Recommend
Official site Neoveris

Varicose veins: causes

Varicose veins is one of the oldest diseases of humanity, 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 body parts and organs that have wide veins. The most common location is the legs, although it can also form in 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 caused by changes in the functioning 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 to the structure. It is characteristic of the disease that the valves no longer close, the outflow of blood decreases, and the veins expand.

With varicose veins, the walls of the 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 paid to the disease due to its wide distribution, with 1 in 10 men and 1 in 3 women suffering from varicose veins between the ages of 30 and 40. The highest prevalence of the disease in Europe - up to 40% of the population, the lowest in Asia and Africa - about 0. 1%.

The main causes of varicose veins in men and women.

Varicose veins in 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 to the lower organs or extremities;
  3. Gender plays a rather important role, as statistics show: 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 found in a third of all patients.If the family has relatives who are susceptible to the disease, the risk of manifestation in the 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 genes. Usually observed:

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

For this reason, the disease can be found not only in adults, but also in young girls and boys, as well as in children. In men, 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 part. The causes of varicose veins in the legs in women are manifested mainly when:

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

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

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, an increase in pressure occurs in a wide way. When the communications between the arteries and veins, increased pressure is created, due to which the function of the valves may be defective. Due to high pressure, the veins expand, the valves cannot contain the reverse flow, which causes the formation of knots.

nerves

The tone of the vessels is controlled by nerve endings. With a negative impact on the nervous system by 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 and more widespread, some call it "computer". Muscle fibers contract and cause blood to be released 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 causes blockage of some veins.

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

Physical exercise

Heavy loads cause varicose veins

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

  1. over weight;
  2. Pregnancy and childbirth;
  3. Movement with weights;
  4. Long standing.

Treatment

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

The causes of varicose veins of the legs and their elimination are considered comprehensively, depending on the type of appearance and the stage of development of the disease. You can determine the best treatment option with the help of a specialist who will advise you on the appropriate options, but there are no special contraindications to medications.

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 whole body. Ointments help to eliminate pain, normalize muscle condition, prevent degenerative processes in the bloodstream.

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

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

Medicines

Preparations for the treatment of varicose veins

The causes of varicose veins in the legs are usually internal, so you have to treat them from the inside or in a complex way.

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

  1. Phlebotonics - the main effect is to restore 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. Disintegrants: reduce the blood's ability to form blood clots.

Surgery

Surgery to remove varicose veins

Varicose veins in 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, it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention.

Today, there are several methods of surgery: laser, radiofrequency, miniphlebectomy, etc. In general, it is possible to simply restore the health of the legs or prevent the formation of foot diseases.

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 in the mouth;
  2. Ascending form - when the symptoms initially start in the foot and gradually move upwards, 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 where the diagnosis does not determine the pathology;
  • I - slight swelling appears, it may feel as if the legs are heavy or "spider veins";
  • II - increased edema, especially at night, the skin changes color a little, eczema;
  • III - trophic ulcers, they can not regenerate.

Danger and complications

Varicose veins on the leg of a man, complicated with 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 of the disease is complications from varicose veins. Dangerous Side Effects:

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

Symptoms of varicose veins

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

  1. Heaviness in the legs, increased fatigue, especially often manifested at night;
  2. The color of the veins becomes bluish and they bulge a little. Characteristic manifestation when, when lifting the limb, everything returns to normal;
  3. Over time, small nodules or conglomerates may appear;
  4. Swelling in the area of \u200b\u200bthe feet, ankles, shins, legs seem to burst, seizures 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 male or female 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 should contact a phlebologist immediately after detecting the main symptoms of the disease: a feeling of fatigue and increased heaviness of the legs, as well as changes in skin color, 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 complete diagnosis:

  1. Complete blood count: checks the level of blood coagulation and the presence of inflammation;
  2. Ultrasound examination - detects the affected vessels;
  3. Rheovasography - determination of the level of nutrition of the tissues, 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.

Provisions and preventive measures

Timely visit to the doctor will help to eliminate 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 eliminate the symptoms.

Prevention is pretty standard:

  1. Healthy life style;
  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 masseur;
  7. Wear comfortable clothing 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.