Problems with blood vessels are a fairly common phenomenon and are becoming more and more common in modern society.Nowadays, varicose veins of the extremities are not only diagnosed in older people.The disease affects young people and even children.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins on legs, arms and other parts of the body?It is very important to know the first signs of the disease.The effectiveness of all further treatments depends on a timely diagnosis.
This article is dedicated to the symptoms of varicose veins on the legs and other parts of the body.We will also talk about the causes of diseases and the necessary preventive measures to prevent the development of the pathological process.And of course we also take care of all possible methods for treating varicose veins on the legs, arms or other organs.
It is believed that this disease only affects the limbs of the human body.However, this is not true.Recently, doctors have increasingly been diagnosing varicose veins of the pelvis in women.Pathologies are also found in the veins of the esophagus and other internal organs.How do you recognize and treat such anomalies?Let's find out.
Definition of illness
Before you can find out what disease it is, it is necessary to obtain general information about the structure of the human circulatory system.
As you know, blood circulates in our body through vessels.Arteries are vessels through which blood flows from the heart to various organs and tissues.Veins are also vessels, but blood flows through them in the opposite direction - from organs and tissues to the heart.
To ensure that this process occurs in the right direction, there are one-way valves in each vein.They ensure the necessary blood circulation in the right direction.What else can be achieved with such valves?Blood does not collect in one place, but circulates and enriches the body.
Varicose veins are characterized by damage to the intravascular valves or even their complete absence.As a result, the general blood flow is disrupted and it accumulates in the place where the pathology is detected.This causes the veins to increase in volume and expand abnormally.
There are different types of veins in our body - superficial (located immediately under the skin), deep (hidden deep in muscle tissue) and communicating (connecting the first two types).
Varicose veins are most often diagnosed in superficial veins, for example on the legs in the knees, calves or thighs.However, the disease can also affect vessels in the pelvic or rectal area.
Lower limbs
First, let's pay attention to varicose veins of the lower extremities.Externally, the disease manifests itself in the form of purple, blue or bluish-green veins under the skin that curl and protrude outward.Similar appearances can be seen in the photo below.
Causes of varicose veins in the legs
The main cause of the disease, as mentioned above, is the pathological processes occurring in the blood vessels themselves.What could trigger such changes?
One of the main triggers of the disease is a hereditary predisposition to vein deformation.Excessive strain on the legs can also have a negative effect on the blood vessels, for example if a person constantly stands or walks due to their professional activity.It is not surprising that teachers, athletes and hairdressers are predisposed to this disease.
Other negative factors that affect the elasticity of blood vessels include obesity, hormonal changes and cardiovascular diseases (e.g. thrombosis).
Do not forget about bad habits that have a negative effect not only on the veins, but on the entire body.It is clear that smoking and alcohol abuse can certainly provoke the development of a pathological process in the blood vessels.
Often the development of the disease can be triggered by pregnancy, which puts a lot of stress and strain on the woman's entire body.In addition, carrying a baby affects the hormonal background of the expectant mother, which can also lead to pathological processes in the circulatory system.However, it should be borne in mind that pregnancy itself is not the cause of varicose veins.Carrying a fetus can be the reason or one of the reasons for the manifestation of the disease.
It's no secret that the disease is most often diagnosed in women, and this is not always associated with pregnancy or hormonal changes.Wearing uncomfortable shoes (too narrow or with very high heels) is another main cause of the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities.
An important factor in the development of abnormal dilation of blood vessels can be various damage to the veins.These can include injuries or inflammatory processes in the vessels as well as the formation of blood clots.
How can the disease be detected early so that treatment can begin in a timely and high-quality manner?Let's find out.
Details about the symptoms
The very first sign of a problem is pain in the legs, in the place where the valve disorder occurred.It is also very important to pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities, as if the leg was heavy.This feeling is an important signal of vascular deformation.
Abnormal bulging of the veins is another sign of the development of pathology.Dark purple veins appear under the skin, rippling and swelling.
The skin in the area of the affected vessel becomes dry, may peel and darken, itches and itches.At the site of development of the pathological process, edema forms, the skin swells or swells.
If you do not pay attention to these symptoms in time, the symptoms may worsen.Cramps occur and open ulcers form in the area of the varicose veins, which can bleed and cause pain.There is a possibility of infection in wounds, so you should see a doctor as soon as possible so as not to complicate the already difficult situation.
Identification of the disease
What will they say in the hospital?Most likely, a specialist will refer you for the necessary tests to diagnose the disease and rule out other possible diseases.
The most important diagnostic step is the physical examination of the patient.The patient is asked to stand, sit and swing their legs.A diagnosis is made on the basis of an external examination.
After that, the doctor may recommend a Doppler ultrasound scan, which can examine blood flow and detect a blood clot, if present.
An angiogram can also be prescribed by a specialist.During this study, a certain dye is injected into the vein, as a result of which the structure of the vessels and their pathological changes are clearly visible on the X-ray.
General principles of recovery
Is it possible to cure varicose veins at home?Yes, especially in the early stages of the disease.
The first thing the doctor will advise you to do is adjust your weight and diet program.That is, if a patient has extra pounds, he should follow a special diet to normalize his body weight.If the patient's weight is normal, he still needs to pay attention to his diet and avoid fatty and salty foods, which have a negative effect on blood vessels and can also provoke obesity.
In addition, a therapeutic diet may include avoiding strong coffee (and sometimes even tea), smoked foods and canned foods.Alcoholic drinks are also a 100% contraindication for people with varicose veins.It is very important to eat more vegetables and fruits (including freshly squeezed juices), grains and soybeans.And of course, don't forget the green.Parsley, dill and lettuce will help you cope with any illness!
Your doctor may also prescribe you to wear compression clothing such as stockings or even pantyhose.
Many men may have concerns about such an unusual treatment for varicose veins in the legs.However, you should not get involved in this problem.Compression garments are a widely used method for treating vascular diseases of the lower extremities.Its judicious use not only relieves unpleasant symptoms and pain, but also helps prevent the progression of the disease.In some cases, such a garment is recommended to the patient for permanent use throughout his life.Very often, pregnant women are prescribed compression stockings to alleviate their condition during pregnancy when the body cannot be helped in other ways.
The essence of this therapeutic underwear is that it compresses the leg in the ankle area, gradually weakening the effect on the skin on the leg.This stimulates proper blood circulation to the heart.
Today there are various compression stockings and tights on sale, which differ not only in size but also in the degree of compression (pressure applied to the leg).
Another way to treat varicose veins is to prescribe special exercises for the legs.The specialist recommends the patient certain exercises that help normalize blood circulation in the extremities.
Let's move on to drug treatment
To combat the disease, special ointments and oral medications can be prescribed, the purpose of which is to thin the blood and improve its circulation.In addition, such drugs can strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Most often, doctors prescribe phlebotonics (or venotonic drugs).They improve lymphatic drainage, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, give them elasticity and reduce capillary permeability.
The patient may also be prescribed antiplatelet drugs, which dissolve blood clots and improve blood flow by inhibiting platelet aggregation and suppressing their adhesion.
During an exacerbation of the disease, it is very important to take medications that prevent blood clotting.For this purpose, the attending physician may prescribe medications based on heparin or its derivatives.
According to experts, it is best to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
And of course we can't forget the ointments.Local drugs are offered in large quantities on the pharmacological market.
More radical treatments
The methods described above do not always lead to the desired result.
In such cases, your doctor may recommend non-invasive treatment options.What do they contain?Let's discuss each method.
Laser treatment
One of the most gentle methods of treating varicose veins is the application of a laser to the surface of the epidermis.A small flash of light that illuminates the vein walls promotes the development of sclerosis, causing the affected vein to disappear as if it had been removed.
Intravenous laser photocoagulation is another procedure used to treat varicose veins.However, a small incision is made at a point just above or just below the affected vein.A catheter is then inserted into the vessel and ultrasound is sent.The laser effect lasts about a minute, after which the patient feels a heat in the area of the affected vein, which disappears after a certain time and becomes part of the connective tissue.
Since the patient receives local anesthesia before the procedure, he feels absolutely nothing.After the manipulation, there may be a feeling of heaviness in the lower extremities and bruising.However, this does not affect the recovery phase.The patient can go to work and carry out their usual activities the next day.
Radio frequencies
In addition to the laser, the ablation method can also be used, which is carried out almost analogously to the laser coagulation described above.The only difference is the equipment used.Instead of a laser, the specialist uses radiofrequency energy that enters the affected vessel via a catheter, heating it until the walls of the vein collapse and it closes.The blood is then directed in a different direction - into a healthy vessel.
Surgical intervention
The affected vessel is completely or partially removed.Surgery for varicose veins is only prescribed as a last resort when other treatment methods have failed.To combat varicose veins, surgeons use various surgical techniques.Some of them are listed below:
- Crossectomy.
- Vein extraction.
- Miniphlebectomy.
- Endoscopy.
The essence of these manipulations boils down to the following: small incisions are made on the leg in several places (most often below and above the affected area), after which a flexible thin wire is inserted into the vessel, which removes the diseased vein.These operations are performed quite frequently and are almost always without complications, although they do involve certain risks and inconveniences.
For example, such surgical procedures are performed under anesthesia (general or spinal anesthesia).The use of anesthesia can cause allergic reactions to the medications used, bleeding, and breathing problems.
Other negative factors that may occur after surgery include the possibility of infection, bruising and swelling in the affected area, nerve damage, irritation of the veins, or the formation of blood clots in the vessels.We should also not forget that surgical intervention is not a guarantee that relapse will not occur in the future.
The postoperative period does not last long.Within one to two days, the patient can begin their daily tasks.He is recommended to wear compression garments for a week.
Sclerotherapy
This is one of the treatment methods for varicose veins that should also be paid attention to and can be carried out directly in the doctor's office without hospitalization.During the manipulation, a special chemical solution is injected into the diseased vein, which has an irritating effect, causing the vein to thicken and close.The blood then circulates through healthy vessels.
This procedure is applicable when a small vein in the knee area is affected.Sclerotherapy is usually combined with other methods to treat varicose veins.
Various medications are used as chemical solutions.After the procedure, the patient must wear compression bandages soaked in a sclerotherapy agent.The duration of wear is determined individually by the treating doctor.
The side effects of such injections include the following negative manifestations:
- The appearance of blood clots in other vessels of the lower extremities.
- Headache.
- Painful sensations in the lower back.
- Temporary visual impairment.
- fainting.
- Irritation of the epidermis around the injection site.
Nevertheless, most patients tolerate sclerotherapy well.If contraindications are taken into account and the manipulation is carried out correctly, a positive result in the treatment of varicose veins is guaranteed.
First aid kit for people
Is it possible to cure an illness with alternative medicine?In some cases – yes, especially when it comes to the primary manifestations of the disease and treatment is carried out using grandmother's methods with the consent of the attending physician.
So what components should you stock up on to start effectively treating pathology?First of all, let's take apple cider vinegar.Mix two teaspoons of the product in a glass of water, add a little honey and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach.
Apple cider vinegar can also be used topically in the form of rubs after dissolving it in water (1 to 10 ratio).Rub the affected area gently at night - the unpleasant symptoms should subside in the morning.
Chestnut tincture is very often used against varicose veins.To do this, collect beautiful and intact fruits and grind them through a meat grinder.Then fifty grams of raw material is poured into a half-liter bottle of vodka and left in a dark place for two weeks.After that, the tincture is filtered and taken orally, thirty to forty drops per tablespoon of water, three or four times a day half an hour before meals.The duration of such treatment is one month.Then take a two-week break and repeat the treatment again if necessary.
This tincture can also be rubbed into the affected area at night.
An ancient method of eliminating varicose veins is the use of leeches.How much hirudotherapy is necessary in each individual case is left to the patient and his doctor.
Therefore, we have paid enough attention to varicose veins of the lower extremities.Now let's talk about other types of diseases.
Pelvic vessels
This pathology can very easily be confused with gynecological complaints in women.
Varicose veins in the pelvic area can be viewed as hormonal disorders, diseases of the genitourinary system, or even ordinary radiculitis.However, it is very important to detect the disease as early as possible.Varicose veins in the pelvic area in women can lead to dysfunction of the ovaries and the entire circulatory system.
What are the causes of this intimate suffering?
Disease provocateurs
The main reasons for the development of the disease include a difficult pregnancy, regular intense physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle, some gynecological diseases, long-term use of hormonal drugs, dissatisfaction with sexual life and so on.Most often, varicose veins of the pelvic veins occur against the background of an increased amount of estrogen.And of course, do not forget that excess weight and bad habits do not improve the situation, but only worsen it.
How do you recognize such a disease?
This important symptom
Initially, varicose veins in the pelvic area are manifested by pain of varying intensity, which worsens after or during sexual intercourse, physical activity or prolonged stay in the same position.The disease is also characterized by bleeding, frequent urination, accompanied by pain, swelling, redness of the vulva or perineum, burning or itching in this area.
A few words about treatment
How to eliminate pathological expansion of the pelvic veins?First of all, you should contact a specialist.He may recommend wearing compression clothing and special gymnastics (these are well-known exercises performed in the supine position - “birch”, “scissors” and “bicycle”).
Among folk methods, decoctions of dandelion or chaga root, as well as chestnut tinctures, have proven to be the most effective.
What can be said about another type of varicose veins – the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract?
Digestive organs
Varicose veins of the esophagus are not considered a very common disease;Most often the disease is a concomitant symptom of a more serious illness.
Why does such a pathology occur and how to determine it?
Briefly about the causes and symptoms
The main causes of enlargement of the esophageal veins are congestion in the liver vessels caused by thrombosis or cirrhosis.This pathology is most often diagnosed in men, as well as in patients with serious chronic diseases, especially in patients over fifty years old.How do you recognize the disease?
Varicose veins of the esophagus are usually asymptomatic and manifest themselves in rare attacks of heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, difficulty swallowing and belching.Sometimes patients may have external signs of a pathological process – protrusion of blood vessels and veins on the front wall of the abdomen (abdominal cavity).
Most often, the disease is diagnosed during a crisis, that is, when the wall of a vein ruptures and bleeding occurs.In most cases, bleeding is accompanied by vomiting (with blood), low blood pressure, general weakness, increased heart rate, and bloody discharge (or impurities) in the stool.
If such symptoms appear, you should definitely take a blood test and an X-ray (with the introduction of special contrast solutions).
Treatment of esophageal pathology
Most often, treatment of this disease is carried out in the intensive care unit.If there is bleeding, the first task of doctors is to get rid of it.For this purpose, astringents, colloidal solutions and hemostatic agents can be used.In some cases, doctors recommend a transfusion of blood or its main components (or blood substitutes).
If the methods listed above do not bring results, it may be advisable for specialists to perform surgery or sclerosis of the esophagus.After recovery, the patient must follow a fairly strict diet for the rest of his life.Proper nutrition includes sharing meals, avoiding fatty, smoked, salty and fried foods, excluding hot or too cold foods, etc.
prevention
It is known that the disease is easier to prevent than to treat.What measures should be taken to prevent the occurrence of a pathological process in the veins?
First of all – a healthy lifestyle!A sensible diet, moderate physical activity, giving up bad habits, wearing comfortable shoes and clothes - all this will help not only improve your well-being, but also avoid many serious diseases.Good health to you!