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Varicose veins: causes

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

General information about varicose veins of the lower extremities

Varicose veins occur due to irreversible pathological varicose veins.The problem is provoked due to 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 involves, at the moment of relaxation or contraction of the muscle fibers, the movement of blood back up the structure. Characteristic of the disease is that the valves no longer close, blood flow decreases, so the veins dilate.

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 paid to the disease due to its widespread prevalence, as 1 in 10 men and 1 in 3 women suffer from varicose veins in the 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 in the legs

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

There are additional, less significant reasons:

  1. Decreased immunity;
  2. Injuries to organs or lower limbs;
  3. Gender plays a very important role, as the statistics show - women are 3 times more likely to get sick.

hereditary predisposition

Varicose veins are a genetic disease

The causes of varicose veins need to be considered by genetics, as this cause is in one third of all patients.If the family has relatives who are susceptible to the disease, then the risk of developing in the offspring increases to 70%.The cause is not so much in familial disease as in pathological changes in the structure of blood vessels embedded in genes. Usually observed:

  • Inadequate valves, malfunctions in their work;
  • There is connective tissue in the walls of the veins, it is probably 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 often.

Hormones

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

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

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

Inflammatory processes

Important prerequisites for the disease are inflammation, mainly in the organs located in the pelvis.Also, when the inflammatory process touches small veins, the increased pressure is produced in a wide way. Increased pressure is created during the communication between the arteries and veins, due to which the function of the valves may be defective. Due to the high pressure, the veins dilate, the valves are unable to hold back flow, which provokes the formation of nodules.

Nerves

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

Sedentary way of life

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

When sitting, the person is in a slightly bent position, which causes high pressure in the abdomen. From there, the blood with high pressure goes to the legs and the work of the valves is uneven. Especially true for constipation, cough, sneezing.

Exercise

Heavy loads cause varicose veins

Heavy loads on the physical level lead to an increase in pressure in the vessels.Most of the problem is not in heavy work, but in static loads, although carrying heavy loads often causes varicose veins.The main reasons are:

  1. Overweight;
  2. Pregnancy and birth;
  3. Movement with weights;
  4. Prolonged standing.

Treatment

Varicose veins of the legs should be treated promptly, then it is possible to reduce the risk of worsening the situation and to minimize the manifestations of the disease as much as possible.Treatment in the initial stages is carried out using local drugs, after which, in the absence of therapy, surgery may be necessary.

The causes of varicose veins of the legs and their 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 to 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 whole body. Ointments help relieve pain, normalize muscle condition and prevent degenerative processes in the bloodstream.

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

  1. Proper nutrition of the skin, it becomes more beautiful and healthy in appearance;
  2. Creating obstacles in the development of trophic formations, abnormalities in metabolism;
  3. Venous disease stops progressing as blood circulation becomes normal;
  4. If varicose veins are accompanied by swelling, then creams can remove them.

Medicines

Preparations for the treatment of varicose veins

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

The drugs are offered with different types of effects on the course of the disease, the following groups are mainly distinguished:

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

Surgery

Surgery to remove varicose veins

Varicose veins in the legs and other parts of the body have different causes, but regardless of them, the disease tends to progress. There are certain aspects, if the disease has spread beyond them, then conservative treatment rarely has a positive effect. In extreme cases, you should resort to surgery.

Today there are different methods of surgery: laser, radiofrequency, miniphlebectomy and others. In general, it is possible to simply restore the health of the feet or prevent the formation of foot disease.

Classification

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

  1. Descending form - the spread of the disease begins at the top and gradually descends down the femoral vein, starting from the mouth;
  2. Ascending form - when the symptoms start initially from 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 when the diagnosis does not determine the pathology;
  • I - there is a slight swelling, you may feel that the legs are heavy or "spider vein";
  • II - increased swelling, especially in the evening, the skin slightly changes color, eczema;
  • III - trophic ulcers, they may not regenerate.

Danger and complications

Varicose veins of the legs of a man complicated by trophic ulcers

The causes of varicose veins can be individual, which can not be completely cured, but still need therapy.. The main risk of the disease are complications of varicose veins. Dangerous side effects:

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

Symptoms of varicose veins

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

  1. Heaviness in the legs, increased fatigue, especially common in the evening;
  2. The color of the veins becomes bluish and slightly prominent. A characteristic manifestation, when when the limb is raised, everything returns to normal;
  3. Over time, small nodules or conglomerates may appear;
  4. Swelling in the feet, ankles, shins, legs seem to burst, convulsions often occur;
  5. As the disease progresses, dry skin is observed, and dark-colored seals are formed;
  6. Trophic ulcers.

At what stage should you visit a doctor?

The phlebologist deals with the treatment of varicose veins

Treatment of varicose veins in women or men should begin as soon as possible.Usually the patient does not attach much importance to the primary manifestations, but they should not be neglected.

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

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis can be made only on the basis of a complete 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 - check the function of the valves.

Forecasts and preventive measures

A timely visit to the doctor will help 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, proper diagnosis, preventive measures and treatment, it is quite possible to eliminate the symptoms.

Prevention is quite standard:

  1. Healthy life style;
  2. Healthy food;
  3. Eliminate 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 clothes as often as possible.

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