See what causes varicose veins. Varicose veins (varicose veins). Conservative methods of treating varicose veins

Heaviness, fatigue and swelling of the legs can be a sign of a dangerous and unpleasant disease - varicose veins. Most often it affects women in adulthood, but recently the disease has begun to appear in young girls. Let's figure out how to treat varicose veins on the legs of women.

Causes of varicose veins in women

A person’s veins have valves that prevent the reverse flow of blood; when disturbances occur in their functioning, the walls of the vessels become thinner and stretched, which can cause stagnation - this is how varicose veins manifest themselves.

The main causes of varicose veins on the legs in women:

Hereditary predisposition to venous diseases (congenital anomalies of venous valves and vessel walls);
Pregnancy increases the load on all organs, including the vascular system;
Metabolic disorders, taking hormonal drugs;
Overweight;
High physical load on the lower extremities, especially among athletes and people who spend most of their time on their feet - teachers, salespeople, etc.;
Sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work;
Prolonged sitting in a cross-legged position;
Wearing uncomfortable tight clothes and tight shoes;
Leg injuries.

Recently, varicose veins on the legs of young girls and women are appearing more and more often. This is also primarily due to heredity (due to which the disease can develop even in young children) and pregnancy (due to changes in hormonal status, the blood may become thicker, and increased intra-abdominal pressure impedes the outflow of venous blood).

Interesting!
Excess of female sex hormones negatively affects the collagen fibers lining the walls of the veins. Because of this, vascular tone can become noticeably worse, which is why varicose veins appear in women.

Symptoms of varicose veins in women

Varicose veins develop slowly in women and require long-term treatment. The disease progresses, gradually circulatory disorders lead to damage to the valves and stretching of the walls of blood vessels. In the photo, signs of varicose veins in women's legs are visible to the naked eye.

Women suffer from varicose veins much more often than men, so they need to monitor the health of their circulatory system carefully, especially if someone in the family also has problems with veins.

The main symptoms of varicose veins in women on the legs:

Manifestation of the capillary network;
Night cramps in the calf muscles;
Feeling tired in the legs in the evening: swelling, aching pain, burning;
Veins appear on the surface of the skin;
Tissue hyperemia, change in skin color: it may turn red, pale, or become cyanotic. Pigment spots may appear;
In the advanced stage, lesions appear that do not heal for a long time.

If symptoms of varicose veins are detected, it is important for a woman to immediately consult a phlebologist or vascular surgeon. An advanced form of the disease can lead to complications: blood poisoning, amputation and even death.

Methods for treating varicose veins in women

After the doctor diagnoses varicose veins, the woman must follow all recommendations to eliminate the disease. No matter what stage the disease is at, it is important to use comprehensive treatment to avoid surgery. Particular attention should be paid.

Surgery

The most advanced cases of varicose veins require special and thorough treatment. A radical method is to perform a surgical operation to remove the swollen vein. There are two types of intervention:

Classic phlebectomy is a traumatic operation with a long rehabilitation period. During the manipulations, the diseased area of the vessel is removed. After surgery, bleeding and infection may occur in the wound;

Surgical intervention is not performed during pregnancy and infectious diseases, so as not to provoke a deterioration in the woman’s condition.

Miniphlebectomy helps eliminate even small nodules. The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia, small punctures are made, through which the affected vessel is pulled out with a hook and excised. Recovery takes several days, but has virtually no contraindications.

Phlebosclerizing treatment

A modern, low-traumatic method of treating varicose veins on the legs in women, its essence lies in the fact that the damaged vein is sealed using certain procedures, and the rehabilitation period is almost completely absent. There are no traces of such intervention left. Types of minimally invasive (almost complete absence of trauma to other tissues and systems of the body) therapy:

Sclerotherapy is the introduction of a special adhesive component into the affected vessel;
Laser coagulation – under the influence of a beam, the vascular network on the legs is eliminated;
Radiofrequency ablation is performed using a disposable catheter, which heats up during manipulation, stimulating the contraction of dilated vessels.

Pharmacological drugs

Treatment of varicose veins in women is carried out with drugs for internal and external use. Medicines are necessary to relieve inflammation, strengthen the venous walls and prevent blood thickening and thrombus formation. But for this, a woman will need to take medications for a long time; before using them, it is recommended to consult a list of contraindications and consult a specialist in order to prevent further development of the disease.

At the first stage of varicose veins on the legs, only ointments and creams are enough to eliminate swelling and a feeling of fatigue, such as Lyoton, Troxevasin and Venitan.

If difficulties arise in the treatment of varicose veins, additional oral tablets are prescribed: Detralex, Diclofenac.

If there is a risk of blood clots or the blood is too thick, then it is imperative to take blood thinners - medications based on aspirin or heparin.

To get rid of venous nodes you will need surgery - no drugs or folk methods will help.

Compression jersey

Compression garments for women come in three forms: tights, stockings or knee socks. It is recommended to be worn after surgical operations, as well as during complex treatment of varicose veins. To determine what degree of compression of the jersey you need, contact a specialist - only he will determine, depending on the stage of the disease, the required level of support.

Folk recipes

Traditional medicine helps relieve symptoms, but it does not cure varicose veins in women. There are various recipes that help speed up recovery and strengthen the walls of blood vessels at home.

Decoctions thin the blood, tone the blood vessels, preventing their injury, and strengthen the body’s immunity:

Pour 20 g of nettle (dried or fresh) with one glass of boiling water, let it brew for 1 hour. Divide the resulting decoction into 3 servings and drink a glass of it daily throughout the day. This tincture strengthens the veins and prevents valve wear;
Ginseng tones and eliminates vascular diseases. An alcohol tincture can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared yourself; for this you need 150 g of dried ginseng, poured with 600 ml of vodka. The product should be infused for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place, then the liquid should be strained and taken 4 times a day, 1-2 spoons on an empty stomach.

Compresses and ointments act externally on diseased areas of the legs, eliminate varicose veins, acting locally.

Finely grate the beets, mix with 2 tablespoons of honey and mix thoroughly. Apply the ointment to the damaged areas of your legs for at least a few hours.
Apply raw potato paste to the affected areas of your legs overnight. The course of treatment lasts 4-6 weeks, with sessions repeated daily. The next morning, you should wash your foot with clean water.

By adhering to proper nutrition and performing simple exercises, the patient has the opportunity to speed up recovery or prevent the condition from worsening. First of all, adjust your diet - reduce the consumption of fatty, smoked and salty foods, alcohol and confectionery. Give preference to fresh vegetables and fruits, seafood and fish, diversify your diet by eating lean lean meat, seafood, nuts and legumes.

Do light exercises every day - moderate, reasonable load on your legs helps keep your blood vessels healthy longer. Find at least 20-30 minutes a day for physical activity - walk in the park, ride a bike, go swimming.

With varicose veins, a woman needs to be careful with thermal procedures. Sauna, bathhouse, waxing and hot wraps can cause a woman’s condition to worsen.

Varicose veins affect women more often than men; this is primarily due to the physiological characteristics of the fair sex. The disease begins in women of all ages, including very young girls, and its slow development lulls the vigilance of patients, so treatment begins when varicose veins in the legs have already reached a critical stage and brings discomfort. Therapy includes adjusting the diet, wearing supportive underwear, taking medications and, in the absence of contraindications, using folk remedies. Surgical intervention is used only in advanced cases.

Varicose veins on the legs are not only a cosmetic problem that causes people to worry about their attractiveness, but also a dangerous disease that requires adequate treatment and compliance with preventive measures.

There are many reasons for the occurrence of varicose veins: from a sedentary lifestyle, physical overload, to hormonal imbalances, congenital weakness of the vascular walls, and pregnancy. What happens during varicose veins? With varicose veins of the lower extremities, they lose their normal elasticity and become stretched under blood pressure.

The valves in the veins are normally locks, and when blood passes through them, they close and allow the blood to flow back out. If the valves malfunction, blood can be freely delivered downwards, resulting in blood stagnation.

In this regard, the veins cannot cope with the pressure, they expand, the valves are no longer able to close the large lumen... all this provokes the occurrence of the initial stage of varicose veins (see photo).

Causes

Why do varicose veins occur and what are they? The main risk factors for developing the disease are genetic predisposition and gender. Due to the love of high heels, hormonal changes during pregnancy and the use of contraceptives, women become victims of varicose veins twice as often as men.

The development of the disease is promoted by:

Heredity. What is inherited is not the disease itself, but the genetically determined structure of the veins: weak connective tissue of the venous walls, congenital defective vein valves. That is why varicose veins can be observed in young, healthy and active (regardless of gender) people and even in children. According to scientists, genetic predisposition is the main factor leading to varicose veins in the legs.
Hormonal changes. Due to the characteristics of the body in women, periods of hormonal imbalances become causes of blood stagnation. For them, the most dangerous periods are puberty, pregnancy, and the time after childbirth. It is also a dangerous time when... This gender category of patients consults doctors 2-3 times more often. The female organs do not have enough hormones called estrogens. Instead, the so-called corpus luteum hormones predominate. It is believed that it has a relaxing effect on the muscles. This promotes the expansion of veins.
Sedentary lifestyle, or work that requires standing for long periods of time contributes to the development of varicose veins.
Age . Over time, the valves and walls of the veins become thinner, which leads to disruption of their function.
Obesity. Excess weight leads to increased stress on the veins of the legs.

Secondary varicose veins occur with leg injuries, heart defects, dysfunction of the liver and spleen. In this case, first of all, appropriate treatment of the primary disease is carried out.

Stages

There are 3 stages of progression of symptoms in the development of varicose veins.

Compensation stage. No complaints. On examination, varicose veins are observed on one or both legs.
Subcompensation stage. Upon examination, pronounced varicose veins are visible on the legs. Patients complain of a feeling of fullness, paresthesia (“pins and needles”) in the lower legs, and night cramps. There is slight swelling of the feet, ankles and legs in the evenings. In the morning the swelling disappears.
Stage of decompensation. The listed characteristics are joined by , . Patients are bothered by itchy skin. The skin becomes dry, shiny, tightly fused with the subcutaneous tissue. Minor hemorrhages and subsequent deposition of hemosiderin cause hyperpigmentation.

Varicose veins in themselves are not considered a very serious disease, but if they have already developed, they will never go away on their own, and even moreover, they will progress, leading to all sorts of complications, which pose the greatest danger.

Signs

The first signs indicating the onset of the development of varicose veins:

rapid fatigue of the legs;
feeling of heaviness in the legs.

At later stages, one can note the appearance of spider veins on the skin, protruding veins and various seals, indicating congestion in the blood vessels.

Symptoms of varicose veins on the legs

At different stages of varicose veins, symptoms can be different - from practically asymptomatic small spider veins to severe and painful manifestations.

You can suspect the development of the initial stage based on the following symptoms:

the appearance of pain in the legs, a feeling of warmth, and sometimes a burning sensation in the veins of the legs;
heaviness in the legs;
in the evening swelling appears in the legs;
leg cramps begin at night;
dilated veins;
the skin of the lower leg becomes dark in color, compactions appear, and trophic ulcers are possible.

Having discovered any primary signs, you need to immediately begin treatment for varicose veins - the symptoms will not disappear on their own.

Varicose veins photo: initial stage

What the disease looks like, we offer detailed photos of varicose veins on the legs in the initial stage.

Diagnostics

In order to diagnose varicose veins of the lower extremities and prescribe appropriate treatment, the specialist will ask the patient to undergo a comprehensive examination, which includes various methods.

Duplex scanning (ultrasound of veins)– the most informative method for diagnosing varicose veins of the legs, which makes it possible to get an idea of the degree of dilation of the veins, the direction of blood flow through the veins and their patency, as well as detect the presence of blood clots (thrombi).
Contrast venography, which is an examination method that allows you to detect dilated veins and learn about the degree of their patency for blood.

Only a highly qualified phlebologist can diagnose deep vein varicose veins.

Consequences

The complicated course of varicose veins is accompanied by inflammation of the veins and skin disorders. These complications manifest themselves in changes in skin color on the legs, redness, darkening, and blueness of the skin.

Also characterized by constant swelling of the ankle, especially severe when walking or standing. In the calf area, there is pain when walking, pain along the tortuous vein, thickening of the skin and the formation of ulcers of various sizes on it.

Prevention

If you are prone to this disease, following these recommendations will help slow its progression:

Wear comfortable flat or low-heeled shoes.
When under strain, you can have your legs bandaged or wear medicinal knitwear, but only after consulting a doctor.
Do not stand or sit in one place for a long time - move, warm up, change your body position more often.
Do not take hot baths, especially in the morning - it is better to replace them with a warm shower with a final cold douse.
Stop smoking, which worsens the condition of blood vessels.

The main prevention is moderate physical activity: swimming, walking, cycling, exercise.

During pregnancy

Pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing varicose veins of the lower extremities, due to the following reasons:

Hormones circulating in the blood during pregnancy increase the distensibility of the venous wall and contribute to stagnation of venous blood in the legs.
Increased intra-abdominal pressure in late pregnancy makes it difficult for blood to flow through the veins of the legs.
Varicose veins that occur during pregnancy may disappear completely after childbirth, or progress further, depending on individual factors (heredity, the presence of other contributing factors).

Treatment of varicose veins on the legs

For varicose veins in the legs, treatment may not be a medical necessity unless the symptoms are problematic.

However, some people may want to be treated for varicose veins for cosmetic reasons because they are unhappy with their appearance.

Let's look at the main methods that will help get rid of this problem.

Sclerotherapy. This treatment method is used both independently and in combination with conservative procedures. Its essence is that a special drug is injected into the vein with a thin needle or syringe, sealing it, and subsequently the vein completely disappears. Sessions are held once a week, 3 to 6 such sessions are required. The method allows you to avoid scars and scars.
Non-surgical treatment. If varicose veins are in the early stages and if they do not cause too much discomfort, elastic compression stockings may be recommended. They are worn during daily activities. They help compress the veins, keeping them from stretching and limiting any discomfort or pain.
Drug treatment Varicose veins relieve symptoms, reduce swelling and pain, slow down the development process, but are not able to stop the disease completely and restore damaged veins. For drug treatment, the following drugs are used: “Venitan”, “Venoplant”, “Heparoid”, “Ascorutical Forte”, “Venza”, “”, “Eskuzan”, “”, etc.
Laser treatment varicose veins on the legs can be used on the surface of the skin. With the help of a small flash of laser light, a sclerosis process develops in the vein wall and the varicose vein disappears, as if it had been removed.

Physical activity plays a major role in treatment and prevention - brisk walking, gymnastics, swimming and exercises in water (excluding sports exercises with a large load on the legs - tennis, weightlifting, jumping).

Venotonic drugs

The action of these drugs is aimed at increasing the tone of smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels, which allows them to maintain their elasticity and normalize blood circulation in the affected areas.

. The drug has a venotonic effect due to its composition based on flavonoid derivatives. These are one of the most effective structural substances for creating venotonics.
- tablets are produced by Innothera Chouzy (France) and contain 600 mg of diosmin as an active substance. The effect increases with increasing dosage. The ability to reduce the distensibility of venous vessels and capillaries, increase the outflow of blood from the periphery, and reduce vascular permeability has been proven.
Excusan is a drug based on the substance “Escin”, which is extracted from chestnut. The drug is available in the form of drops, as well as in the form of tablets for internal use. This medicine has a wide spectrum of action and is recommended to combat various diseases.

Many of the venotonics are complex-action drugs. The effect that is achieved when using them extends not only to the veins, but also to all vessels in our body.

How to treat varicose veins with folk remedies

There are a huge number of methods for treating varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies, both for external and internal use. Below are the most common:

Horse chestnut flowers(50 grams) you need to pour 500 grams of alcohol, then let it brew for 14 days, shaking the bottle every day. Pass the tincture through the mesh and take a tablespoon with water three times a day before meals. Once you have been treated for a week, take a break for two weeks. Then treatment can be started again.
Dried nettle infusion used for varicose veins. Dry crushed leaves of the plant are poured into a thermos with 1/2 liter of boiling water, left for 30-40 minutes, filtered and taken 1/3 cup 3 times a day 1 hour after meals.
Tomato compress. Finely chopped tomato, placed on a bandage, gauze, and applied to the sore spot. For convenience, you can tie it with an elastic or other bandage. Keep this compress on the vein for 2 hours, then change it to a new one, and so on a total of 3 times. The convenience of this compress is that it can be repeated every day.
Oily walnut tincture: chop unripe nuts, pour into a glass container, pour in olive oil and leave for 40 days in a sunny place. Lubricate sore areas with the prepared tincture. The course of treatment is long, as with the use of Kalanchoe.

In addition to folk remedies, many patients with varicose veins supplement therapy with special gymnastics - Mikulin’s exercises allow you to feel a significant improvement.

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The initial stage of varicose veins can be practically asymptomatic. This is the insidiousness of the disease at this stage. Many symptoms may coincide with signs of osteochondrosis or flat feet. If your legs become very tired in the evening, swelling appears, and venous mesh appears, you need to visit a phlebologist or surgeon as soon as possible. The doctor will conduct an examination, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate therapy.

First signs and reasons for development

The initial stage of varicose veins can begin to appear at a young age (30-35 years) and more often in the female population. If young girls abuse high heels, this pathological process may occur earlier.

The first stage of varicose veins on the legs may have a hereditary predisposition. In addition to this factor, there are others that can provoke the development of this pathological process.

These include:

overweight;
pregnancy, childbirth;
unbalanced diet;
excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking;
professional activity that involves standing on your feet for a long time;
excessive physical activity;
tight clothing that compresses the skin;
uncomfortable shoes;
endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus);
flat feet;
pathological conditions that occur in internal organs and create excess pressure in the venous vessels of the legs.

Varicose veins of the first degree are characterized by the following symptoms:

pain in the legs of varying intensity and location;
cramps and itching at night;
swelling;
a feeling of tiredness in the legs, which can occur at any time of the day;
skin color changes;
the skin may become dry to the touch;
pigmentation and various dermatitis appear;
a venous pattern begins to appear (spider veins);
swollen veins may protrude above the surface of the skin.

Varicose veins of the 1st degree may be indicated by such a fact as the disappearance of most of the above symptoms after resting in a horizontal position (lying down).

You can determine how varicose veins on the legs begin, as well as its stage, by performing a small experiment. To carry it out, you only need a measuring tape. In the morning and evening, it is necessary to measure the diameter of the ankle and/or lower leg. If the difference in measurements is more than 1 cm, then the experimental person develops the initial stage of varicose veins on the legs.

Varicose veins of the pelvic vessels

The initial stage of varicose veins of the small pelvis occurs mainly in women of childbearing age. The main cause of occurrence will be pregnancy. It is during this period that the pelvic veins expand. Also, the activation of this process is affected by changes in hormonal levels.

The first stage of varicose veins of the pelvis is usually asymptomatic. When seeking medical help, the doctor will prescribe an additional examination for the patient in the form of ultrasound and/or Doppler sonography.

Symptoms that should alert a woman to varicose veins are:

menstrual irregularities;
painful bleeding;
profuse bleeding;
pain in the lower abdomen, which may worsen during sexual intercourse.

If a woman ignores the symptoms of varicose veins at the initial stage, then the problem begins to worsen. Venous networks appear, and the venous vessels begin to rise above the skin on the buttocks and thighs.

If you let the disease take its course, reproductive function may be impaired.

Women who have been diagnosed with varicose veins, the initial stage of damage to the pelvic vessels, are contraindicated to give birth naturally.

Treatment

If varicose veins begin on the legs, what to do in this situation?

The first thing you need to do is change your lifestyle: start eating a balanced diet, lose excess weight, get rid of bad habits.

At the initial stage of varicose veins, it is necessary to do self-massage of the legs, engage in feasible physical activity, and start using special ointments and creams that relieve the symptoms of tired legs.

After an additional examination and consultation with a doctor has been carried out, you can take venotonic drugs. They help relieve swelling, strengthen the walls of affected vessels and improve blood flow.

Treatment of varicose veins in the early stages can be carried out using sclerotherapy. With this method, at the initial stage of development of the disease, a special substance is injected into the vein, which helps restore the venous wall and resorption of the vein. After this procedure, it is recommended to wear compression garments.

If a person is diagnosed with varicose veins, in particular its initial stage, doctors can recommend the following set of measures for the disease:

do not wear shoes with heels higher than 4 cm;
do morning exercises, swimming;
bring body weight to conventional norms;
to refuse from bad habits;
wear compression garments, which are selected strictly individually and worn in a supine position;
use traditional medicine in treatment;
use venotonics in tablets and ointments.

Only a doctor should determine how to treat incipient varicose veins with medications.

Varicose veins are a serious cosmetic defect and a very complex disease. The appearance of “stars” and protruding veins on the legs is a sign of a serious circulatory problem. Therefore, varicose veins in the area of superficial veins are the field of activity not only of cosmetologists who remove stars, but also of phlebologists who treat the causes of varicose veins and complications.

the site understands what influences development varicose veins and how to prevent its occurrence.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins, or varicose veins, are a progressive disease of the subcutaneous and then deep veins, which gradually lose their elasticity. As a result of the loss of elasticity by the vessels, they begin to lose their original shape, expand, twist and form nodular extensions (varixes, varicose thickenings or nodes), which give the name to the disease.

In the vast majority of cases, women suffer from this disease, and they come to see a phlebologist when the disease is already in an advanced stage.

The root of the problem

Veins in the body act as a network of branched reservoirs that carry blood from tissues to the heart. In the area of the lower extremities, the network is represented by deep or superficial veins, which are interconnected by emergency blood discharge systems. Usually the main load falls on the deep veins - they are larger and stronger. Superficial veins take on about 15% of the work.

The heart, as you know, plays the role of a pump and drives blood through the veins, and some of the blood is pushed through the veins against gravity due to the work of the muscles surrounding the veins when walking, squatting and moving. When muscles relax due to standing, a small range of movements and poor training of the legs, blood rushes down under the influence of gravity. But special valves, a kind of pockets on the walls of the veins, do not allow it back.

If the valves are damaged, the veins are dilated or inflamed, they cannot hold blood - congestion develops, the veins begin to swell and bulge. The normal blood supply to the extremities is disrupted and varicose veins develop.

Causes of varicose veins

But many of us stand on our feet for a long time, sit in the office or exercise our legs little, but not everyone develops varicose veins. There are logical explanations for this: for the development of varicose veins there must also be predisposing factors.

These include burdened heredity - varicose veins are inherited “as a dowry” from your mother or grandmother. Varicose veins are caused by frequent pregnancies and difficult childbirths, hard work, if you have to carry loads of more than 5-7 kg, if you stand on your feet for a long time or sit in a stationary position, or if you take hormonal medications.

How to recognize varicose veins?

Listen to your body. If you have:

there is pain in the legs,
heaviness in the calf area,
spider veins appeared,
swelling of the feet and they get very tired in their usual shoes,
they bother you at night convulsions in the area of the calf muscles,
the skin seems to go numb,

– it’s time for you to see a phlebologist.

While you are getting ready for your appointment, you need to remember about prevention.

Causes and prevention of varicose veins

There are certain preventive measures that can help you feel lighter and reduce the risk of varicose veins and its complications, especially if you are predisposed to the disease.

If you are at home, try to do some of your homework in a sitting position or sit down for a short rest.

If you watch TV, read or talk on the phone, remember the American habit - put your feet up on the back of the sofa or on the table. Sitting with your legs elevated several times a day is very beneficial.
Sleep on the bed with your legs elevated, place a cushion under your feet to sleep on(pillow, folded blanket).
Cancel very hot baths, steam rooms and saunas- It's bad for your feet.
Have a beneficial effect pouring cool water on your feet– this increases the tone of the veins; a cold shower with massaging attachments is also useful. They are given water massage in the morning and in the evening.
Varicose veins are one of the problems of obese people, and its appearance is another reason to start losing weight. Remember the permissible weight lifting limit for women: no more than 3 kilograms in each hand.
Varicose veins are promoted by tight clothes with elastic bands, narrow shoes and high-heeled shoes - it’s worth reconsidering your wardrobe if you want your legs to stop hurting.
And regularly wearing special underwear or anti-varicose stockings or tights and knitwear is an excellent fixation of veins and their training. Just pick up such underwear in a specialized medical products store. It requires a certificate and instructions for putting on and wearing.
If your job is static, throw your legs up on the table more often when resting, get up to stretch, and don’t sit cross-legged - this is an extremely bad habit. Place a bench under your feet or attach a crossbar at a height of 15-20 cm - this will improve the flow of blood from the veins. You can use special gels that relieve tired legs and tone the walls of the veins, massage the calf muscles and walk barefoot more often.

Are you familiar with this problem?

Varicose veins are a widespread disease among both male and female populations. This is a pathology that progresses over time and affects the subcutaneous vessels that carry blood to the heart. Varicose veins are accompanied by a significant decrease in the elasticity of the vein walls, causing them to become dilated, knotty, thickened, and may become covered with nodes. The latter formations arise both due to various vascular pathologies and against the background of certain genetic defects. Varicose veins are most often found on the lower extremities, sometimes in the pelvis, stomach and esophagus. In men, this problem can be detected in the testicles and spermatic cords. In each case, the causes of varicose veins are different.

How does the human venous system work?

Veins are vessels that are designed to carry blood from different tissues to the human heart. On the lower extremities, a fairly branched network is formed from them, which makes it possible to more effectively perform all assigned functions. Veins can be deep or superficial. They are connected to each other by an emergency blood discharge system. Deep veins are always larger in diameter and stronger because they do almost all the work of pumping blood. Superficial vessels perform a small part of all assigned functions (about 15%).

The process of venous and arterial circulation is started by the heart. Due to the effective work of this muscle, the blood rises in small rhythmic bursts. Its movement is fixed in certain areas, which is possible due to the presence of special valves. They do not allow blood to move downwards, but hold it until the next upward push.

If a person leads an active life, his muscular system is always in a certain tone, its rhythmic contraction and relaxation ensures the normal movement of blood from one valve to another. If for certain reasons the operation of this complex is disrupted, a reverse throw is observed. This causes the veins to malfunction, causing them to dilate, swell, and stretch. They become unable to ensure optimal flow movement. As a result, blood stagnates in the veins, which is called varicose veins.

Causes of disruption of the normal functioning of vein valves?

Special valves are placed only in the connecting veins, which are located between the deep and superficial. If this mechanism works correctly, it allows the blood to rise, but does not allow it to fall. They provide the speed of movement and push it upward. If, due to certain reasons, the vein is dilated, a small hole forms between the parts of the valve. It is this that leads to the fact that the blood can return in reverse. It is thrown into a superficial or deep vein, which leads to negative consequences for a person. The constant accumulation of blood over time provokes an even greater increase in the gap between the valves.

If counterflow (reflux) is constantly observed in the superficial veins, then a phenomenon called “stars” is observed. Subsequently, a node forms at the problem area, which protrudes above the surface of the skin. This condition only gets worse over time. It is very difficult to independently launch the reverse development mechanism. If a vein has lost the tone of its walls and is stretched, it is not able to restore its previous condition. This can only be done surgically.

At the initial stages of varicose veins, it is necessary to analyze the causes that led to this condition in order to eliminate them. A decrease in the tone of the vein walls always occurs due to the negative impact of certain external factors.

Main causes of varicose veins

The appearance of varicose veins in the legs is in many cases associated with the following reasons:

genetic predisposition. This is the main reason that leads to varicose veins. If many members of a person’s family have this problem, then with a high degree of probability it will appear in him too. This is especially true in cases where there are other unfavorable factors leading to varicose veins;
a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to decreased muscle tone. Veins do not have their own autonomous contraction-relaxation system to push blood upward. All this work is taken on by the muscles, which should not be forgotten;

gender It has been established that varicose veins most often bother women's legs. This negative process is facilitated by pregnancy, childbirth, taking certain hormonal medications, health problems and other reasons. A particularly important role in the formation of varicose veins is played by high levels of progesterone, which are observed during pregnancy. This hormone leads to a decrease in uterine contractility, which is necessary for a successful pregnancy. At the same time, it affects other muscles in the body in the same way, leading to a decrease in their tone;
excess weight. An increase in body weight negatively affects the functioning of the entire body. This also has a bad effect on the functioning of the circulatory system, which is under increased stress;

unfavorable working conditions. Varicose veins occur several times more often in people who, due to their professional activities, are forced to sit or stand for a long time. This leads to a decrease in the tone of the walls of the veins and provokes stagnation of blood in them. Most of all, the problem of varicose veins can be found among drivers, hairdressers, office workers, waiters and others;
excessive physical activity. Varicose veins also often appear in people who work too intensely or participate in strenuous sports.

Secondary causes of varicose veins

There are also secondary causes of varicose veins on the legs. The presence of these factors does not absolutely lead to the disease, but in some cases it can provoke it. This is especially often observed when a person is exposed to several external stimuli, which are aggravated by hereditary predisposition.

These causes of varicose veins include:

the presence of some obstacles to the normal outflow of blood from the veins may become some kind of formation. It could be a blood clot, tumor, etc.;
constant stress, anxiety, depression, severe psycho-emotional state. Such factors negatively affect the condition of the veins in the human body. On their surface there are nerve endings, thanks to which they acquire additional elasticity. With a certain negative impact, the desired tone is lost, which leads to the development of varicose veins;

the presence of arterial-venous junctions. They are very often formed due to increased pressure in the area of arterial blood flow;
tight, uncomfortable shoes or clothing. Leads to poor circulation and can cause the formation of venous networks and more severe problems. High-heeled shoes also have a negative effect on the state of the circulatory system. It leads to improper fixation of the feet, poor load distribution;

decreased venous tone as a result of previous diseases. This occurs due to the negative effects of various pathogenic microorganisms, which can be observed with influenza, pyelonephritis and other inflammatory processes;
bad habits. The state of the human circulatory system is negatively affected by excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, drug addiction, etc.;

age-related changes. Over time, the walls of any person’s veins lose their original elasticity. They begin to gradually expand, which leads to varicose veins;
increased blood cholesterol levels;

the presence of flat feet or other defects of the musculoskeletal system, which leads to improper distribution of the entire load from the body and creates additional difficulties for the effective functioning of the veins;
the presence of too frequent and intense exposure to high temperatures on the body (taking hot baths, visiting saunas or baths, excessive tanning).

Varicose veins on the legs in women and men can manifest themselves to varying degrees, based on which several stages of the disease are distinguished:

zero. In this case, the symptoms of varicose veins appear with low intensity. A person may experience some heaviness in the legs, suffer from night cramps and swelling. At the zero stage of varicose veins, when using instrumental diagnostic methods, negative changes in the vessels are not detected;
Stage 1. To the above symptoms are added more obvious signs of varicose veins. A sick person develops spider veins and a venous network on his legs, which manifests itself quite intensely;
Stage 2. It is characterized by the development of characteristic symptoms of varicose veins - rather dilated veins and nodules that are clearly visible to the person himself. They are bluish in color and can often be felt in the muscles if the patient changes body position. With the development of stage 2 varicose veins, there is an increased risk of blood clots as blood stagnates in the nodules of the deep veins;

Stage 3. It is characterized by the same list of symptoms of varicose veins as in the previous case. Added to this is severe swelling, which mainly appears in the evening. Also, at this stage of varicose veins, cramps, pain and significant discomfort in the lower extremities are very disturbing;
Stage 4. A characteristic feature of varicose veins in this case is the appearance of trophic nodules, which over time transform into ulcers. They can appear on the skin as a result of the slightest inflammation. The surface of the lower extremities becomes dark in color - from brown to almost black;
Stage 5. Characterized by all of the above symptoms, to which is added a trophic ulcer (opening again and again);
Stage 6. In this case, with varicose veins, a trophic ulcer forms on the skin, which is usually prone to expansion and significant deepening.

Causes of varicose veins in the pelvis

Varicose veins in the pelvis or rectum can be found in almost any person. This problem appears due to the following reasons:

frequent constipation, which leads to increased pressure in the rectum with the subsequent development of varicose veins or hemorrhoids;
severe cough, intense sneezing during the development of colds;
a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to stagnation of blood in the pelvis and varicose veins;
too intense physical activity, heavy lifting;
pregnancy. The condition of the veins located in the rectum is negatively affected not only by changes in hormonal levels, but also by increased pressure from the growing fetus and intense stress on the body of women during childbirth.

When should you see a doctor if you suspect varicose veins?

When the first signs of varicose veins appear, you should consult a phlebologist as soon as possible. Many people simply ignore the first signs of varicose veins, which leads to its active progression. The later the correct diagnosis is made and appropriate preventive therapy is prescribed, the greater the likelihood of the absence of many dangerous consequences. Also, in some cases, the use of such methods allows one to avoid or delay as much as possible the use of surgical treatment for varicose veins.

Seeing a doctor is mandatory in the following cases:

if a blood clot of any size is found on an enlarged vein with varicose veins, when pressing on it there is pain;
if a red nodule is visualized on the vessel, which does not disappear when the leg is raised. This indicates the formation of blood clots, which are frequent companions of varicose veins;
when a varicose vein ruptured in the ankle area. This situation leads to significant blood loss. In this case, a tourniquet or even a simple fabric bandage must be applied to the problem area. After this, you must urgently consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of varicose veins

If symptoms of varicose veins are detected, a sick person is recommended to undergo a comprehensive examination, which will help determine the condition of the veins and the necessary treatment tactics:

general blood analysis. Using this diagnostic method, it is possible to identify many disorders that develop with varicose veins. In particular, the presence of problems with blood clotting and inflammation of various types is determined;
ultrasonography. The most popular method for diagnosing varicose veins, which allows you to identify problem areas and determine the current condition of veins and other vessels;
rheovasography. This research method helps to determine the lack of tissue nutrition, on the basis of which a conclusion is made about the stage of varicose veins;
phlebography. During this procedure, a contrast agent is injected into the veins. After this, an X-ray machine is used to assess the condition of the venous system, which makes it possible to determine the stage of varicose veins;
physiological tests. With their help, you can assess the condition of venous valves, which have many defects in varicose veins.

Prognosis for the presence of varicose veins

Varicose veins on the legs in women are a chronic disease that cannot be cured conservatively. At the initial stages, this problem can only be masked and its course can be alleviated with the help of some preventive measures. If you follow simple rules, a full life with varicose veins becomes possible.

These include:

giving up bad habits, rational nutrition, normalizing weight, which is necessary for varicose veins;
absence of stressful situations;
If a person with varicose veins is forced to stay in one position for a long time, there is no need to cross their legs, which leads to worsening blood circulation. It is best to try to change your body position from time to time, which will avoid stagnation of blood in the veins;

If severe pain occurs in the lower extremities or swelling due to varicose veins, it is recommended to take a position in which the feet should be placed higher than the hips. In this case, the outflow of blood improves, which will help eliminate or reduce the manifestation of all unpleasant symptoms;
use of compression therapy. Varicose veins on women's legs can be controlled with the help of special stockings, knee socks, and tights. Compression garments should be selected by specialists taking into account the characteristics of the disease. If you use it incorrectly, you can, on the contrary, worsen the condition of a person with varicose veins;
Any overheating of the feet must be avoided. Thermal exposure leads to dilation of the veins, which leads to a worsening of the patient's condition. Therefore, people suffering from varicose veins are advised to avoid visiting saunas, steam baths, solariums and other procedures of this type;

using a cold shower to eliminate unpleasant symptoms that worsen in the evening. Exposure to cold temperatures increases the tone of the veins and strengthens their walls. To carry out the hardening procedure, it is not recommended to use ice water, which can only worsen the situation. The optimal duration of the procedure is 10 seconds. It is recommended to shower from foot to thigh;
For preventive purposes, any physical activity is recommended, which should be present in the life of a sick person every day. A regular walk in the fresh air, as well as exercise in the pool, aerobics, and dancing will be useful. In this case, lifting heavy weights is strictly prohibited.

Also, varicose veins cannot be controlled without eliminating the irritants that led to this condition, or limiting their negative effects on the body as much as possible.