How to determine the stage of varicose veins?

An easy walk, long tireless walks even on beautiful heels, ankles and hips that you do not want to hide from others - these are the benefits of healthy feet without signs of venous disease. Gradually, the way and pace of life changes if a person neglects the prevention of varicose veins.

This is true for both women and men. The disease develops in different ways and the stages of varicose veins in medicine on the issue of identification in a patient always cause debates. But you need to understand the classification so as not to miss the moment when varicose veins are treated without surgery.

The essence of the problem

Varicose veins are disorders of blood flow in the saphenous veins. Due to problems with the venous valves, which have to hold parts of the blood to travel further to the heart, plasma flows in the opposite direction and stalls.

Pressure cannot push blood through the veins in the lower extremities, causing the walls to stretch. On the foot, a pattern of stripes and zigzags of a blue color gradually appears, complete with bulges and bulges in an advanced stage.

But varicose veins are not noticed immediately. The problem can progress without visual symptoms, and therefore people who experience discomfort in the legs but do not find prominent veins attribute the discomfort to fatigue.

Varicose veins no longer occur on their own as a separate disease. This is just a symptom of a malfunction of the circulatory system as a whole, which also appears at a young age. It is wrong to consider varicose veins of the lower extremities as a sign of old age. Many girls in their 20s hide their legs under pants and long skirts because of varicose veins.

There are various reasons for the dysfunction of the circulatory system:

• Genetic inheritance from parents. If the mother (most often) or the father has problems with blood flow from the legs to the heart, then the children should have an examination and prevention of the vascular and venous system. But genetics do not work in all cases if there is no motivating factor - a sedentary or standing lifestyle due to the peculiarities of the profession, unbalanced diet, diseases with complications;
Neglecting the rules of a technical break when working in certain work areas, where there is a large load on the foot but no movement (hairdresser, sales department specialist, accountant, programmer, driver). Warming the feet every 30 minutes prevents blood from clotting;
• Some health problems affect blood vessels and veins - diabetes mellitus, heart disorders, leg injuries, spine, overweight;
• Pregnancy for many women is the impetus for the first symptoms of varicose veins. The embryo not only increases the weight of the expectant mother, which puts stress on the legs, but also puts pressure on the internal organs and vital systems of the pregnant woman.

Varicose veins are a serious signal of internal problems that are not self-reported but require at least a standard examination by a therapist.

Different stages of development of venous insufficiency

Despite the fact that veins in humans are localized not only in the legs, but throughout the body, varicose veins of the lower extremities are more common. Both women and men suffer from the disease, but a larger percentage of the beautiful half of the population.

There are several stages of varicose veins, which are classified according to their severity.Separation is conditional on the attending physician making a diagnosis and knowing which treatment regimen to prescribe to the patient for specific complaints.

There are a number of classifications of varicose vein stages among medical experts. The international community identifies seven stages of varicose veins, drawing a line within the narrow symptom framework. But in practice, varicose veins are diagnosed in 3 stages of disease progression:

• First stage (compensation phase) - deterioration of blood flow from the legs to the heart is predetermined by lifestyle or genetically, but the patient has time to return the venous valves to normal functionality. The symptoms of varicose veins in the initial stage are mild and are not taken seriously;
• Second degree (undercompensation) - there are visual signs of venous insufficiency, which are difficult to confuse with other changes. Foot discomfort disappears after a long rest or accompanies a person constantly. At this stage, patients most often seek help from a doctor. Vascular and venous changes are important, but it is possible to relieve tension and pain from the lower extremities;
• The third stage (decompensation) is the last stage of varicose veins, when the thin walls of the circulatory system begin to burst with excess blood. The skin tissues do not receive nourishment and they are extinguished. Skin ulcers that are difficult to treat develop. In some cases, in grade 3 varicose veins, the bacteria join the ulcer foci. To stabilize the patient's condition requires time, effort and complex therapy.

The listed stages of varicose veins are a conditional division. Within each group of venous insufficiency, there is a mild, moderate, and severe degree of disease, which is determined by the symptoms described by the waiting patients. Based on the fact that venous pathology is individual in each case, the line of passage from one stage to another is irrelevant, especially in cases of 1 and 2 degrees.

Characteristics of the initial stage of pathology

1 degree of varicose veins is diagnosed by a doctor in rare cases because people do not go to the clinic when short-term edema or heaviness in the legs appears. Folk remedies help them relieve fatigue, puffiness disappears on its own after sleeping or changing high heels in slippers. Varicose veins of one degree in many people do not go to another stage until old age, unless there is some provocative factor.

Changes in the vascular system occur not only in adults but also in modern adolescents who are immobile and prefer a computer, telephone and other devices to active leisure.

Only the arms and brain are trained, and the rest of the body does not change position for a long time. Blood circulation slows down, especially in the lower part of the skeleton. Bent knees, crushed muscles, veins and blood vessels in the thighs, buttocks lead to stagnation.

Adolescents often complain of leg pain and cramps. In some cases, edema is evident, especially when overweight. There are no clear symptoms of grade 1 varicose veins, but the initial stage is neglected and its progressiveness depends only on the attention of children or their parents to themselves.

Teenage girls choose uncomfortable shoes with high heels to attract attention. Pressure in the veins of the lower extremities increases and leads to the initial degree of pathology. The inability to stand and move in high heels deforms the legs, increases the load on the back and bones of the legs, hip joints. Bends negatively affect the vessels because they are compressed.

The initial rate of varicose veins in young people is not alarming because the symptoms disappear after rest or a little warming. Signs of grade 1 varicose veins are as follows:

1. Heavy legs even without physical activity;
2. A slight bounce in the second half of the day, when one foot is too small to fit in the shoe or when the edges appear to be digging into the skin. Symptoms disappear in the morning if the feet are given rest or a procedure is performed to relieve swelling and tension in the muscles - vertical position of the lower limbs, foot baths, massage, change of uncomfortable shoes;
3. Short-term convulsions in rare cases.

In rare cases, with grade 1 varicose veins, external signs of venous pathology appear - thin bands of veins or a vascular network, which are stressed due to a reduced speed of blood flow. .

difficult It is difficult to diagnose the initial stage of the pathology itself, because the listed symptoms are observed in other diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, kidney problems. For diagnosis and treatment, you should see your doctor at the first sign of concern.

Varicose veins are localized not only in the legs and the initial stage can be overcome if there are no changes in the lower extremities.

Class 2 Features

The initial stage of venous pathology in the absence of prophylaxis or therapy after a while passes into the phase of undercompensation. Symptoms of grade 1 varicose veins appear more often and last longer.

External changes appear on the skin - swollen veins or a large number of spider veins. At night and even during the day, cramps occur, the patient feels pain and cannot move the leg. During the hardware examination of the veins of the lower extremities, changes in the functioning of the valves are noticed.

The pressure in the vessel increases, but it is difficult to push the blood without closing the valves. Blood clots form, which appear on the skin in the form of blue nodules.

1. A symptom of stage 2 venous insufficiency is swelling that does not go away after rest and preventative procedures. Edema occurs due to the inability of blood to rise through the veins, hemodynamics is impaired. The liquid part of the blood (plasma) begins to penetrate under the skin through the thinned walls of veins and small vessels, because its transport function is impaired;
2. Skin color changes due to poor circulation and nutrient intake. The cells of the epidermis take on a brown tinge, gradually turning black. Inflammation develops and, as a result, the initial stage of ulcerative formations;
Patients who visit a doctor in stage 2 disease have complaints of severe pain, muscle numbness, and itchy skin. Symptoms are caused by a lack of adequate nutrition for epidermal cells.

The undercompensation phase for varicose veins is not considered hopeless if therapy is diagnosed and prescribed in a timely manner. If one or more signs of 2nd degree varicose veins are found, one cannot self-medicate and listen to the benefactors. Only a doctor will help to cope with the problem.

Class 3 Characteristics

People reach grade 3 venous insufficiency if they treat themselves without proper attention and respect. The first stage of pathology in rare cases causes discomfort and changes the quality of life, but the second stage of venous insufficiency should not be left unnoticed in order to neglect a visit to a doctor and undergo a course of rehabilitation.

3 degree of pathology is more severe and dangerous, because trophic ulcers form, which do not heal even with medication. In the decompensation phase, the body has exhausted its ability to keep the veins in working order.

The walls are stretched and thinned to the limit, there is a risk of breakage in case of any damage. Another problem with grade 3 varicose veins is thrombophlebitis - blockage of a vessel, the formation of blood clots, which can come out and lead to death.

Venous insufficiency reaches its final stage in extreme cases. The reasons for this attitude of people towards themselves are not clear. To endure the pain, feel the aesthetic discomfort and not be able to walk easily seems strange. Timely diagnosis of the problem and compliance with the doctor's recommendations will not allow varicose veins to pass even 1 stage of pathology.

Examining in detail the classification of varicose veins of the lower extremities, it is worth noting that venous insufficiency occurs in other parts of the body and internal organs. Such a problem is more difficult to notice, but when foot discomfort appears, you may also think of disturbances in venous blood flow elsewhere.

How to diagnose pathology

At the first signs of foot discomfort, you should contact a medical institution. Diagnosis and treatment of venous insufficiency is performed by a phlebologist, but initial consultation can be obtained from a therapist.

1. A visual examination of the condition of the foot integrations, the presence of orthopedic changes and other signs is performed;
2. Palpation of problem areas not only of the legs, but also of the hips and abdomen;
3. Patient complaints are heard;
4. A detailed medical history is compiled in the form of a survey interview. The questions focus on identifying the cause that has become the starting point in the formation of varicose veins;

5. A reference to general blood and urine tests is required to determine the patient's general state of health;
6. Functional testing to determine the degree of venous dilatation (Schwarz, Perthes, single test);
7. In case of varicose veins, a hardware examination of the vein openness and the condition of the venous valves is performed - duplex ultrasonography (DUS), plethysmography, phlebography, rheovasography.

After all measures for the description of venous insufficiency and the determination of the degree of varicose veins, prophylaxis, conservative therapy, treatment with alternative methods and, in extreme cases, surgical intervention, elimination of pathology using laser aredescribed.

How to deal with varying degrees of venous dysfunction

The earlier you notice the signs of varicose veins, the easier and faster it is to deal with the problem. The initial stage of the pathology can be completely reversed without the use of medication if prevention begins in time:

• Change the pace and style of your life. Often the cause of impaired blood flow in the veins is a sedentary or standing lifestyle due to professional activities. It is necessary to increase movement to improve hemodynamics and prevent high blood pressure in some areas. Overweight, you need to deal with its normalization, but gradually;
• Choose comfortable and correct shoes. In the presence of orthopedic deformities, shoes are chosen considering this problem. High heels only in special cases;
• Get rid of bad habits that provoke problems in the vascular system;
• Lose weight if overweight and put extra strain on your legs;
• Choose the right exercise to help the blood flow from the legs to the heart.

In the initial stage, the doctor prescribes venotonics, creams, pills to reduce the load on the venous walls and restore their elasticity. The medical jersey should be individually tailored to relieve foot tension.

When external signs appear that create aesthetic concerns, a special compound (scleotherapy) is inserted into a vein, but this is rare at an early stage.

The second stage of venous insufficiency requires more attention so that the problem does not develop in stage 3. The specification of elimination of stage 2 pathology is similar to the treatment of varicose veins in the initial stage. Medications are prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots, reduce tissue swelling, and restore blood flow.

Surgical therapy for varicose veins of the second degree is directed in the presence of visible changes in the skin - convex veins, venous networks, vascular pattern. In the treatment room, radiofrequency or laser therapy is performed. Sclerotherapy is also indicated, when an external defect disappears in the eye after it is inserted into a problematic injection site.

Compression garments are a must to improve blood flow and reduce stress on the legs.

How to treat grade 3 varicose veins when the condition of the veins and tissues is in a terrible state and the body is unable to correct the situation? Treatment is only surgical to prevent thrombosis, rupture of veins and restore hemodynamics throughout the body.

Usually a phlebectomy procedure is performed - removal of the affected vessels. The operation is performed using surgical instruments (classical method) or a laser without a single incision (modern method of treating 3rd degree varicose veins).

The course of the disease is complicated by the formation of ulcers that do not heal even with drug therapy. Therefore, you can not do without a surgeon at this stage. After a successful operation, an individual course of medication, clothing and medical linen is chosen.

In conclusion

Varicose veins are not a harmless cosmetic defect in the legs and other parts of the body, but a serious pathology that, thankfully, will turn a person's life into trouble and constant walking through the offices ofclinic.

The initial stage of venous insufficiency is natural in the majority of the population, but the diagnosis is rarely made due to people's ignorance of the possible consequences.

If the professional activity involves a sitting image or a constant presence on your feet, there are examples of pathology in relatives, you should take preventive measures and exclude the progression of the disease in the initial stage. Leaving the problem unattended, you can not notice how the veins will cause other pathologies.