Blood vessel problems are a fairly common and increasingly common phenomenon in modern society.Nowadays, varicose veins of the extremities are not diagnosed only in older people.The disease affects young people and even children.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins on the legs, arms and other parts of the body?The first signs of the disease are very important to know.Since the effectiveness of any further treatment depends on timely diagnosis.
This article will be devoted to the symptoms of varicose veins on the legs and other parts of the body.We will also talk about the causes of diseases and preventive measures necessary to prevent the development of the pathological process.And of course, we will pay attention to all kinds of methods for treating varicose veins on the legs, arms or other organs.
It is believed that this disease only affects the limbs of the human body.However, this is not true.Recently, doctors are increasingly diagnosing varicose veins of the small pelvis in women.Pathology is also found in the veins of the esophagus and other internal organs.How to identify and treat such anomalies?Let's find out.
Definition of disease
Before finding out what disease it is, it is necessary to obtain general information about the structure of the human circulatory system.
As you know, blood in our body circulates in the vessels.Arteries are vessels through which blood flows from the heart to various organs and tissues.Veins are also vessels, but blood flows through them in the opposite direction: from the organs and tissues to the heart.
To make this process happen in the right direction, there are non-return valves inside each vein.They ensure the necessary blood circulation in the right direction.What else can be achieved with such valves?Blood does not accumulate in one place, but circulates and enriches the body.
Varicose veins are characterized by damage to the intravascular valves, or even by their complete absence.As a result, the general blood flow is disrupted and it accumulates in the place where the pathology is detected.As a result, the veins increase in volume and dilate abnormally.
There are several types of veins in our body: superficial (located immediately under the skin), deep (hidden deep in the muscle tissue) and communicating (connecting the first two types).
Most often, varicose veins are diagnosed in superficial veins, for example on the legs, knees, calves or thighs.However, the disease can also affect vessels located in the pelvic or rectal region.
Lower limbs
First of all, let's pay attention to varicose veins of the lower extremities.Outwardly, the disease manifests itself in the form of purple, blue or bluish-green veins under the skin, which twist and protrude outward.Similar manifestations can be seen in the photo below.
Causes of varicose veins of the legs
As mentioned above, the main cause of the disease lies in pathological processes occurring in the blood vessels themselves.What could trigger such changes?
The main provocateurs of the disease include a hereditary predisposition to venous deformity.In addition, excessive loads on the legs can have a negative impact on the blood vessels, for example when a person, due to professional employment, constantly stands or walks.It is not surprising that teachers, athletes and hairdressers are predisposed to this disease.
Other negative factors that affect the elasticity of blood vessels are excess weight, hormonal changes and cardiovascular diseases (eg thrombosis).
Do not forget about bad habits that have a negative impact not only on the veins, but on the whole body.It is clear that smoking and alcohol abuse may well provoke the development of a pathological process in the blood vessels.
Often, the development of the disease can be triggered by pregnancy, which poses a significant stress and burden on the entire female body.In addition, carrying a baby affects the hormonal background of the pregnant woman, which can also provoke pathological processes occurring in the circulatory system.However, it is worth remembering that pregnancy as such is not the cause of varicose veins.Carrying a fetus can be the reason or one of the reasons for the manifestation of the disease.
It's no secret that the disease is most often diagnosed in women, and this is not always associated with pregnancy or hormonal changes.Wearing uncomfortable shoes (too narrow or with very high heels) is another of the main reasons for the development of varicose veins of the lower limbs.
Various damage to veins can be an important factor in the development of abnormal expansion of blood vessels.This can include injuries or inflammatory processes occurring in the vessels, as well as the formation of blood clots.
How to identify the disease at an early stage in order to begin rapid and quality treatment?Let's find out.
Symptom Details
The very first sign of a problem is pain in the legs, especially where the valve disorder occurred.It is also very important to pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities, as if the leg is heavy.This sensation is an important signal of vascular deformation.
Abnormal protrusion of veins is another sign of the development of pathology.Veins of dark purple shades appear under the skin, they curl and swell.
The skin in the area of the affected vessel becomes dry, may peel and darken, itch and itch.At the site of development of the pathological process, edema is formed, the skin swells or swells.
If you do not pay attention to these manifestations in time, the symptoms may intensify.The person begins to feel cramps and open ulcers form in the varicose veins, which can bleed and cause pain.Wounds are a risk of infection, so you should seek medical attention as soon as possible so as not to complicate an already difficult situation.
Disease Identification
What will they say at the hospital?Most likely, a specialist will refer you to the necessary examinations to diagnose the disease and exclude other possible diseases.
The most important diagnostic step is the physical examination of the patient.The patient will be asked to stand, sit and swing their legs.It is on the basis of an external examination that a diagnosis will be made.
After that, the doctor may recommend a Doppler ultrasound, based on which it will be possible to examine blood flow and, if necessary, detect a blood clot.
An angiogram may also be prescribed by a specialist.This study involves the injection of a certain dye into the vein, due to which the structure of the vessels and their pathological changes will be clearly visible on the x-ray.
General principles of recovery
Is it possible to treat varicose veins at home?Yes, especially when it comes to the early stages of the disease.
The first thing the doctor will advise you is to adjust your weight and nutrition program.That is, if a patient has extra pounds, then he must follow a special diet to normalize his weight.If the patient's weight is normal, he will still need to monitor his diet, avoiding fatty and salty foods, which can negatively affect blood vessels and also cause obesity.
In addition, a therapeutic diet may involve giving up strong coffee (and sometimes even tea), smoked foods and canned foods.Alcoholic beverages are also a 100% contraindication for people suffering from varicose veins.It is very important to eat more vegetables and fruits (including freshly squeezed juices), grains and soybeans.And of course, don't forget the greens.Parsley, dill and lettuce will help you cope with any illness!
Your doctor may also prescribe you to wear compression garments, such as stockings or even pantyhose.
Many men may have complexes about such an unusual treatment for varicose veins of the legs.However, we should not dwell on this problem.Compression garments are a fairly common method of treating vascular pathologies of the lower extremities.Its judicious use will not only relieve the patient of unpleasant symptoms and pain, but will also help prevent the progression of the disease.In some cases, such clothing will be recommended to the patient for constant use throughout their life.Very often, compression stockings are prescribed to pregnant women to alleviate their condition during pregnancy, when the body cannot be helped in any other way.
The essence of this therapeutic underwear is that it compresses the leg at the ankle level, gradually weakening the impact on the skin along the leg.This stimulates good blood circulation to the heart.
Nowadays you can find on sale various compression stockings and tights, which differ from each other not only in size, but also in the degree of compression (pressure exerted on the leg).
Another way to treat varicose veins is to prescribe special leg exercises.The specialist recommends to the patient certain exercises that will help normalize blood flow in the extremities.
Let's move on to drug treatment
To help fight the disease, special ointments and oral medications can be prescribed, the purpose of which is to thin the blood and improve its circulation.Additionally, these medications can strengthen blood vessel walls, relieve inflammation, and relieve pain.
Most often, doctors prescribe phlebotonics (or venotonic drugs).They improve lymphatic drainage, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, give them elasticity and reduce capillary permeability.
The patient may also be prescribed antiplatelet agents that dissolve clots and improve blood flow by inhibiting platelet aggregation and suppressing their adhesion.
During an exacerbation of the disease, it is very important to take medications that would prevent blood clotting.For this purpose, the attending physician may prescribe medications based on heparin or its derivatives.
According to experts, it is better to use nonsteroidal medications for inflammation.
And of course, don't forget the ointments.Local drugs are presented in huge quantities on the pharmacological market.
More radical treatments
The methods described above do not always achieve the desired result.
In such cases, your doctor may recommend non-invasive treatment options.What do they understand?Let's discuss each method.
Laser treatment
One of the gentlest methods of treating varicose veins is the use of a laser on the surface of the epidermis.A small flash of light illuminating the walls of the vein promotes the development of sclerosis, as a result of which the affected vein disappears, as if it had been removed.
Laser intravenous coagulation is another procedure for treating varicose veins.However, this involves making a small incision at a location just above or just below the affected vein.Then a catheter is inserted into the vessel and an ultrasound scan is sent.The action of the laser lasts about a minute, after which the patient feels heat in the area of the affected vein, which after a while disappears and becomes part of the connective tissue.
Since the patient receives local anesthesia before the procedure, he feels absolutely nothing.After handling, a feeling of heaviness in the lower limbs and bruising may occur.However, this does not affect the recovery period.The next day, the patient can go to work and carry out their usual activities.
Radio frequencies
In addition to laser, the ablation method can also be used, which is carried out almost in the same way as laser coagulation described above.The only difference is in the material used.Instead of a laser, the specialist uses radio frequency energy, which enters the affected vessel through a catheter, heats it until the walls of the vein collapse and it closes.After that, the blood is directed in another direction – to a healthy vessel.
Surgery
This involves the total or partial ablation of the vessel concerned.Varicose vein surgery is only prescribed as a last resort, when other treatment methods have failed.To combat varicose veins, surgeons use various surgical techniques.Some of them will be listed below:
- Crossectomy.
- Vein extraction.
- Miniphlebectomy.
- Endoscopy.
The essence of these manipulations comes down to the following: small incisions are made on the leg in several places (most often under and above the affected area), after which a thin flexible wire is inserted into the vessel, which removes the diseased vein.These operations are performed quite often and almost always proceed without complications, but they carry certain risks and inconveniences.
For example, such surgical procedures are performed under anesthesia (general or spinal).The use of anesthesia can lead to allergic reactions to the drugs used, bleeding and breathing problems.
Other negative factors that can occur after surgery include the possibility of infection, bruising and swelling in the affected area, nerve damage, irritation of the veins, or the formation of blood clots inside the vessels.It should also be remembered that surgical intervention does not guarantee the absence of relapse in the future.
The postoperative period does not last long.In one or two days, the patient can begin daily tasks.He will be advised to wear compression garments for a week.
Sclerotherapy
This is one of the methods of treating varicose veins that should also be paid attention to, and it can be carried out directly at the doctor's office without hospitalization.During the manipulation process, a special chemical solution is injected into the diseased vein, which acts as an irritant, leading to thickening and closure of the vein.After that, blood circulation occurs through healthy vessels.
This procedure is applicable when a small vein located in the knee region is affected.Sclerotherapy is usually combined with other methods of treating varicose veins.
Various drugs are used as a chemical solution.After the procedure, the patient will have to wear compression bandages soaked in a sclerosing agent.The duration of wearing will be determined individually by the attending physician.
Side effects of such injections include the following negative manifestations:
- The appearance of blood clots in other vessels of the lower extremities.
- Headaches.
- Painful sensations in the lower back.
- Temporary visual impairment.
- Fainting.
- Irritation of the epidermis around the injection site.
However, most patients tolerate sclerotherapy well.If contraindications are taken into account and the manipulation is carried out correctly, a positive result in the treatment of varicose veins is guaranteed.
Popular first aid kit
Is it possible to cure an illness using alternative medicine?In some cases - yes, especially if we are talking about the primary manifestations of the disease and treatment with grandmother's methods will be carried out with the permission of the attending physician.
So, what components should you stock up on to start effective treatment of the pathology?First, let’s take apple cider vinegar.Mix two teaspoons of the product in a glass of water, add a little honey and drink on an empty stomach in the morning.
Apple cider vinegar can also be used topically in the form of friction, after having dissolved it in water (ratio 1 to 10).Gently rub the affected area at night - by morning the unpleasant symptoms should subside.
Very often, chestnut tincture is used for varicose veins.To do this, collect beautiful and intact fruits and grind them in a meat grinder.Then fifty grams of raw materials are poured into a half-liter bottle of vodka and placed in a dark place for two weeks.After that, the tincture is filtered and taken orally, thirty to forty drops per tablespoon of water, half an hour before meals three or four times a day.The duration of such treatment is one month.Then take a break for two weeks and, if necessary, repeat.
This tincture can also be used to rub the affected area at night.
An ancient method to get rid of varicose veins is the use of leeches.The amount of hirudotherapy needed in each individual case depends on the patient and their doctor.
So we have paid enough attention to varicose veins of the lower limbs.Now let's talk about other types of diseases.
Pelvic vessels
This pathology is very easily confused with gynecological conditions in women.
Varicose veins in the pelvic region can be considered hormonal disorders, pathologies of the genitourinary system or even ordinary radiculitis.However, it is very important to identify the disease as early as possible.Varicose veins of the pelvis in women can disrupt the functioning of the ovaries and the entire circulatory system.
What are the causes of this intimate illness?
Disease provocateurs
The main reasons for the development of the disease include difficult pregnancy, regular high-intensity physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle, some gynecological diseases, prolonged use of hormonal drugs, dissatisfaction in sex life, etc.Most often, varicose veins of the pelvic veins occur against the background of an increased amount of estrogen.And of course, remember that excess weight and bad habits do not improve the situation, but only make it worse.
How to identify such a disease?
This important symptom
First of all, pelvic varicose veins are manifested by pain of varying intensity, which worsens after or during sexual intercourse, physical activity or prolonged stay in the same position.The disease is also characterized by bleeding, frequent urination, accompanied by pain, swelling, redness of the vulva or perineum, burning or itching in this area.
A few words about treatment
How to get rid of pathological dilatation of the pelvic veins?First of all, you need to contact a specialist.He may recommend wearing compression clothing and special gymnastics (these are well-known exercises performed in the supine position - "birch", "scissors" and "bicycle").
Among traditional methods, decoctions of dandelion or chaga root, as well as chestnut tinctures, have proven to be the most effective.
What can be said about another type of varicose veins - pathology of the gastrointestinal tract?
Digestive organs
Esophageal varices are not considered a very common disease;Most often, the disease is a concomitant symptom of a more serious illness.
Why does such a pathology appear and how to determine it?
Briefly about causes and symptoms
The main causes of dilation of the veins of the esophagus are congestion of the vessels of the liver, caused by thrombosis or cirrhosis.This pathology is most often diagnosed in men, as well as in patients with serious chronic diseases, especially those over fifty.How to identify the disease?
Esophageal varices are most often asymptomatic and are manifested by rare attacks of heartburn, heaviness in the abdomen, difficulty swallowing and belching.Sometimes patients may have external signs of a pathological process - protrusion of blood vessels and veins on the anterior wall of the abdomen (abdominal cavity).
Most often, the disease is diagnosed during an attack, which is when the wall of a vein ruptures and bleeding occurs.In most cases, bleeding is accompanied by vomiting (with blood), low blood pressure, general weakness, increased heart rate and bloody discharge (or impurities) in the stool.
If such symptoms appear, you should definitely take a blood test and an x-ray (with the introduction of special contrast solutions).
Treatment of esophageal pathology
Most often, treatment of this disease is carried out in intensive care.In case of bleeding, the initial task of doctors is to eliminate it.For this purpose, astringents, colloidal solutions and hemostatic agents can be used.In some cases, doctors recommend a transfusion of blood or its main components (or blood substitutes).
If the methods listed above do not give results, specialists may consider it advisable to carry out surgery or sclerosis of the esophagus.After recovery, the patient will have to follow a fairly strict diet for the rest of their life.Proper nutrition will include fractional meals, avoidance of fatty, smoked, salty and fried foods, exclusion of hot or too cold foods, etc.
Prevention
We know that the disease is easier to prevent than to treat.What measures should be taken to prevent the occurrence of a pathological process in the veins?
First of all – a healthy lifestyle!A reasonable diet, moderate physical activity, getting rid of bad habits, wearing comfortable shoes and clothes - all this will help not only improve your well-being, but also avoid many serious diseases.Good health to you!