What are varicose veins and how do they manifest themselves? What if you don't treat varicose veins and how to prevent them? Let's talk about the complications of varicose veins, explain in detail why trophic ulcers appear and why compression stockings are needed.
What are varicose veins and how do they manifest themselves?
Veins have special valves that prevent blood from flowing along the vessels. But with varicose veins, these valves don't close completely - blood accumulates in the vein and stretches it.
Symptoms of varicose veins in the early stages:
- The veins on the legs become brighter, more visible;
- Varicose nodes begin to appear on the inner surface of the legs and thighs;
- If you stand, sit or walk for a long time, there is heaviness in the legs, a feeling of fullness (most often in the evening, in the calves);
- In the places of expansion of the veins, aching or sharp pain appears, in the evening and at night - cramps in the calf muscles;
- The legs are very swollen at the end of the day, but in the morning the swelling goes away.
Important!
Already at this stage it is necessary to consult a doctor.
With progression, varicose veins become chronic (chronic venous insufficiency). Symptoms:
- Strongly tortuous dark blue intradermal veins appear: they protrude above the surface of the limbs and feet, looking like clusters of overripe red grapes;
- There is pain in the legs and calves, a feeling of heat in the legs, night cramps in the calf muscles, severe swelling;
- The skin becomes dry, pigmentation appears, becomes darker, brown spots appear.
Important!
Don't start the disease! With varicose veins, tissue nutrition is disrupted. There is not enough nutrition for the blood vessels and skin: wounds, eczema and even ulcers appear, which heal very badly.
Treatment of varicose veins
There are two ways to treat varicose veins: conservative and surgical.
- Conservative: compression therapy. Compression underwear tightens the affected leg - the diameter of the superficial veins decreases, the correct pressure in the vein is restored. The return of blood decreases, the walls of the vessels remain in good condition, the valves close, the blood does not stagnate and circulates well, the speed of blood movement through the deep veins increases. The volume of stagnant blood decreases, the lymphatic outflow improves.
- In advanced cases, when conservative treatment does not help, the doctor will suggest a surgical route: varicose nodes are removed, the affected veins are excised. To restore functions, shunts are placed or the mobility of the valve is restored so that its flaps close.
Compression knitwear for varicose veins and ulcers
Compression stockings are special stockings that fit snugly around the lower leg and soften as they rise up to the thigh. This improves blood circulation and stimulates blood flow from the lower limbs to the heart.
Compression stockings are selected individually, so first consult a phlebologist - you can't choose the stockings yourself.
The phlebologist will examine the tone of the vein, in which particular valve there is a problem with the valves not closing. The problem could be, for example, in the thigh - so you need to wear compression stockings. If there is a problem with the valve closing below the knee, socks or stockings are selected.
Important!
For maximum effectiveness, compression stockings should always be worn, removed only before bedtime.
How to wear compression stockings?
- After waking up, put your legs on the wall and lie down like this for a while, so that the blood flows as much as possible to the hips;
- Without getting up, put on the compression stockings.
In this position (lying down, legs raised), the blood flow is uniform, the blood does not stagnate. When the compression stockings are on the legs, the veins are in good condition and the valves close well and push the blood further through the vessels.
What happens if varicose veins are not treated?
If you don't start varicose vein treatment on time, life-threatening complications can occur:
Thrombophlebitis- inflammation of the vein due to the formation of blood clots inside it. Symptoms:
- redness;
- the place where the thrombus is located becomes hot;
- an inflamed vein hurts a lot.
If timely treatment is started, the thrombus will stop growing. Residual blood clots can resolve over a long time, sometimes months. If not treated or done incorrectly, the clot can grow.
Pulmonary embolism.The thrombus that appeared with thrombophlebitis detaches from the vessel wall in the leg and leaves the bloodstream. Blocks the pulmonary artery or its branches - this is fatal. Unfortunately, despite having suspected this complication in time, doctors can not do anything about it.
Symptoms:
- chest pain;
- rapid heartbeat;
- dyspnea;
- unreasonable anxiety and feeling of unreasonable fear.
Deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs. This is a serious and dangerous complication of varicose veins. The internal veins are blocked, which is why the outflow of blood stops almost completely: all the tissues of the leg do not receive nourishment and it turns blue.
Venous gangrene of the extremities- severe deep vein thrombosis, in which there is no nutrition of the limb, arterial blood flow is disturbed. Due to the fact that the blood does not flow, gangrene forms: the leg, in fact, dies, starting with the fingers.
Trophic ulcers- long-term non-healing ulcers that occur due to tissue malnutrition. Lymph stagnates in the lymphatic vessels, they experience a great load and cannot cope with the amount of lymph. Therefore, the droplets of lymph begin to stand out through the skin. Because of this, the epidermis begins to exfoliate - an ulcer with dense jagged edges is formed. Any touch to it causes severe pain.
Bacteria develop rapidly in ulcers: an infection joins, a bleeding ulcer begins to worsen. This can lead to very serious complications, including blood poisoning.
Trophic ulcers are of two types:
- venous, when the subcutaneous and deep veins of the limb are affected;
- arterial, when the arteries of the leg are affected and the natural nutrition of the limbs is disturbed.
Treatment of trophic ulcers
Trophic ulcers are treated with elastic compression, medications, physiotherapy, and surgery.
Trophic ulcer treatment includes four stages.
The first stage - antiseptics
- Antiseptic solution for the treatment of wounds. It is applied to the surface of a trophic ulcer, if cavities have formed under the skin, they are also filled with gel.
- The gel, which has an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, improves microcirculation, reduces redness and swelling of the skin, reduces pain, relieves itching and peeling of the skin, stops the spread of infection and prevents scar formation.
- An aqueous solution of an antiseptic of the halogen group or benzyldimethyl-myristoylamino-propylammonium.
The second stage - gel to soften dead tissues
Dead tissue is necrosis: hardened black tissue on the surface of the ulcer. If not removed, the ulcer will not heal. To do this, the necrosis is first softened. This is done using special gels.
The third stage is the formation of an optimal environment for wound healing
Healing is facilitated by creating a moist environment in the wound. If there is no necrosis, use bandages for quick healing. Here are some bandages that will fit:
Alginate dressings:
- An alginate dressing that transforms into a soft gel upon contact with wound secretions, providing optimal conditions for moist wound healing;
- A dressing that fills the wound cavity and creates a microenvironment that promotes rapid healing;
- Sponge bandage with hydrogel layer. Its structure absorbs secretions and maintains a moist environment in the wound;
- Alginate sponge dressing composed of calcium alginate and hydrocolloid;
- Sterile, self-absorbing sodium alginate coating, suitable for wounds and burns, accelerates healing;
- Hydroactive dressing for deep wounds. Cleans the wound, accelerates its healing, maintains an optimal wound environment for up to three days without changing the dressing.
Sponge bandages:
- Double-sided foam bandage. Protects the wound, absorbs discharge from the wound, creates an optimal water balance in the wound;
- Hydrophilic polyurethane sponge dressing;
- A dressing with a complex of enzymes and chitosan is suitable for infected wounds (if there is pus in the wound);
- A breathable antimicrobial sponge dressing consisting of a layer of sponge polyurethane and a silver alginate matrix.
Fourth stage: wound healing
When the wound has been cleaned and an optimal environment has formed, it begins to heal, the edges of the wound narrow. For safe and fast healing, use special dressings.
Mesh Ointment Bandages:
- An ointment dressing with Peru balm to be applied when fresh skin appears on the wound;
- Triglyceride-based ointment dressing, which promotes healing and takes care of the edges of the wound;
- The bandage, which looks like a square of wax, is soft and quite dense. It can be on the wound for up to seven days;
Film dressings that can be used to repair wound dressings:
- Film (but breathable) water-repellent bandage, protects the wound from microorganisms. It can be used to repair previous bandages and as an independent bandage.
- Bandage in transparent film polyurethane, the underlying skin does not sweat, it breathes.
Important!
These dressings are suitable for healing not only trophic ulcers, but also any long-healing wounds.
Prevention of varicose veins
- Move as much as possible: the more you move, the better the blood circulates in the veins;
- Give up bad habits;
- Contact a phlebologist in time at the first symptoms of the disease;
- Periodically carry out an ultrasound of the vessels - the doctor will notice the first changes;
- After a day of work, go home and lie with your feet on the wall for about 15 minutes.
Prevention of trophic ulcers
- Pay attention to your weight: it puts pressure on the legs, loads the vascular and lymphatic system. If necessary, follow the diet;
- Walk as often as possible;
- If possible, raise your legs, hold them in an elevated position as often as possible. In the evening you can lie down on the sofa and lift your legs, leaning them against the wall: you must lie down like this for at least 15 minutes;
- Treat the veins of the lower limbs over time;
- Quitting smoking: greatly reduces the blood supply to tissues and contributes to the development of trophic ulcers;
- Take care of your feet: wear suitable shoes so that they do not sting or rub;
- Check your feet regularly - check the color of the skin on your feet. If the legs turn blue in the evening and veins are visible on the legs, contact a phlebologist;
- Moisturize the skin with emollient, moisturizing and nourishing creams;
- Keep your feet warm, dress for the weather;
- Try not to hurt the skin.