Varicose veins on the legs, the first step how to treat

Today, a disease such as varicose veins is the most common. As a rule, a sedentary lifestyle leads to the development of a disease, and an untimely reaction to signals from the body leads to quite serious consequences, which in turn adversely affect health. In this article we will consider such a topic as varicose veins on the legs, photos, the initial stage of treatment. I would like to note that it is customary to call varicose veins a disease characterized by stagnation of blood in the blood vessels of the lower extremities, which causes swelling of the peripheral veins. Swollen vessels have a dark blue color, in the absence of adequate treatment, they acquire a purple tint, the formation of blood clots and ulcers begins, and severe pain appears.

Symptoms of the disease in the initial stage of development

Varicose veins of the legs are a rather insidious disease - this is due to the fact that this disease is very difficult to diagnose at the initial stage of development. Symptoms of the disease are similar to many other diseases, such as osteochondrosis or flat feet. Often, patients with varicose veins seek professional medical help when a strong enough swelling and pain in the extremities appears.

Nevertheless, there are several common symptoms, noting that you should immediately contact a specialist to find out the cause of the disease and what are varicose veins on the legs, photos, the first step in treatment. The initial symptoms of the disease include an increase in the venous pattern, however, as a rule, in this case, swelling, pain and swelling of the vessels is not noted.

Consider the most obvious symptoms that indicate the presence of a disease such as varicose veins:

• the appearance of pain in the legs, which can appear at any time, also often such symptoms are accompanied by itching and cramping in the limbs during sleep;
• the appearance of a feeling of fatigue and swelling in the legs;
• the skin changes color, the skin in problem areas acquires a bluish tint, becomes drier;
• swelling of the veins above the surface of the skin and the appearance of characteristic spider veins.

Why varicose veins are dangerous

Note that, as mentioned above, such a topic as varicose veins on the legs photo from the initial step how to treat, is very relevant to many. This is due to the fact that varicose veins are a rather dangerous disease, and a cosmetic defect in the form of swollen veins is only the tip of the iceberg. The disease can lead to quite serious complications, so treatment for varicose veins is a must!

As you can see from the photo of the initial stage of the disease, its characteristic symptomatology is swelling of the veins, which is far from harmless, let's list the conditions that can cause varicose veins.

• Phlebitis- this disease involves the appearance of an inflammatory process of the venous walls. As a rule, patients with phlebitis constantly feel quite severe pain. In addition, painful bumps appear in the affected area.
• Thrombophlebitis- the disease is characterized by the formation of blood clots in the inflamed and dilated veins. Note that thrombophlebitis occurs due to the lack of adequate treatment for phlebitis. In addition to pain in the extremities, the patient feels general weakness, loses his appetite.
• Trophic ulcers- this is another complication of varicose veins, which is manifested by a lack of nutrition of the epidermis, which leads to the appearance of dermatitis, the consequence of whichis difficult to heal trophic ulcers.

Preparations for varicose veins

Ointments

Today, the pharmaceutical market offers a wide range of drugs for the treatment of diseases of varicose veins, and ointments for varicose veins deserve special attention.

Anticoagulants. These drugs for the treatment of varicose veins are the most popular. The main task of the ointment is a complex effect, which helps to reduce the viscosity of the blood, reabsorb emerging blood clots, reduce the inflammatory process and reduce the symptoms of pain. The drugs provide the maximum positive effect when applied at the initial stage of the disease, improving blood circulation and strengthening the walls of blood vessels.

Heparin sodium ointment, prevents blood clots and reduces blood clotting.

Venotonics, help to effectively cope with the symptoms of varicose veins, strengthening blood vessels and inhibiting inflammatory processes.

Creams

Creams for varicose veins are also effective, as well as ointments due to the active ingredients they contain, which can effectively combat the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Creams based on ketoprofen actively suppress inflammatory processes in the vessels of the lower extremities. These drugs belong to the non-steroidal group, which indicates its effectiveness in removing puffiness and eliminating pain.

Creams based on natural ingredients that effectively help get rid of varicose veins. The advantage of the cream is that it has no negative effect on the patient with varicose veins.

Rutin-based creams are effective at the cellular level whereby the inflammatory process is quickly suppressed. The drug has a decongestant effect, improves vascular tone, regulates intravenous pressure and quickly eliminates pain.

Pills

The main effect of tablets based on bioflavonoids is to increase the properties of blood vessels such as elasticity and tone, which improves blood circulation and prevents the formation of blood clots. Thanks to the intake of these drugs, such a phenomenon as venous stasis, the permeability of venous vessels is eliminated.

Effective folk remedies for varicose veins

Cabbage.Even our ancestors used a variety of folk remedies to treat such ailments as varicose veins. One of them is the treatment with cabbage leaves. The effectiveness of this vegetable lies in the fact that the cabbage is able to quickly relieve inflammation, thanks to the vitamins and microelements it contains. As a rule, the leaves of white cabbage are used for the treatment of varicose veins in the form of compresses. To make a medical compress, you will need a cabbage leaf, which must first be properly beaten. After that, one side of the sheet is smeared with vegetable oil and applied to the inflamed area for a day (tied with a bandage). The duration of treatment is 1 month.

Ginger.This plant, used in cooking, can be used to treat varicose veins in external and internal medicine. Ginger tea will help to cope with almost any disease at any stage of its development, including varicose veins. You can also make compresses from ginger. To do this, you need to grate a piece of ginger root, mix it with natural honey and apply it to the affected area for 3-4 hours.

Kalina.Like ginger, viburnum can be used to treat varicose veins as a fortified drink and as an effective compress. To prepare the compress, the berries should be rubbed until soft, put on a prepared bandage or gauze and applied to the problem area. It is better to make such a compress at night.

The initial stage of varicose veins - the first symptoms

Today, varicose veins are one of the most common dangerous diseases, both in women and in men. According to WHO statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities can lead to the death of a person from thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and cancerous tumors associated with them.

Each patient must know the causes, symptoms and stages of the disease in order to prevent the serious consequences of this pathology.

Reasons and stages of development

Varicose veins occur as a result of pathologies of the venous walls and dysfunction of the venous valves, the task of which is to transport the blood enriched with carbon dioxide from the lower extremities to the lungs for gas exchange.

Due to poor blood circulation and valve malfunction, blood collects in the vessels, the pressure in the veins of the legs increases, which leads to the swelling of the weak vein wall. This is how varicose veins develop.

There are a number of factors that can cause illness. These include:

1. Heredity.
2. Obesity.
3. Having bad habits.
4. Pregnancy.
5. Take hormonal drugs for a long time.
6. Cardiovascular disease causing blood clots.
7. Sedentary lifestyle that causes blood stagnation.
8. Long term occupations.
9. Walking in high heels.

Under the influence of these factors, a disease of the leg develops, which proceeds in several stages. Each of them is characterized by specific clinical manifestations.There are 4 stages of varicose veins in medical practice:

• early stage varicose veins, pictured above, goesvirtually symptom-free. A person has only a predominant feeling of heaviness in the legs, slight swelling and pain. Small spider veins begin to appear on the skin of the thighs and legs;
• grade 1 varicose veins, which is also shown in the photo, is characterized by frequent cramping of the calf muscles, a burning sensation that spreads from the lower leg to the sole of the footand swelling of the ankles;
• for the second degreecharacterized by an abundance of spider veins, severe edema, constant pain in the legs, an increase in the area of ​​protruding veins;
The
• third degreeindicates the involvement of the skin in the disease process: it becomes scaly, thin, often pigmented near the ankle. The risk of thrombosis is very high. the veins are considerably enlarged and dilated. The patient, in addition to the pain, is haunted by a constant sensation of burning, eczema and dermatitis on the skin of the lower extremities; deep ulcers form when the skin is damaged.

IMPORTANT! If treatment is not started at an early stage, the disease is very difficult to treat conservatively in the future and threatens the patient with life-threatening danger!

The first symptoms of varicose veins

The first symptoms of varicose veins on the legs are difficult to diagnose.The patient confuses them for some time with fatigue and muscle tension. With such sensations, especially if previously there was no serious load on the legs, you need to contact a specialist, because you can cure the disease at an early stage, without resorting to surgery and exhausting procedures. Phlebologists and surgeons are engaged in the treatment of varicose veins.

The following symptoms indicate the first signs of varicose veins:

1. Constant heaviness in the legs. This is due to impaired circulation in the legs due to dysfunction of the venous valves. Due to this, the pressure in the vein sharply increases, it stretches even more and causes pain.
2. Swelling of the lower limbs. The symptom manifests itself as a result of a heavy load on the venous system. If pain in the vein and redness of the skin above joins with the swelling, we can talk about developing thrombophlebitis - an extremely dangerous complication of varicose veins.
3. An increase in the circumference of the legup to 1 cm in the evening is associated with edema.
4. The sensations of painintensify with exertion and disappear the next morning.
5. Spider veinson the legs and in the hips. Some patients consider them to be a cosmetic defect. Their appearance indicates the pathology of the large varicose vein that feeds them. Only ultrasound diagnostics can confirm or deny this.
6. Protruding veins.

At first, the first signs of varicose veins on the legs go away quickly if you rest your legs in a comfortable position. However,this should alert the patient, as it is a sure symptom of the onset of the disease.

Then the patient may feel a burning sensation in the veins. If you do not pay enough attention to these symptoms, the patient may experience calf muscle cramps and leg fatigue below the knees overnight.

WARNING! Symptoms of early varicose veins are similar to those of other diseases - flat feet and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. That is why it is so important to seek advice from a phlebologist in order to exclude other diagnoses and to start treatment in a timely manner!

Diagnosis and treatment

As a rule, varicose veins at the initial stage, which is shown in the photo,is ​​painless. The patient, and according to statistics, women suffer from varicose veins twice as often as men, seeks the help of a doctor about the vascular network. The doctor conducts an examination and prescribes the necessary studies to assess the degree of impairment of the venous circulation.

For this, a general blood test may be prescribed, which will show the presence or absence of thrombocytopenia, a biochemical blood test to detect liver problems, as well as an ultrasoundvascular.

It shows the pathology of the vascular wall. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is referred for an X-ray venography, which determines the location of the venous lesion.

After the research, the doctor prescribes a treatment that can prevent the transition from the initial stage of varicose veins to the following ones.

For this, the underlying disease is treated- endocrine, cardiovascular, etc. Then the risk factors are eliminated, only then is the patient offered to change his lifestyle, his diet and give up his bad habits.

Early stage medical treatment for varicose veinsis ​​not provided. Experts believe that it is enough to use compression underwear- either special stockings and tights or elastic bandages, which should be applied to the legs upon waking up and worn throughout the day. This therapy can evenly distribute the load on the legs and improve blood circulation.

Forms of the disease

The type of vascular insufficiency depends on the veins that have struck the disease, the prevalence of the process and the location. There are varicose veins:

• reticular (small vascular);
• segmental (focal);
• perforator (lesion of the connective veins);
• main (pathology of a small or large vein under the skin).

Each type of varicose veins has characteristic features in terms of external manifestations. The presence of complications depends on the stage of the disease.

Reticular shape

Of all the known types of varicose veins, this is the simplest. The disease mainly affects the female legs; men are rarely affected by this pathology.

In the photo of varicose veins in the initial stage, the reticular form can be determined only by strengthening the vascular pattern. It is a bluish mesh of small venous fragments with a diameter not exceeding 3 mm. Most often, it is localized on the thighs at the level of the lateral surfaces. First, several fragments similar to asterisks appear, then larger areas are affected.

This form of varicose veins is often called cosmetic, it is not dangerous for the blood circulation, but gives women aesthetic inconvenience. Reticular varicose veins of the legs can cause:

This form is the most treatable form. One of the most effective methods of treating these varicose veins is microscopic sclerotherapy. It is neither dangerous nor painless. But often patients do not consider the manifestations of spider veins as a serious reason to contact a phlebologist. In this case, the disease turns into a chronic pathology. This can cause bleeding from the superficial vessels.

The reticular form of varicose veins requires compulsory medical consultation. This will avoid complications.

Segment shape

This type of varicose vein can appear in the early stages of the disease. In the segmental form, larger vessels with a diameter of 3 mm or more are affected. But the disease is focal, only one or more tributary veins lose their tone. This type of pathology is characterized by the absence of reverse blood flow, which facilitates treatment.

If you look at the photo of varicose veins in the legs in segmental form, you can see the swollen branches of the main vein of the lower leg. These are the tributary ships.

The treatment of the disease is conservative. With late treatment and the formation of tributary nodes, miniflebectomy can be used. Segmental varices are localized in the anteromedial and posterior surface of the leg and in the popliteal fossa.

Trunk

This pathology affects the large and small main veins. Large, suffers several times more often than small. In the photo of varicose veins on the legs, the protrusion of the large vessels in the lower leg, side thighs and on the feet is clearly visible. The vascular wall of the legs is stretched, and nodular formations are visible.

The disease is accompanied by characteristic symptoms of chronic circulatory failure. Due to damage to the vascular valves, reflux occurs (reverse discharge). Normally, the blood moves in one direction. If the valves are insufficient, they do not close completely and the tanks are overloaded. Because of this, the veins stretch and lose their elasticity.

Varicose veins of the trunk require serious treatment. Minor surgery and conservative methods are used more often.

In the absence of adequate treatment, the main varicose veins of the legs are complicated by thrombophlebitis and thrombosis.

Piercing shape

Deep veins and saphenous veins are present on the legs. They are connected to each other by vessels, called perforating vessels.

These veins are no less important than the veins in the trunk. Their defeat leads to insufficient blood circulation in the legs. The blood is not entirely directed into the bloodstream. This contributes to stagnation and the formation of thrombi.

• a picture of varicose veins on the legs with lesions of the perforating veins clearly shows the presence of swollen vessels;
• bumps and bruises are visible in some places; the skin becomes darker;
• Rashes and scratches can occur.

The location of this form is varied and depends on the location of the affected vein. These are the legs, thighs and ankles. Sometimes the vessels swell even in the Achilles tendon and below the knee. Treatment is often surgical, but with single foci minimally invasive methods are possible.

Stages of varicose veins in the legs

Phlebologists all over the world organize forums and seminars devoted to varicose veins every year. The types and forms of the disease are constantly changing. Experts describe the stages of varicose veins in different ways. Their number is constantly changing. The latest approved classification contains seven grades:

• First or null. Does not manifest itself by external signs. Patients only complain of heaviness, fatigue and swelling. Sometimes this can interfere with the recurring onset of seizures.
• Second. In the photo of the second stage, you can clearly see the vascular network in the cups and popliteal thighs. The symptomatology does not change.
• Third. The protrusions of the vessels are clearly visible, especially during exercise or when sitting. In addition to the veins, blue nodules can be seen on the legs. Patients feel pain and tension.
• Fourth. The appearance of edema is added to the swollen veins. In the evening, the legs become full and in the morning everything returns to normal. The swelling can cause numbness or tingling in the legs.
• Fifth. Metabolic processes are disturbed. There is not enough tissue nutrition and trophic changes form on the skin. They can appear as dry patches, redness and scratches. The skin around the veins becomes darker. Thrombophlebitis can develop.
• Sixth. The photo of this step is different from the others. It shows pronounced trophic ulcers in the veins of the lower extremities. Following massive treatment, wounds heal by primary intention.
• Seventh. The last step. In other classifications, this is called decompensation. The most negative result of the disease. Non-healing ulcers form on the legs. They can be wet and suppurated. This diploma requires urgent hospital treatment. This can be complicated by sepsis and thromboembolism.

Types of varicose veins on the legs, complicated by a violation of the integrity of the skin and the addition of a secondary infection, can threaten the life of the patient.

There is another classification that provides for three stages of varicose veins:

• Compensation. It is manifested only by local symptoms (pain, convulsions, severity). No external modification of the blood vessels is observed.
• Subcompensation. External signs of moderate varicose veins develop. Spider veins and signs of segmental lesions appear.
• Decompensation. Serious consequences of chronic venous insufficiency. Trophic lesions, ulcers and thrombosis.

General characteristics and causes of varicose veins

In a healthy person, venous blood rises from the legs to the heart under the influence of pressure, which in a normal state is more than enough to overcome gravity. When this mechanism is disturbed, the body is forced to increase the pressure to push the blood upwards.

As a result of this process, valve insufficiency occurs, which is characterized by the flow of blood through the superficial veins of the deep veins. As the pressure inside the vessels increases, their walls lose elasticity, stretch and become exhausted, which leads to the formation of visible bluish subcutaneous nodules.

Reasons for the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities:

• Increased levels of progesterone in a woman's body. This hormone has a negative effect on the condition of the venous walls and valves, making them weak and unprotected.
• Congenital malformations of valves or venous walls, lack of connective tissue, poor permeability of deep veins, genetic predisposition.
• Neoplasms located on the legs, in the abdominal cavity.
• Injuries to the lower limbs.
• Diseases of the endocrine system.
• Thrombophlebitis.
• Joint diseases - osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
• Long-term use of hormonal contraceptive drugs.
• A sedentary lifestyle which often leads to stagnant processes in the legs.
• Increased intra-abdominal pressure. It usually occurs with lung disease or frequent constipation.
• Overweight.
• Wear tight clothes and shoes.
• The presence in the diet of a large amount of foods high in calories and fat, the absence of vegetable fibers.
• Smoking, frequent alcohol consumption.

During pregnancy, BPVD occurs especially often, because during this periodglobal changes in the hormonal background, as well as an increase in body weight, occur.

Men suffer from this disease if theirlifestyle is associated with hard physical labor, or prolonged standing - machine operators, loaders, etc. Varicose veins in the legs can also occur as a result of certain sports activities.

Varicose veins require urgent treatment, the absence of which can lead to serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis, bleeding from the venous nodes and a trophic ulcer that can lead to amputation of the leg.