How to determine the stage of varicose veins?

A light walk, a long walk without getting tired, even on the heels, beautiful ankles and hips that you do not want to hide from others - these are the benefits of healthy feet without signs of venous disease. If a person neglects the prevention of varicose veins, his lifestyle and rhythm gradually change.

This is true for both women and men. The disease develops in different ways, and the stages of varicose veins in medicine to determine the identity of a patient are always controversial. However, you should understand the classification so as not to miss the moment when varicose veins are treated without surgery.

The essence of the problem

Varicose veins are a disorder of blood flow in the saphenous veins. Plasma flows in the opposite direction and stagnates due to problems with the venous valves, which need to hold parts of the blood to move further into the heart.

Pressure cannot push blood through the arteries in the lower extremities, causing the walls to stretch. On the legs, a bluish streak and zigzag pattern gradually appear, complete with swelling and bulge at an advanced stage.

However, varicose veins are not immediately noticeable. The problem can progress without visual symptoms, and therefore people who feel discomfort in the legs but do not find protruding veins attribute the anxiety to fatigue.

Varicose veins do not occur spontaneously as a separate disease. This is usually a symptom of circulatory system dysfunction that occurs only at a young age. It is a mistake to consider varicose veins of the lower extremities as a sign of aging. Many 20-year-old girls hide their legs under pants and long skirts due to varicose veins.

There are various causes of circulatory disorders:

• Genetic inheritance from parents. If there are problems with the mother's (most) or father's blood flowing from the legs to the heart, children should be examined and prevented from the vascular system. But in the absence of a motivating factor, genetics does not work in all cases - a sedentary or sedentary lifestyle due to the characteristics of the profession, unbalanced diet, complicated diseases;
• Ignore technical break rules when working in certain work areas where there is a heavy load on the legs but no movement (working hairdresser, sales specialist, accountant, programmer, driver). Warming of the legs every 30 minutes prevents blood stasis;
• Certain health problems affect blood vessels and arteries - diabetes, heart disease, leg injuries, spinal cord injury, obesity;
• For many women, pregnancy triggers the first symptoms of varicose veins. The embryo not only increases the weight of the expectant mother, which puts stress on the legs, but also puts pressure on the internal organs and vital systems of the pregnant woman.

Varicose veins are a serious signal of internal problems that do not manifest themselves, but require a standard examination by at least one therapist.

Different stages of development of venous insufficiency

Varicose veins of the lower extremities are more common in humans, although the veins are localized not only in the legs but throughout the body. Both women and men suffer from the disease, but a larger portion of the beautiful half of the population.

There are several stages of varicose veins that are classified according to their severity.The section is conditional, so the attending physician diagnoses and knows what treatment regimen to prescribe to the patient for specific complaints.

There are a number of classifications of varicose veins among medical professionals. The international community distinguishes seven stages of varicose veins by drawing a line within the narrow symptoms. However, in practice, varicose veins are diagnosed in 3 stages of the disease:

• First degree (compensation phase) - deterioration of blood flow from the legs to the heart is predetermined by lifestyle or genetics, but the patient has time to return the venous valves to normal function. In the early stages, the symptoms of varicose veins are mild and not taken seriously;
• Secondary (subcompensation) - there are visual signs of venous insufficiency that are difficult to confuse with other changes. Anxiety in the legs disappears after a long rest or accompanies a person constantly. At this stage, most patients seek help from a doctor. Vascular and venous changes are important, but it is possible to relieve tension and pain from the lower extremities;
• The third degree (decompensation) is the final stage of varicose veins, when the thin walls of the circulatory system begin to explode from the blood. Skin tissues are not nourished and die. Skin ulcers are difficult to treat. In some cases, bacteria in grade 3 varicose veins attach to ulcerative foci. Stabilization of the patient's condition requires time, effort and complex therapy.

The listed stages of varicose veins are a conditional division. Within each group of venous insufficiency, patients have mild, moderate, and severe disease with symptoms described at the reception. Based on the individual nature of vascular pathology in each case, the transition line from one stage to another is insignificant, especially in grade 1 and 2 cases.

Features of the initial stage of pathology

Grade 1 varicose veins are rarely diagnosed by a doctor because people do not go to the clinic if they have short-term edema or heaviness in the legs. Folk remedies help them to relieve fatigue, the swelling goes away on its own after sleeping or changing high-heeled shoes. In many people, grade 1 varicose veins do not go to another stage until old age, unless there is an irritating factor.

Changes in the vascular system occur not only in adults, but also in modern adolescents who are deprived of mobility and choose computers, telephones and other devices during active leisure.

Only the arms and brain are trained, and the rest of the body does not change position for a long time. Blood circulation slows down, especially in the lower part of the skeleton. Bent knees, crushed muscles, veins and blood vessels in the thighs, thighs cause stagnation.

Teenagers often complain of leg pain and cramps. In some cases, edema appears, especially when overweight. There are no obvious symptoms of grade 1 varicose veins, but the initial stage begins and its progression depends only on the attention of children or parents themselves.

Teenage girls choose high-heeled shoes to attract attention. The pressure in the vessels of the lower extremities increases and leads to the initial degree of pathology. When standing and not moving, the legs become deformed, the load on the spine and leg bones, and the hip joints increase. Curves negatively affect the arteries because they are compressed.

The onset of varicose veins in young people is not alarming, because the symptoms disappear after rest or a little warming up. Symptoms of grade 1 varicose veins include:

1. Heavy legs without physical activity;
2. In the second half of the day, when the foot is too small to fit in the shoe, or when the edges are dug into the skin, a noticeably small swelling. When the legs are rested or a procedure is applied to relieve swelling and tension in the muscles, the symptom disappears in the morning - the vertical position of the lower extremities, foot baths, massage, change of uncomfortable shoes;
3. Rarely, short-term seizures.

In rare cases, external signs of venous pathology appear with grade 1 varicose veins - thin vascular bands or vascular network stressed due to reduced blood flow velocity.

The initial stage of the pathology is difficult to diagnose on its own, because the listed symptoms are observed in other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, kidney problems. You should consult your doctor at the first sign of concern for diagnosis and treatment.

Varicose veins can be skipped at an early stage without changes not only in the legs, but also in the lower extremities.

Class 2 Features

In the absence of prophylaxis or therapy, the initial stage of venous pathology progresses to subcompensation. Symptoms of grade 1 varicose veins appear more often and last longer.

External changes appear on the skin - swollen veins or a large number of spider veins. Cramps occur day and night, the patient feels pain and can not move his legs. During the examination of the vessels of the lower extremities, changes in the function of the valves are observed.

The pressure in the arteries increases, but it is difficult to push the blood without closing the valves. Blood clots form in the form of blue nodules on the skin.

1. In stage 2, the sign of venous insufficiency is swelling that does not go away after rest and prophylactic procedures. Edema occurs due to the inability to rise from the blood vessels, hemodynamic disturbances. The liquid part of the blood (plasma) begins to leak under the skin through the thin walls of blood vessels and small vessels, as its transport function is impaired;
2. Skin color changes due to poor circulation and food intake. The cells of the epidermis take on a brown color, gradually turning black. Inflammation develops and eventually the initial stage of ulcerative formations;
3. In the second stage of the disease, patients complain of severe pain, muscle spasms and itchy skin. Symptoms are caused by a lack of nutrition for epidermal cells.

The subcompensation phase for varicose veins is not considered hopeless if diagnosed and determined in time for therapy. If one or more of the symptoms of grade 2 varicose veins are found, he cannot cure himself and listen to good people. Only a doctor can help you cope with the problem.

Class 3 Features

When people are indifferent and disrespectful, they reach the third degree of venous insufficiency. In rare cases, the first stage of the pathology causes anxiety and changes the quality of life, but the second degree of venous insufficiency should not be overlooked in order to neglect a visit to a doctor and undergo a course of rehabilitation.

Grade 3 pathology is the most severe and dangerous, because even with drug treatment, trophic ulcers are formed that do not heal. During the decompensation phase, the body's ability to keep the arteries in working condition is exhausted.

The walls are stretched and thinned to the limit, there is a risk of tearing in case of any injury. Another problem with grade 3 varicose veins is thrombophlebitis - a blockage in a blood vessel can cause blood clots to form, which can lead to death.

Venous insufficiency reaches its final stage in extreme cases. The reasons for this attitude of people towards themselves are not clear. It seems strange to endure pain, to worry about aesthetic criteria, and not being able to walk easily. Timely diagnosis of the problem and compliance with the doctor's recommendations will prevent varicose veins from passing even stage 1 of the pathology.

When looking at the classification of varicose veins of the lower extremities in detail, it should be noted that venous insufficiency occurs in other parts of the body and internal organs. It is more difficult to feel such a problem, but when there is discomfort in the legs, it is possible to think about the disturbances in venous blood flow elsewhere.

How pathology is diagnosed

At the first sign of discomfort in the legs, you should consult a medical facility. Diagnosis and treatment of venous insufficiency is carried out by a phlebologist, but initial consultation can be obtained from a therapist.

1. Visual examination of the joints of the legs, the presence of orthopedic changes and other symptoms;
2. Palpation of problem areas not only of the legs, but also of the groin area, abdomen;
3. Patient complaints are heard;
4. Detailed anamnesis is compiled in the form of a questionnaire interview. The questions are aimed at determining the cause that has become the starting point for the formation of varicose veins;

5. A referral for general blood and urine tests is required to determine the patient's general health status;
6. functional test to determine the degree of venous dilatation (Schwarz, Perthes, foot test);
7. In case of varicose veins, vascular permeability and venous valve condition are examined - duplex ultrasound (DUS), plethysmography, phlebography, rheovasography.

After all measures to diagnose venous insufficiency and determine the degree of varicose veins, prophylaxis, conservative therapy, treatment with alternative methods and, in extreme cases, surgery, laser pathology are prescribed.

How to deal with varying degrees of venous dysfunction

The earlier the symptoms of varicose veins are felt, the easier and faster it is to cope with the problem. If the initial stage of the pathology is prevented in time, it can be completely eliminated without the use of drugs:

• Change your rhythm and lifestyle. Often, the cause of impaired vascular blood flow is a sedentary or sedentary lifestyle due to professional activities. In some areas, it is necessary to add movement to increase hemodynamics and prevent high blood pressure. You need to fight the normalization of excess weight, but gradually;
• Choose comfortable and proper shoes. In the case of orthopedic deformities, shoes are selected taking into account this problem. High heels only on special occasions;
• Avoid bad habits that cause problems with the vascular system;
• If you are overweight and put extra strain on your legs, lose weight;
• Choose the right exercises that will help the blood flow from the legs to the heart.

At the initial stage, the doctor prescribes venotonics, creams, pills to reduce the load on the venous walls and restore their elasticity. The medical form must be adapted individually to reduce tension in the legs.

A special composition (sclerotherapy) is applied to the vein when external signs of aesthetic discomfort appear, but this rarely happens at an early stage.

The second stage of venous insufficiency requires more attention to prevent the problem from progressing to the third stage. The specificity of the elimination of grade 2 pathology is similar to the treatment of varicose veins at an early stage. Medications are prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots, reduce tissue swelling, and restore blood flow.

Surgical treatment for grade II varicose veins is recommended in the presence of obvious changes in the skin - convex veins, venous mesh, vascular patterns. Radiofrequency or laser therapy is performed in the treatment room. Sclerotherapy is also indicated when there is no external defect in the eyes after a problematic injection.

Compression garments are a condition to improve blood flow and reduce foot stress.

How to treat grade 3 varicose veins when the condition of blood vessels and tissues is terrible and the body is unable to correct the condition? Treatment is only surgical to prevent thrombosis, rupture of blood vessels and restore hemodynamics in all parts of the body.

Generally, phlebectomy is performed - removal of the affected vessels. The operation is performed with surgical instruments (classical method) or laser without a cut (modern method of treatment of grade 3 varicose veins).

The course of the disease is complicated by the formation of ulcers that do not heal even with drug treatment. So you can't do without a surgeon at this stage. After a successful operation, an individual course of medication, dressing material and medical linen are selected.

As a result

Varicose veins are not only a harmless cosmetic defect in the legs and other parts of the body, but also a serious pathology that can turn a person's life into pain and constant walking in the offices of the clinic.

The initial stage of venous insufficiency is common in the majority of the population, but is rarely diagnosed because people do not know the possible consequences.

If professional activity involves a sedentary image or a constant presence in your legs, there are pathological patterns in your loved ones, you should take preventive measures and rule out the development of the disease at an early stage. Leaving the problem uncontrolled, you can not notice how the veins cause other pathologies.