Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a persistent and irreversible elongation and extension of the affected veins. And if at first discernible veins only cause psychological discomfort, over time the disease progresses and causes thrombophlebitis and venous ulcers. How not to miss the first signs of the disease?
Begins varicose veins
Two circulation provide our body with oxygen and necessary nutrients. Blood circulation provides the heart. Top-down oxygen-rich blood moves with greater ease, thanks to the force of gravity.
When he reached the foot, the blood has to ascend through the veins to the heart. In order to realize such movement in the veins there are valves. It's located opposite each other folds in the inner shells of the veins. Their function is fixation of the already raised portion of the blood until the next heartbeat.
The muscles of the legs under load is Contracting and shrinking, are also involved in the mechanism of promoting blood up. This happens in healthy people. What happens in the early stages of the disease varicose veins?
Prolonged sitting and standing in one place leads to stagnation of blood in the veins. The reason — the muscles don't contract, venous pressure increases. The blood cannot climb through the veins. In people predisposed to varicose, this situation will not cause a pathological change in blood vessels as function of the venous valves. Venous elastic wall is able to stretch, taking large volumes of blood and again to shrink.
As soon as the valves cease to perform his work, begin the phenomena of venous congestion. Increased venous pressure. Reduced the number of muscle fibers, which maintain the wall in good shape. The lumen of the veins increases rapidly, and the valves can't fully close. The bigger Vienna, the more progress varicose phenomena.
The first important symptoms
In order to stop varicose veins in the early stages, you should know the symptoms of the disease.
- Heaviness in the legs.
- Fatigue of legs.
- Swelling.
- Cramps at night.
- Constantly cold feet.
- Dilated veins in the area of the tibia and popliteal Cup.
The most obvious symptom of varicose — veins — may not be the first symptom. Tired legs, swelling and cramps should be alerted much sooner. Especially if the disease is already met from other family members.
How to identify a pathology of veins in the early stages, if externally, the feet look perfectly healthy?
Diagnostic methods
Efficiently affect pathological changes in the vessels of the lower limbs only in the early stages. Perfectly, up to the onset of clinical symptoms.
The difficulty of diagnosis lies in the fact that half of patients do not feel symptoms of the disease.
If your relatives, especially maternal, suffered from varicose veins, the annual examinations on the modern equipment will help to identify varicose veins in the early stages. Currently, the clinic can offer the following methods:
- Ultrasonic dopplerography.
- Venography.
- etc.
The decision about the necessity of such examinations is made by the doctor. Research allows to evaluate the condition of the blood and lymphoid systems, to identify the degree of disease development and determine the appropriateness of surgical or conservative treatment.
Stage of development of varicose veins in the legs
The disease develops over a long period. From first symptoms to clinical manifestations can take a decade.
Stage 1: Cosmetic violations
The initial stage of the disease already present a slight congestion, but the valves in the vessels are still able to perform its function.
Beginning varicose veins is manifested in the form of spider veins, large veins and dry skin on the feet. Can change the nails to become too thick, or thin.
Interestingly, according to statistics, most varicose veins develop on my left foot. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the left leg and the region of the popliteal fossa.
Stage 2: Clinical symptoms
Venous mesh emerges more clearly. Veins are noticeable, and form nodes. During this period, there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, especially after prolonged standing.
Another unpleasant symptom is swelling. If the initial stage is accompanied by swelling only when wearing clothes with tight elastic bands (socks, stockings), then the feet swell just after a walk or sitting at the computer.
These are all signs of varicose veins and oxygen starvation of tissues. After all, stagnates in the extremities venous, oxygen-depleted blood, which can not provide normal tissue nutrition. The appearance of night cramps — extreme oxygen starvation.
If the initial stage of this pathology affects the valves in your veins, then in the second stage of development of the disease they have already demonstrated to be ineffective.
Step 3: venous knots and spots of hyperpigmentation
Looks like varicose veins in the third stage? If it starts varicose veins small spider veins, then in the third stage is already a big venous knots. The veins are twisted plaits. The skin over them hot to the touch and thin. Damage to such sites is accompanied by profuse bleeding. Increasing symptoms such as pain and heaviness in the legs and swelling.
Stage 4: Complications
At this stage of varicose veins may develop complications.
- The appearance of venous ulcers.
- The rupture of varicose nodes.
- Thrombophlebitis.
They are all significantly worsen the quality of life of the patient and require careful monitoring and prompt intervention.
Varicose veins can be cured by minimally invasive means only in the earliest stages. The more advanced the illness, the more difficult it will be to cope without surgery.
How to stop the disease at an early stage
Varicose can start to manifest in any person. It is especially important to monitor the condition of the feet of women, mothers and grandmothers which suffered from varicose veins. There are a number of preventive measures and recommendations.
- Swimming and walking are beneficial to blood vessels.
- All heat treatments — sauna, sauna, hot tubs, the Solarium lead to increased filling of blood vessels and their overload.
- Shoes should be low heel not above 5 see
- During the work should be done to avoid long sitting and standing.
- Wearing compression underwear during pregnancy is a great means of prevention.
Truth and myths about the treatment of incipient varicose veins
The prevalence of the disease has led to speculation of unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies on this issue. Treatment of varicose veins has acquired a mass of myths about miraculous ointments and pills that will cure the problem permanently.
Myth 1. Pills can get rid of varicose veins
In fact, the funds can only reduce the clinical symptoms of the disease — edema, heaviness in legs and cramping. Beginning varicose veins they will not stop. The process of increasing the volume and length of the veins is irreversible.
Myth 2. Ointments and creams help varicose veins
It is not so. Many ointments consist of menthol and its derivatives, which have a weak tonic effect. Of use can actually contribute to the flow of blood and eliminate stasis. However, varicose veins on the legs disappear, because ointments can't change the situation with broken valves and weak venous wall.
Myth 3. Treatment with leeches
At the initial stage is completely useless. This treatment is based on the ability of special funds in the composition of the saliva of the leech to the blood thinners.
However, even if you do not pay attention to the risk of bleeding from the wounds and the risk of allergic reactions, the effect of such treatment is doubtful.
Myth 4. A compression garment will cure varicose veins
Wearing compression underwear in some cases can serve as a preventative measure. So, during pregnancy can protect your feet from the varicose veins before begins the first signs of the disease.
But it should be understood that these tights do not cure the disease, and effectively reduce its symptoms.
The truth is that mechanical compression compresses the vein and redistribute the blood flow of patients external veins deeper. So eliminated the phenomena of venous congestion that reduces the speed of disease development and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
Varices is the most common vascular disease that significantly affects quality of life. About half of patients do not notice symptoms of the disease, which greatly complicates diagnosis and timely treatment. Be careful about your health, don't miss the start of the disease.