Pathological processes that affect the vascular system are a serious danger of the body.This applies to any diseases of this type, regardless of their scale and localization.In particular, this applies to varicose veins, which in most cases affects the vessels of the legs.
In the modern world, varicose veins is one of the topical problems, many people are subject to its development.Pathology is not only a cosmetic problem, damage to the vessels in the legs has serious consequences.Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms of the development of varicose veins, to know its symptoms, and also have ideas about treatment.
The mechanism of the development of varicose veins
Varicose veins or varicose veins are called a disease in which the mentioned vessels are subjected to pathological changes in the following nature:
- Expansion, that is, an increase in the lumen of the vessel.
- Stretching, or rather, lengthening of the vein.
- The thinning of the vascular wall, due to which the vein becomes more fragile and is more prone to physical damage.
- The exhaustion or gradual destruction of the valve apparatus, which plays a decisive role in the process of transporting blood back to the heart.
- In the late stages of the disease due to deformation of the veins, nodules or “vascular stars” resembling aneurysms are formed.
All described violations lead to two types of consequences, aesthetic and functional, where the second type is much more weight.If we talk about the aesthetic factor, we are talking about the fact that the subcutaneous vessels increase in size, swell and appear closer to the surface of the skin, which is why they become clearly visible even with the naked eye.As the disease progresses and increased deformation of the veins, they begin to resemble hugs, nodules appear, which aggravates the aesthetic appearance even more.
But functional problems are more serious and dangerous, because we are talking about a violation of the main function of the vein - the transportation of blood from organs to the heart.Varicosis contributes to stagnant processes in the vessels, due to depletion of valves, the blood is not fully evacuated, stagnant.This leads to local toxic lesions, as well as a gradual increase in pressure in the vessels.Ultimately, in the later stages of the disease, the vessels cannot cope with excess pressure, tears appear in the thin walls, which leads to hemorrhages, the formation of hematomas, and trophic ulcers.
Classification of varicose veins
The above has repeatedly stated that the degree of damage and deformation of the veins depends on the stage of progression of the disease.Therefore, it is worth mentioning that it is customary to classify varicose veins according to three stages of development:
- The first and easiest form of the disease is compensatory.It is characterized by minor deformation, often it is often impossible to determine without the appropriate diagnosis.Symptoms in this case are scarce or completely absent.
- Subcompensation or the middle stage - veins appear on the surface of the skin, an increase, like deformation, are insignificant.However, the vessels and vascular nets are already clearly visible, and in the evenings of patients, an increased feeling of fatigue, bursting, swelling torments, minor pains can be disturbed.It is characteristic that by morning (after night sleep or long -term rest) the symptoms disappear.
- The stage of decompensation is the most severe - we are talking about a serious defeat of veins, their pronounced deformation.The vessels are not only highly visible, they look like tubercles and stick out on the surface of the skin, nodules form, eczema, hematomas appear.The described symptoms in the form of pain, edema and other unpleasant sensations intensify.
It is important to understand that initially varicose veins does not pose a serious danger and in time the treatment beguns prevents the progression of the disease.But if the treatment is not engaged, there is a high risk of complications, among which thrombosis, inflammatory processes in the veins, the formation of trophic ulcers, constant pain syndrome.
Factors of the development of the disease
Knowledge of the causes and factors predisposing to the development of varicose veins not only help in the fight against the pathological process, but also prevent its development.These reasons and factors are as follows:
- Genetic predisposition - in this case, we are talking about a hereditary predisposition to the weakness of the venous valves, as well as the underdevelopment of the connective tissues of the walls of blood vessels.Such developmental abnormalities increase the development of varicose veins, since the valve apparatus is initially subject to functional disorders.
- The professional component - the risk group is also led by people who, by virtue of their professional activity, are forced to spend a long time on their feet for a long time, especially those who cost a lot (hairdressers, sellers, cooks, surgeons, etc.).
- Overweight
- The accumulation of excess weight leads to increased legs, moreover, in this case, the level of cholesterol in the blood increases, which also negatively affects the functioning of the vascular system.The higher the degree of obesity, the more likely the fact of the development of varicose veins is likely. - Contribute to the occurrence of varicose expansion of veins of blood coagulation pathology.Due to the increase in blood platelets, blood becomes more viscous, there is a risk of blood clots.All this prevents normal blood circulation, causing varicose veins.
- Another factor in the development of the disease is serious hormonal disorders.Women are more affected by such problems, especially during pregnancy, menopause or taking hormonal drugs.
The list shows only the main factors in the development of varicose veins, in fact there are much more.For example, we add inconvenient shoes or walking in high heels, alcoholism, smoking, diabetes, mechanical damage to blood vessels, etc.
Clinical picture
Very often, varicose veins in early forms of development may not show itself at all, symptoms appear at 2-3 stages of the progression of the disease.Nevertheless, it is worth considering symptoms, starting from the very first signs:
- The first symptom indicating the occurrence of varicose veins is fatigue in the legs.Initially, this feeling is insignificant, makes itself felt mainly in the evening.But as the disease develops, fatigue worries more and more often, it becomes more intense.
- The feeling of squeezing and pain - begin to bother from the second stage, initially also closer to the evening, and in the morning they disappear completely.But as before, with the progression of varicose veins, they become more intense, ultimately worried.
- The protruding veins and the vascular mesh - this feature also becomes more and more obvious as the pathological process develops.Initially, the veins are simply visible stronger than usual, in the later stages they stick out, tubercles appear, the "stars" form.
- Swelling - they can begin to disturb right away, in such cases their reasons seem incomprehensible, and the swelling itself is so insignificant that they are practically not felt.Over time, the legs swell more and more, which causes a lot of discomfort and enhances pain.
- Convulsions - it is believed that if a person is systematically tormented by convulsions that cover the calf muscles or foot, it can also be signs of varicose veins.
- Hyperthermia - occurs in the late stages of the development of the disease and is expressed in a change in the color of the skin, the skin on the legs becomes Cyanotic.
Diagnostic methods
In order to treat varicose veins, the most effectively as possible, an accurate understanding of what stage of development is the disease and evaluate the degree of hemodynamics.To do this, you need to go through a number of diagnostic measures:
- The initial examination, during which the doctor finds out the patient's complaints, collects an anamnesis, and also conducts a visual examination and palpation of problem areas.
- Ultrasound scanning for familiarization with the dynamic characteristics of blood flow.
- Duplex scanning of veins is one of the most informative diagnostic methods that provides a detailed visual picture of blood flow velocity in different parts of the vascular channel.
- Phlebography using a contrast matter, which is introduced into the veins studied.
Treatment of varicose veins
The fight against varicose veins of any severity requires contacting a phlebologist, who will make a treatment regimen based on the obtained diagnostic data.
Drug therapy
The main effect expected from taking medications is a decrease in pressure in veins by eliminating stagnant processes, restoring normal blood circulation.In addition, in the framework of therapy, symptomatic treatment may be required.In general, the doctor can prescribe drugs of such groups:
- Venotonics and Phlebotonics - designed to improve the outflow of lymph and normalize blood circulation, perform the main treatment task.
- Drugs of the NSAID group - stop painful sensations, and also have an anti -inflammatory effect.
- Anticoagulants to reduce blood viscosity and prevent thrombosis.
- Also, people with varicose veins are recommended to wear special compression linen.
Only a doctor is engaged in determining the need to use any medicine and its appointment.In addition, drug therapy only does not allow the disease to progress, it is impossible to return to deformed vessels the previous state with conservative methods of treatment.
Traditional medicine
Folk remedies are not able to have an equally serious therapeutic effect as traditional methods of medicine.However, “grandmother's recipes” is an excellent help to drug treatment, so we will consider some of the most effective recipes:
- Tomato compresses-just cut tomato with slices and attach to problem areas for 15-20 minutes.The tomatoes contain a Carotenoid pigment that promotes the strengthening and toning veins.
- You can make a potato compress, for this, put your legs with potato cleaning and tie it for 2 hours.The same method works with the use of cabbage and Kalanchoe leaves, but cuts must be made on these plants.
- It is also recommended to rub your feet with apple cider vinegar daily before bedtime, the course of treatment is 30 days.
Surgical treatment
Surgery in the fight against varicose veins is the most effective method that radically solves the problem, and not just restraining the disease.Surgical treatment methods include:
- Sclerotherapy - the introduction of a special substance into the venous lumen that glues the vessel, as a result of which it disappears independently, replaced by connective tissue.
- Laser exposure is applicable to blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin.Laser irradiation creates the effect of sclerosis in Vienna, as a result of which the vessel disappears.
- Flebectomy - the dressing of the site deformed vein with the subsequent removal of its trunk.