Problems with blood vessels are a fairly common phenomenon, occurring more and more often in modern society.Nowadays, varicose veins of the extremities are diagnosed not 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 all subsequent treatments 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 of treating varicose veins on legs, arms or other organs.
It is believed that this disease affects only the limbs of the human body.However, this is not true.Recently, doctors are increasingly diagnosing varicose veins of the small pelvis in women.The 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 the disease is, it is necessary to obtain general information about the structure of the human circulatory system.
As you know, blood in our body circulates through 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 organs and tissues to the heart.
In order for this process to occur in the right direction, there are one-way valves inside each vein.They provide 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 intravascular valves or even their complete absence.As a result, the general flow of blood is disrupted and it accumulates in the place where the pathology is detected.For this reason 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 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 area.
Lower limbs
First, let's pay attention to varicose veins of the lower extremities.Externally, the disease manifests itself in the form of purple, blue or bluish-green veins under the skin that curl and protrude outward.Similar manifestations can be seen in the photo below.
Causes of varicose veins in the legs
The main cause of the disease, as mentioned above, is the pathological processes that occur in the blood vessels themselves.What could trigger such changes?
The main provocateurs of the disease include a hereditary predisposition to deformation of the veins.In addition, excessive load on the legs can have a negative effect on blood vessels, for example, when a person, due to his 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 (for example, thrombosis).
Do not forget about bad habits that have a negative impact not only on the veins, but on the entire body as a whole.It is clear that smoking and alcohol abuse can provoke the development of a pathological process in the blood vessels.
Often the development of the disease can be triggered by pregnancy, which represents a great stress and burden for the entire body of the woman.In addition, carrying a child affects the hormonal background of the expectant mother, which can also cause pathological processes occurring in the circulatory system.However, it is worth remembering that, as such, pregnancy 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 diagnosed more often in women, and this is not always associated with pregnancy or hormonal changes.Wearing uncomfortable shoes (too tight or with very high heels) is another of the main reasons for the development of varicose veins in the lower limbs.
An important factor in the development of abnormal expansion of blood vessels can be various damage to the veins.This may include injury or inflammatory processes occurring in the vessels, as well as the formation of blood clots.
How to identify the disease at an early stage to begin timely and high-quality treatment?Let's find out.
Details about symptoms
The first sign of a problem is pain in the legs, particularly where the valve disorder occurred.It is also very important to pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities, as if the leg was heavy.This sensation is an important signal of vascular deformation.
Abnormal protrusion of the veins is another sign of the development of the pathology.Veins of dark purple hue appear under the skin, curl and swell.
The skin in the affected vessel area 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 area of the varicose veins, which may bleed and cause pain.Wounds pose a possibility of infection, so you should see a doctor as soon as possible so as not to complicate an already difficult situation.
Identification of the disease
What will they say in the hospital?Most likely, a specialist will refer you for the necessary tests 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 his legs.It is on the basis of an external examination that the diagnosis will be made.
Next, the doctor may recommend a Doppler ultrasound, according to which it will be possible to examine blood flow and, if present, detect a blood clot.
A specialist may also prescribe an angiogram.This study involves the injection of a certain dye into the vein, thanks to which the structure of the vessels and their pathological changes will be clearly visible on the x-ray.
General recovery principles
Is it possible to cure varicose veins at home?Yes, especially when it comes to the initial stages of the disease.
The first thing your doctor will recommend is to adjust your weight and nutritional program.That is, if a patient has extra pounds, he should follow a special diet to normalize his body 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 even cause obesity.
In addition, a therapeutic diet may involve giving up strong coffee (and sometimes even tea), smoked foods and canned food.Alcoholic drinks are also a 100% contraindication for people suffering from varicose veins.It is very important to eat more fruits and vegetables (including freshly squeezed juices), cereals and soy.And of course, don't forget the greens.Parsley, dill and lettuce are what will help you cope with any ailment!
Your doctor may also prescribe the use of compression clothing, such as stockings or pantyhose.
Many men may have complexes regarding such an unusual treatment for varicose veins in the legs.However, you should not get stuck on this issue.Compression garments are a fairly common method for treating vascular pathologies of the lower extremities.Its judicious use will not only relieve the patient from unpleasant symptoms and pain, but also help prevent the progression of the disease.In some cases, this item of clothing will be recommended to the patient for constant use throughout their life.Very often, pregnant women are prescribed compression stockings to alleviate their condition during pregnancy, when the body cannot be helped in any other way.
The essence of this therapeutic underwear is that they compress the leg in the ankle area, gradually softening the impact on the skin along the leg.This stimulates proper blood circulation to the heart.
Nowadays you can find various compression stockings and tights on sale, which differ 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 exercises for the legs.The specialist recommends the patient some exercises that will help normalize blood flow to the extremities.
Let's move on to pharmacological treatment
To help fight the disease, special ointments and oral medications may be prescribed, the purpose of which is to thin the blood and improve its circulation.In addition, such drugs can strengthen the walls of blood vessels, 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 fluidity by inhibiting platelet aggregation and suppressing their adhesion.
During an exacerbation of the disease, it is very important to take drugs that prevent blood clotting.For this purpose, the doctor can prescribe drugs based on heparin or its derivatives.
According to experts, against inflammation it is better to use non-steroidal drugs.
And, of course, we must not forget about 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 these cases, your doctor may recommend noninvasive treatment options.What do they include?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.
Endovenous laser coagulation is another procedure for treating varicose veins.However, it involves making a small incision in a location just above or just below the affected vein.Then a catheter is inserted into the vessel and ultrasound 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 certain time, disappears, becoming part of the connective tissue.
Since the patient is given local anesthesia before the procedure, the person feels absolutely nothing.After manipulation you may experience a feeling of heaviness in the lower limbs and bruising.However, this does not affect the recovery period in any way.The next day the patient can go to work and carry out his usual activities.
Radio frequencies
In addition to the laser, the ablation method can also be used, which is performed in almost the same way as the laser coagulation described above.The only difference is the equipment used.Instead of the laser, the specialist uses radiofrequency 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 - into a healthy vessel.
Surgery
It involves the complete or partial removal of the affected vessel.Surgery for varicose veins is prescribed only 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 boils down to the following: small incisions are made on the leg in several places (most often below and above the affected area), after which a thin flexible thread is inserted into the vessel, which removes the diseased vein.These operations are performed quite often and almost always go without complications, but they do involve some risks and inconveniences.
For example, such surgeries 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 may occur after surgery include the possibility of infection, bruising and swelling in the affected area, nerve damage, irritation of the veins, or blood clots forming within the vessels.We must also not forget that surgery does not guarantee the absence of relapses in the future.
The postoperative period does not last long.Within one or two days the patient can begin his daily activities.He will be advised to wear compression garments for a week.
Sclerotherapy
This is one of the methods of treating varicose veins that you need to pay attention to and can be done directly in the doctor's office without hospitalization.During the manipulation process, a special chemical solution that acts as an irritant is injected into the diseased vein, as a result of which the vein thickens and closes.Subsequently, blood circulation is carried out through healthy vessels.
This procedure is applicable when a small vein located in the knee area 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 need to wear compression bandages soaked in a sclerosing agent.The time of use will be determined individually by the treating doctor.
Side effects of such injections include the following negative manifestations:
- The appearance of blood clots in other vessels of the lower extremities.
- Heachache.
- Painful sensations in the lower back.
- Temporary visual impairment.
- Fainting.
- Irritation of the skin around the injection site.
However, most patients tolerate sclerotherapy well.If contraindications are taken into account and the manipulation is performed correctly, a positive result in the treatment of varicose veins is guaranteed.
Popular first aid kit
Is it possible to cure a disease using alternative medicine?In some cases yes, especially if these are the primary manifestations of the disease and if the 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 the apple cider vinegar.Mix two teaspoons of product in a glass of water, add a little honey and drink in the morning on an empty stomach.
Apple cider vinegar can also be used for topical application in the form of rubs, after dissolving it in water (ratio 1 to 10).Rub the affected area gently at night - in the morning the unpleasant symptoms should subside.
Very often chestnut tincture is used against varicose veins.To do this, collect beautiful, intact fruits and grind them with a meat grinder.Then fifty grams of raw material is poured into a half-liter bottle of vodka and placed in a dark place for two weeks.Subsequently 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 course of such treatment lasts a month.Then take a two-week break and, if necessary, repeat again.
This tincture can also be used to rub the affected area at night.
An ancient method of getting rid of varicose veins is the use of leeches.How much hirudotherapy is necessary in each individual case is up to the patient and his doctor to decide.
So, we have paid enough attention to varicose veins of the lower extremities.Let's now talk about other types of diseases.
Pelvic vessels
This pathology is very easily confused with gynecological disorders in women.
Varicose veins in the pelvic area 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 cause disruptions in the functioning of the ovaries and the entire circulatory system.
What are the causes of this intimate disorder?
Disease provocateurs
The main reasons for the development of the disease include a difficult pregnancy, regular high-intensity physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle, some gynecological diseases, prolonged use of hormonal drugs, dissatisfaction in sexual life and so on.Most often, varicose veins of the pelvic veins occur against the background of an increased amount of estrogen.And, of course, do not forget that excess weight and bad habits do not improve, but only worsen the situation.
How to identify such a disease?
This important symptom
First of all, pelvic varicose veins manifest themselves with pain of varying intensity, which worsen 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 the treatment
How to get rid of pathological dilation of pelvic veins?First of all, you should contact a specialist.He may advise wearing compression clothing and special gymnastics (these are well-known exercises performed in the supine position: "birch", "scissors" and "bicycle").
Of the folk 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 - the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract?
Digestive organs
Varicose veins of the esophagus are not considered a very common disorder;very often the disease is a concomitant symptom of a more serious disease.
Why does such a pathology occur and how to determine it?
Briefly about the causes and symptoms
The main causes of dilation of the veins of the esophagus are congestion of the liver vessels, caused by thrombosis or cirrhosis.This pathology is often diagnosed in men, as well as in patients with serious chronic diseases, especially those over the age of fifty.How to identify the disease?
Varicose veins of the esophagus are often asymptomatic and manifest themselves with rare attacks of heartburn, heaviness in the abdomen, difficulty swallowing and belching.Sometimes patients may show 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 a crisis, that is, when the wall of a vein breaks and bleeding occurs.In most cases, bleeding is accompanied by vomiting (with blood), hypotension, general weakness, increased heart rate, and blood (or impurities) in the stool.
If such symptoms appear, you should definitely take a blood test and take an x-ray (with the introduction of special contrast solutions).
Treatment of esophageal pathology
Most often, treatment for this disease is carried out in intensive care.In bleeding conditions, 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 appropriate to perform surgery or sclerosis of the esophagus.After recovery, the patient will have to follow a fairly strict diet for the rest of his life.Correct nutrition will include divided meals, the avoidance of fatty, smoked, salty and fried foods, the exclusion of hot or too cold foods, and so on.
Prevention
It is known that the disease is easier to prevent than cure.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, elimination 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!