bthe inner walls of the affected venous vessels. It is used to treat large diameter veins.
Endovenous laser coagulation performed with a laser device on the main trunks of the leg veins, allowing you to stop the pathological flow of blood through the affected veins due to the burning of their inner walls and their subsequent adhesion.
Miniphlebectomy, aimed at removing subcutaneous nodes and tributaries enlarged by varicose veins through punctures of the skin. It has an excellent cosmetic effect and is used alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods under local anesthesia.
Elimination of insufficient perforating veins, performed to prevent venous insufficiency and treat trophic disorders, including ulcers.
Combined phlebectomy, which is a combination of some methods of IV therapy, based on the indications and the nature of the pathologies of the veins.

Complications of varicose veins

It should be understood that improper treatment of the disease or complete refusal can lead to complications. The latter occur not only with cosmetic defects of the lower extremities, but also in more serious forms. Among them:

Trophic eczema that later turns into an ulcer.
Thrombotic lesions of the venous system, including thrombophlebitis of superficial veins and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities.

Venous blood is a kind of "waste" for the tissues of the body and is saturated with substances and metabolic products of cells that are relatively harmful to the human body. Cells of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and bone dump tissue respiration products and other wastes into the venous system, which carries them to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. With functional disorders of the venous system, the content of these products in the body tissues increases.

A vein enlarged by varicose veins leads not only to an increase in the concentration of harmful products in the tissues, but also to an increase in their swelling. Such a violation of the outflow of harmful products in combination with swelling observed for a long time leads to the death of skin and subcutaneous tissue cells and their subsequent replacement with venous eczema, represented by a dense and dotted structure of dark color. The death of the surface layer of the skin is the cause of trophic ulcers.

prevention

Varicose veins on the legs, the treatment of which is carried out using various methods today, can be avoided if preventive measures are observed. Due to the fact that the risk of developing VV is much higher in women, they do not need to ignore the prevention of this disease. But even men should not ignore preventive measures to prevent the development of varicose veins in their legs. Key activities include:

The use of local preparations (gels, ointments, creams) that help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, optimize the functioning of valves, reduce the risk of blood clots, eliminate edema and heal wounds.
The use of stockings, pantyhose, stockings and elastic bandages with a compression effect. This is a great tool in the fight against varicose veins. These products can be purchased in specialized stores after consulting a doctor, which is necessary due to the relative difficulty in independently determining the required type of compression underwear.
Special exercises that are performed daily. They are able to stop the dilatation of the blood vessels that has already started. It should be borne in mind that with a tendency to BB, you should abandon heavy physical exertion, but in no case should you ignore an active lifestyle. Light jogging, swimming, yoga and skiing, for example, contribute to keeping the leg veins healthy.
Preventive pills for varicose veins are considered a more effective way to prevent VV than using local medication. However, the use of any oral drug should be strictly for its intended purpose and under the close supervision of a competent specialist.

To prevent the situation from aggravating, you should abandon self-medication at the first manifestations of the disease and consult a doctor. This will make it possible to make a correct diagnosis in a timely manner and prescribe an adequate treatment that will stop the progression of the disease and reduce to zero the risk of developing other pathologies.

frequently asked Questions

Very often, not only the question of how to treat varicose veins is of interest. Many patients suffering from this disease are interested in what they can and cannot do in order not to aggravate their health condition and provoke other health problems. Below you will find frequently asked questions that interest people with VV.

Can you get vaccinated against the coronavirus if you have varicose veins?

The answer to the question of whether a coronavirus vaccination against varicose veins is allowed is possible. This pathology is not a limitation for vaccination against COVID-19 in the absence of an exacerbation. If a person does not have acute thrombophlebitis, then this is decompensation of varicose veins of the legs, and he is not forbidden to get vaccinated against coronavirus infection.

Is it possible to drink coffee with varicose veins?

Caffeine has the ability to increase blood pressure and heart rate, which are unfavorable factors for fragile, swollen veins damaged by varicose veins. Coffee has the following effects on blood vessels:

Increased stress on the vein walls.
increase in blood pressure.
Short-term venous dilation.

Therefore, with varicose veins, you can drink coffee, but do not exceed the daily dose. A complete refusal of your favorite tonic drink will not lead to the restoration of pathologically affected veins, so you should not torment yourself and do not drink coffee. Just don't drink more than 1-2 cups a day. It is also recommended to dilute coffee with milk.

Is massage allowed?

Complex treatment of varicose veins at an early stage includes massage. However, it has to be done right.

For varicose veins, you can perform a particularly light massage of the lower extremities. It is also indicated for patients with uncomplicated varicose veins.

It is advisable to conduct professional manual massage for patients with varicose veins, but all the features of the course of the disease must be taken into account. Before proceeding with the massage of the area whose veins are affected by varicose veins, a mandatory consultation with a specialist is recommended.

can you warm your feet

When the legs are heated, the veins expand, blood flow increases, and the load on the non-venous walls only increases. This can worsen the already bad condition of varicose veins. For this reason, it is recommended to limit hot baths for patients with varicose veins. It is better to lower the temperature of the water from hot to warm, which will not provoke vasodilation and will not lead to a deterioration in the human condition. It should always be remembered that specialist advice is necessary, whether it is hot baths or vaccinations against varicose veins.

Is walking and crouching allowed?

Experts recommend starting jogging at the first sign of BB development. It is important to ensure that these exercises are systematic. When you run, your blood is saturated with oxygen. Therefore, it is better to give preference to jogging through the forest or park, where the air is always clean.

However, you should adequately assess your skills and endurance and avoid excessive loads, which are contraindicated in varicose veins. It is important to monitor the gradual increase in loads, not exceeding indicators comfortable for the body.

During a run, a person with BB shouldn't feel tired. Running only over a short distance with compression stockings is allowed. If you have thrombophlebitis, you should avoid jogging. The admissibility of running and squatting for pelvic varicose veins should be discussed with your doctor.

What is the best treatment for varicose veins?

There is currently no clear answer to the question of which therapy method is most effective for varicose veins. The fact is that the success of treatment depends on a number of factors, each of which must be evaluated by a qualified medical specialist. Only after that can they make a final decision on the appointment of a specific treatment for BB.