Varicose veins on the legs: symptoms and treatment. Causes of varicose veins

varicose veins orphlebeurysm- this is a systemic pathological change in the veins, which is accompanied by their expansion, lengthening, bending and the formation of nodes, due to which the work of the venous valves is disturbed and blood flow is disturbed.

A change in blood flow almost always leads to changes in the body. The movement of blood in the veins depends not only on the state of the vascular wall, but also on the state of the venous valve, the work of which creates the movement of blood, regulates the direction and power of the flow.In healthy veins, there is a certain balance between vein thickness, vein tone, and valve activity.. When one of these elements changes, the load on the others increases. For example,when the valve fails, blood flow slows down, a larger volume of fluid begins to accumulate in the veins, due to which the load on the walls increases, which subsequently lose their elasticity and stretch. All these changes can lead to stagnation of blood in the lower extremities, as a result of which inflammation, pain and swelling may appear due to malnutrition of the tissues.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Pain is one of the earliest symptoms that can appear at any age and should be addressed.

• At stage 1:discomfort occurs at the end of the working day, tingling and burning in the legs may be present. This indicates an increased load on the venous system of the legs.
• At stages 2 and 3:the appearance of pulling pain and cramps of the calf muscles.
• At 4 stages:Severe pains of a tense and arching character that cause lameness.

Edemaare also included in the symptoms of this disease and can appear from its first stages. Usuallyedema varies in severity on different legs, since absolutely identical violations are rare. Varicose edema in the legs should be distinguished from edema in heart failure.

Itching- one of the most common symptoms after pain. It can also appear in the first stages, but most often it is noticed in stages 2 and 3 of the disease.

Why do legs itch with varicose veins?

itassociated with the expansion of the vascular wall and the response of the nervous system in the tissues. Due to the expansion of the vein, it presses on the surrounding vessels and capillaries, which can damage them, and the nerve endings transmit these sensations as itching, or the effect on the nerves will be direct.

It is worth noting thatitching will be internaland most often will not bring relief when trying to influence him with external means.

What does varicose veins look like on the legs?

You need to know the answer to this question and have some ideas about the disease, so as not to panic ahead of time and not start treatment for a non-existent disease.

In addition to physical discomfort, the disease also manifests itself by external signs:

1. Fine blue mesh on the legsthis is not a reason for panic, since it symbolizes damage to superficial vessels, but if it increases in area, becomes brighter or begins to protrude, this is a direct path to an appointment with a specialist and a review of lifestyle.
2. Bruising and bruisingmay indicate damage to the vessel and subcutaneous hemorrhage from it, this is due to a sharp load on the veins. Usually this symptom indicates the progression of the disease.
3. The appearance of red spots on the legs, peeling of the skin and its thinning speaks of atrophic processes characteristic of the last stages of the disease.

Prevention and treatment of varicose veins

The main actions and procedures for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins:

• Recommendedmove activelyeveryday. Walking, yoga and running will be very useful sports for the health of the veins of the lower extremities.
• Prolonged standing increases stress on the muscles and veins.
• Avoid cross-legged posture, it compresses the veins and impairs blood circulation.
• Don't get too carried away with hot bathsand saunas, prolonged exposure to high temperatures affects the tone of the walls of blood vessels.
• Don't wear tight pants, give preference to loose clothing and comfortable underwear.
• Bad habits, and especially smoking - negatively affect the tone of the walls of blood vessels.
• Light foot massageis a good way to prevent.
• Permanentspecialist visitwith an existing problem is also necessary.

Prevention of varicose veins in the legs in women

• Pay attention to the hosiery elements of your wardrobe. Costsavoid socks and stockings with excessively tight elastic bandsthat pull the leg.
• The choice of shoes should also be taken seriously:high heels should not be worn daily, also be careful to choose shoes with straps and ropes, especially on the ankle.

Treatment of varicose veins

Treatment needs to beunder the supervision of a phlebologist. After laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, the specialist determines the degree of the disease and prescribes treatment.

There are several methods of treatment: drug therapy, surgery, exercise therapy.

Medical therapy includes:

• Anticoagulants (for blood thinning);
• Antiplatelet agents (prevention of thrombus formation and improvement of tissue nutrition);
• Venotonics;
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for severe pain and inflammation.

Surgery includes:

• Laser coagulation method: eliminates surface defects in the form of surface meshes and stars;
• Sclerotherapy: "gluing a vein" by introducing special substances and turning it off from the bloodstream;
• Phlebectomy: surgical removal of a vein.

Exercises for varicose veins on the legs

Uniform physical activity and exercise help to cope with varicose veins.

1. Standing position, feet shoulder-width apart, hands placed along the body.We rise on toes, hold in this position for 2 seconds and drop sharply on your heels.
2. Standing position, hands rest against a wall or on the back of a chair, roll from heels to toes and vice versa for 2 minutes.
3. A useful exercise would bewalking in place, socks do not come off the floor. Also usefulwalking on toes or heels.
4. Lying position, raise legs and performmovement "bike".
5. Sitting position: Alternatebend and unbend the legs, then feet.

Folk remedy for varicose veins on the legs

Treatment with herbal ingredientsmany doctors prescribe in combination with the main drug or exercise therapy. It is also welcomed in the first stages of the disease, when the course of the disease has not yet started.

What foods are best for vein health?

• Nutmeg. It is welcomed as a food supplement, decoctions and tinctures.
• Lemon: tinctures, lemonades, oils.
• Ginger: very useful in combination with lemon, also decoction, tincture, compresses.
• Compresseswith white cabbage, oils, honey on more painful areas will relieve symptoms.
• If aswollen leg due to varicose veins: a compress of aloe, burdock will help relieve swelling. In combination with this, they give a good effect.decoctions of cranberries, wild rose, cumin, thyme, oregano.

Folk remedies for varicose veins in the legs contribute to a speedy recovery and do not give complications that can lead to drug treatment.

The most important thing in treatment is the understanding that in advanced cases, folk remedies do not give a strong effect, thereforeneed to consult with a specialistand do not choose the treatment yourself.

If this disease is present in an elderly person, then he will need help to properly perform exercise therapy (which will be an integral part of therapy), since exercises may differ for older people.

Similarly, it is necessary to correctly and timely selectdrug therapyto avoid additional complications on the body. For example,the outcome of improper treatment may be thrombosis of superficial and deep veins, as a result of which severe inflammation and even necrotic processes, trophic ulcers that heal for a long time can develop.

To prevent dangerous complications, seek the advice and help of specialists, especially if you cannot independently control the treatment and follow all the necessary recommendations.