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 treatment depends on a 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 the necessary preventive measures 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 illness
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 take place 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.Because of this, 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 communicant (connecting the first two types).
Most often, varicose veins are diagnosed in superficial veins, for example, on the legs in the 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 of the legs
The main cause of the disease, as mentioned above, is the pathological processes occurring in the blood vessels themselves.What could trigger such changes?
The main provocateurs of the disease include a hereditary predisposition to vein deformation.Also, excessive loads on the legs can have a negative impact on the 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).
Don’t 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 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 is a great stress and burden for the entire woman’s body.Also, carrying a baby 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 may 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 extremities.
An important factor in the development of abnormal expansion of blood vessels can be various damage to the veins.This may 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 timely and high-quality treatment?Let's find out.
Details about symptoms
The very first sign of a problem is pain in the legs, namely in the place 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 feeling 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 forms, the skin swells or swells.
If you do not pay attention to these manifestations in time, the symptoms may intensify.The person begins to experience cramps, and open ulcers form in the area of the varicose veins, which can bleed and cause pain.Wounds are a possibility of infection, so you should consult a doctor as soon as possible so as not to complicate an already difficult situation.
Identification of the disease
What will they say at the hospital?Most likely, a specialist will refer you for the necessary examinations to diagnose the disease and rule out 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 this, the doctor may recommend a Doppler ultrasound, based on which it will be possible to examine the blood flow and, if present, 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, thanks 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 cure varicose veins at home?Yes, especially when it comes to the initial stages of the disease.
The first thing the doctor will advise is to adjust your weight and nutrition program.That is, if a patient has extra pounds, then he should go on a special diet to normalize his body weight.If the patient’s weight is normal, then he will still need to monitor his diet, avoiding fatty and salty foods, which can negatively affect blood vessels and also provoke obesity.
Moreover, 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 vegetables and fruits (including freshly squeezed juices), grains and soybeans.And, of course, don't forget about greens.Parsley, dill and lettuce are what will help you cope with any ailment!
Your doctor may also prescribe wearing compression garments, such as stockings or even tights.
Many men may have complexes about such an unusual treatment for varicose veins in the legs.However, you should not get hung up on this problem.Compression garments are a fairly common method for 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 a piece of clothing will be recommended to the patient for constant use throughout his 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 they compress the leg in the ankle area, gradually weakening the impact on the skin up the leg.This stimulates proper blood circulation towards the heart.
Nowadays you can find different compression stockings and tights on sale, differing 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 exercises for the legs.The specialist recommends 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.Also, 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 medications that would prevent blood clotting.For this purpose, the attending physician may prescribe drugs based on heparin or its derivatives.
According to experts, it is best to use non-steroidal drugs against inflammation.
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 such cases, your doctor may recommend non-invasive treatment options.What do they include?Let's discuss each method.
Laser treatment
One of the most gentle 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.
Intravenous 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 laser action lasts approximately 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 the manipulation, a feeling of heaviness in the lower extremities and bruising may occur.However, this does not in any way affect the recovery period.The very next day the patient can go to work and do his usual activities.
Radio frequencies
Along with the laser, the ablation method can also be used, which is carried out in almost the same way as the laser coagulation described above.The only difference is the equipment used.Instead of a 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 this, the blood is directed into another direction - into a healthy vessel.
Surgical intervention
It involves 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 under and above the affected area), after which a flexible thin wire is inserted into the vessel, which removes the diseased vein.These operations are performed quite often, and almost always they occur without complications, but they entail certain risks and inconveniences.
For example, such surgical interventions are performed under anesthesia (general or spinal).The use of anesthesia may 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 the formation of blood clots inside the vessels.We should also not forget that surgical intervention does not guarantee the absence of relapse in the future.
The postoperative period does not last long.Within one or two days the patient can begin his daily duties.He will be advised to wear compression garments for a week.
Sclerotherapy
This is one of the treatment methods for varicose veins, which should also be paid attention to, and it can be carried out directly in 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, as a result of which the vein thickens and closes.After this, 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 wearing time will be determined by the attending physician individually.
The 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.
Still, 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.
People's first aid kit
Is it possible to cure a disease using alternative medicine?In some cases - yes, especially if we are talking about the primary manifestations of the disease, and if 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 begin effective treatment of the pathology?First of all, 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 for topical application in the form of rubbing, after dissolving it in water (ratio 1 to 10).Gently rub the affected area at night - by the morning the unpleasant symptoms should decrease.
Very often, chestnut tincture is used against varicose veins.To do this, collect beautiful and intact fruits and grind them through 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.After this, 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 is a month.Then take a break of two weeks 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.Now let's talk about other types of illness.
Pelvic vessels
This pathology is very easily confused with gynecological ailments in women.
Varicose veins in the pelvic area can be regarded as hormonal disorders, pathologies of the genitourinary system, or even as 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 ailment?
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 medications, 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 in pain of varying intensity, which is aggravated 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 should contact a specialist.He may recommend wearing compression garments and special gymnastics (these are well-known exercises performed in a supine position - “birch”, “scissors” and “bicycle”).
Among 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 - pathology of the gastrointestinal tract?
Digestive organs
Varicose veins of the esophagus are considered not a very common ailment; most often the disease is a concomitant symptom of some 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 in the vessels of the liver, provoked by thrombosis or cirrhosis.This pathology is most often diagnosed in men, as well as patients with serious chronic diseases, especially those over fifty years of age.How to identify the disease?
Varicose veins of the esophagus are most often asymptomatic, manifesting themselves in rare attacks of heartburn, heaviness in the abdomen, difficulty swallowing, and belching.Sometimes patients may exhibit 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 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 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 conditions 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 produce results, specialists may consider it advisable to perform surgery or sclerosis of the esophagus.After recovery, the patient will need to adhere to a fairly strict diet for the rest of his life.Proper nutrition will include split meals, avoidance of fatty, smoked, salty and fried foods, exclusion of hot or too cold foods, and so on.
Prevention
It is known 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 illnesses.Good health to you!