Today, a disease such as varicose veins is more common.As a rule, a sedentary lifestyle leads to the development of the disease, and a late response to the body's signals leads to quite serious consequences, which in turn are harmful to health.In this article we will consider such a topic as varicose veins on the legs, photos, the initial stage and how to treat them.I want to emphasize that varicose veins are a disease characterized by blood stagnation in the blood vessels of the lower extremities, which causes swelling of the peripheral veins.The swollen vessels have a dark blue color;in the absence of adequate treatment, they take on a purple hue, blood clots and ulcers begin to form, and severe pain appears.
Symptoms of the disease in the initial stage of development
Varicose veins of the legs are a rather insidious disease - this is explained by the fact that this disease is very difficult to diagnose in the initial stage of development.The symptoms of the disease are similar to many other diseases, such as osteochondrosis or flat feet.Often, patients with varicose veins seek professional medical help when there is sufficient swelling and pain in the limb.
However, there are some common symptoms, if you notice them, you should immediately contact a specialist to find out the cause of the disease and find out what varicose veins on the legs are, the photos, the initial stages and how to treat them.The initial symptoms of the disease include an increase in the venous pattern, however, as a rule, in this case, swelling, pain and swelling of blood vessels are not observed.
Let's look at the most obvious symptoms that indicate the presence of a disease such as varicose veins:
- the appearance of pain in the leg, which can appear at any time;such symptoms are also often accompanied by itching and limb cramps during sleep;
- the appearance of a feeling of fatigue and swelling in the legs;
- the skin changes color, the skin in problem areas acquires a bluish tint and becomes drier;
- bulging veins on the surface of the skin and the appearance of characteristic spider veins.
Why are varicose veins dangerous?
Note that, as mentioned above, such a topic as varicose veins on the legs, photo, initial stage, how to treat, is very important for many.This is explained by the fact that varicose veins are a very dangerous disease, and a cosmetic defect in the form of swollen veins is only the tip of the iceberg.The disease can lead to quite serious complications, so the treatment of varicose veins is mandatory!
As you can see in the photo of the initial stage of the disease, its characteristic symptomatology is swelling of the veins, which is not at all harmless;we list the diseases that can be caused by varicose veins.
- Phlebitis– this disease means the beginning of an inflammatory process in the venous walls.As a rule, patients with phlebitis constantly feel a rather strong aching pain.In addition, painful lumps appear in the affected area.
- Thrombophlebitis- the disease is characterized by the formation of blood clots in inflamed and dilated veins.Note that thrombophlebitis occurs due to the lack of adequate treatment for phlebitis.In addition to pain in the limbs, the patient feels general weakness and loses appetite.
- Trophic ulcer- this is another complication of varicose veins, which manifests itself due to the lack of nutrition of the epidermis, which leads to the appearance of dermatitis, the consequence of which are trophic ulcers that are difficult to heal.
Medicines for varicose veins
ointment
Today, the pharmaceutical market offers a wide selection of drugs for the treatment of diseases involving varicose veins, and ointments for varicose veins deserve special attention.
Anticoagulants.These drugs are the most popular for the treatment of varicose veins.The main task of the oil is a complex effect, which helps to reduce blood viscosity, resolve existing blood clots, reduce the inflammatory process and reduce pain symptoms.Medicines give the maximum positive effect when used in the initial stage of the disease, improving blood circulation and strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
Ointments based on heparin sodium prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce blood clotting.
Venotonics help effectively cope with the symptoms of varicose veins, strengthening blood vessels and inhibiting inflammatory processes.
Creams
Creams for varicose veins are as effective as ointments because of the active ingredients they contain, which can effectively fight the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
Ketoprofen-based creams actively suppress inflammatory processes in the vessels of the lower extremities.These drugs belong to the non-steroidal group, which indicates their effectiveness in relieving swelling and eliminating pain.
Creams based on natural ingredients that effectively help to get rid of varicose veins.The advantage of the cream is that it does not have any negative effects on the patient with varicose veins.
Creams based on rutin act effectively at the cellular level, thus quickly suppressing the inflammatory process.The drug has an anti-edematous effect, improves vascular tone, regulates intravenous pressure and also quickly eliminates pain.
PILL
The main effect of tablets based on bioflavonoids is to increase the properties of blood vessels such as elasticity and tone, which improves blood circulation and prevents the formation of blood clots.Taking these drugs eliminates the phenomenon of venous congestion and the permeability of venous vessels.
Effective folk remedies for varicose veins
Cabbage.Our ancestors also used a number of folk remedies to treat ailments such as varicose veins.One of them is the cabbage leaf treatment.The effectiveness of this vegetable lies in the fact that cabbage can quickly relieve inflammatory processes due to the vitamins and microelements it contains.As a rule, the leaves of white cabbage are used in the form of compresses for the treatment of varicose veins.To make a medicinal compress, you will need a cabbage leaf, which must first be thoroughly beaten.After that, one side of the sheet is smeared with vegetable oil and applied to the inflamed area for a day (fixed with a bandage).The course of treatment is 1 month.
Ginger.This plant, used in cooking, can be used to treat varicose veins as an external or internal medicine.Ginger tea will help you cope with almost any disease at any stage of its development, including varicose veins.You can also make compresses with ginger.To do this, you need to grind a piece of ginger root, mix it with natural honey and apply it to the injured area for 3-4 hours.
Kalina.Like ginger, burdock can be used to treat varicose veins, as a fortified drink and as an effective compress.To prepare a compress, the berries must be ground into a soft state, placed on a prepared bandage or gauze and applied to the problem area.It is better to do this compress at night.
The initial stage of varicose veins - the first symptoms
Today, varicose veins are one of the most dangerous diseases common to both women and men.According to WHO statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities can lead to death from thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and cancer tumors associated with them.
Every patient should know about the causes, symptoms and stages of development of the disease in order to prevent the serious consequences of this pathology.
Causes and stages of development
Varicose veins occur as a result of pathologies of the venous walls and a malfunction of the venous valves, whose task is to transport blood enriched with carbon dioxide from the lower extremities to the lungs for gas exchange.
As a result of improper blood flow and valve malfunction, blood accumulates in the blood vessels, increasing the pressure in the veins of the legs, which leads to swelling of the weak vein wall.This is how varicose veins develop.
There are a number of factors that can cause the disease.These include:
- Inheritance.
- Obesity.
- Having bad habits.
- Pregnancy.
- Taking hormonal drugs for a long time.
- Cardiovascular diseases that lead to thickening of the blood.
- A sedentary lifestyle, which causes blood stagnation.
- Occupations that require long standing.
- I walked in high heels.
Under the influence of these factors, foot disease develops, which appears in several stages.Each of them is characterized by specific clinical manifestations.In total, in medical practice there are 4 stages of varicose veins:
- varicose veins in the initial stage, shown in the picture above, passesvirtually no symptoms.A person has only a predominant feeling of heaviness in the legs, slight swelling and pain.Small spider veins begin to appear on the skin of the thighs and legs;
- Varicose veins grade 1, which also appears in the photo, is characterized by frequent cramps in the calf muscles, a burning sensation that spreads from the lower part of the leg to the sole of the foot, as well as joint swelling;
- for the second degreecharacterized by an abundance of spider veins, severe swelling, constant pain in the legs, the area of swollen veins increases;
- third degreeindicates the involvement of the skin in the disease process: it becomes cracked, thin, often pigmented around the ankle.The risk of thrombosis is very high, because the veins enlarge and dilate a lot.The patient, in addition to pain, is haunted by a constant burning sensation, eczema and dermatitis on the skin of the lower extremities;when the skin is injured, deep ulcers form.
IMPORTANT!If treatment is not started in the early stages, then the disease is very difficult to treat conservatively in the future and poses a deadly risk to the patient!
The first symptoms of varicose veins
The first symptoms of varicose veins in the legs are difficult to diagnose.For some time, the patient confuses them with fatigue and muscle strain.If you have such sensations, especially if there was no serious stress on your feet before, you should contact a specialist, because the disease can be cured at an early stage.without resorting to surgery and exhausting procedures.Phlebologists and surgeons treat varicose veins.
The first signs of varicose veins are indicated by the following symptoms:
- Constant heaviness in the legs.This is due to poor circulation in the legs due to dysfunction of the venous valves.Due to this, the pressure in the vein increases significantly, it stretches even more and causes pain.
- Swelling of the lower extremities.The symptom is manifested as a result of a large load on the venous system.If the swelling is accompanied by pain in the vein area and redness of the skin above it, we can talk about the development of thrombophlebitis - an extremely dangerous complication of varicose veins.
- Increase in calf circumferenceup to 1 cm in the evening is accompanied by edema.
- Painful sensationsworsens with exercise and goes away the next morning.
- The appearance of spider veinsin the leg and thigh.Some patients consider them a cosmetic defect.Their appearance indicates the pathology of a large varicose vein that feeds them.Only ultrasound diagnostics can confirm or deny this.
- The presence of prominent veins.
At first, the first signs of varicose veins in the legs disappear quickly if you let your legs rest in a comfortable position.STILLthis should alarm the patient, because it is a sure symptom of an initial disease.
Then the patient may experience a burning sensation in the veins.If you do not pay proper attention to these symptoms, the patient may experience cramps in the calf muscles at night and fatigue in the legs below the knees.
BEWARE!Symptoms of early varicose veins are similar to other diseases - flat feet and lumbar osteochondrosis.That is why it is so important to consult a phlebologist to rule out other diagnoses and start treatment at the right time!
Diagnosis and treatment
As a rule, varicose veins in the initial stage, which is illustrated in the photo,it is painless.A patient, and according to statistics, women suffer from varicose veins twice as often as men, seeks help from a doctor for the vascular network.The doctor performs an examination and prescribes the necessary studies to assess the degree of damage to the venous circulation.
For this purpose, a general blood test may be prescribed., which will show the presence or absence of thrombocytopenia, a biochemical blood analysis to detect liver problems, as well as vascular ultrasound.
It indicates the pathology of vascular paritis.If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is sent for X-ray venography, with the help of which the location of the vein lesion is determined.
After the research, the doctor prescribes treatment that can prevent the transition of the initial stage of varicose veins to the later ones.
For this purpose, the underlying disease is treated– endocrine, cardiovascular, etc.Then the risk factors are eliminated, only then the patient is offered to change his lifestyle, diet and give up bad habits.
Drug treatment in the early stage of varicose veinsnot offered.Experts believe that it is enough to usecompression garments - or special socks and tights, or elastic bandages, which should be applied to the leg when you wake up and worn throughout the day.This therapy can evenly distribute the load on the legs and improve blood circulation.
Forms of the disease
The type of vascular insufficiency depends on the veins affected by the disease, the extent of the process and its location.There are varicose veins:
- reticular (vascular fine);
- segmental (focal);
- perforating (damage of connecting veins);
- main (pathology of a small or large vein under the skin).
Each type of varicose veins has characteristic features in terms of external manifestations.The presence of complications depends on the stage of the disease.
Reticular form
Of all the known types of varicose veins, this is the easiest.The disease mainly affects the legs of women;men are rarely affected by this pathology.
In the photo of varicose veins in the initial stage, the reticular form can be determined only by the strengthening of the vascular pattern.This is a bluish network of small venous fragments with a diameter of no more than 3 mm.It is most often located on the thigh in the area of the lateral surfaces.First, a few star-like fragments appear, then larger areas are affected.
This form of varicose veins is often called cosmetic;it is not dangerous for blood circulation, but it causes aesthetic discomfort in women.Reticular varicose veins of the legs can cause:
This form is more treatable.One of the most effective methods for treating such varicose veins is microscopic sclerotherapy.It is not dangerous and painless.But often patients do not consider the manifestations of spider veins as a serious reason to visit a phlebologist.In this case, the disease becomes a chronic pathology.May cause bleeding from superficial vessels.
The reticular form of varicose veins requires mandatory medical consultation.This will prevent complications.
Segmental form
This type of varicose veins can appear in the early stages of the disease.In the segmental form, larger vessels with a diameter of 3 mm or more are affected.But the disease is focal in nature, only one or several branch veins lose their tone.This type of pathology is characterized by the absence of reverse blood flow, which facilitates therapy.
If you look at a photo of varicose veins in the leg in a segmental form, you can see swollen branches from the main vein in the lower part of the leg.These are the branch ships.
Treatment of the disease is conservative.In case of late presentation and formation of tributary nodes, miniphlebectomy can be used.Segmental varices are located on the anteromedial and posterior surface of the leg and in the popliteal fossa.
Magistralnaya
This pathology affects the main large and small veins.The big one suffers several times more often than the little one.In the photo of varicose veins in the legs, the extension of the main vessels in the lower leg, side thighs and legs is clearly visible.The vascular wall of the legs is tense and nodular formations are observed.
The disease appears with characteristic symptoms of chronic circulatory failure.Due to damage to the vascular valves, reflux occurs.Normally, blood moves in one direction.If the valves are insufficient, they do not close completely and the vessels are overloaded.For this reason, the veins stretch and lose their elasticity.
Major varicose veins require serious treatment.Small surgical interventions and conservative methods are most often used.
In the absence of adequate therapy, the main varicose veins in the legs are complicated by thrombophlebitis and thrombosis.
Perforated form
There are deep veins and saphenous veins in the legs.They are connected to each other by vessels called perforators.
These veins are no less important than the main ones.Their loss leads to failure of blood circulation in the legs.Blood is not fully directed into the bloodstream.This contributes to stagnation and thrombus formation.
- a picture of varicose veins in the legs with damage to the perforating veins clearly shows the presence of swollen vessels;
- lumps and bruises are observed in places;the skin becomes darker;
- Rashes and scratches may appear.
The localization of this form is varied and depends on the location of the affected vein.These are the legs, thighs and ankles.Sometimes the vessels swell in the area of the Achilles tendon and under the knee.Treatment is often surgical, but minimally invasive methods are possible for single lesions.
Stages of varicose veins of the legs
Phlebologists around the world hold annual forums and seminars dedicated to varicose veins.The types and forms of the disease are constantly changing.Experts describe the stages of varicose veins in the legs differently.Their number is constantly changing.The latest approved classification contains seven scales:
- First or zero.It shows no external signs.Patients complain only of heaviness, fatigue and swelling.Sometimes the occasional occurrence of seizures can be annoying.
- Secondly.In the photo of the second stage, you can clearly see the vascular network in the area of the popliteal cups and thighs.The symptoms do not change.
- Thirdly.Blood vessel dilation is clearly visible, especially during exercise or in a sitting position.In addition to veins, you can see blue nodes on the legs.Patients feel pain and tension.
- Fourthly.The appearance of edema is added to swollen veins.In the evening, your legs are full and in the morning everything is back to normal.The swelling may cause a numbness or tingling sensation in the leg.
- The fifth.Metabolic processes are interrupted.There is not enough food for the tissues, and trophic changes are created in the skin.They can be in the form of dry plaques, rashes and scratches.The skin around the veins becomes darker.Thrombophlebitis may develop.
- The sixth.The picture of this stage is different from the others.It shows pronounced trophic ulcers in the area of the veins of the lower extremities.As a result of mass treatment, wounds heal according to the primary goal.
- The seventh.The last stage.In other classifications it is called decompensatory.The most negative outcome of the disease.Non-healing ulcers form on the legs.They can get wet and irritated.This degree requires urgent treatment in the hospital.It can be complicated by sepsis and thromboembolism.
Types of varicose veins on the legs, complicated by a violation of the integrity of the skin and the addition of a secondary infection, can threaten the patient's life.
There is another classification, which predicts three stages of varicose veins:
- Compensation.Appears only with local symptoms (pain, cramps, heaviness).No external changes are observed in the blood vessels.
- Subcompensatory.External signs of moderate varicose veins develop.Spider veins and signs of segmental lesions appear.
- Decompensation.Severe consequences of chronic venous insufficiency.Trophic lesions, ulcers and thrombosis.
General characteristics and causes of varicose veins
In a healthy person, venous blood rises from the legs to the heart under the influence of pressure, which in a normal state is enough to overcome gravity.When this mechanism breaks down, the body is forced to increase the pressure to push the blood up.
As a result of this process, valve insufficiency appears, which is characterized by the flow of blood in the superficial veins from the deep ones.As the pressure inside the vessels increases, their walls lose elasticity, stretch and weaken, which leads to the formation of visible bluish subcutaneous nodules.
Causes of the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities:
- Increased progesterone levels in a woman's body.This hormone has a negative effect on the condition of the vein walls and valves, making them weak and vulnerable.
- Congenital pathology of valves or vein walls, lack of connective tissue, poor patency of deep veins, genetic predisposition.
- Neoplasms located on the legs, in the abdominal area.
- Injuries of the lower extremities.
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Joint diseases - osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
- Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
- A sedentary lifestyle, which often leads to overload on the legs.
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure.It usually occurs with lung disease or frequent constipation.
- Overweight.
- Dressed in tight clothes and shoes.
- The presence in the diet of a large amount of high-calorie and fatty foods, the lack of fiber of plant origin.
- Smoking, frequent alcohol consumption.
During pregnancy, ARVNK occurs especially often, since during this period there areglobal changes in hormonal levels, as well as increased body weight.
Men suffer from this disease if theylifestyle associated with heavy physical work, or long periods of standing - machine operators, loaders, etc.Varicose veins of the legs can also appear as a result of some sports activities.
Varicose veins require immediate treatment, the lack of which can lead to serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis, bleeding from venous nodes and a trophic ulcer that can provoke amputation of the leg.