Varicose veins on the legs - symptoms and treatment

27 May 2022

Varicose veins (VV) is a fairly common disease that affects both men and women. It can affect the lower limbs of a person, as well as deep veins, leading to the development of thrombosis and post-thrombophlebitic disease.

Spider veins that appear on a person's legs due to the development of the disease cause him to begin to feel unattractive. In addition to external, there are also internal manifestations of EV, which are expressed in the appearance of discomfort and pain in the calf muscles of the lower leg. The development of the disease increases the risk of other pathologies of the circulatory system.

The key to success in the fight against pathology lies in the timely diagnosis and competent treatment. A big mistake on the part of a person is the independent use of various ointments and creams, which in most cases do not bring the desired effect. As a result, time was lost that could have been directed to correct and effective therapy.

In order to get rid of varicose veins, you need to solve the following tasks:

Elimination of symptoms.
Removal of varicose veins.
Prevention of the development and reappearance of VV.

Only a highly qualified specialist with sufficient experience in the treatment and prevention of pathologies of this kind can successfully cope with each of the above tasks.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Symptoms of the disease are signs that clearly indicate its development. They are divided into:

Subjective:
1. Non-intense and aching pain in the calf muscles.
2. Burning sensation and itching along the veins affected by varicose veins.
3. Heaviness in the legs, worse towards the end of the day.
4. Skin hyperpigmentation.
5. Increased fatigue of the lower extremities.
6. Trophic venous ulcer of the leg.
7. Pain in the calf muscles, aggravated by walking.
8. The appearance of edema in the leg and feet.
Objective:
1. Varicose saphenous veins, which are clearly visible even without the use of special equipment.
2. Well visible dilated intradermal and saphenous veins.
3. The presence of spider veins.
4. Changes in the structure and color of the skin, the appearance of lipodermatoscoerosis and venous trophic ulcers.

What do veins look like?

The very first alarm signal about the presence of problems with the veins is the swelling of the lower extremities by the end of the day. Puffiness is especially pronounced if a person spends most of the day standing on his feet. It can disappear already in the morning after a night spent relaxing.

However, if you do not pay due attention to this problem, the condition can worsen significantly. Intradermal veins on the legs with varicose veins become dark blue, protruding above the surface of the skin of the legs and feet. Outwardly, they look like bunches of red grapes that are overripe. Such external manifestations of the pathology are accompanied by pain in the calves, a feeling of heat in the legs, swelling and cramps in the calf muscles. Over time, these symptoms are accompanied by a change in the appearance of the skin.

Causes of varicose veins of the lower extremities

VV of the lower extremities can develop under the influence of a number of factors and circumstances, the main ones being:

Pregnancy. This is a key risk factor for the onset of the disease. This explains the fact that varicose veins in women are several times more common than in men. In this case, the disease develops under the influence of an increase in the volume of circulating blood and compression of the pregnant uterus of the retroperitoneal veins.
Obesity. The connection of this condition with the development of VV has been proven by a number of studies. At the same time, a direct relationship was found between increased body weight and an increase in the risk of developing pathology.
A lifestyle that is characterized by long-term static loads with regular weight lifting or prolonged immobility in a standing or sitting position.
dishormonal states. Their role in the development of the disease has increased significantly in recent years. This is due to the widespread use of hormonal contraceptives, the spread of hormone replacement treatment for osteoporosis and during the premenopausal period.
Heredity. The role of this factor in the development of varicose veins on the legs does not have unequivocal confirmation today.
Violation of the valvular apparatus of the veins, leading to the rush of blood flow under the influence of gravity every time a person gets to his feet. The muscles around the deep veins contract as you walk. These veins are subject to emptying, which increases venous pressure. Blood enters the superficial veins through communicating vessels with insufficient valves. As a result, they are filled with blood, which leads to their stretching and expansion (varicose veins).

Classification and stages

Like any disease, VV has several stages, which differ from each other in the degree of spread of pathology and symptoms. Among them are the following stages:

Initial (or compensation).
The second (or subcompensation).
Third (or decompensation).

It is worth noting that complications can occur at any of the above stages, but their greatest likelihood is inherent in the last two. VV can serve as an impetus for the development of diseases such as:

Thrombophlebitis.
Erysipelas.
Deep vein thrombosis.
Trophic eczema.

A visit to a specialist, made at the first signs of the onset of the disease, will help reduce the risks of aggravating the situation and start removing varicose veins. Do not ignore even minor symptoms, because this can lead to undesirable and extremely negative consequences.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of varicose veins, the symptoms of which are described above, sets itself the solution of the following tasks:

Determination of the presence of pathology in each individual patient. It often happens that people who do not have varicose veins are sure that they do, and vice versa. However, only an experienced phlebologist, based on an external examination and a number of complex studies, can make an accurate diagnosis.
Establishment of the type characteristic of the pathology of the veins. The doctor determines exactly which veins have undergone a pathological lesion, and also establishes the degree of this lesion and the possible or already occurring consequences.
Prescribing the correct course of treatment. Based on the diagnosis and the characteristics of each specific organism, the attending physician makes a choice in favor of one or another treatment or a set of therapeutic measures.
Evaluation of the level of effectiveness of therapy, which is performed by the attending physician during the elimination of the disease or after the patient has completely recovered.

The main methods for diagnosing VV include:

Plethysmography.
thermography.
Magnetic resonance imaging.
Ultrasonic angioscanning.
Computed tomography.
Clinical studies: conversation with the patient, his external examination and examination by hands.
Radionuclide phlebography.
Intravascular ultrasound.
X-ray phlebography.

Most often, it is enough for a professional specialist to conduct a clinical examination and ultrasound angiography in order to diagnose varicose veins in the legs.

Treatment Methods

Modern methods of therapy for varicose veins are aimed at reducing the degree of disability and trauma, which contributes to a faster recovery of the patient. The main therapeutic methods include:

Sclerotherapy. This method involves the introduction into the lumen of varicose veins of the legs of a special medication that provokes a chemical burn of the inner venous wall. This leads to their gluing and cessation of pathological blood flow through them. It can be used alone or in combination with other manipulations. It is carried out without prior anesthesia with punctures of skin punctures using a thin needle. The duration depends on the extent of the lesion.
Foam sclerotherapy, which involves the preparation of a foam by a specialist from a special medication that can use an impressive area of the inner walls of the affected venous vessels. It is used for the treatment of large diameter veins.
Endovenous laser coagulation, which is performed using a laser device on the main trunks of the leg veins and allows you to stop the pathological blood flow through the affected veins due to the burn of their inner walls and their subsequent gluing.
Miniphlebectomy, aimed at eliminating subcutaneous nodes and tributaries enlarged by varicose veins through punctures of the skin. It has an excellent cosmetic effect and is used alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods under local anesthesia.
Elimination of incompetent perforating veins, performed for the prevention of venous insufficiency and the treatment of trophic disorders, including ulcers.
Combined phlebectomy, which is a combination of some methods of IV therapy, based on the indications and nature of the pathologies of the veins.

Complications of varicose veins

It should be understood that improper treatment of the disease or a complete rejection of it can lead to complications. The latter appear not only in cosmetic defects of the lower extremities, but also in more serious forms. Among them:

Trophic eczema, subsequently turning into an ulcer.
Thrombotic lesions of the venous system, including thrombophlebitis of superficial veins and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities.

Venous blood is a kind of "sewerage" for the tissues of the body and is saturated with substances and metabolic products of cells that are relatively harmful to the human body. Cells of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as muscles and bones, dump tissue respiration products and other waste material into the venous system, which transfers them to the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. In the case of violations of the functioning of the venous system, there is an increase in the content of these products in the tissues of the body.

A vein enlarged by varicose veins leads not only to an increase in the concentration of harmful products in the tissues, but also to an increase in their swelling. Such a violation of the outflow of harmful products, combined with swelling observed for a long time, leads to the death of skin and subcutaneous tissue cells and their subsequent replacement with venous eczema, represented by a dense and dotted structure of a dark color. The death of the surface layer of the skin is the cause of trophic ulcers.

Prevention

Varicose veins on the legs, the treatment of which today is carried out by various methods, can be avoided if preventive measures are observed. Due to the fact that the risk of developing VV is much higher in women, it is they who need not to ignore the prevention of this disease. However, men should also not ignore preventive measures aimed at preventing the development of varicose veins in the legs. Key activities include:

The use of local preparations (gels, ointments, creams) that help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, optimize the functioning of valves, reduce the risk of blood clots, eliminate edema and heal wounds.
The use of stockings, tights, stockings and elastic bandages with a compression effect. This is a great tool in the fight against varicose veins. These products can be purchased in specialized stores after consultation with a doctor, which is necessary due to the relative difficulty in independently determining the required type of compression underwear.
Special exercises performed on a daily basis. They are able to stop even the expansion of blood vessels that has already begun. It should be borne in mind that if there is a tendency to BB, it will make you give up heavy physical exertion, but in no case should you ignore an active lifestyle. Light jogging, swimming, yoga, and skiing, for example, help keep leg veins healthy.
Preventive pills for varicose veins are recognized as a more effective method of preventing VV than the use of local drugs. However, the use of any oral remedy should be carried out exclusively for its intended purpose and under the strict supervision of a competent specialist.

In order to prevent the situation from aggravating, you should abandon self-medication at the first manifestations of the disease and consult a doctor. This will make it possible to make a correct diagnosis in a timely manner and prescribe adequate treatment that will stop the progression of the disease and reduce the risks of developing other pathologies to zero.

Frequently asked Questions

Very often people are interested not only in the question of how to treat varicose veins. Many patients suffering from this disease are interested in what they can and cannot do in order not to aggravate their health condition and not provoke other health problems. The following are frequently asked questions that people with VV are interested in.

Is it possible to get vaccinated against coronavirus with varicose veins?

The answer to the question of whether a coronavirus vaccine is allowed for varicose veins is possible. This pathology is not a restriction for vaccination against COVID-19 in the absence of its exacerbation. If a person does not suffer from acute thrombophlebitis, then this refers to decompensation of varicose veins of the legs, and he is not prohibited from being vaccinated against a coronavirus infection.

Is it possible to drink coffee with varicose veins?

Caffeine has the ability to increase blood pressure and increase the beating of the heart, which are unfavorable factors for fragile swollen veins damaged by varicose veins. Coffee has the following effects on blood vessels:

Increased load on the walls of the veins.
Increase in blood pressure.
Short-term venous expansion.

Therefore, with varicose veins, you can drink coffee, but not exceeding the daily allowance. A complete rejection of your favorite tonic drink will not lead to the restoration of pathologically affected veins, so you should not torture yourself and not drink coffee. Just don't drink more than 1-2 cups a day. It is also recommended to dilute coffee with milk.

Is massage allowed?

The complex treatment of varicose veins at an early stage includes massage. However, it needs to be done correctly.

With varicose veins, you can do an exceptionally light massage of the lower extremities. It is also indicated for patients with uncomplicated forms of varicose veins.

It is advisable to do a professional manual massage for patients with varicose veins, but it must be taken into account all the features of the course of the disease. A mandatory consultation with a specialist is recommended before proceeding with the massage of the area whose veins are affected by varicose veins.

Can you warm your feet?

When the legs are heated, the veins expand, blood circulation increases and the load on the non-venous walls only increases. This can exacerbate the already poor condition of varicose vessels. That is why it is recommended to limit hot baths for patients with varicose veins. It will be better to reduce the temperature of the water from hot to warm, which will not provoke vasodilation and will not lead to an aggravation of the human condition. It should always be remembered that consultation with a specialist is necessary, regardless of whether we are talking about hot baths or vaccinations for varicose veins.

Is running and squatting allowed?

Experts recommend starting jogging at the first signs of BB development. It is important to ensure that these exercises are systematic. While running, the blood is saturated with oxygen. Therefore, it is better to give preference to jogging through the forest or park, where the air is always clean.

However, you should adequately assess your capabilities and endurance, and avoid excessive loads, which are contraindicated in varicose veins. It is important to monitor the gradual increase in loads that do not exceed indicators that are comfortable for the body.

During a run, a person with BB should not feel tired. Running only for a short distance with the use of compression stockings is allowed. In the case of thrombophlebitis, jogging should be abandoned. The admissibility of running and squats for varicose veins of the small pelvis should be discussed with your doctor.

What is the best treatment for varicose veins?

Today there is no unequivocal answer to the question of which therapeutic method is the most effective for varicose veins. The fact is that success in treatment depends on a number of factors that must be evaluated by a qualified specialist in each case. Only after that they can make a final decision on the appointment of a particular treatment for BB.