Varicose veins on the legs: symptoms and treatment

Varicosis is a systemic disease that can affect the vessels in every part of the body. Its essence is the functional disorder of the valves that control the direction of bleeding. For this reason, there is an accumulation of excessive fluid volume in the veins, under whose influence the walls stretch and lose their elasticity.

In most cases, medical publications focus on the symptoms and the treatment of varicose veins on the legs, since this variety of the disease is considered the most common: According to statistics, more than 80% of all cases of varicose veins are precisely on the lower limbs. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of varicose veins is a surprise in most patients, and proof is carried out in later stages. All of this indicates an inadequate awareness of the people for the dangers that wear varicose veins.

Characteristics, causes and mechanism of developing varicose veins

The main feature of varicose veins of the legs is its vastness. Changes are subject to superficial and deep veins with a large length. Since there is a fairly large and long load on the feet, the valves in the circulatory system can weaken in childhood. Therefore, the detection of varicose veins on the legs often occurs in young people and girls.

It is the lower extremities that are characterized by such a phenomenon as hidden varicose veins: Against the background of pronounced changes in veins and unpleasant symptoms, there are no visible signs of the disease. Therefore, the disease in advanced stages is determined in about a third of all cases.

In order to carry out an effective treatment of cramp nodes on the legs, the doctor must find out the causes of his occurrence. Since even when using radical methods in 80% of the patients, a relapse of the varicose veins occurs, special attention must be paid to the reduction of the effects of the processes of factors that provoke varicose veins. This includes:

• The hereditary disposition is an actually uncontrolled factor that can still prevent standard measures.
• Physical influences - an increased load on the legs (long -standing and sitting, the habit of crossing the legs, excess weight, lifting weight);
• Physiological effects - hormonal changes and hormonal medicines (mostly contraceptive), metabolic disorders, lack of physical activity;
• Pathological causes are chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys, injuries and systematic tractors of soft tissue of the lower extremities, tumors that press the veins in the abdominal cavity.

Depending on the location of the veins, the doctors distinguish different types of varicose veins on the legs:

1. Surface. It is expressed by the appearance of a bluish or red cramp on the legs, which first resembles a network, and then the plexus rather thick winding lines.
2. Deep. It is expressed by a defeat that is not visible during the external examination of the vascular plexus. Pain in the veins of the lower extremities with a cramp extension of this type are more intense, a higher risk of complications.
3. Combined when depth and superficial veins change.

The establishment of the causes of varicose veins and its elimination is in close relationship. First, it is important to rule out factors that have the greatest negative impact on the status of the veins.

When diagnosing venous changes, it is important to distinguish them with other diseases. For example, varicose veins under the knee look just like Becker Cysten and is accompanied by similar symptoms.

Level

The appearance of the first signs of varicose veins on the legs occurs in the progressive phases when the venous valves perform their functions by less than 50%. In the first or zero stage of the varicose veins, which is known as the "stage of compensation", there are no complaints and visible changes. The evidence of the initial stage of the varicose veins on the legs is carried out with a careful examination of the limbs by a phlebologist.

In the second stage of varicose veins, which is referred to as "sub -compensation", the changes are expressed quite well:

• The outlines of large veins are visible under the skin, but cannot protrude above the skin surface.
• On the surface of the skin on the hips and under the knees, a pattern of thin varicose grid made of blue or red capillaries is clearly visible.
• In the evening the legs are swollen;
• The calf muscles are tight at night.

This stage of varicose veins of the lower extremities differs in increasing symptoms that weaken after calm.

In the last stage of the varicose veins, decompensation occurs: the body cannot fill up with the needs of tissues in oxygen, and the valves in the veins by 90% lose their functions. The condition of the limbs deteriorates due to inadequate blood supply. This stage of the varicose veins is characterized by a decrease in regeneration. The abundance of complications worsens the general condition of the patient. The symptoms in the final stage of varicose veins are constantly preserved.

Symptoms

The most common and earliest symptom for varicose veins is the pain in the legs at the end of the working day. It appears with a change in the deep and superficial vessels and is a signal for insufficiently good blood supply to the soft tissue. In some cases, pain is the only symptom of varicose veins of the deep veins of the lower extremities. With a change in the surface vessels, the occurrence of varicose veins on the legs, which often only creates aesthetic inconvenience, signals the development of the disease.

The type of pain with varicose veins in different stages of the development of the disease can vary:

• In the initial phase there is little discomfort that resembles ordinary tiredness.
• With the progress of the second stage, a burning feeling appears in the legs made of varicose veins, which are often located under the knee.
• Pulling pain with varicose veins of the lower extremities is accompanied by 2 and 3 stages of illness, together with this a cramp of the calf muscle can occur.
• Acute pain that provokes chrome occurs in the last stages of the disease.

In addition to obvious physical complaints, the disease is accompanied by external changes. Most patients complain that their legs scratch with varicose veins - this is seen as a normal phenomenon that indicates ischemic processes. A thin varicose grid, which practically does not bother in the first stages, protrude more over time and turns into a thick interweaving of thickened vessels. Any physical activity, including coughing, sneezing or long walking, can lead to a break of enlarged capillaries and sometimes a break. The blood is poured under the skin and forms hematomas.

The presence of bruises on the legs with varicose veins shows a stable progress of the disease, an excessive stretch and thinning of the veins.

The appearance of red spots on the legs with varicose veins, peeling the skin, thinning and exposure to injuries indicates atrophic processes that are characteristic of the final stages of the disease. The complications are displayed by the redness of the lower leg accompanied by acute pain and lameness. Such a symptom is characteristic of phlebitis and thrombophlebitis. When the patient is blackened by the leg, this indicates a serious blocking of the veins and the beginning of necrotic processes.

Diagnosis

The lightness of the diagnosis of varicose veins on the legs is exaggerated because the vessels do not always come to the surface. In order to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor must carry out an external examination and carry out a number of instrumental research:

• Duplex scanning or ultrasound on the lower limb - for varicose veins is first used to determine the degree of stretching of the vascular walls, the type of blood flow in them and capture blood clots.
• Radiography of the limbs with contrast - the standard of functional examination for varicose veins of the lower extremities, with which you can determine the continuousness of blood vessels.
• The MRI is the gold standard of modern diagnosis of varicose veins in the lower extremities, with which they evaluate the functionality of the venous flaps, identify ischemia locations in soft tissues, blood clots and other pathological changes that arise against the background of the varzos veins.

In order to clarify the full image of the disease, laboratory studies are prescribed: a coagulogram for evaluating the risk of thrombosis, a general and biochemical blood test.

Features of treatment

The treatment of varicose veins on the legs is involved in a phlebologist. After the doctor has determined the degree of pathological changes, he believes that he selects the most effective therapy methods. Unfortunately, it will not work to get rid of the varicose veins on the legs forever, since the disease is systematic and even modern treatment methods achieve a long -term but not 100% stable result.

According to statistics, even after using radical methods for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities, 80% of patients occur a relapse for 5 years.

In the early stages of varicose veins on the legs, treatment is preferably conservative. Its basis is the use of local and systemic drugs:

• Anticoagulants that reduce blood viscosity and improve tissue nutrition;
• Anti -actor who reduce the risk of thrombosis and improve the tissue tropha;
• Venotonics to prevent further stretching of the veins, reduce inflammatory processes and swelling.

With pronounced discomfort for varicose veins on the legs, NSAIDS are prescribed. The preparations of this group help to reduce the pain and prevent the development of complications.

What to do if itching for seizures does not sleep, do familiar things and make them nervous? It is worth trying out ointments or gels with a cooling effect. They do not affect the veins and do not help to cope with the disease, but quickly relieve the symptom.

In addition to conservative therapy, doctors often use the methods of complex treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities if minimally invasive and surgical operations are used at the same time as medical effects. Such a scheme is used for intensive symptoms and a comprehensive spread of venous networks. A phlebologist decides what measures take and what to do when varicose veins suddenly progress on the legs. At the same time, it takes into account all aspects of the development of the disease, the individual characteristics of the body and the health problems that can become certain procedures.

Which methods are used to remove pathological vessels:

1. Laser coagulation. It is used when the varicose veins are not switched to 2 and 3 levels, ie in the presence of small "stars" on the skin surface. The method is painless and effective, but expensive. There is no 100% guarantee for remedies because the elimination of visible vessels occurs while the causes of the disease are preserved. Apply in the early stages to remove cosmetic defects.
2. Sclerotherapy. In thin and medium thickness, the vessels are inserted by a sclerosant that stretches the lumen of the veins, except for it from the blood flow system. The procedure is practically painless and relatively inexpensive, but has many contraindications. It is used at 1, 2 and sometimes 3 levels.
3. The flagectomy is a classic excision of pathological veins through punctures or cuts on the skin. This method eliminates surface volf veins on the hips and lower legs. Visible scars remain after the operation, but the operation is the only effective with advanced forms of varicose veins.

By carrying out surgical or minimally invasive intervention, this does not mean removing varicose veins. The patient has to visit a phlebologist regularly, take medication in order to maintain the Venentonus and to wear compression life.

Contraindications

Experts lead to contraindications for varicose veins on the legs, which can lead to additional stagnation in the vessels of the lower extremities. This includes:

• long stay in static poses;
• Weightlifting;
• Sit with bend or cross your legs.

In addition, patients should avoid taking alcohol, which helps to increase blood viscosity and weaken the walls of blood vessels. Smoking can have a negative impact on the course of the disease. After the diagnosis, it is therefore necessary to give up bad habits.

Complications

Thrombosis and inflammatory processes in the walls of the veins mentioned earlier are by far the only thing the veins on the legs are dangerous for the patient in relation to complications. Due to circulatory diseases, not only blood vessels suffer, but also soft parts from the consequences of varicose veins on the legs, muscles and skin are mentioned:

• Dermatitis, accompanied by itching outlets, skin ulcers, itching;
• Eczema, accompanied by the skin tear;
• necrotic changes in the skin up to the formation of gangrene;
• Trophic ulcers;
• Muscle atrophy.

Often, with the progress of the disease and the excessive stretching of the walls of blood vessels, the patient exists that the patient bones bleeding from varicose veins of the lower extremities. It can be closed when blood accumulates in the muscles and under the skin and forms hematoma or is open. The second option is affected with a large amount of blood and the coming of a coma, especially if the patient takes anti -agents and anticoagulants.

This complication of varicose veins of the veins of the lower extremities can not only lead to injuries, but also to a slight physical exertion, for example cough or sharp movement.

The most dangerous complications of the lower extremity varicose veins are the lung artery ththromboembolism and myocardial infarction. They occur due to the breakdown of the blood clot in the thigh artery and their migration according to the blood flow system in coronary and lung vessels. The mortality rate in such processes is extremely high. It is therefore important that the patient always follows the well and urgently sees a doctor with breast pain and blunt pain.