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Varicose veins: causes

Varicose veins are 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 parts of the body and in organs that have large veins. The most common location is the legs, although it can also form on the stomach, testicles, and esophagus. To study the origin of the disease, let's first consider the causes of varicose veins.

General information on varicose veins of the lower limbs

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 limbs.

The normal functioning of the valves involves, at the moment of relaxation or contraction of the muscle fibers, the movement of the blood supporting the structure. It is characteristic of the disease that the valves no longer close, the outflow of blood decreases, so 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 given to the disease due to its wide distribution, as 1 in 10 men and 1 in 3 women suffer 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 on 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. Injury to organs or lower limbs;
  3. Gender plays a pretty big 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, as this cause is found in one third of all patients.If the family has relatives susceptible to the disease, the risk of its 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 girls and boys, as well as in children. In males, the genetic predisposition causes the disease much less frequently.

Hormones

The reasons for the development of varicose veins are different, but among all the diversities, hormonal imbalance occupies an important share.The causes of varicose veins in the legs in women are mainly manifested when:

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

In men, testosterone is considered the sex hormone and in women progesterone, the latter tends to negatively affect blood vessel walls, causing a lack of collagen. Ultimately, their tone and elasticity decreases 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.Furthermore, when the inflammatory process touches the small veins, pressure increases in many ways. When communications between arteries and veins, an increase in pressure is created, as a result of which the function of the valves may be defective. Due to the high pressure, the veins expand, the valves are unable to hold back the reverse flow, which causes knots to form.

Nerves

The tone in the vessels is controlled by the nerve endings. With a negative impact on the nervous system from external factors, the psycho-emotional state, the nerve center may not fully regulate 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 common, some call it "computer". Muscle fibers contract and cause blood to be released upward, 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 bent position, which causes high pressure in the abdominal region. In turn, from there, the blood with great pressure goes to the legs, and the functioning of the valves is of an irregular nature. Especially true for constipation, coughing, sneezing.

Exercise

Heavy loads cause varicose veins

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

  1. overweight;
  2. Pregnancy and childbirth;
  3. Movement with weights;
  4. On your feet for a long time.

Treatment

Varicose veins in the legs should be treated and in a timely manner, so 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 early stages occurs through the use of local drugs, after which, in the absence of therapy, surgery may be required.

The causes of varicose veins of the legs and its elimination are considered comprehensively, based on the type of occurrence and the stage of development of the disease. It is possible to determine the best treatment option with the help of a specialist who will indicate suitable options, but there are no special contraindications for 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 eliminate pain, normalize muscle condition and prevent degenerative processes in the bloodstream.

The causes of varicose veins in women are often hormonal in nature, while the cream acts locally, from the outside, so you can get:

  1. The correct level of nutrition of the skin, it becomes more beautiful and healthy in appearance;
  2. Creation of obstacles in the development of trophic formations, deviations in metabolism;
  3. Venous disease ceases to progress, as blood circulation returns to order;
  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 on the legs are often internal, so it is necessary to deal with them from the inside or in a complex way.

Drugs have various types of effects on the course of the disease, mainly the following groups are distinguished:

  1. Phlebotonic - the main effect is to restore tone to the walls of blood vessels. It is considered to be the main group of prescribed drugs;
  2. Anticoagulants: prevent congestion in the blood;
  3. decongestants;
  4. Breakdown agents: reduce the blood's ability to form blood clots.

Surgery

Surgery to remove varicose veins

Varicose veins on the legs and other parts of the body have a variety of causes, but regardless of them, the disease tends to progress. There are some facets, if the disease has spread beyond them, conservative treatment rarely has a positive effect. In extreme cases, it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention.

Today, there are various methods of surgery: laser, radiofrequency, miniflebectomy, 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 from the mouth;
  2. Ascending form: when the symptoms initially start 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 where the diagnosis does not determine the pathology;
  • I - a slight swelling appears, it may seem that the legs are heavy or "spider vein";
  • II - increased edema, especially in the evening, the skin slightly changes color, eczema;
  • III - trophic ulcers, may not be regenerated.

Danger and complications

Varicose veins on a man's leg, complicated by 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 the complications of varicose veins. Dangerous side effects:

  1. Trophic ulcers;
  2. Inflammations, in particular of the erysipelatory type;
  3. Thrombophlebitis: increases the risk of blood clots.

Symptoms of varicose veins

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

  1. Heaviness in the legs, increased fatigue, especially often manifested in the evening;
  2. The color of the veins becomes bluish and they swell slightly. 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 area of the feet, ankles, shins, legs seem to burst, convulsions often appear;
  5. With the progression of the disease, dry skin is observed, and dark-colored seals 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 female or male 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.

It is necessary to contact a phlebologist immediately after detecting the primary symptoms of the disease: sensations of fatigue and increased heaviness in 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

Diagnosis can only be made 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. Reovasography - determination of the level of nutrition of 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.

Forecasts and preventive measures

A timely visit to the doctor will help remove the symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins are among the irreversible processes, so full recovery is almost unattainable.With a timely visit to the doctor, correct diagnosis, preventive measures and treatment, it is quite possible to remove the symptoms.

Prevention is fairly standard:

  1. A healthy lifestyle;
  2. Healthy food;
  3. Elimination of bad habits;
  4. If you stay in one position for a long time, don't cross your legs;
  5. Perform exercises, warm-up;
  6. Periodically use the services of a massage therapist;
  7. Wear comfortable clothes as often as possible.

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