Varicose veins on the legs are one of the most unpleasant and common diseases.This disease can cause enormous discomfort, damage the circulatory system and prematurely deprive the legs of their natural beauty.
In order to be well prepared and stay healthy for many years, it is important to know everything about varicose veins.
What are varicose veins on the legs?
Varicose veins (VV) affect every third member of the fair sex who have reached the age of 30-40.The disease occurs less frequently in men and adolescents.
The veins in the legs have special valves.With their help, blood is only directed into itone direction (upward).Failure of these valves will result in thisThe blood may move downward (against the normal direction), obstructing its outflow.
Over the years, the blood vessels lose their tone, become more fragile, and the venous valves lose their ability to circulate blood effectively.This disrupts blood circulation throughout the body.The appearance of thin vein networks and stars is the first sign of the development of varicose veins.
In addition, venous dilatation of the leg veins begins to progress.The veins enlarge, swell and take on an unhealthy bluish hue.They often become inflamed and ruptured, causing severe discomfort, pain and burning.A common place for vascular formations is the popliteal fossa and adjacent areas.
In addition to the lower extremities, other areas of the body are also susceptible to the disease:
- different parts of the hands;
- pelvic veins;
- groin and genitals
With varicose veins, women are often embarrassed to wear dresses and skirts and are forced to give preference to men's clothing styles.
Interesting fact!The term “varicose veins” comes from Latin.The word Varix is translated as “knot”.The disease is accompanied by the characteristic formation of vascular nodules.
What causes varicose veins: reasons
Many people know the expression: movement is life.This is exactly the case with venous diseases.What causes varicose veins on the legs?A sedentary lifestyle is the first reason for its occurrence..Lack of activity negatively affects the condition of blood vessels.Blood circulation deteriorates, the blood stagnates and the first vascular network emerges.
If you put constant strain on your legs, the risk of illness increases.Standing for long periods of time puts excessive pressure on the lower limbs and causes blood to stagnate there.
A sedentary lifestyle is no less harmful- It contributes to the weakening of blood vessels and therefore to the manifestation of the symptoms of varicose veins.The causes of varicose veins of the lower extremities vary from person to person.
The most common include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- chronic stress and sedentary work;
- alcohol abuse, poor diet and obesity;
- wear tight clothing and high-heeled shoes every day;
- taking hormonal contraceptives;
- Changes in the female body during menopause or pregnancy.
The cause of vascular disease in men can be heavy physical activity, excessive exercise, excessive use of saunas and baths.
Symptoms
There are many signs of the development of RVV.The first thing you need to pay attention to is the appearance of pain in the legs.This is the first alarm call.The diagnosis of varicose veins is confirmed if the following symptoms are present:
- throbbing pain at the sites of blood vessels;
- Burning in the leg muscles and frequent night cramps;
- pain when walking;
- Feeling tired when standing;
- “Humming” in the legs at the end of the day
Traditional healers add psychological causes to the traditional causes of illness.In her opinion, a person's internal state has a major influence on the development or containment of the disease.
Varicose veins on the legs occur unnoticed.The first lesions most often occur in the posterior region of the knee joint(in the back of the knee) and adjacent areas of the legs.Spider veins and edema are often overlooked.It is these minor manifestations that become the first signs of vascular circulatory disorders.
If treatment is neglected, trophic ulcers, thrombophlebitis, bleeding from varicose veins, muscle deformation and irreversible skin changes may develop.The most dangerous consequences are the risk of gangrene or blood clot rupture, which, of course, leads to death.
Important to know!The advanced stage of varicose veins often cannot be treated with medications and folk remedies and therefore requires mandatory surgical intervention.
How varicose veins develop
The disease is rapid in nature, develops and progresses quite quickly.Varicose veins on the foot become the beginning of “full-blown” varicose veins.Venous insufficiency is systemic in nature, their characteristic manifestations are observed in different parts of the body and may be accompanied by hemorrhoids and other signs of the disease.
The following international classification is called CEAP (Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathology).
Phlebologists distinguish 6 stages of varicose veins:
First stagerepresents the initial stage of the development of the disease, in which increased fatigue, heaviness and swelling of the lower extremities, as well as the development of a weak vascular network are observed at the end of the day.Sometimes cramps can be felt in the calves even at this stage.
First, the capillaries (small vessels) dilate, then the problem is no longer cosmetic and the period itself can last more than a year.
Second stagecontributes to significant discomfort.Enlarged veins in the legs and vascular networks are very clearly visible, swelling and pain increasingly increase.Venous valves lose their ability to perform their function.The second stage of the disease requires qualified medical care.
Third stagecharacterized by the constant presence of pain, severe swelling and cramps in the lower extremities.The veins in the legs are dilated and swelling makes it impossible to wear shoes with the same level of comfort.These symptoms appear as a result of intense physical activity or, conversely, after prolonged restriction of movement.
Fourth stagediagnosed when the skin's metabolism is disturbed.As a result, the skin becomes covered with brownish-brown spots, localized mainly in the ankle area.The pigmented skin area thickens and subsequently trophic ulcers form on it.If there is a risk of blood clots, the patient is advised to do soimmediate surgical intervention.
The description of the first four stages helps to gain a comprehensive understanding of how varicose veins develop.
Fifth stagedetermined by the presence of keloid scars formed after treatment of trophic ulcers.Often the wound reopens in the same place.
Sixth stageimplies exactly this (an open ulcer).In this case, urgent surgery is required;A skin transplant is often performed.
Conclusion
If you know what varicose veins are and how to treat them, you can confidently resist the insidious enemy.If you contact a medical institution in a timely manner, a qualified specialist will help you solve the problem.The treatment approach is always individual.
In the initial stages, you can get by with changing the lifestyle that led to the development of the disease.If there are pronounced signs of venous insufficiency, complex therapy is required with the prescription of systemic drugs, local agents and physiotherapy.
The use of traditional medicine recipes can also bring many benefits, but requires the approval of the treating doctor.