Varicose veins are a very insidious disease. It can hardly manifest itself for years, because in the early stages nothing worries a person, and mild ailments are attributed to living conditions, but not to vein problems. And then it gets worse, the disease progresses and it becomes much harder to cure. In this case, varicose veins can affect different parts of the body that have veins. But most of them suffer from female legs, so the symptoms of varicose veins in women should be given special attention.
Varicose veins are a very insidious disease. It can hardly manifest itself for years, because in the early stages nothing worries a person, and mild ailments are attributed to living conditions, but not to vein problems. And then it gets worse, the disease progresses and it becomes much harder to cure. In this case, varicose veins can affect different parts of the body that have veins. But most of them suffer from female legs, so the symptoms of varicose veins in women should be given special attention.
The mechanism of the disease
The main cause of varicose veins of the legs is the weakening of the walls of the veins and blood vessels, as a result of which they can no longer push the blood up with optimal force.
The blood stagnates and stretches the veins even more. As they expand, they lose their elasticity, become brittle, and eventually stop providing normal blood flow. Due to the fact that the blood is constantly in the veins, they swell, nodules and blood clots form, clogging the lumen in the vessels. This leads to thrombophlebitis.
Skin cells that do not receive enough oxygen begin to die, tissue necrosis develops, trophic lesions and ulcers appear. This is called the final stage of varicose veins of the lower extremities and is treated only with surgery.
It is no longer possible to completely cure this stage of the disease, but it is likely to slow it down and achieve a more or less stable remission.
Important! Doctors believe that the main reason for the appearance of varicose veins of the lower extremities is a hereditary predisposition, therefore, if there are cases of the disease in older generations of the family, special care should be taken for vascular health.
How not to miss the onset of the disease?
It is very important to carefully monitor all diseases, even the mildest. If you catch stage 1 of development, when the symptoms of varicose veins of the legs have just begun to appear, in most cases it is possible to reverse the process and maintain healthy veins. So, the first signs of varicose veins of the legs are:
- increase in swelling, which began to bother not only in the evening but also at other times of the day;
- feeling of heaviness and "tired legs" syndrome, appearing in the middle of the day or even earlier;
- general weakness and apathy resulting from insufficient oxygen supply to tissues;
- spider veins or a network of legs and thighs, which are often the first sign of varicose veins that people pay attention to.
In this case, a timely visit to the doctor can help the simplest methods of treatment: folk remedies, drugs for the prevention of varicose veins of the legs - venotonics in tablets and capsules, ointments, creams and gels.
If it is necessary to treat varicose veins of the legs, the phlebologist may prescribe drugs that dilute the blood and prevent blood clots, as well as wearing special compression underwear or using an elastic bandage.
Important! Despite the fact that many drugs have few side effects and are prescribed, including for disease prevention, the decision of which one should be made exclusively by a phlebologist, but not by the patient himself.
What is the danger of the disease?
In the first place, varicose veins, reaching an advanced stage, threaten the formation of blood clots, which can block the flow of blood and oxygen to the most important arteries and veins located next to the lungs and heart. Pulmonary embolism very often leads to a sad outcome.
In addition, varicose veins of the legs can be hidden, affecting the vessels passing deep into the legs. This condition is dangerous because the external signs begin to appear when the disease has already passed into the 2nd or even 3rd stage, in which it can not be done without surgery. A visit to a doctor should not be delayed if:
- the legs began to swell frequently while the kidneys were completely healthy, diabetes was not diagnosed, fluid intake was normal;
- pulling or sharp secondary pains appear in the pelvic organs, groin and upper thighs;
- the legs periodically ache, especially at night;
- the areas of the lower limbs along the veins began to swell after each load.
Internal varicose veins of the legs can seriously complicate a person's life, causing constant pain in him and leading the situation to the intervention of a surgeon.
Important! Varicose veins during pregnancy are common. Most women are sure that this is temporary and will definitely pass after childbirth, but in reality this does not always happen.
Much more often after loading the veins during childbirth, the disease begins to progress. Therefore, the signs of varicose veins during pregnancy should never be ignored.
Can other parts of the body be affected?
The symptoms of varicose veins can affect different organs. In particular, varicose veins of the hands are much less common than varicose veins of the lower extremities, but cause just as much anxiety and pain. If you notice symptoms on your hands similar to the manifestation of this disease, you should see a doctor as soon as possible:
- the veins become very visible, darken and swell;
- swelling of the hands, including the fingers;
- there is often a burning sensation and pain;
- performing the same actions for a long time becomes problematic due to weight in the hands;
Varicose veins of the hands occur in both women and men with approximately the same frequency, but nevertheless this disease affects the stronger sex less often by 1, 5-2 times.
This is due to the fact that the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity are more susceptible to fluctuations in the hormonal system, which is one of the main factors that provoke varicose veins in the hands.
Important! The first signs of varicose veins of the upper and lower limbs are very similar, but varicose veins of the legs have symptoms that are considered a consequence of flat feet, long walks or wearing shoes with heels, osteochondrosis and varicose veins of the hands characterize symptoms thatmany consider it a physical characteristic of the structure of the veins.
Intestinal lesion
With almost the same frequency as varicose veins of the legs there are varicose veins of the rectum and its prolapse.
Under this name are well-known hemorrhoids. Those who are unlucky enough to get this disease can tell you how unpleasant the signs of varicose veins are in such a delicate area:
- sudden attacks of sharp pain while walking;
- severe pain when sitting to the point of inability to sit;
- the appearance of blood from cracks in the anal canal and its pronounced swelling, itching and burning;
- the act of defecation is also accompanied by pain, especially if combined with constipation, which is common in varicose veins in this area.
The symptoms of internal varicose veins are not as difficult to notice as external ones, as there are usually no unpleasant sensations in the anus.
However, when referring to a proctologist, he usually places grade 2 varicose veins. It is not as easy to cure as the first stage of the disease, but it is quite possible without the use of radical measures.
If varicose veins of the arms and legs are more common in women, then varicose veins of the rectum affect the male body more. The main reasons for this are heavy physical activity, serious sports, drinking alcohol and large amounts of junk food, as well as prostate diseases that contribute to the narrowing of the urethra.
Important! Once you find the first symptoms of varicose veins of the rectum, you should start treatment as soon as possible, as the danger of disease in this particular area lies in the fact that the intestines may suffer and the work of the gastrointestinal tract maybe violated.
The disease develops gradually, without sudden jumps, but can lead to intestinal neoplasms, both benign and oncogenic.
male problem
If varicose veins in the legs in men are quite rare, then varicocele is a purely male disease. It consists in the fact that varicose veins of the spermatic cord and testicles become one of the causes of infertility due to the male factor.
The venous canal with varicocele is full of blood that the vessels cannot move further into the renal or small vena cava. In most cases, this problem occurs in the left testicle, as two veins connect in this area: the kidney and the seminal vein.
Symptoms of varicose veins of the testicles do not appear in any way, as long as the couple has no problem conceiving. Then both partners go to the doctors, the woman - to the gynecologist, the man - to the andrologist. And first, an experienced doctor will examine the varicocele.
This disease can be detected with the help of ultrasound and Doppler, as well as by probing the veins during the patient's tension. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the man is ordered to do a spermogram to determine how far the disease has progressed according to the condition of the sperm.
Important! It is possible to cure varicocele only with surgery and it is performed, as a rule, to eliminate infertility in men.
This phenomenon in itself is not dangerous and usually does not cause discomfort, but sometimes the veins dilate so much that they cause discomfort or pain. In this case, the operation is also shown.
Conclusion
Varicose veins are caused by many factors, most of which can be corrected. And since this disease belongs to the category of dangerous and often provokes serious complications, as a result of which a person may become disabled, it will be much easier to take preventive measures in a timely manner to avoid the development of the disease:
- normalizing the diet, eliminating the abundance of fatty, spicy, salty and fried foods;
- quit smoking and alcohol;
- after consulting a doctor, take venotonic drugs, use ointments that strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- do not spend much time in the same position, prolonged sitting is just as dangerous as being on your feet;
- take enough time for sports;
- control weight, preventing the appearance of excess weight, this is especially true for women during the period of childbirth and breastfeeding;
- choose comfortable shoes with low wide heels that do not squeeze your feet, and leave high heels for special occasions;
- take a contrast shower daily, paying special attention to the legs, arms and pelvic organs;
- stay as little as possible in hot rooms, hot saunas and baths;
- with a hereditary factor, it will be useful to wear compression stockings, tights or socks.
Once you find the first signs of varicose veins, it is imperative to contact a phlebologist and work with him to outline a treatment plan.