A less aesthetic disease is varicose veins, which manifest themselves in the expansion of superficial venous vessels, the network of which can be seen through the skin.With this disease, blood circulation through these vessels is disturbed, which can lead to insufficient oxygen supply and removal of carbon dioxide.The symptoms are pronounced, so it is necessary to treat them in a timely manner.It is best to avoid this disease completely through prevention.Often, treatment for varicose veins involves surgery.
Why do varicose veins occur?There are reasons that are often encountered in the lives of many people:
- Metabolic disorder.
- Professions in which the person is constantly standing (salespeople, waiters, etc.).
- Bad habits (smoking and alcohol) that negatively affect the state of blood vessels.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Abuse of red pepper in food.
Reasons for developing varicose veins
Doctors are increasingly less inclined to believe that varicose veins are a hereditary disease.This is not always the case.Scientists look at other factors that often provoke the disease: lifestyle, hormone levels and nutrition.
Impaired metabolism is one of the causes of varicose veins.This leads to obesity, which is the result of an inactive lifestyle and poor diet, which are very common today.People increasingly consume highly processed foods, abandoning plant-based foods.
Furthermore, professions that require a person to stand for a long time, or sit for a long time, or carry heavy loads, or make sudden movements, put a lot of stress on the veins.All of this leads to the development of varicose veins over time.
- Long flights or transfers affect the condition of the veins, which is often observed in the male half.
- Women often suffer from varicose veins in the inguinal veins due to wearing tight underwear.They also suffer from varicose veins in the lower extremities if they walk a lot in high heels or uncomfortable soles.
Pregnancy also becomes a factor in the development of varicose veins, especially if there is a history of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis.
Other causes of varicose veins are:
- Deep vein thrombosis.
- Prostate adenoma.
- Cough.
- Constant constipation.
- Surgery using anesthesia.
How to recognize varicose veins?
The first sign of varicose veins is the appearance of a blue vein pattern (mesh) on the surface of the skin.It usually appears on the thighs, in places where cellulite is located - impaired fat metabolism, which puts pressure on the veins.
The second sign of varicose veins is swelling of the soft tissues of the legs.When diagnosing the disease, it is differentiated from renal urolithiasis and failure of the cardiovascular system.
The more varicose veins develop, the more severe the pain in the calf muscles becomes.The pain is dull or sharp, usually intensifying at lunchtime after undergoing a certain load during the day.
A person complains about:
- Weight in the legs.
- Trophic changes in the leg area.
- Nocturnal cramps.
On external examination, a grid or stars are visible, especially if the person is standing.If the patient lies down, the external manifestations of varicose veins may become invisible.The swelling usually goes away after a night's rest.
Stages of varicose veins
Varicose veins are progressive and go through the following phases:
- The first is the swelling of the veins, the heterogeneity of the structure, the hardening of the veins, the formation of nodules and thrombophlebitis.
- The second is fatigue, irritability, fatigue, heaviness in the legs.Deterioration of health, insomnia and memory loss.Complaints of nocturnal cramps appear.For a long time, the skin cannot return to its previous shape after removing outer clothing due to swelling.
- The third is trophic changes in the leg region.The skin becomes brown, dry, cracked, lifeless.Development of dermatitis with characteristic rash and itching.The swelling can now be located anywhere on the leg.The feeling of heaviness resembles muscle swelling.Any stress leads to rapid fatigue, which provokes depression, insomnia and weakness.
- The fourth is the stage of development of complications in the form of inflammation of the walls of the veins, bleeding or the occurrence of trophic ulcers.
Varicose veins during pregnancy
If a woman is prone to developing varicose veins or the first signs appeared before pregnancy, during pregnancy this disease will manifest itself in full force.Typically, 35% of women experience varicose veins during their first pregnancy, 50% during their second and 75% during their third.
Varicose veins are explained by the fact that blood enters the lower extremities, but its drainage becomes difficult.This leads to blood stagnation, causing the venous vessels to dilate and become visible.If the woman is not treated, there may be a risk of a blood clot breaking, which will lead to the death of mother and baby.
Other causes of varicose veins during pregnancy are:
- Hormonal changes.
- Enlargement of the uterus and its pressure in the vessels.
- Increased amount of blood.
- Individual characteristics.
The pathology can also appear in the anus area or on the outer labia.
Varicose veins of the pelvis
Varicose veins can develop not only in the legs,
but also in the pelvic region.Often this disease develops in women.It is diagnosed using three-dimensional ultrasound, where it is possible to observe dilated veins in the small pelvis, as well as inflammatory processes in the uterus, ovaries and bladder.
The symptoms of varicose veins in the pelvis are similar to those of varicose veins in the legs.Heaviness and pain are felt in the lower abdomen.The cause is usually pregnancy, pelvic pathologies, difficult childbirth.Other factors are:
- Constantly carrying a child in your arms.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Take oral contraceptives.
- Congenital underdevelopment of the venous wall.
How are varicose veins treated?
Conservative treatment is only allowed if there are contraindications to surgery or at the initial stage of varicose veins, when pathological changes have not yet occurred.Here they are used:
- Bandage.
- Compression socks.
- Constant change of posture.
- Elevate your legs so they can rest.
- Avoid poorly ventilated areas and high temperatures.
- Eliminate large amounts of liquids and salt from the diet.
- Taking diuretics.
- Venoprotectors.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Exercise therapy for uncomplicated varicose veins: bathing, swimming, water aerobics.
- Ointments.
- Hirudotherapy.
Operations for varicose veins
Tumescent anesthesia (use of local anesthetic) is part of the surgical procedure.This measure is necessary if pathological changes have already begun.
Miniphlebectomy is an operation using local anesthesia - small punctures are made on the surface of the skin directly into the veins.
Another type of operation is the removal of the affected veins using short scraping.
Endoscopic vein dissection is another type of surgery that uses an endoscopic machine to identify the area of the affected vein.
Prevention and prognosis for varicose veins
Varicose veins can be prevented or stopped in their development.To do this, it is necessary to follow preventive measures that provide favorable prognoses:
- Giving up bad habits.
- Wear compression clothing.
- Massage of legs, thighs and back.
- Exercise therapy.
- Stress relief.
- Maintain personal foot hygiene.
- Eliminate constipation.
The most effective method would be to change your daily routine.You should eliminate high physical activity and get plenty of rest.You can also resort to traditional medicine recipes.