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 a person's lower extremities, as well as the 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 make him begin to feel unattractive. In addition to external, there are also internal manifestations of explosives, which are expressed in the appearance of discomfort and pain in the calf muscles of the 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 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 wasted that could have been spent on correct and effective therapy.

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

Elimination of symptoms.
Elimination 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 type 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 and itching sensation along the veins affected by varicose veins.
3. Heaviness in the legs, worse towards the end of the day.
4. Skin hyperpigmentation.
5. Increased lower extremity fatigue.
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, appearance of lipodermatoscoerosis and venous trophic ulcers.

How are the veins?

The first warning sign of vein problems is swelling of the lower extremities at the end of the day. The swelling is especially pronounced if a person spends most of the day on his feet. It can disappear already in the morning after a night's rest.

However, if you do not pay due attention to this problem, the condition can worsen significantly. Intradermal veins in the legs with varicose veins turn dark blue and protrude above the skin surface of the legs and feet. Outwardly, they look like bunches of overripe red grapes. 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:

The 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 gravid uterus from 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 increased 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.
dyshormonal states. Its 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 therapy for osteoporosis, and during the premenopausal period.
Inheritance. The role of this factor in the development of varicose veins in the legs has no unequivocal confirmation at present.
Violation of the valvular apparatus of the veins, which causes accelerated blood flow under the influence of gravity every time a person stands up. The muscles surrounding the deep veins contract when walking. 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 fill with blood, which leads to their stretching and expansion (varicose veins).

Classification and stages

Like any disease, VV has several stages, differing 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 probability 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, carried out at the first signs of the onset of the disease, will help reduce the risks of aggravating the situation and begin to eliminate varicose veins. Do not ignore even minor symptoms, as this can have undesirable and extremely negative consequences.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of varicose veins, the symptoms of which are described above, sets 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 series of complex studies, can make an accurate diagnosis.
Establishment of the characteristic type of the pathology of the veins. The doctor determines exactly which veins have suffered a pathological injury, and also establishes the degree of this injury and the possible or already existing consequences.
Prescribe the correct course of treatment. Depending on the diagnosis and characteristics of each specific organism, the treating physician chooses one or another treatment or a set of therapeutic measures.
Assessment of the level of effectiveness of therapy, which is carried out by the attending physician during the elimination of the disease or after the patient has fully 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 manual examination.
Phlebography with radionuclides.
intravascular ultrasound.
X-ray phlebography.

In most cases, it is enough for a professional specialist to perform a clinical examination and ultrasound angiography 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 drug that causes 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 performed without prior anesthesia with punctures of skin punctures using a fine needle. The duration depends on the extent of the injury.
Foam sclerotherapy, which consists in the preparation of a foam by a specialist from a special drug 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 by a laser device on the main trunks of the leg veins and allows to stop the pathological blood flow through the affected veins due to the burning of their inner walls and their subsequent sticking.
Miniphlebectomy, whose objective is to eliminate the subcutaneous nodes and tributaries enlarged by varicose veins through punctures in the skin. It has an excellent cosmetic effect and is used alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods under local anesthesia.
Removal 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 intravenous therapy, depending on the indications and the nature of the pathologies of the veins.

Complications of varicose veins

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

Trophic eczema, which subsequently develops 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 "sewer" 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 in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as muscle and bone, dump the products of tissue respiration and other waste materials 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.

An enlarged vein from 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 the swelling observed for a long time, leads to the death of skin cells and subcutaneous tissue and their subsequent replacement by venous eczema, represented by a dense, dotted structure of dark color . The death of the superficial 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 should not 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 tights, 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 type of compression underwear required.
Special exercises performed daily. They are able to stop even the expansion of blood vessels that has already started. Keep in mind that if there is a tendency to BB, it will make you abandon intense physical exertion, but in no case should you ignore an active lifestyle. Light jogging, swimming, yoga, and skiing, for example, help keep the veins in your legs healthy.
Preventive pills for varicose veins are recognized as a more effective method of preventing VV than the use of local medications. However, the use of any oral remedy must be done 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 an appropriate treatment that stops the progression of the disease and reduces the risks of developing other pathologies to zero.

Frequent 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 cause other health problems. The following are frequently asked questions of interest to people with VV.

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

The answer to the question of whether a coronavirus vaccine for varicose veins is allowed 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, this refers to the decompensation of varicose veins in the legs, and it is not prohibited to be vaccinated against a coronavirus infection.

Can you drink coffee with varicose veins?

Caffeine has the ability to increase blood pressure and increase heartbeat, 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.
Increased blood pressure.
Short-term venous expansion.

Therefore, with varicose veins, you can drink coffee, but without exceeding the daily amount. A complete refusal 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 the coffee with milk.

Is massage allowed?

Complex treatment of varicose veins at an early stage includes massage. However, it must be done correctly.

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

It is advisable to do a professional manual massage for patients with varicose veins, but all the features of the course of the disease should be taken into account. 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 warm up, the veins expand, blood circulation increases, and the load on the non-venous walls only increases. This can exacerbate the already poor condition of the varicose vessels. That is why it is recommended to limit hot baths to patients with varicose veins. It will be better to reduce the temperature of the water from hot to warm, which will not cause 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. When running, the blood becomes saturated with oxygen. Therefore, it is better to give preference to jogging in the forest or park, where the air is always clean.

However, you need to properly assess your capabilities and strength, and avoid excessive loads that are contraindicated in varicose veins. It is important to control the gradual increase in loads that do not exceed the indicators that are comfortable for the body.

During a race, a person with BB should not feel tired. It is allowed to run only a short distance with the use of compression stockings. In the case of thrombophlebitis, jogging should be abandoned. The admissibility of running and squatting 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. And it is that the success of the treatment depends on a series 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.