Varicose veins of the legs are pathologies that cause thinning of the venous walls, deformation (dilation, lengthening) of the blood vessels, and disruption of blood flow. In the absence of timely therapy, the disease can lead to a number of complications, disabilities and deaths. The following material describes in detail the stages, symptoms and clinical signs of leg varicose veins and the methods of treating the disease.
Statistics show that more than 60% of women and about 50% of patients of the stronger sex suffer from varying degrees of varicose veins.
There are several causes of the disease. The key factors are:
In addition to the above, significant factors include the age of the person (the decrease in vascular elasticity is genetically determined by the aging process), and the presence of bad habits.
Tight clothing, uncomfortable shoes with very high heels, regular weight lifting, taking hormonal medications - all of these causes can also cause the illness described.
The signs of the disease vary depending on the extent of the varicose veins, the location of the localization, the nature of the pathological changes in the vessels, the degree of severity of the circulatory disorders.
Grade 1 varicose veins do not usually appear in the early stages of development. Mild discomfort in the limbs, especially after physical exertion, disappears fairly quickly - the patient only needs to rest for a while. Gradually, increased fatigue, heaviness in the legs, and other discomforts that occur along the pathological changes in the blood vessels add itching, pain, and a feeling of fullness.
Does the first stage of varicose veins develop at school? The answer is yes. The medical literature of recent decades describes the manifestations of pathologies affecting adolescents aged 16–17 years.
An increase in the intensity of symptoms indicates the progression of the disease and its transition to the second phase. Edema, poker begins to appear in the affected area. The clinical picture is complemented by hyperthermia, which has a local character, nocturnal cramps in the calf muscles. Grade 2 varicose veins are also characterized by a reduction in the frequency of symptoms after rest (prolonged).
Neglected forms of the disease in the third stage are characterized by persistent pain, swelling, and seizures. The skin in the affected area peels, loses hair, dries out. The color changes to brown.
In the future, blood vessels will rupture and trophic ulcers will occur.
Examination by a phlebologist is the first step in detecting varicose veins. In addition to the mandatory examination, your doctor may prescribe:
for a final diagnosisIn many situations, phlebography (X-ray contrast, three-dimensional computer) and phleboscintigraphy are also used to obtain information. The methods listed require additional surgical interventions in some cases.
According to the academic classification, there are 3 stages (degrees) of varicose veins in the lower extremities - compensatory (1), subcompensatory (2) and decompensating (3).
The first stage of varicose veins can develop over several years. There are no age or geographical restrictions on the disease: the disease is presented by residents of different countries, regardless of the age of the patients.
Symptoms that appear are often referred to as symptoms of other diseases. It is impossible to visually determine the changes.
With proper therapy, relief of the initial stages of varicose veins occurs in a relatively short period of time.
The length of the period can be several years (the duration depends on the patient's lifestyle, type of activity and general well-being).
In grade 2 varicose veins, there is a visually pronounced deformation of the blood vessels; specific symptoms begin to appear much more frequently, and a decrease in their intensity requires prolonged rest.
The phase of subcompensation is seen in the majority of patients who seek medical attention. By attending the clinic in time and performing all the necessary manipulations, the development of complications is suppressed.
In the absence of grade 3 varicose vein therapy, it causes eczema and trophic ulcers. The latter occur mainly on the inner surfaces of the legs (less frequently on the back, above the ankles) and are distinguished by the presence of an irregular shape, an even buttocks and purulent contents. They are located one by one.
The walls of the blood vessels affected by the disease lose their elasticity and strength and are often damaged. Cracks are associated with bleeding, which rarely stops on its own.
In the third stage of lower limb varicose veins, erysipelas may develop in the affected areas. The disease is exacerbated by complications such as:
In stage 3 of the varicose veins, the changes affect the whole body: weakening of the immune system and musculoskeletal skeleton, possibly alopecia.
The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the pathological process. A neglected disease requires radical mitigation measures.
First-degree varicose veins are blocked with drugs, venotonics, creams, massage complexes, sclerotherapy (injection of a special agent into a vein) and ozone therapy (strengthening of blood vessels). You can also use recipes from traditional medicine.
Do not use medicines, decoctions and herbal infusions on your own (see a doctor): accidental treatment will only make the condition worse.
Prescribed Medications:
The dose should be calculated individually, depending on the patient's condition.
Additional methods of varicose vein conservative therapy include the use of medical knitwear (stockings, tights, golf) and elastic bandages.
The use of the latter prevents the development of deformity, helps to reduce the load on the vessels in the affected area while walking. After sleeping (at night), they are in a supine position; worn all day. It was only filmed in the evening, before rest.
Compression garments improve blood circulation and support weakened vessel walls.
Cool foot baths can also be used at home to reduce fatigue and discomfort.
The principles of treatment for grade 2 varicose veins are similar to the first phase of the disease. This includes the use of antithrombotic agents, venotonics and the wearing of compression underwear.
Popular medications for reducing swelling include ointments and liniment.
Surgical manipulations include radiofrequency therapy, laser coagulation. The first of these methods allows the removal of the vascular system, it is used when there is a history of asthma, ischemia and other serious diseases.
Radiofrequency destruction is performed with ultrasound control when the trunk of large, small saphenous veins is damaged and helps to eliminate varicose nodes.
The main recipe for traditional medicine is to apply compresses using blue clay. To prepare a medicinal mixture 2 tbsp. l. sedimentary rock is cultured in 1 glass of water. The resulting material is applied to the damaged areas and secured with a napkin. The affected area is also wrapped in a warm towel. The minimum therapeutic time is two hours.
Surgery involves the treatment of grade 3 varicose veins. Among them - phlebectomy (removal of the affected vessel), used in the presence of ulcers, blood clots. There are classic and laser (not incised) techniques.
Medication therapy is prescribed at the end of surgery and compression stockings are recommended.
There are three main points in the list of rules to prevent the possible development of regressive veins: adherence to the principles of a healthy lifestyle, tight clothing, refusal to wear uncomfortable shoes, and timely visits to the doctor.
Pregnant women should use appropriately selected bandages, compression stockings, or tights to prevent disease.
During rehabilitation, you should follow a healthy diet, perform the recommended series of exercises, take a contrast shower, and undergo regular exercise.
And most importantly, if you have the first suspicion of developing the disease, you should seek help from a phlebologist immediately. The varicose vein detected in the initial stage can be completely stopped without any damage to health.