Varicose veins or varicose veins are a pathological process that many people face. In most cases, the disease affects the vessels of the legs, which leads to their lengthening, deformation, thinning of the vascular walls. In addition, the valves located in the veins cease to fully perform their functions, which disrupts the systemic circulation and blood stagnates in the veins.
Under the influence of the described factors the vessels increase in size, appear on the surface, manifesting through the skin. As a result, a whole vascular network is visible on the surface of the skin, often with nodules and trophic ulcers. However, in addition to aesthetic disturbances, the problem is much deeper and is often accompanied by painful sensations.
The nature of pain in varicose veins
First of all, it is important to understand that the term "very common" does not mean that pain is accompanied by 100% of cases of varicose veins. Much depends on a number of factors, the individual characteristics of the patient's body and even in the later stages of the progression of the pathological process there may be no pain.
If we classify the painful sensations, we will first consider their location:
- In most cases, the pain syndrome is localized directly at the site of vascular lesions, their deformation.
- In second place in terms of frequency of localization is the area of the gastrocnemius muscle, while the pain itself is localized closer to the popliteal area of the leg.
- The lowest probability of localization of the pain syndrome is in the ankle area.
Of course, the likelihood of developing leg pain increases with the progression of the pathological process. This is due to the deterioration of the condition of blood vessels, their enlargement, the progression of stagnant processes and, accordingly, the increase in vascular pressure. Eventually, the pressure can increase so much that the walls of the vessel will not withstand, threatening internal bleeding, hematoma formation and trophic ulcers.
Accordingly, the nature of the pain depends on the degree of development of the disease:
- In the initial stages, painful or rather unpleasant sensations of pulling or squeezing are caused by swelling of the legs. It is important to understand that along with blood flow disorders, fluid is retained in the legs, which causes swelling. In the initial stages the swelling is periodic, more often it appears in the evening, and the discomfort is caused by fatigue, walking in shoes during the day, in extreme cases by skin tension.
- The fact of fatigue deserves special attention. With varicose veins, the legs get tired faster. Initially, this is expressed during prolonged physical activity during the day (if the patient stays for a long time, walks a lot, etc. ). However, as the disease progresses, fatigue is felt more often and more intensely, which is why characteristic painful sensations are felt. In this case, the pain is dull in nature, also pulling or aching.
- In about the second stage of the disease, with the deterioration of the condition of the veins, their more serious deformation and dysfunction of the valves with moderate severity, patients complain of the effect of severity. In this case, the pain is characterized as cracked, in some cases even called acute. This is due to the increasing pressure in the vessels and if in the beginning it is enough to lie down and put your feet on a hill so that the pain subsides, in the future you will have to deal with them using medication.
- The development of the pain syndrome is most likely, as well as its increased intensity in case of progression of varicose veins to the last, fourth stage. It is at this stage that vascular deformation and vascular pressure reach a peak.
It is difficult to describe more precisely the characteristics of the painful sensations in varicose veins of the legs. This is due to the individual characteristics of the body of each patient, as well as the characteristics of the course of the disease. However, the pain can be felt as:
- Stupid.
- Pulling.
- Pain.
- Bursting.
- Compressive.
- Sharp.
- Like cuts.
Also in the second and even more often the third stage of the pathology development the pain is accompanied by muscle cramps, which disturb the patients mainly during night sleep.
Causes of painful sensations
Understanding where varicose veins come from can help you deal with this problem more effectively or prevent pain. Thus, pain occurs under the influence of the following causes:
- Pathological changes in the vascular bed slow down blood circulation in certain areas of the veins. This leads to a reduction in blood flow, which causes a lack of oxygen and pain.
- Blood circulation promotes the elimination of waste products that are constantly produced by the body in small quantities. Due to the reduction of blood flow and its stagnation, the breakdown products are removed slowly, which leads to the appearance of toxins that poison living cells, this process also causes painful sensations.
- The appearance of pain is also contributed by trophic disorders, which appear in the late stages of development of varicose veins and with the progression of the disease only intensify, provoking more and more acute pain.
The pain intensifies with exercise, leg fatigue, in most cases become particularly intense in the afternoon or evening.
Methods for dealing with pathology
For the complete elimination of pain it is necessary to focus all efforts on the treatment of the pathological process. To do this, you should consult a doctor who will conduct a diagnosis, based on which he will prescribe the treatment that is most appropriate for a particular patient.
The treatment will take some time during which the patient will be tormented by pain. That is why it is important to understand not only how to deal with varicose veins, but also to know the methods of pain relief.
First aid in the fight against pain
Elimination of pain is only a symptomatic part of the treatment, in most cases it does not affect the solution of the main problem - varicose veins.
However, it is very important to eliminate the pain, think about the basic methods of dealing with unpleasant and painful sensations:
- In the initial stages of the disease, the pain is unstable, their intensity is quite low and occurs mainly in the evening. In such cases, it is enough to lie down and put your feet on a pillow or just lean them against the wall so that the feet are above body level. This position facilitates blood flow, thus reducing pain and swelling.
- It is also very useful to do a light massage, mixing the lower extremities with massaging and rubbing movements. Remember that you can stretch your legs during the day, which is very useful in the later stages of the disease.
Traditional methods of pain relief
In severe pain that bothers you constantly, as well as in cases where there is no way to massage or relax, you should resort to medication. Of course, only a doctor should prescribe a drug, but in most cases the following drugs are used:
- Special agents in the form of gels - we are mainly talking about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which effectively relieve pain, as well as have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and moderate antipyretic effect.
- In some cases, you can resort to painkillers, but in varicose veins their effect is insignificant and short-lived. These are mainly analgesics and antispasmodics.
- If the painful sensations are accompanied or aggravated by seizures, it is worth talking to your doctor about the use of muscle relaxants, which help reduce muscle spasms.
- Also, traditional methods of dealing with painful sensations in varicose veins of the legs include wearing special compression stockings, socks or tights. This method is considered the most effective in relieving pain, and its effect is the longest. The specified underwear should be bought only in pharmacies, and since it has a different degree of compression, first consult your doctor.
Folk remedies
There are also many ways in folk medicine to eliminate or prevent the pain caused by the development of varicose veins. Consider some of the most effective methods and recipes:
- Horse chestnut - you need to prepare an alcoholic tincture of the fruits of this tree. To do this, grind 100 grams of peeled chestnuts, place in a glass jar and pour 500 milliliters of vodka. Place the dish in a dark place and leave for 7-8 days at room temperature, stirring once a day. The tincture is then filtered and rubbed on the feet before going to bed or even during the day if the pain is bothersome during the day.
- Products based on beeswax or propolis show high effectiveness in combating pain in varicose veins. To prepare the drug, take 80-90 grams of propolis, grind it and pour 300 milliliters of medical alcohol in a glass container. The agent is infused for 30 days or until the propolis is completely dissolved, during which time it is kept in a dark place, shaking periodically. Once the medicine is ready, you can rub your feet or apply lotions.
Prevent pain
It is also important to understand that in the early stages of the disease, when the pain is not intense or rarely infrequent, but treatment has begun, it will be sufficient to follow the recommendations that reduce the likelihood of painful sensations:
- Avoid wearing high heels.
- Make sure your shoes are comfortable.
- In the cold season, when working indoors, it is important to switch from boots to lighter and more comfortable shoes.
- Try to minimize stress on your feet.
- It is impossible to maintain a static position for a long time. If you stand a lot, try to sit more, but if you sit a lot, it is important to take periodic walks or at least warm up.
- During the day, try to massage the lower extremities, 5 minutes of light massage will protect you from pain during the day.
- It is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle, start doing light sports, eat right, give up bad habits, etc.