Varicose veins on the legs: symptoms and treatment

27 May 2022

Varicose veins (VV) are a fairly common disease that affects both men and women. It can affect a person's lower limbs, as well as deep veins, leading to the development of thrombosis and post-thrombophlebitic disease.

Varicose veins that appear on a person's legs due to the development of the disease cause him to start feeling unattractive. In addition to the outside, 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 directed to correct and effective therapy.

To get rid of varicose veins, it is necessary to solve the following tasks:

Elimination of symptoms.
Removal of varicose veins.
Prevention of development and recurrence 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. Pain not intense and aching in the calf muscles.
2. Sensation of burning and itching along the veins affected by varicose veins.
3. Heaviness in the legs, worsening towards the end of the day.
4. Skin hyperpigmentation.
5. Increased fatigue of the lower limbs.
6. Trophic venous ulcer of the leg.
7. Pain in the calf muscles, made worse by walking.
8. The appearance of edema in the leg and feet.
Objective:
1. Saphenous varicose veins, clearly visible even without the use of special equipment.
2. Clearly visible intradermal and dilated saphenous veins.
3. The presence of varicose veins.
4. Changes in the structure and color of the skin, the appearance of lipodermatoscoerosis and venous trophic ulcers.

What do the veins look like?

The very first warning sign of vein problems is swelling of the lower limbs by the end of the day. The swelling is especially pronounced if a person spends most of the day on their feet. It can disappear already in the morning after a night spent relaxing.

However, if you don't pay due attention to this problem, the condition can worsen significantly. Intradermal veins on the legs with varicose veins turn dark blue, protruding above the surface of the skin of the legs and feet. Outwardly they look like clusters of overripe red grapes. These 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 limbs

VV of the lower extremities can develop under the influence of a number of factors and circumstances, the main ones being:

Pregnancy. This is a key risk factor for the onset of the disease. This explains the fact that varicose veins in women are many 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 of the retroperitoneal veins.
Obesity. The connection of this condition with the development of VV has been demonstrated by numerous studies. At the same time, a direct relationship was found between weight gain and increased risk of developing pathologies.
A lifestyle characterized by long-term static loads with regular weight lifting or prolonged immobility in a standing or sitting position.
disharmonious states. Their 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 treatment for osteoporosis and during the premenopausal period.
Inheritance. The role of this factor in the development of varicose veins on the legs does not have an unequivocal confirmation today.
Violation of the valve apparatus of the veins, which leads to the influx of blood under the influence of gravity every time a person stands up. The muscles around the deep veins contract as you walk. These veins are subject to emptying, which increases venous pressure. Blood enters the superficial veins through the communicating vessels with insufficient valves. As a result, they are filled with blood, which leads to their stretching and expansion (varicose veins).

Classification and phases

Like any disease, VV has several stages, which differ from each other in the degree of spread of the pathology and symptoms. Among them are the following stages:

Initial (or compensation).
The second (or undercompensation).
Third (or decompensation).

It is worth noting that complications can occur in any of the previous stages, but their greater probability is inherent in the last two. VV can act as a stimulus 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 aggravation of the situation and begin to remove varicose veins. Do not ignore even the minor symptoms, because this can lead to undesirable and extremely negative consequences.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of varicose veins, the symptoms of which are described above, arises 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 yes 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 lesion and also determines the degree of this lesion and the possible or already existing consequences.
Prescribe the correct course of treatment. Based on the diagnosis and characteristics of each specific organism, the attending physician makes a choice in favor of 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.
Ultrasound angioscan.
Computed tomography.
Clinical studies: interview with the patient, his external examination and manual examination.
Phlebography with radionuclides.
Intravascular ultrasound.
X-ray phlebography

Most often, it is enough for a professional specialist to conduct a clinical examination and ultrasound angiography to diagnose varicose veins in the legs.

Methods of treatment

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 the varicose veins of the legs of a special drug that causes a chemical burn of the internal venous wall. This leads to their bonding and the 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 skin puncture punctures using a fine needle. The duration depends on the extent of the lesion.
Foam sclerotherapy, which involves 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.
Intravenous laser coagulation, which is performed using a laser device on the main trunks of the leg veins and allows you to stop the pathological blood flow through the affected veins due to the burn of their inner walls and their subsequent gluing.
Miniflebectomy, aimed at eliminating subcutaneous nodes and tributaries swollen by varicose veins through skin punctures. It has an excellent cosmetic effect and is used alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods under local anesthesia.
Elimination 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 IV therapy, based 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 complete rejection can lead to complications. The latter appear not only in aesthetic defects of the lower limbs, but also in more severe forms. Between them:

Trophic eczema, which later turns into an ulcer.
Thrombotic lesions of the venous system, including thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins and deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs.

Venous blood is a kind of "sewer" for the tissues of the body and is saturated with substances and metabolic products of the cells that are relatively harmful to the human body. The cells of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as the muscles and bones, discharge the products of tissue respiration and other waste material into the venous system, which transfers them to the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. In 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 observed swelling for a long time, leads to the death of skin cells and subcutaneous tissue and their subsequent replacement with venous eczema, represented by a dense and 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, even men should 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 the valves, reduce the risk of blood clots, eliminate edema and heal wounds.
The use of stockings, tights, stockings and elastic bandages with a compressive effect. This is an excellent tool in the fight against varicose veins. These products can be purchased in specialized stores after consulting 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 also able to stop the expansion of blood vessels that has already begun. It should be borne in mind that if there is a tendency to BB, it will make you give up intense physical exertion, but in no case should you ignore an active lifestyle. Light jogging, swimming, yoga, and skiing, for example, help keep the leg veins healthy.
Varicose vein prevention pills are recognized as a more effective method of preventing VV than using local medications. However, the use of any oral remedies should be carried out exclusively for their intended purpose and under the strict supervision of a competent specialist.

To prevent the situation from worsening, you should abandon self-medication at the first manifestations of the disease and consult a doctor. This will allow you to make a correct diagnosis in a timely manner and prescribe adequate treatment that will stop the progression of the disease and reduce 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 with this disease are interested in what they can and cannot do in order not to aggravate their health conditions and not cause other health problems. Below are the frequently asked questions that interest people with VV.

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

The answer to the question of whether a coronavirus vaccine is allowed for varicose veins 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 is not forbidden to get vaccinated against a coronavirus infection.

Is it possible to drink coffee with varicose veins?

Caffeine has the ability to raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, which are unfavorable factors for brittle 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 dose. 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 do not drink coffee. Just don't drink more than 1-2 cups a day. It is also advisable to dilute the coffee with milk.

Is massage allowed?

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

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

Professional manual massage is recommended for patients with varicose veins, but it is necessary to take into account all the features of the course of the disease. 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 are heated, the veins expand, blood circulation increases, and the load on the non-venous walls only increases. This can exacerbate the already precarious condition of varicose vessels. That is why it is recommended to limit hot baths for patients with varicose veins. It will be better to reduce the temperature of the water from warm 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 required, regardless of whether you are talking about hot baths or vaccinations for varicose veins.

Is it allowed to run and crouch?

Experts recommend starting jogging at the first signs of BB development. It is important to ensure that these exercises are systematic. During the run, the blood is saturated with oxygen. Therefore, it is better to give preference to jogging through the forest or park, where the air is always clean.

However, you should properly evaluate your skills and endurance and avoid contraindicated excessive loads in varicose veins. It is important to monitor the gradual increase in loads that do not exceed the indicators that are comfortable for the body.

While on a run, a person with BB shouldn't feel tired. It is only allowed to run short distances with the use of compression stockings. In case of thrombophlebitis, jogging should be abandoned. The eligibility of running and squats for varicose veins of the small pelvis should be discussed with the doctor.

What is the best treatment for varicose veins?

Today there is no single answer to the question of which therapeutic method is the most effective for varicose veins. The fact is that success in treatment depends on a number of factors that must be evaluated by a qualified specialist in each case. Only then can they make a final decision on the appointment of a particular treatment for BB.