Symptoms and treatment of varicose veins in the legs.

Varicose veins are a systemic disease that can affect blood vessels anywhere in the body. Its essence lies in the dysfunction of the valves that control the direction of blood flow. Due to this, an excessive amount of fluid accumulates in the veins, under the influence of which the walls stretch and lose their elasticity.

Clinical presentation

Venous blood flow dysfunction develops due to damage to the perforating (connecting) vein valves, their overloading and deformation. When the work of the deep (internal) arteries is interrupted, the blood circulation becomes chaotic, which leads to it entering the superficial vessels and the formation of characteristic nodes. Such defects are clearly visible to the naked eye or by palpating the injury site.

Varicose veins are progressive pathologies that, without prompt treatment, are fraught with serious health complications and disability. In advanced cases of varicose veins in places of vascular damage, the formation of wounds, ulcers and blood clots is possible.

What it does

Several factors are responsible for the appearance of venous dilation. They can be conditionally divided into major and minor. The main sources of varicose veins are:

• Constant intense physical activity;
• Prolonged stay in a static position - sitting or standing;
• Unfavorable environmental conditions, eg constantly high air temperature;
• weight fluctuations or chronic obesity;
• Hormonal imbalance: during pregnancy or menopause;
• Endocrine system diseases;
• Hereditary and genetic predisposition, manifested in the characteristics of the structure of the blood vessels, namely, congenital anatomical inferiority of the venous valves and weakness of the connective tissue of the arterial walls;
• Neurosis.

In the anamnesis, the development of varicose veins, as a rule, stimulates not one, but a complex of factors.

Tips for daily life

If you are constantly sitting, for example for work reasons, you can place a low bench under your feet. This will significantly reduce the stress on your legs.

It is advisable to give up high heels. Wearing such shoes will significantly limit the contraction of the calf muscles and also prevent the joints from jumping. As a result, the blood will simply stagnate.

A sudden change in temperature can greatly affect the filling of blood in the veins. For example, when the temperature rises, the veins are very full of blood, which increases the load on the valves. It is advisable to reduce the number of hot baths, sunbathe on the beach, etc. Remember, the temperature drop should be gradual.

Cycling, swimming, and of course, a brisk daily walk are very helpful. It is worth remembering that when walking you should give preference to shallow water or sand, and avoid difficult paths as much as possible. A two-minute contrast soak of the legs will help you easily get rid of the feeling of heaviness and numbness. Also, this application can be done with the help of a shower.

Remember that when you cross your legs, you obstruct the blood flow and constrict the blood vessels.

When resting, place your feet at heart level. You can also raise one side of the bed a bit so that your legs are slightly higher than usual.

Symptoms of the disease

Varicose veins can have a variety of manifestations, which depend on the degree of complexity of the pathology and the physiological characteristics of the patient's body. According to the stages of varicose veins, the following symptoms of vascular disease are noted:

• Venous patterns or "stars" (telangiectasias) on the skin;
• Swelling of the extremities, especially at the end of the day;
• Pain in the legs or along the veins when probing them;
• Recurrent seizures;
• Rapid fatigue, especially when walking;
• Visual manifestation of veins on the surface of the skin;
• Feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• Burning in venous lesions;
• muscle itching;
• Pain of a different nature and pains;
• Sinuous veins on legs and feet;
• Dermatological changes in the skin: appearance of dryness, pigmentation, darkening;
• Development of dermatitis, eczema and trophic disorders in the form of ulcers and non-healing wounds;
• Stretching of the skin at the sites of varicose vein progression;
• Bruising.

Symptoms can begin as early as adolescence. Developing imperceptibly, after a while the disease makes itself felt with a mass of unpleasant consequences for health. If at least one of the above signs is present, you should immediately undergo an examination. A phlebologist or surgeon treats diseased veins.

Classification

Based on the decision of the international scientific community, pathological varicose veins of the lower extremities are usually classified according to a special classifier CEAP or Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathology. According to this typology, varicose veins have 6 clinical stages:

1. Zero. There are minor subjective complaints from the patient about some of the symptoms of varicose veins, but with visual examination and medical examination, there are still no obvious signs of the disease.
2. I grade. On the surface of the skin, small vascular networks appear, rare edema, heaviness, burning, "buzzing" sensation in the legs.
3. Grade II. It is considered the starting point of true varicose veins. It is characterized by a distinct external manifestation of enlarged vessels, the formation of venous ganglia, aggravated after a long stay in a static state or walking in high heels. From this stage the possibility of thrombus formation is observed.
4. III degree. The symptoms of the second group are compounded by regular swelling, more noticeable at the end of the day, and pulling and pain in the calves.
5. IV grade. There are trophic changes in the skin. Due to excessive accumulation of pigment in the epidermis, the skin begins to change its color from dark brown to black. It is also possible to develop small local inflammations in the form of erythema or wet wounds, which over time lead to dermal atrophy and ulcers.
6. Grade V. Has the same course as the fifth stage, but with healed trophic ulceration.
7. Grade VI. It is characterized by a severe progression with the formation of ulcers and wounds that do not heal.

Varicose veins are a serious disease. Without prompt treatment and constant prophylaxis, it progresses rapidly and leads to irreversible and dire consequences, up to and including death. Only 10 years from the diagnosis of varicose veins is enough for the pathology to develop from stage I to stage VI.

Stages

The first signs of varicose veins in the legs appear in progressive stages, when the venous valves perform their functions in less than 50%. In the first stage or zero stage of varicose veins, which is known as the "compensation stage", no unpleasant sensations arise, as well as visible changes. Detection of the initial stage of varicose veins in the legs occurs with a careful examination of the extremities by a phlebologist.

In the second stage of varicose veins, known as "subcompensation", the changes are quite well expressed:

• Large veins are visible under the skin but may not protrude above the skin's surface;
• on the skin surface of the thighs and below the knees, a pattern of a fine varicose mesh of blue or red capillaries is clearly visible;
• legs swell at night;
• The calf muscles contract at night.

This stage of varicose veins of the lower extremities is distinguished by increasing symptoms, which weaken after rest.

In the final stage of varicose veins, decompensation occurs: the body cannot replenish the oxygen needs of the tissues and the vein valves lose their functions by 90%. The condition of the limbs worsens due to insufficient blood supply. This stage of varicose veins is characterized by a decrease in the regeneration capacity of the tissues. The abundance of complications worsens the general condition of the patient. Symptoms in the final stage of varicose veins persist constantly.

Pathology in men

Vein pathology is genderless. However, according to the pathogenesis, the disease is conditionally divided into male and female varicose veins, each of them inherent in its own specificity of formation and development. So, the characteristics of male physiology do not contribute to the formation of problems with the veins in the representatives of the strong half of humanity, however, there are a number of factors that favor this. Among them:

1. Hard physical work or professional sports that involve carrying or lifting a load;
2. Sedentary lifestyle;
3. Poor nutrition;
4. genetic propensity;
5. Long-term use of hormonal drugs;
6. Bad habits.

Varicose veins develop more often in men after age 40 and are accompanied by increased leg fatigue, leg pain, visible edema, venous pattern on the skin surface, crampsfrequent and itchy skin such as allergic dermatitis. In some advanced cases, blood clots and vascular infection may form. And if at first the disease is invisible, over time its manifestations become obvious. But the main changes take place inside the veins, whose walls are so weakened that even minor exposure to a toxic substance or infection causes damage. The method of treating varicose veins in men is the same as in women and has no specific characteristics.

Pathology in women

The beautiful half of the population suffers from varicose veins several times more than men. Favorable factors for this are:

• Wearing shoes with high heels or shoes that do not match the size and fullness of your feet;
• Clothing that is thin or too tight that interferes with blood circulation;
• Job that requires you to be on your feet all day: salesperson, receptionist, hairdresser, teacher, cook, etc. ;
• Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, and age-related body changes (menopause);
• Weight experiments: frequent fluctuations in body weight, extreme diets aimed at spectacular weight loss, uncontrolled gain of extra kilos.

Women are the frequent patients of phlebologists and cosmetologists. In an effort to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the skin for as long as possible, women are more responsible than men in the treatment of varicose veins, and achieve visible improvements in the clinical state of the arterial system.

Given the greater natural tendency to varicose veins, the appearance of symptoms such as swelling of the legs, excessive tiredness of the legs, itching and burning sensation, the manifestation of small vessels and venous pattern should seriously alert the woman andbecome the reason for an immediate visit to the doctor.

Treatment of varicose veins with home remedies

When studying the presented disease, one should not panic, because with proper and timely treatment, varicose veins are practically cured.

Why practically? Because after the completion of certain actions, including preventive methods, the disease can reappear and cause no less problems than it originally had.

How to treat varicose veinsquickly and without pain? You should turn to traditional medicine.

Infusions and tinctures

First, the disease must be treated from within. For this, it is convenient to prepare infusions or tinctures using natural products, herbs and other ingredients that improve blood circulation. Some of them can be cured here:

• Nettle. Dry and grind the grass in the way that is most convenient for you. To prepare the infusion, 2 tablespoons of the herbal component are poured with a glass of boiling water. The content is kept for one hour and filtered. Then they drink ¼ glass during the day at least 3 times. The course of treatment lasts six months with intervals of one month.
• Horse Chestnut. The crushed horse chestnut kernels are placed in a three-liter jar in half and poured on the edges of the container with vodka or alcohol. Within a month, the jar is kept in a dark place, periodically shaking the contents. After the time has passed, you can start rubbing the legs with the resulting tincture. Perform such procedures 2-3 times a week without interruption.

Treating varicose veins at home with home remedies involves the use of any medicinal herb that can improve blood circulation in the human body.

Apples for varicose veins

Apples have an excellent healing effect. Here you can use the fruits in their pure form and as additives for other products.

How to get rid of varicose veins with apples:

• Prepare the apple infusion. To do this, soak the apples in hot water in the amount of 1 liter for 4 hours. Then pass the fruits through a meat grinder or strainer, mix with the water in which the soaking was carried out. Squeeze the water out of the mixture and drink it twice a day in the amount of 50 g.
• Apple cider vinegar for varicose veinscan be used for rubbing or inside. For treatment, just rub a small amount of vinegar overnight on problem areas. You can also use vinegar diluted with a little honey, drinking вып cup before meals half an hour.

Be careful when using internally diluted vinegar. This method is prohibited for people with gastrointestinal diseases.

Treatment of varicose veins at home, video:

Disease diagnosis

To make an accurate diagnosis of varicose veins, as well as to determine the degree of its severity, special research methods are used. The standard examination scheme when contacting a phlebologist consists of the following procedures:

1. Compile an anamnesis of the disease, which determines possible risk factors and causes;
2. Visual examination of the patient changing the last position, as well as palpation of venous lesions;
3. Laboratory blood tests;
4. Ultrasonic color duplex ultrasound of the arteries of the lower extremities, which allows to correctly make a medical opinion, measure the speed and direction of blood flow, trace a map of its movement, obtain a characteristic and clear image of the blood vessels;
5. Vascular radiography (phlebography) that uses a contrast agent to determine the appearance and shape of veins, the functionality of the valves, and the direction of blood flow.

Often these research methods are sufficient to determine the exact clinical picture, but in certain cases they resort to the use of additional diagnostic methods:

• 3D CT (computed tomography) with phlebography;
• Photoplethysmography, using infrared and light radiation from a photoresistor or phototransistor;
• Phleboscintigraphy, based on the use of radionuclide isotopes, and phlebomanometry, a dynamic study of venous pressure in the lower extremities;
• Lymphoscintigraphy, which shows the status and degree of changes in the lymph nodes.

The need for a particular diagnostic method is determined by the physician, based on the complexity of the situation and the individual clinical parameters of the patient.

The timely and well-chosen research method makes it possible to determine the position of the superficial and deep veins and to form an exact scheme of the therapeutic course according to the indicators.

Conservative treatment

In the initial stages, varicose veins are reversible and with a responsible approach to treatment, they are completely eliminated. In other cases, to combat varicose veins, they resort to conservative drug therapy, intravenous correctors, and special compression underwear. Each of this type of treatment has its own indications for the appointment and details of the impact on the diseased organ.

1. Drug therapy. It involves oral use for a certain period of phlebotropic drugs - phlebotonics, anticoagulants and antioxidants - which help to strengthen blood vessels and reduce their fragility, better dilute the blood and normalize blood flow and eliminate accumulated toxic substances in the body. For local treatment, tonic, analgesic, soothing and swelling gels and ointments are used. Vitamins of groups B, A, K, etc. are also introduced into the therapeutic complex. The decision on the duration of treatment is made based on the results of the diagnosis and the nature of the dynamics of the disease.
2. Arterial sclerotherapy. The method involves the use of special drugs that act on the type of sticking of the vein affected by varicose veins from the inside. As a result, the reflux stabilizes and takes place through healthy vessels. The procedure is carried out invasively by intravenous administration of a solution. It is prescribed for a certain state of blood vessels and small sizes of venous nodes.
3. Ozone therapy. It is part of cosmetic medicine and consists of exposing the interior space of the glass to cold ozone to glue the defect site. The method is also actively used to remove unsightly vascular networks from the skin's surface. Effective in the initial stage of the disease. To achieve the desired result, only a few procedures are sufficient.
4. Compression therapy. It consists of wearing special medical underwear that creates pressure of varying intensity on different parts of the legs, which in turn helps to reduce the load on the veins and restore blood circulation. The constant use of corrective underwear protects the blood vessels from stretching and the development of thrombosis. Depending on the purpose, compression underwear can be prophylactic (minimal compression force), medical (used only during exacerbation of venous disease), and hospital (used in the postoperative period in a hospital). Available in pantyhose, stockings, knee-high stockings, and elastic bandage. The choice of compression underwear is made only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Surgical methods to influence dilated veins

Operation for varicose veins is performed only as a last resort, when a deep vein injury is diagnosed, aggravated by concomitant complications. The indications for the appointment of a surgical intervention are:

• Remarkable worsening of the pathology;
• Development of thrombophlebitis;
• Visible enlargement of the saphenous veins;
• Severe inflammation and fatigue of the lower extremities;
• Pathological reflux disorder.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia using modern surgical techniques, such as:

1. Obliteration of blood vessels by radiofrequency. Restore the structure of the veins from the inside using disposable catheters and automatic generators of radio waves.
2. Intravenous Thermal Vapor Impulse Occlusion (SVS). Impact on the vessels of an abundant flow of heated steam. It allows it to penetrate the most inaccessible areas of the venous bed and directly influence deformed vessels.
3. Laser vein coagulation. It involves the use of a laser beam aimed at the diseased vein. The procedure does not leave cuts, burns or scars.
4. Venaseal Technique. It consists of gluing the valves of the vessels with a special biological glue.
5. Varadi's method. The most difficult method of treatment, which involves the removal of the affected vessel. Due to its 100% efficiency, it is one of the priority methods of neurosurgery.

Despite the high efficacy of surgical treatment, it is often performed in combination with conservative therapy methods. This approach allows you to speed up the healing process and reliably consolidate the result.

Self-massage of the legs for varicose veins

• First you need to massage your thighs. Also, with gentle stroking and kneading work your way up from the knee area to the groin area. In a spiral, straight, circular motion, stretch the knee joint with your fingertips. Press your fist into the popliteal fossa several times and knead this area in circular motions.
• Lie on your back, relax your muscles and bend your knees. Grab your pimples with your hands and rub the skin in motions. Shake your leg muscles.
• Stretch each toe in gentle strokes. From the bottom up, rub your ankle and both feet. Massage your feet and heels in circular motions and, with a little force, rub your ankle.

Repeat this entire self-massage complex 2-3 times.

Rehabilitation period

During the recovery period and in the future, in the fight against varicose veins of the lower extremities, a competent rehabilitation program helps, including periodic drug therapy, as well as adherence to the rules of one style ofhealthy living and the implementation of therapeutic exercises.

In addition to the physical education of the sanatorium, a patient diagnosed with varicose veins, regardless of the stage of development and the rehabilitation period, to improve blood circulation and prevent stagnation of blood in the veins, it is useful to wear clothescorrective medical interior.

Nutrition for varicose veins of the lower extremities

Diet is very important in this disease. The following food products must be present in the diet:

• bell pepper;
• carrots;
• white cabbage;
• citrus;
• apples;
• nuts;
• rosehip;
• currant;
• sea fish;
• eggs;
• lean meat;
• legumes
• cereals;
• cheeses;
• liver.

The diet for varicose veins of the lower extremities implies the rejection of these products:

• canned food;
• semi-finished products;
• cupcakes and cakes;
• caffeinated drinks;
• smoked meats;
• pickled foods;
• jellied meat;
• chicory;
• alcoholic beverages.

Prevention

To prevent the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities, it is necessary to monitor your health from an early age. Preventing the disease is more effective than treating the legs when complications develop.

To have good blood circulation, it is necessary to ensure sufficient physical activity. If a person at work stays in the same position for a long time, she should do a little warm-up regularly. It is necessary to take a responsible approach in choosing shoes: it should be with a small heel (no more than 6 cm), comfortable, do not squeeze the leg.

Weight should be monitored. Excessive weight is one of the predisposing factors for the development of the disease. Also, it leads to increased stress on the blood vessels. Clothing must be made of natural fabrics. Wearing too tight underwear should be avoided to avoid squeezing the large vessels in the groin area.

During hygiene procedures, it is advisable to use a shower, which allows changing the pressure and temperature of the water. With the help of these tricks, you can tone blood vessels, activate blood flow.

It is recommended to exercise or exercise daily. It is not necessary to run several kilometers at a time, just visit the pool, walk or bike for your pleasure.

Before using hormonal contraceptives, you should consult not only a gynecologist, but also a phlebologist, and have a hormone test. If the level of female hormones in the blood changes, this can negatively affect the condition of the walls of the vessels.