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Varicose veins: causes

Varicose veins is one of the oldest diseases of mankind, there are references to this disease in the works of Hippocrates, Avicenna and other founders of medicine. Expansion of the venous pathways can occur in various parts of the body and organs that have wide veins. The most common location is the legs, although it can also form on the stomach, testicles, and esophagus. To study the origin of the disease, we first consider the causes of varicose veins.

General information about varicose veins of the lower extremities

Varicose veins occur due to irreversible pathological expansion of the veins.The problem is provoked due to changes in the operation of the valves responsible for blood circulation in the body, mainly in the lower extremities.

The normal operation of the valves implies, at the moment of relaxation or contraction of muscle fibers, the movement of blood back up the structure. It is characteristic of the disease that the valves no longer close, the outflow of blood decreases, so the veins expand.

With varicose veins, the walls of blood vessels become thinner and weaker. The main problem is the lack of reversibility of the process, that is, even after the restoration of blood circulation, the walls do not return to their original position.

Particular attention is given to the disease due to its wide distribution, as 1 in 10 men and 1 in 3 women suffer from varicose veins in their 30s and 40s. The highest prevalence of the disease in Europe - up to 40% of the population, the lowest in Asia and Africa - approximately 0. 1%.

The main causes of varicose veins in men and women

Varicose veins on the legs

The causes of the development of the disease are very versatile and at first glance unrelated, but these causes are confirmed by research and are considered reliable.There are 6 main criteria for predisposition to varicose veins, which we will consider in detail.

There are also additional, less significant reasons:

  1. Reduced immunity;
  2. Injuries in the organs or lower extremities;
  3. Gender plays a rather important role, as evidenced by statistics - women are 3 times more likely to get sick.

hereditary predisposition

Varicose veins are a genetic disease

The causes of varicose veins should begin to be considered from genetics, since this cause is in a third of all patients.If the family has relatives who are susceptible to the disease, then the risk of manifestation in offspring increases to 70%.The reason is not so much in a family disease, as in pathological changes in the structure of blood vessels, embedded in the genes. Usually observed:

  • Inadequate valves, malfunctions in their work;
  • Connective tissue is present in the walls of the veins, it is likely that it is underdeveloped.

For this reason, the disease can be found not only in adults, but also in young girls and boys, as well as children. In males, genetic predisposition causes the disease much less frequently.

Hormones

The reasons for the development of varicose veins are diverse, but among all the diversity, hormonal imbalance occupies a large share.The causes of varicose veins in the legs in women are manifested mainly when:

  1. Pregnancy, childbirth;
  2. During menstruation or any failures in it;
  3. climacteric stage;
  4. The use of drugs that affect the hormonal background of the body, especially with overdoses.

In men, testosterone is considered the sex hormone, and in women, progesterone, the latter tends to negatively affect the walls of blood vessels, provoking a lack of collagen. Ultimately, their tone and elasticity decreases and the risk of varicose veins increases many times over.

Inflammatory processes

Important prerequisites for the disease are inflammations, mainly in the organs located in the pelvis.Also, when the inflammatory process touches small veins, increased pressure is produced in wide ways. When communications between arteries and veins, increased pressure is created, due to which the function of the valves may be defective. Due to the high pressure, the veins expand, the valves are unable to restrain the reverse flow, which provokes the formation of knots.

Nerves

The tone in the vessels is controlled by nerve endings. With a negative impact on the nervous system from external factors, the psycho-emotional state, the nerve center may not fully adjust the valves. Subsequently, the tone decreases, and the volume of the vessels increases.

Sedentary lifestyle

It is this cause of varicose veins that is becoming more widespread, some call it "computer". Muscle fibers contract and provoke the release of blood upwards, which is important for normal blood circulation. In a sitting position, this does not happen, the metabolic rate decreases, respectively, the vessels dilate. Also, a sitting position provokes blockage of some veins.

When sitting, a person is in a slightly bent position, which causes high pressure in the abdominal region. In turn, from there, blood with great pressure goes to the legs and the operation of the valves is of an irregular nature. Especially true for constipation, coughing, sneezing.

Physical exercise

Heavy loads cause varicose veins

Strong loads of the physical plane lead to an increase in pressure in the vessels.Mostly the problem is not in hard work, but in static loads, although the transfer of heavy loads often causes varicose veins.The main reasons are:

  1. overweight;
  2. Pregnancy and childbirth;
  3. Movement with weights;
  4. Prolonged standing.

Treatment

Varicose veins in the legs should be treated, and in a timely manner, then it is possible to reduce the risk of aggravating the situation and minimize the manifestations of the disease as much as possible.Treatment at the initial stages occurs through the use of local medicines, after which, in the absence of therapy, surgical intervention may be required.

The causes of varicose veins and its elimination are considered comprehensively, based on the type of occurrence and stage of development of the disease. You can determine the best treatment option with the help of a specialist who will indicate suitable options, but there are no special contraindications for drugs.

Creams and ointments

The advantage of using the cream is the ease of application and the effect only on the affected area of the body, and not on the entire body. Ointments help eliminate pain, normalize muscle condition and prevent degenerative processes in the bloodstream.

The causes of varicose veins in women are often hormonal in nature, while the cream acts locally, from the outside, so it is possible to achieve:

  1. The proper level of skin nutrition, it becomes more beautiful and healthy in appearance;
  2. Creating obstacles in the development of trophic formations, deviations in metabolism;
  3. Venous disease ceases to progress, as the circulation of the blood comes in order;
  4. If varicose veins are accompanied by swelling, then creams can eliminate them.

Medicines

Preparations for the treatment of varicose veins

The causes of varicose veins on the legs are most often internal, so you need to deal with them from the inside or in a complex way.

Drugs come in various types of effects on the course of the disease, mainly the following groups are distinguished:

  1. Phlebotonics - the main effect is to return the tone to the walls of blood vessels. It is considered the main group of prescribed drugs;
  2. Anticoagulants - prevent congestion in the blood;
  3. Decongestants;
  4. Disaggregants - reduce the ability of blood to form blood clots.

Surgery

Surgery to remove varicose veins

Varicose veins on the legs and other parts of the body have a variety of causes, but regardless of them, the disease tends to progress. There are certain facets, if the disease has spread beyond them, then conservative treatment rarely has a positive effect. In extreme cases, you have to resort to surgical intervention.

Today, there are various methods of surgery: laser, radiofrequency, miniphlebectomy, etc. By and large, it is possible to simply restore health on the legs or prevent the formation of foot disease.

Classification

The causes of varicose veins are different, and accordingly the form of the disease is also different. It is generally accepted to distinguish several forms and 4 degrees of the disease:

  1. Descending form - the spread of the disease begins from above and gradually descends along the femoral vein, starting at the mouth;
  2. Ascending form - when the symptoms start initially from the foot and gradually move up, the reason for this is problems with the valves.

The severity of the disease is conditionally divided into 4 categories:

  • 0 - the disease is at a stage when the diagnosis does not determine the pathology;
  • I - a slight swelling appears, it may feel like the legs are heavy or "spider vein";
  • II - increased edema, especially in the evening, the skin changes color somewhat, eczema;
  • III - trophic ulcers, they may not be regenerated.

Danger and complications

Varicose veins on a man's leg, complicated by trophic ulcers

The causes of varicose veins can be individual, which cannot be completely cured, but therapy should still be carried out. . The main risk from the disease lies in complications from varicose veins.Dangerous side effects:

  1. Trophic ulcers;
  2. Inflammations, especially erysipelatous type;
  3. Thrombophlebitis - increases the risk of blood clots.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Symptoms of the disease sometimes appear, sometimes weaken somewhat, but it is necessary to treat varicose veins in any case, without waiting for acute manifestations. You can recognize the disease by the characteristic symptoms:

  1. Heaviness in the legs, increased fatigue, especially often manifested in the evening;
  2. The color of the veins becomes bluish and they bulge somewhat. A characteristic manifestation when, when the limb is raised up, everything returns to normal;
  3. Over time, small nodules or conglomerates may appear;
  4. Swelling in the area of the feet, ankles, shins, the legs seem to be bursting, convulsions often appear;
  5. With the progression of the disease, dry skin is observed, and seals with a dark color are also formed;
  6. Trophic ulcers.

At what stage should you see a doctor?

The phlebologist deals with the treatment of varicose veins

Treatment of female or male varicose veins should be started as soon as possible.Usually the patient does not attach much importance to the primary manifestations, but they should not be ignored.

You need to contact a phlebologist immediately after detecting the primary symptoms of the disease - feelings of fatigue and increased heaviness of the legs, as well as changes in the color of the skin, swelling, etc. To determine the cause of the disease, they often turn to other specialists: a general practitioner, a gynecologist and a neurologist.

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis can only be made on the basis of a comprehensive diagnosis:

  1. Complete blood count - checks the level of blood clotting and the presence of inflammation;
  2. Ultrasound examination - detects the affected vessels;
  3. Rheovasography - determination of the level of tissue nutrition, used to determine the stage of varicose veins;
  4. Phlebography - a contrast agent is used to study the patency of the veins;
  5. Physiological tests - the function of the valves is checked.

Forecasts and preventive measures

Timely visit to the doctor will help to remove the symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins are among the processes that are irreversible, so full recovery is almost unattainable.With a timely visit to the doctor, correct diagnosis, preventive measures and treatment, it is quite possible to remove the symptoms.

Prevention is quite standard:

  1. Healthy lifestyle;
  2. Healthy food;
  3. Elimination of bad habits;
  4. If you stay in one position for a long time, do not cross your legs;
  5. Perform exercises, warm-up;
  6. Periodically use the services of a massage therapist;
  7. Wear comfortable clothes as often as possible.

Many no longer pay due attention to the disease, although such carelessness can cost health for the whole organism. To prevent the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to follow the doctor's recommendations at all stages and carry out prevention.