Varicose veins are a disease of the subcutaneous veins, which is expressed in their excessive expansion and stretching, the elasticity of the veins is lost, the blood circulation process is disrupted. Swollen varicose veins usually appear in the legs.
Varicose veins are considered a cosmetic problem, but if left untreated, they can lead to complications. The main ones are trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis, which develop in 70% of patients with varicose veins.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Signs that declare themselves already in the initial stages:
- legs get tired quickly;
- burning and heaviness in the legs;
- small swellings appear;
- there is pain in the veins;
- there are cramps in the calves.
Another characteristic sign of varicose veins is the localization of pain in the calves, which appears in the evening and disappears in the morning. The pain is not sharp, the sensations are moderate, pulling.
In the first stages, enlarged veins cannot be seen, but varicose veins are already developing. Sometimes it takes decades. Gradually, the symptoms are more and more disturbing, signs of venous insufficiency appear:
- swelling of the legs - in patients (more often it is women who suffer from varicose veins), chronic vein disease is usually accompanied by an increase in the volume of the lower leg. At the same time, edema, as well as pain and heaviness, are observed in the afternoon and subside after sleep. Leg edema is not typical for the mentioned pathology, it is a symptom of lymphatic edema;
- itching of the skin;
- knots, twists, which are visible to the naked eye;
- darkening, thickening of the skin, the appearance of a bluish color.
As the venous disease progresses, the symptoms intensify. There is a deterioration in the appearance of the skin of the legs, eczema and trophic ulcers appear.
Causes of varicose veins
The cause of varicose veins is the insufficiency of the venous valves of the legs, due to which the blood flow worsens. The venous network in the leg consists of superficial and deep veins connected by vessels. Superficial veins carry blood away from the skin and subcutaneous structures, while deep veins carry it away from internal organs. The veins that connect them act as compensators that equalize the pressure in the superficial and deep vessels.
Proper blood flow goes in the direction from the superficial veins to the deep ones. This direction can be provided by the movement of the surrounding muscles and the work of the vasomotor center, since the movement from the bottom up opposes the traction forces.
If for some reason the exit becomes difficult, the vessel wall becomes inflamed, thinner, dilated veins and cyanotic nodes characteristic of varicose veins appear.
The disease develops in response to a complex of unfavorable conditions mentioned below:
- inheritance - the weakness of the walls of blood vessels can be transmitted from generation to generation and lead to loss of vascular tone;
- exhausting work, standing - a high-risk group includes people who, by the nature of their activities, have to sit or stand for a long time;
- frequent pregnancies and childbirth - during this period, the total volume of blood and squeezing of the veins increases, which provokes varicose veins;
- obesity - increased venous pressure in overweight people increases the possibility of varicose veins;
- failure in the hormonal system - self-administration of contraceptives and other hormone-based drugs causes changes in the venous wall. In women, such a reaction can be observed during pregnancy;
- food - the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in the menu leads to a lack of fiber, as a result - a weakening of the venous wall.
What do varicose veins look like?
Since varicose veins are a modification of veins, the disease is also called cosmetic problems:
- first, patients notice the appearance of webs and a venous pattern in their legs;
- later the veins become tortuous, lifting the skin;
- in the most advanced stages, varicose nodes are clearly visible, representing the expansion and entanglement of blood vessels.
What is the risk of the disease?
What happens if the disease is not treated? It will inevitably lead to complications. The most dangerous are thrombophlebitis and "breaking" of a blood clot. 5% of all patients experience similar complications. With age, a trophic ulcer is often formed, which is difficult to treat. The risk of complications from varicose veins increases with time.
Thrombophlebitis . With it, blood clots form in the veins of the legs, which can break off and block the arteries, leading to myocardial infarction.Venous thrombosis. Blockage of a vessel by a blood clot. It is manifested by pain in the legs, which are aggravated by physical exertion.Pulmonary embolism . Obstruction of its lumen by a detached thrombus. Death can occur in the first half hour. If the clot is small, then a lung infarction may occur.Trophic ulcer. Darkening and thinning of the skin with the further appearance of ulcers. It occurs as a result of tissue malnutrition. Poor response to treatment.
Risk factors
Legacy . If both parents have varicose veins, then for a child the probability of getting the disease is 90%, if one has 60%.Pregnancy. During this period, vein disease is provoked by 3 factors:- hormonal change - the production of progesterone in large quantities relaxes the muscles, makes the veins more vulnerable;
- the pressure of the uterus, which has increased in size - in connection with this, the blood flow from the legs worsens;
- an increase in blood volume by 20-30% - the venous valves of the legs cannot cope with the load, especially if they were initially weak;
The wrong food. Even uncontrolled consumption of processed foods, sugar and salt, fast foods, fried and fatty foods, trans fats, preservatives and artificial additives from industrial products leave their mark.Hormonal background. Hormone activity can weaken the veins, which provokes vasodilation and prevents the valves from closing normally.Tight clothes . Tightening belts, tight jeans and underwear interfere with the harmonious flow of blood, hindering blood circulation.High heels . When you walk, the veins work to the limit. This is due to the fact that the load is distributed unevenly - the main part falls on the front. Pain in the veins, swelling of the legs are the first signs of initial varicose veins.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
In the early diagnosis of varicose veins, ultrasound technologies are used - angioscan and dopplerography.
Ultrasound angioscanning (USAS) is an informative method of noninvasive examination of peripheral vessels. It makes it possible to obtain a two-dimensional image of the artery, visualize intravascular structures and assess the direction and nature of fluid flow.
In severe cases, when no response can be obtained with USAS, computed tomography (CT) is used.
Doppler ultrasound (Doppler ultrasound) is the easiest method to evaluate the peripheral vessel. It evaluates the condition of the artery with indirect indicators: blood flow response to functional tests, etc.
X-ray contrast phlebography is used in the diagnosis of arteriovenous angiodysplasia, acute thrombosis and their consequences, as well as varicose veins of the small pelvis.
Treatment of varicose veins
Surgical techniques
A complete cure for varicose veins is possible only after surgical treatment. It is done in three ways:
- phlebectomy - removal of an enlarged vessel with varicose veins;
- sclerosis is the introduction of a special substance into the varicose vein, which "sticks together" the walls of blood vessels, normalizing blood flow. The swelling of the veins disappears, a cosmetic defect also disappears;
- laser coagulation - the vein walls are exposed to heat, as a result of which the venous lumen is "closed". Manipulation is performed only if the vein has expanded by no more than 10 mm.
Medical treatment of varicose veins
The main role in the treatment is played by venotonics in the form of tablets. They improve the process of blood circulation, healing the arteries.
Also prescribe venotonic - phlebotonic drugs. They deal with the thinning of blood vessel walls, increased permeability, decreased elasticity and fluid stagnation. The preparations strengthen the venous walls, increase their elasticity, reduce swelling and other negative signs. An additional quality of phlebotonics is the establishment of microcirculation in the affected area.
Antiplatelet agents are used to thin the blood in the veins. Medicines are needed when you need them to reduce the formation of blood clots. It is indicated for patients with increased blood viscosity. You can take antiplatelet agents only if there is no predisposition to bleeding.
Anticoagulants are sometimes used to stop thrombus formation on an individual basis. They eliminate blood clotting, reduce viscosity. But the decision is made by the attending physician after evaluating the potential health benefits and potential rice.
Compression therapy
A reliable assistant in the treatment of varicose veins is a compression garment. The principle of operation of the products is as follows:
- while wearing a compression stocking, the pressure in the superficial and deep veins increases;
- the greatest pressure is at the bottom, where the veins narrow more and the blood flow is faster;
- due to the narrowing of the veins, the functioning of the valves improves;
- pain, swelling, fatigue in the legs disappear.
A complex approach
There are many treatment options, but the most accurate will be to emphasize the improvement of the whole organism as a whole. Varicose veins in the broadest sense are not only a problem of the veins, but also a symptom indicating malfunctions in the body. Therefore, we advise you to heal the body, and to do it constantly and wisely.
- drink a lot of water - dehydration is one of the causes of blood clots, especially during hot periods;
- help the liver in detoxification - add artichokes, flax, grapefruit, oranges, apples, cruciferous vegetables, rosemary, dandelions, olives to the diet (make sure there are no allergic reactions and individual intolerance to the product);
- remove from the diet all pro-inflammatory foods that thicken the blood and have a negative effect on the walls of blood vessels (alcohol, coffee, sugar, pastries, dairy products, smoked foods, canned foods, fast foods, refined foods);
- eliminate constipation - they squeeze the pelvic venous blood flow. Start drinking symbionts or microbiotics. The bacteria in their composition create a balance of microflora and thus normalize the stool. They improve the condition of the small and large intestines, as well as the stomach mucosa;
- get an analysis for homocysteine - it should not exceed 10. If it is higher, you need to make sure that there is no deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron. At the same time, restore the microflora, otherwise their absorption may be impaired;
- restore protein levels. For verification, a biochemical blood test is given: the optimal concentration of proteins in an adult should be 72-86 g / l, in children - 45 to 80 g / l. ;
- work with insulin resistance - often the problem goes hand in hand with this disorder. You can tell by the symptoms: a constant feeling of hunger and a frequent desire to eat, numerous papillomas, red spots that look like moles, swelling, thirst and high blood pressure;
- introduce exercises - Pilates, yoga, light cardio;
- improve lymph flow - drink water with herbs, cranberry, spices, lemon, ginger;
- take a contrast shower - under the influence of cold, small vessels begin to narrow, and under the influence of heat, on the contrary, they expand. This leads to the strengthening of the vascular walls and an increase in their tone.
- restore hormone levels - excessive hormone production activity dilates blood vessels and prevents valves from closing normally. To support the process of restoring hormonal balance, symbionts with broccoli are suitable. The active substance - sulforaphane - it contains removes excess estrogen from the body. This is due to the content of anticancer agents in broccoli, such as potassium, zinc, selenium, beta-carotene, amino acids, vitamins A, C and E.