In the human body, to provide any part of the body with oxygen and the necessary nutrients for the proper course of metabolic processes, a network of blood vessels is provided: arteries and veins. Blood saturated with oxygen flows through the arteries, and blood with processing products flows through the veins: carbon dioxide and waste from metabolic processes, which need to be conveyed to the organs to remove them from the body. But if the blood flow rate is quite high along the arteries, then the bloodstream slows down in the veins and the blood contained in them, overcomes the strength of gravitational attraction, returning to the heart. So that there is no mechanical outflow of blood down the veins in them, valves are provided, which open only in one direction up. After closing them, blood cannot flow down. But for a number of reasons, these valves lose their elasticity, elasticity and they do not close, which allows part of the blood in the veins to go down and accumulate in the veins in a larger volume than provided with physiological laws.
This excess volume of blood causes the expansion of veins and causes a change in the wall of blood vessels - pockets are formed where stagnant blood is collected. All this pathological process is called - varicose disease or varicose veins. More often, varicose veins are manifested in the legs, since a larger volume of venous blood is collected here, but not rarely manifested in the hands. What contributes to this?
Causes of varicose veins
For the development of any disease, there must be predisposing factors and provoking. The first includes:
- the heredity of the transmission of non -viability of the structure of the circulatory system, in particular the valve apparatus,
- congenital changes in the vessels,
- Violations of metabolic processes, leading to the thinning of the wall of the vessel and the loss of elasticity (diabetes mellitus, violation of the function of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands),
- Age changes in the walls of the vessels.
Provoking factors:
- a sedentary lifestyle, there is no necessary muscle work to contract and mechanically push blood through the vessels,
- Long -term standing on the legs during the day (teachers, hairdressers, behind the machine in factories, etc. ),
- Excess body weight,
- pregnancy (the metabolism changes and the load on the legs increases, and intravascular pressure rises during childbirth),
- Long and frequent physical exertion with lifting weights (rods, movers),
- injuries of the muscles of the limbs or blood vessels,
- The toxic effect of nicotine, alcohol, chemicals, drugs.
Clinical manifestations of varicose veins on the arms and legs
- It all starts with complaints of fatigue in the legs or hands, their quick fatigue, a feeling of severity and numbness in them first appears at first by the end of the working day, and then constantly.
- Swelling, swelling appears, more often it is observed on the legs in the evening.
- Extended vessels become noticeable, first with physical exertion and stress, and then they are visible at rest, the so -called vascular stars.
- Confusion (cones) appear along the vessel, increasing in volume during physical exertion or with coughing, sneezing (with an increase in intra -abdominal pressure).
Varicose veins of the veins of the pelvis
It is characterized by long -term aching pains in the pelvis, abundant discharge from the vagina, painful sexual acts, rapid urination, and urinary incontinence is. A re -pregnancy and childbirth, tumors in the pelvis and uterus are a provoking factor, which mechanically squeezes the veins, an increase in intra -abdominal pressure. Pain can be given to any part of the abdomen, but more often in the groin and sacrum.
Expansion of the veins of intra -abdominal space
The most dangerous expansion of the veins of the liver (portal veins) and the esophagus. They are expanded less often, but they are dangerous for health by possible bleeding from them, which means the difficulty of providing medical care in this case.
Dangerous complications of varicose disease
- Venous blood stagnates in the veins and does not undergo cleaning from harmful substances and toxins in time, which means that the body is constantly undergoing self -reflection, which further exacerbates metabolic disorders and intoxication.
- In the nodes or pockets of blood vessels, the volume of blood accumulates, blood cells (platelets) are glued together and a thrombus is formed. It can close the lumen of the same vessel, and it can reach the vessels of the lungs, heart, brain with a blood flow and cause a violation of blood supply, which manifests itself:
- acute pulmonary artery thromboembolism (respiratoryure violation leading to the death of the patient),
- a stroke that can have a different nature of a violation of functions (from a slight paresis of the limbs to deep disability and even a fatal outcome),
- myocardial infarction and light,
- Thrombosis of blood vessels, which leads to blindness.
Stages of varicose veins
The first is the stage of complaints when there are no visible signs of vascular damage:
- convulsive tightening of the muscles of the back surface of the legs, brushes and shoulder;
- night burning pain in them;
- The swelling of the feet and hands after physical exertion and if you specially lower your hand or leg down and hold for a long time without movement, the shoes convenient in the morning in the evening begins to cause discomfort in the legs.
The second - pain becomes more persistent in intensity, longer, "vascular stars" appear, the swelling of the feet, which may not pass during sleep until morning. There are restrictions during work, the need for short -term rest.
The third - pain and numbness intensify, take on a constant character, more burning at night, during sleep it is difficult for a person to find a convenient position. Pronounced visual changes from the skin appear - the dryness of the skin is enhanced, the tendency to cracking, the veins are noticeably expanding, nodules appear. Night rest does not give relief of well -being. For long non -healing ulcers appear quickly, in the late period, inflammation in them joins - thrombophlebitis.
Diagnosis of vein expansion
- Correctly evaluate the patient's complaints.
- An ultrasound examination through the abdominal wall or through the vagina for pain in the pelvis - the presence of batch bends and the expansion of the lumen will be noticeable.
- Dopplerography allows you to estimate the velocity of blood flow through the veins.
In heavy and not quite understandable cases, surgeons resort to laparoscopy.
Treatment of varicose veins
Not drug treatment - to normalize the correct lifestyle to maintain body weight relative to age, take a break in work and be able to walk, not limit fluid intake. During the rest, give the legs an elevated position. Use compression underwear if necessary (stockings, golfs). Massage courses, exercise therapy, spa treatment.
Drug treatment - taking specially drugs in tablets or use ointments locally in the form of applications and compresses
Surgical treatment - aimed at removing the damaged vein or its plastic.
How to prevent the development of varicose veins
- People who are at risk (drivers, hairdressers, seamstresses, surgeons, heavy labor workers) should carefully listen to changes in the body, while notice and evaluate the pain syndrome, and do not write off everything for general fatigue.
- Try to exclude the long -term forced positions of the body - to sit with an abandoned foot on another knee, sit "on squatting. "Change the position of the body more often.
- During the day, to carry out a small warm -up (walk, make tilting the body forward and backward, squatting), so this will allow the muscles to the limbs to mechanically pump blood vessels. Run a little or jump on the spot.
- Follow and carry out weight correction, especially in adulthood, when blood flow rate tends to decrease.
- Do not wear things that tighten the body, exclude delaying linen.
- Change the height of the heel during the day from high to low. Preference to give heels 2-5. 5 cm high.
- Be sure to walk barefoot in artificial gravel (rugs with needles, imitation of shells).
- Healthy diet with a high content of vitamin C (greens, sauerkraut, berries).
- Exclude bad habits.
- Massage courses or lymphatic drainage sessions.
- Engage in swimming if there are no contraindications (disk hernia) - Scandinavian walking.
Attention: varicose veins is progressive, it is not amenable to complete cure and is quite dangerous with its complications. You need to always remember this and take measures for prevention from young age and not neglect them when there is subsequently. Caring for the health of the legs is concern for a healthy old age.