Varicose veins.
Usually with these words people imagine thick twisted vessels confusing their legs. But this is only the most famous sign of pathology. There are others.
Sometimes varicose veins cause only cosmetic concerns, but some of the symptoms of varicose veins directly affect the quality of life. For example, many have pain in the veins of the legs. Basically, the sensations are mild, but in rare cases, even an ordinary walk becomes painful.
Therefore, a little later we will talk about the pain with varicose veins. On the reasons and ways of its treatment.
But first, let’s talk about the disease itself: the mechanism of development, risk factors, and complications.
So the blood moves through the arteries from the heart to the organs and tissues, where it delivers oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow returns through the veins.
It is especially difficult for blood to flow through the venous system of the legs because here it has to be lifted from the legs almost always straight up.
It is inserted in the path of gravity.
A portion of the blood flows down and collects in the vessel. As a result, the veins dilate, and their walls stretch too much. Overcrowded dishes are visible on the skin.
In healthy people, bleeding is prevented by a defense mechanism - the venous valves. This is the name of the membranes in the vessels. They block the flowing blood and return it to the bloodstream. However, for many people, this system works poorly.
For a variety of reasons, the valves sometimes weaken or hurt, which increases the likelihood of venous overflow. This is how varicose veins appear.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- Genetic predisposition. . . Scientists still do not understand why some people are born with weakened venous valves. But this fact has been confirmed. If both parents suffer from swollen blood vessels, then with a 90% probability their child will inherit this pathology.
- Age of the elderly. . . The body gradually fades. The eyes see worse, the skin dries out. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more fragile and weak. Therefore, people over 60 often develop varicose veins - worn valves simply can not withstand the load from the bloodstream.
- Excess weight. . . The amount of blood in humans is not the same. First of all, it is affected by body weight - the larger the mass, the greater the volume of blood in the body. Unfortunately, weight gain does not tighten the valves. They are forced to cope with the overload of a large volume of blood, which increases the likelihood of venous congestion.
- pregnant. . . The bodies of expectant mothers are subjected to great stress. For many reasons. Pressure on the valves increases due to increased blood volume, hormonal imbalance and effect on large vessels. We have already talked about the impact of blood. Changes in hormone levels impair the elasticity of the venous walls, which makes them stretch easily but slowly return to their original state. The baby grows near large veins. Sometimes the fetus bites them. In such cases, the lumen of the vessels narrows and the body increases the pressure in the veins to push the blood up. Therefore, the load on the valves increases.
- Prolonged immobility while sitting or standing. . . When you walk, the leg muscles help the blood vessels pump blood to the heart. They shrink and constrict the veins. As a result, blood is pushed up. In immobile legs, the muscle pump does not work, so all the load falls on the veins and the valve system.
As you can see, some factors are related to natural processes, while others are related to lifestyle. But the results are the same.
Varicose veins cause many symptoms:
- Fatigue and heaviness in the legs
- Network of varicose veins like a spider or like a tree
- Burning and itching
- Convulsions
- Edema
- Pain when walking after prolonged immobility
- Skin coloring
- Thick twisted containers
Varicose veins develop slowly.
Doctors even distinguish the zero phase in it, during which no external signs have yet appeared, but the problem with the venous valves has already emerged.
Usually, patients first suffer from weight gain in the legs, and then others add to this problem. The severity of the symptoms also varies. In the early stages, the signs of pathology intensify by evening and disappear by morning. With advanced disease, they last all day.
But persistent annoying symptoms are not the main danger in the later stages of varicose veins.
Patients may experience complications:
- bloodshed. . . Progression of swollen subcutaneous vessels. In rare cases, the fragile walls of diseased veins can not withstand the pressure and a bleeding wound occurs. Such damage is difficult to repair. So urgent medical attention is required.
- Thrombosis and embolism. . . Due to poor blood circulation, blood clots, dense blood clots, often accumulate in enlarged vessels. They close the lumen of the veins. Sometimes fragments of blood clot break down and enter the bloodstream, and then they can become trapped in the vessels of the lungs. This phenomenon is called embolism. Breathing sometimes stops during it.
- Trophic ulcer. . . Due to oxygen starvation, tissues near diseased veins gradually die and non-healing wounds appear in their place. Summer very difficult to cure ulcers. They are at high risk of relapse.
Fortunately, varicose vein complications occur in only a few patients - trophic ulcers in 6%, and bleeding and embolism are even less common.
As you can see, without treatment, the pathology sometimes causes great concern. And it can even destroy a person.
Therefore, for any of its symptoms, it is recommended to consult a phlebologist. Involved when damaging veins. To respond promptly to this threat, it is advisable to understand the reasons for the onset of such symptoms.
What causes severe pain with varicose veins?
In most cases, people with varicose veins do not experience severe pain. Only with sudden movements. For example, when, after a long immobility, they stand up.
But persistent severe pain afflicts patients, usually in the later stages of the pathology. Simply because by this time all the symptoms of the disease intensify and do not disappear even at night.
What causes the damage to the veins in your legs?
Mainly due to oxygen starvation. Enlarged vessels do not supply well to neighboring tissues, which can lead to discomfort.
Another cause of pain is trophic ulcers. These non-healing wounds are painful to touch, which means that even light contact with clothing will cause severe discomfort.
Pain in the legs with varicose veins can be a sign of thrombophlebitis. This is the name of a pathology in which blood clots form in inflamed veins.
Summarize.
If mild pain in enlarged vessels is a standard symptom, then it rarely intensifies. In the later stages of pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when swollen veins hurt a lot, it indicates the rapid development of the disease. In such a situation, you should immediately consult a doctor. Although many people push to go to a vascular specialist and try to get rid of the symptoms themselves.
How to eliminate severe pain in the veins with varicose veins?
Weight on the feet, slight swelling and other mild symptoms of pathology can be alleviated with simple methods - a contrast bath, some types of massage. However, with varicose veins developed, this will not help.
In addition, if the veins in the leg are very sore, then a delayed visit to a phlebologist will only worsen the condition of the vessels. It makes no sense to endure such an ordeal.
Timely treatment of varicose veins will eliminate irritating symptoms and prevent complications. Therefore, choose a reliable clinic and schedule an appointment with a doctor. An examination will help your veins with more than hundreds of popular recipes.
What treatment is prescribed if you are worried about severe pain with varicose veins?
First, the doctor will check the blood vessels. He will perform an ultrasound examination of the veins and discover the cause of the pain. Only then will the doctor choose a therapy option.
For example, a certain procedure may be effective against varicose veins, but it does not deal well with complications.
When the veins in the leg ache, an accurate diagnosis is extremely important for proper treatment. Without it, the cause of the symptom cannot be eliminated.
But after diagnosis, phlebologists often offer patients several therapy options at once to choose from:
- Miniphlebectomy
- Endovasal laser coagulation
- Foam sclerotherapy
These methods are less traumatic - that is, they do not damage the skin and leave no marks.
Now let’s summarize it.
What to do if they damage the veins in your legs?
Go to your doctor right away.
Yes, some remedies and methods can reduce the pain, but this is only a temporary measure. Sooner or later, the disease must be treated.
And it is better early, because in this case you will get rid of swollen veins before dangerous complications appear.
In addition, if the veins in the legs hurt very badly, then such a picture is not typical for varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is to blame for the concern. The doctor will help identify her.
Which clinic should I go to?
Ultrasound diagnosis of blood vessels is now performed in many medical centers. But it is better to choose a clinic with experienced doctors.