What do varicose veins look like?

23 December 2020

The small bulging veins aren't scary yet, but they should make you think!

The initial stages of the disease are characterized by mild symptoms. However, a woman who is careful about her health should not lose sight of the first signs of the development of varicose veins:

weight in the legs by the end of the day;
swelling of the legs;
the appearance of pigmentation on the skin of the lower legs and thinning of the skin;
tingling in the limbs, frequent cramps in the muscles of the legs;
protrusion of veins above the surface of the skin;
the appearance of a pattern of veins, spider veins on the legs.

If, on returning home after work, a woman finds her legs in a "deplorable condition", then you should not blame only uncomfortable shoes or an extra "piece of salt" at dinner. Swelling and heaviness in the legs is the first signal of the development of blood stasis in the vessels. Remember - venous diseases are difficult to treat. Early prevention and timely medical care can stop or significantly slow down the process of stretching the veins. Treatment should be started as early as possible.

Varicose veins grade 1

The main causes of varicose veins are considered to be pregnancy, overweight, prolonged physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, as well as genetic predisposition to such a disease. Ordinary people called varicose veins "stewardess's disease" because of the peculiarities of this profession and long standing. This stage of the disease is the mildest.

Classify the disease according to various factors. One of the classifications is according to the stages of development of the disease:

Varicose veins of 1st degree or stage of compensation.
Varicose veins grade 2 or stage of subcompensation.
Varicose veins of grade 3 or stage of deconpensation.

The different stages of varicose veins of the lower extremities have radically different treatments. You should not try to deal with the disease on your own. This can only harm and lead to catastrophic consequences. It is better to seek help from a competent specialist.

The first degree of varicose veins is characterized by swelling at night, nocturnal convulsive spasms. Often people consider all these symptoms as simple fatigue. Even at this stage, however, it is necessary to take preventive measures, which include warming the feet to improve overall blood flow, light foot massage, regular swimming, cycling.

Varicose veins from the first stage can also manifest as cramps in the calf, patients often complain of a feeling of stretching of the legs or burning in the muscles. This is increasingly accompanied by pain in the lower extremities.

Even at this stage, manifestations of the visual nature of varicose veins can be noticed, which should immediately warn:

Mild cyanosis of the skin.
The first spider veins appear on different parts of the body, more often on the legs.
Visible curvature of the veins.

First-degree varicose veins are most often caused by such external changes.

how varicose veins manifest from the first stage

Another important factor for the manifestation of the first stage of varicose veins are the external conditions in which a person finds himself. For example, in a hot environment, symptoms increase, swelling, pain and cramps increase.

Treatment of first degree varicose veins

Sometimes doctors recommend the addition of venotonics, which are quite effective in treating varicose veins in the first stage. Separately, it should be said about massage: not every type of therapy is suitable for this disease. If after the procedures the pain only intensifies, then it is necessary to change the approach to the choice of the massage complex.

It is worth more often to organize relaxing cool foot baths that will calm the muscles, relieve swelling, help reduce pain and eliminate fatigue. But hot baths should be excluded, as they do not improve the condition of the limbs with varicose veins.

Doctors may recommend the following treatments for this degree of varicose veins:

Sclerotherapy - a special drug is injected directly into a vein with a needle. The action of the drug is aimed at resorption of veins, strengthening the weak walls of blood vessels, blocking blood flow to the desired area.
Ozone therapy - an action aimed at strengthening blood vessels, resorption of dilated asterisks.

Each of the above options is quite effective. However, the maximum effect can only be achieved if all the recommendations that need to be followed after the procedures are used.

Wearing special compression garments is paramount. Such an element helps to create pressure in the veins, thus preventing their further expansion.

Causes of the disease

There are more than fifty causes that can cause a change in the venous system. Particularly susceptible to the disease are people whose profession is associated with stress on their feet and sedentary activities: traders, hairdressers, programmers, accountants, drivers.

Scientists have conducted many years of research and identified the main factors that cause varicose veins:

Hormonal changes in the body: pregnancy, menopause, adolescence;
Obesity of any degree;
Genetic predisposition. 70% of children whose parents have suffered from venous insufficiency develop varicose veins;
Weak muscular system;
Wearing uncomfortable underwear: socks with tight elastics, tight pants for men;
Lack of activity and physical activity;
The habit of sitting with one foot over the other;
Rare changes in body position: long standing, lying down, sitting;
Chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus, high blood viscosity.

Of the ten patients with varicose veins, eight are women. The weaker sex is subject to venous pathologies due to forced hormonal disorders during pregnancy, after childbirth, during menopause. The second important factor that makes women suffer from leg pain more often than men is the love of high heels.

Rules and guidelines

In the initial stage of varicose veins, the patient is recommended to follow the rules:

Hike once or twice a day. You should walk at a leisurely pace, periodically stopping to rest.
Wear comfortable shoes with heels no higher than 3 cm. There should be no pulling device in the upper part of the shoe, the laces are not tied as tightly as possible.
Go to the gym twice a week. The loads are chosen individually by the doctor and the coach.
Review your diet. Foods high in sugar, fatty meats, flour products and starchy vegetables are excluded from the diet. Most of the diet of a patient with varicose veins consists of steamed or cooked vegetables. Fried and spicy foods are not recommended.
Legs should rest in the evening. Blood flow will increase if you lift your legs and throw them on a high pillow or back of a sofa.
If the work involves a small amount of movement, it is recommended to lubricate the feet with refreshing gels or ointments containing heparin.
Special compression garments or elastic bandages are used every day. Special underwear is chosen by a doctor. The peculiarity of compression garments is in the function of squeezing. The pressure on the body occurs with different force, which forces the blood to circulate forcibly.
Change position often. If you have to constantly sit at work, then get up and sit a few times every 30 minutes. Exercise will help prevent varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Treatment at different stages

Therapy that is effective in the early stages may have the opposite effect in advanced pathology. The choice of treatment methods should correspond to the stages of varicose veins:

Compression knitwear

It is used at all stages of varicose veins, but the degree of compression should vary significantly at different stages of disease progression. In the initial stage of varicose veins, compression is used prophylactically during standing and sedentary work.

Compression can stop the development of varicose veins, but before medical use it is necessary to consult a phlebologist, as compression is dangerous, exacerbating the problem of venous outflow. At the stages of compensation and subcompensation with edema and noticeable varicose veins, underwear of the first and second class of compression is usually prescribed.

The third class of compression is used in cases of severe venous insufficiency. If lymphedema occurs, use fourth-grade underwear. Hospital jersey is worn for inpatient treatment.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine helps treat varicose veins in the early stages. The following tools are widely practiced:

application of cabbage leaves
compresses of potatoes, wormwood and garlic;
tinctures of chestnut,
decoctions of hops and nettles.

However, the ease of use, affordability, softness of action of folk remedies are combined with their low effectiveness (compared to drugs), therefore the enthusiasm of these methods is fraught with the progression of the disease. Herbal medicines and compresses should be used after medical advice and serve only as an adjunct to basic treatment.

Hirudotherapy

Treatment with leeches is indicated in rare cases of advanced varicose veins. Leeches are sometimes prescribed for thrombophlebitis.

Leeches can provoke allergies and trophic ulcers, which worsen varicose veins. The method is currently being replaced by non-traumatic drugs that contain anticoagulant components.

Medicines

The medicine may help to relieve the symptoms. Tablets, capsules based on grape extract, chestnut, which are biologically active supplements, are effective in the initial stage of varicose veins.

The aid is prescribed at the stage of compensation. Most ointments and gels contain heparin, which prevents blood from clotting. To a large extent the effect of ointments and gels is due to the massage during application.

However, at the stage of decompensation, the application of such products can cause additional skin manifestations. Relieving symptoms with medication is often temporary and does not cure the underlying cause.

Operations

Laser coagulation and sclerotherapy are minimally invasive techniques to exclude veins from the bloodstream. They are used for small diameters of varicose veins in the initial stages of varicose veins (when you get rid of spider veins, webs).

Endovasal laser coagulation of varicose veins

Phlebectomy

Surgical removal of veins is indicated in the third stage of the disease, accompanied by trophic ulcers and complications. In some cases, varicose veins of the legs do not develop according to the model presented in the staged classification. For example, the symptoms of the first stage may be completely absent: a picture of subcompensation immediately appears.

Or as the disease progresses, some signs of varicose veins do not add to the symptoms of the previous stage, but disappear. Therefore, at the beginning of the 21st century, Russian phlebologists, in addition to the step-by-step approach, adopted the International Classification (CEAP), which takes into account the facts about the individual characteristics of varicose veins and the effects of treatment when diagnosing the severity of the disease. .

Symptoms

Symptoms of pathology with varicose veins do not make people think of venous diseases:

feeling of heaviness in the legs;
fatigue after walking.

They tend to be associated with flat feet, unusual high heels, uncomfortable new shoes, lumbar osteochondrosis.

And only the visual detection of cyanotic varicose veins under the skin raises suspicion of the development of varicose veins.

Vascular network as the first sign of varicose veins appears most often below the knees

Women go to the doctor when they notice unpleasant cosmetic defects in the form of reddish venous "spiders" on the legs, under the knees, on the skin of the thighs.

The "influx" of young women who want to be treated by a phlebologist who specializes in venous diseases is usually associated with the upcoming summer beach season, taking care of their appearance, not health. With the help of pills, they want to restore the beauty of the skin of the feet.

Pregnant women are more careful about their condition. In addition to cosmetic changes, they note difficulty walking, increased fatigue in the evening.

The initial stage of the disease is indicated by the disappearance of clinical symptoms after lying down.

You can check for yourself by conducting this experiment: measure the volume of the lower leg at the level of the ankles or calf muscles in the morning and evening after work. If the difference is more than 1 cm, there are signs of initial varicose veins.

The following appear:

leg pain;
swelling of the legs;
feeling of fullness and heaviness in the legs;
muscle cramps at night;
varicose veins become like thick "snake" cords with darkened areas of skin.

These signs are clear manifestations of venous insufficiency and require treatment.

The main causes of varicose veins in women

Fatigue and swelling may be the first signs of venous blood flow disorders

The sex hormone estrogen plays a special role in the development of varicose veins in women. Its action leads to such problems as weight gain, depression, swelling, drowsiness, dryness of the mucous membranes. This hormone increases the permeability of small vessels. The fluid easily leaves the blood, the blood becomes less fluid. Excess fluid accumulates in the surrounding tissues. These factors contribute to the development of stagnation in the vessels of the lower extremities.

Causes of increased estrogen in women:

Imbalance in estrogen-progesterone production. This occurs as a result of a decrease in the level of progesterone in a woman's body;
Chronic stress. During stress, the body produces cortisol, which in turn inhibits progesterone synthesis;
Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the amount of estrogen in a woman's body increases;
Taking contraception. Varicose veins appear as a side effect of taking these drugs;
Liver disease because estrogen is removed from the body by the liver. With its poor function, this hormone accumulates in the body;
Age-related changes in hormone levels also lead to an imbalance of sex hormones with a predominance of estrogen.

Separately, the reasons for the development of varicose veins should be noted with overweight and genetic predisposition to this disease. If being overweight can and should be fought in the name of overall health, then genetic predisposition cannot be prevented. As a result of these factors, varicose veins are significantly "younger" and are now common in girls aged 16-20 years.

Full liver function is important for maintaining normal hormone levels. In addition to removing excess hormones, it is involved in the synthesis of substances - precursors of progesterone and estrogen. To improve its work, physical activity, good nutrition and minimizing the intake of toxic substances in the body are needed.

Treatment of varicose veins with traditional medicine

Treating varicose veins of the legs with medication is the most effective way, which is suitable for almost all patients. A wide range of drugs allows you to choose a more appropriate drug for long-term treatment.

Treatments for varicose veins of the legs

Venotonics are the most effective drugs for treating this disease. Venotonics are drugs that increase the tone of the veins and better blood flow from the veins.

These tablets can prevent the formation of characteristic varicose veins and nodules.

Apply ointments

The best treatment for varicose veins of the legs is an integrated approach, which includes drugs in the form of tablets, as well as the use of gels and ointments for external treatment of problem areas.

The ointment for varicose veins in the legs also helps to improve blood flow and prevents blood clots.

These products are recommended for use only after consultation with a doctor, who will also determine the duration of treatment and the mode of use.

Do not self-medicate - this may further harm the already poor condition of the patient.

Consequences of varicose veins.

Varicose veins can lead to the development of trophic leg ulcers, varicose veins in thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism (instant death) in the midst of apparent health.

Complicated stages of varicose veins require surgery. Although women most often suffer from varicose veins, men are also affected by this disease, mainly for hereditary reasons.

A man under 40 can appear on the operating table and radical measures are used to cure varicose veins - the diseased veins are removed.

Removing varicose veins is easy.

In the groin, the surgeon makes an incision where the great saphenous vein affected by varicose veins flows into the femoral vein. The vein is exposed, ligated and excised, and a second incision is made in the ankle. With the help of a special metal probe, which is inserted into the lumen of the vessel, the entire varicose vein is removed.

In the future, with the right technology of the operation, no recurrences are observed. The blood supply to the legs is distributed to other vessels and after 2 weeks everything is completely restored.

Risk factors predisposing to the development of varicose veins.

Genetics and pathology of connective tissue;
Woman;
Taking hormonal drugs: progesterone, estrogen;
Pregnancy;
Age: more often after 50;
Overweight and physical inactivity;
Prolonged standing (standing work: hairdressers, salespeople, teachers, etc. );
Obesity.

Symptoms and signs of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.

Symptoms of varicose veins	External characters
Pain in pain	Telangiectasia
Heavy legs	Reticular veins
Fatigue	Varicose veins
Puffiness	Thrombophlebitis
Itchy skin	Hyperpigmentation
Leg discomfort	Bleeding from a traumatic node
Cramps in the calf muscles	Ulcer

Treatment options for varicose veins.

The choice of treatment depends on the diameter and type of varicose veins

Varicose veins of the subcutaneous veins
Drug therapy
Elastic compression and bandaging of the legs
Injectable sclerotherapy
Foam Sclerotherapy
Laser therapy
Miniphlebectomy

Dear women, varicose veins can wrap you in long skirts and pants forever. If pills and ointments are not able to return your legs to normal, then the only sure way to remove varicose veins remains. In what way and where, this is only after consultation with a specialist phlebologist. The veins can now be treated surgically without hospitalization, without anesthesia, without incisions, with high accuracy. You just have to take a step towards your health.

Detailed information on varicose veins, symptoms, disease prevention, special exercises, treatment methods and the necessary nutrition can be found on the website: ovaricoze. ru

How varicose veins manifest in the early stages. Why it is dangerous

Generally, reticular varicose veins are painless. Therefore, the most common complaints that patients turn to doctors are cosmetic defects - visible reticular veins.

In rare cases, the appearance of such a varicose network is accompanied by a burning sensation or other changes in skin sensitivity.

In addition to these symptoms, the first stage of varicose veins occurs:

weight in the legs;
increased leg fatigue;
cramps in the muscles of the lower extremities, especially at night;
itching at the site of the vascular network;
swelling of the legs and feet.

To prevent disease progression, treatment needs to start on time

Therefore, it is important to consult a phlebologist, angiologist or vascular surgeon in time to tell you what to do with such skin formations. To begin with, the specialist will perform an examination and prescribe the necessary additional tests that will help identify the causes of asterisks or retinas, as well as to determine the degree of impaired venous circulation

To determine the extent of vascular lesions and their insufficiency, do:

complete blood count (indicates whether the patient has anemia or thrombocytopenia);
biochemical blood test (detects blood clotting disorders or liver and kidney function);
general urinalysis (detects kidney problems);
vascular ultrasound - duplex angioscanning (reveals vascular wall pathology and blood flow disorders);
X-ray phlebography with contrast (determines the location of venous lesions and the degree of damage to their functions).

If you do nothing after detecting the first signs of a reticular varicose vein, it is possible:

joining inflammation and development of thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the lower extremities;
transition of the pathological process from superficial veins of the lower extremities to deep ones;
venous thrombosis. If thrombosis occurs in the venous vessels of the head, it is dangerous for strokes and sinus thrombosis;

If you ignore the onset of reticular varicose veins and do not start treatment on time, the disease will progress. Then the development of complications will become inevitable.

Prevention

Don't forget about preventative measures. For prevention you need to take time for sports.

Avoid excessive physical activity. Wear comfortable shoes with low (up to 4 cm) heels. Remember that hot baths, baths and saunas have an adverse effect on the health of the feet.

And following these simple guidelines will help prevent the development of this disease:

try to get rid of bad habits - drinking and smoking negatively affect the condition of your blood vessels;
compression therapy - wear medical socks, tights and knee-high;
diet, weight control (overweight people are more likely to suffer from varicose veins), exclude fatty meats and poultry, give up spicy and salty foods, be sure to include vegetables and fruits in the diet;
massage - get in the habit of doing a light foot massage after a hard day's work, this will help you relax and improve the body's natural blood circulation.

Any disease is always easier to prevent than to cure. Be healthy!