Today, a disease such as varicose veins is the most common.As a rule, a sedentary lifestyle leads to the development of disease, and a late response to body signals leads to very serious consequences, which in turn is harmful to health.In this article, we will consider such a topic as a leg, in photos, at the initial stage and how to treat it.I would like to note that varicose veins is a disease characterized by blood stains 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 appropriate treatment, purple color, blood clots and ulcers begin to appear, and severe pain appears.
Symptoms of the disease in the initial stage of development
Varicose veins of the legs is a very insidious disease - it is very difficult to diagnose this disease in the early stages of its development.Symptoms of the disease are similar to many other diseases, such as osteochondrosis or flat feet.Patients with varicose veins often seek professional medical attention when there is significant swelling and pain in the limbs.
However, there are several common symptoms, if you see them, you should contact a specialist to find out the cause of the disease and varicose veins on the legs, pictures, the initial stage and how to treat them.The initial symptoms of the disease are an increase in the venous pattern, but, as a rule, in this case, swelling, pain and swelling of blood vessels are not observed.
Let's look at 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;Such symptoms are often accompanied by itching and cramps of the limbs during sleep;
- The appearance of a feeling of fatigue and swelling in the legs;
- It changes the color of the skin, the skin in problem areas becomes blue and dry;
- The appearance of bulging veins and characteristic spider veins above the surface of the skin.
Why are varicose veins dangerous?
Note that, as mentioned above, a topic such as legs, photo, varicose veins in the initial stage, how to treat them, is very relevant for many.This is explained by the fact that varicose veins are a very dangerous disease, and a cosmetic defect in the form of swollen veins is only the tip of the iceberg.The disease can cause quite serious complications, so the treatment of observed veins is mandatory!
As you can see in the photo of the initial stage of the disease, its characteristic symptomatology is swelling of the vessels, which is far from harmless;We list diseases that can cause varicose veins.
- Phlebitis- This disease involves the initiation of an inflammatory process in the venous walls.As a rule, patients with phlebitis constantly feel a fairly strong aching pain.In addition, painful bumps appear on the affected area.
- Thrombophlebitis- The disease is characterized by the formation of blood clots in inflamed and enlarged vessels.Note that this thrombophlebitis occurs due to lack of adequate treatment for phlebitis.In addition to pain in the mind, the patient feels general weakness and loses appetite.
- Trophic ulcers- It manifests itself due to the lack of nutrition of the epidermis, which leads to the appearance of dermatitis, healing trophic ulcers.
Medicines for varicose veins
Maz
Today, the pharmaceutical market has a wide selection of drugs for the treatment of diseases associated with varicose veins, and ointments for varicose veins deserve special attention.
Anticoagulants.These drugs are the most popular for the treatment of varicose veins.The main task of the ointment has a complex effect that helps to reduce blood viscosity, dissolve existing blood clots, reduce the inflammatory process and reduce pain symptoms.Medicines have a maximum positive effect when used in the initial stage of the disease, improving blood circulation and strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
Ointments based on heparin sodium prevent the formation of blood clots and blood clots.
Venotonics helps to effectively relieve symptoms of varicose veins, strengthen blood vessels and inhibit inflammatory processes.
Creams
Creams for varicose veins are as effective as ointments due to the active ingredients that effectively combat the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
Ketoprofen-based creams actively suppress inflammatory processes in the veins of the lower extremities.These drugs belong to the non-steroidal group, which indicates their effectiveness in relieving swelling and pain.
Creams based on natural substances that affect getting rid of varicose veins.The advantage of the cream is that it does not have any negative effects on the patient with varicose veins.
Creams based on rutin act effectively at the cellular level, thereby quickly suppressing the inflammatory process.The drug has an anti-anginal effect, improves vascular tone, regulates intravenous pressure and quickly relieves pain.
Pill
The main effect of tablets based on bioflavonoids is to increase vascular properties such as elasticity and tone, which in turn improves blood circulation and prevents the formation of blood clots.By taking these drugs, the phenomenon of venous congestion and permeability of venous vessels is eliminated.
Effective folk treatment for varicose veins
Cabbage.Our ancestors also used various folk remedies to treat these diseases such as varicose veins.One of them is treatment with cabbage leaves.The effectiveness of this vegetable lies in the fact that it can quickly relieve inflammatory processes due to the vitamins and trace elements that cabbage contains.As a rule, white cabbage leaves are used in the form of compresses to treat varicose veins.To make a medicinal compress, you will first need a cabbage leaf, which must be thoroughly beaten.After that, one side of the sheet is mixed with vegetable oil and applied to the inflamed area for a day (secured with a bandage).The course of treatment is 1 month.
Ginger.Used in food, this plant can be used to treat varicose veins as an external or 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 ginger compresses.To do this, you need to crush a ginger root, mix it with natural honey and apply it to the wound area for 3-4 hours.
Kalina.Like ginger, Viburnum can be used to treat varicose veins, both as a fortified drink and as an effective compress.To prepare a compress, berries should be based on a mushroom condition, which is placed on a prepared bandage or gauze and applied to the problem area.It is good to do this compress at night.
The initial stage of varicose veins - the first symptoms
Today, varicose veins are one of the most common dangerous diseases among both women and men.According to Kim's statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities can lead to the death of thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and related cancerous tumors.
Each patient should know about the causes, symptoms and stages of development of the disease in order to avoid serious consequences of this pathology.
Causes and stages of development
As a result of varicose veins, pathologies of the venous walls and a malfunction of the venous valves, it is the transport of blood with carbon dioxide to the lungs for gas exchange.
As a result of blood flow and valve dysfunction, blood accumulates in the vessels, increasing the pressure in the vessels in the sheath of the weak vessel wall.How do these varicose veins develop?
There are a number of factors that can cause the disease.These include:
- Hereditary.
- Obesity.
- Having bad habits.
- Pregnancy.
- Taking hormonal drugs for a long time.
- Cardiovascular diseases that cause blood thickening.
- A sedentary lifestyle that causes blood stagnation.
- Long-term occupations.
- Walking in high heels.
Under the influence of these factors, foot disease develops in several stages.Each of them is characterized by specific clinical manifestations.In general, there are 4 stages of varicose veins in medical practice:
- Varicose veins in the initial stageShown in the photo above, it passedvirtually no symptoms.A person has a feeling of heaviness only in the legs, on top of slight swelling and pain.Small spider veins begin to appear on the skin of the thighs and legs;
- varicose veins 1st degreeAlso shown in the photo, it is characterized by frequent interruptions of the burning sensation from the bottom of the ice to the bottom of the foot, as well as swelling of the ankle;
- According to the second degreeThe abundance of spider veins, severe swelling, constant pain in the legs, the area of the bulging veins increases;
- tertiaryInvolvement of the skin in the disease process is indicated: it is a dash around the ankle, often pigmented.The risk of thrombosis is very high because the vessels are very enlarged and dilated.In addition to the pain, the patient suffers from eczema and dermatitis on the skin of the lower extremities, eczema and dermatitis;Deep ulcers form when the skin is injured.
It is important!If the treatment is not started in the early stages, the disease is very difficult to treat conservatively in the future and poses a threat of death for the patient!
The first symptoms of varicose veins
It is difficult to diagnose the first symptoms of varicose veins in the legs.For some time, the patient confuses them with fatigue and muscle tension.If you experience such sensations, especially if there is no serious stress on your legs, you should contact a specialist, because the disease can be treated at an early stage.Without resorting to surgery and grieving procedures.Threbologists and surgeons treat varicose veins.
The first signs of varicose veins are indicated by the following symptoms:
- Constant heaviness in the legs.This is due to poor circulation in the legs due to dysfunction of the venous valves.Due to this, the pressure in the vein increases sharply, it stretches further and causes pain.
- Swelling of the lower extremities.The symptom is manifested as a result of a heavy load on the venous system.If the swelling is accompanied by pain in the vascular area and redness of the skin above, we can talk about the development of thrombophlebitis - an extremely dangerous complication of varicose veins.
- Increased calf girthIt is associated with edema up to 1 cm in the evening.
- Painful feelingsworsens with exercise and goes away the next morning.
- Appearance of spider veinson the legs and thighs.Some patients consider them a cosmetic defect.Their appearance indicates the pathology of a large varicose vein that feeds them.Only ultrasound diagnostics can confirm or deny this.
- The presence of prominent veins.
First, if you rest your legs in a comfortable position, the first signs of varicose veins on the legs will disappear quickly.HoweverThis should alert the patient, because it is a favorable symptom of an unreliable disease.
Then the patient may experience a burning sensation in the veins.If you do not pay attention to these symptoms, the patient may feel cramps in the calf muscles at night and fatigue in the legs below the knees.
Attention!Symptoms of early Varicose veins are similar to other diseases - flat legs and lumbar osteochondrosis.Therefore, it is very important to consult a phlebologist to rule out other diagnoses and start treatment on time!
Diagnosis and treatment
As a rule, varicose veins at the initial stage depicted in the photo,it is painless.According to a patient and statistics, women suffer from varicose veins twice as much as men, twice as often as men, seek help from a doctor about the vascular network.The doctor conducts an examination and determines the necessary work to assess the degree of venous circulation impairment.
For this purpose, a general blood test can be prescribed.It will show a biochemical blood test to detect the presence or absence of thrombocytopenia, liver problems, as well as vascular ultrasound.
It shows the pathologies of the vascular wall.If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient, for x-ray venography, it is determined that the location of the vascular lesion is determined.
After the examination, the doctor prescribes the treatment that can prevent the initial stage of varicose veins from progressing to the later ones.
For this purpose, the main disease is treated- Endocrine, cardiovascular, etc.Then the risk factors are eliminated, only then the patient is offered to change his lifestyle, diet and give up bad habits.
Medicinal treatment of varicose veins in the early stagenot provided.It is enough to use expertsCompression garments - any special stockings, or special stockings or elastic bandages that should be applied to the legs when you wake up and wear them.This therapy can accumulate load evenly and improve blood circulation.
Forms of the disease
The type of vascular insufficiency depends on the effect of the disease, the process and the vessels in which it is located.Varicose veins have:
- reticular (fine vessel);
- segmental (focus);
- perforation (damage to connecting vessels);
- main (pathology of a small or large vessel 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 form
Varicose veins are the easiest of all types.The disease mainly affects women's legs;Men are rarely affected by this pathology.
In the form of varicose veins at the initial stage, the reticular form can be determined only by enhancing the vascular pattern.It is a blue mesh of small venous fragments with a diameter of no more than 3 mm.More often it is localized on the thighs in the region of the lateral surfaces.First, a few star-like fragments affect larger areas.
This form of varicose veins is often called cosmetic;It is not dangerous for blood flow, but it causes aesthetic discomfort for women.Reticular varicose veins of the legs can be caused by:
This form is most treatable.One of the most effective methods of treating such varicose veins is microscopic sclerotherapy.It is not dangerous and painless.However, often patients do not consider the manifestations of spider veins as a serious reason to visit a phlebologist.In this case, the disease becomes a chronic pathology.It can cause bleeding from superficial veins.
The reticular form of varicose veins requires mandatory medical advice.This will prevent complications.
Segmented form
This type of varicose veins can be seen 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 in nature, losing only one or several tributary vascular tones.This type of pathology is characterized by the absence of reverse blood flow, which facilitates therapy.
If you look at a picture of varicose veins in a single-segment form, you can see swollen branches from the main vein in the lower leg.These are tribal ships.
Treatment of the disease is conservative.In case of late presentation and formation of tribal nodes, miniPhlebectomy can be used.Segmental varicose veins are localized on the anteromedial and posterior surface of the leg and in the popliteal fossa.
To the highway
This pathology affects large and small main vessels.A big one suffers several times more than a small one.In the photo of varicose veins in the legs, the lower veins are clearly visible in the lower legs, side thighs and legs.The vascular wall of the legs is tense and the formation of a nodule is noticeable.
The disease occurs with characteristic symptoms of chronic circulatory failure.Reflux occurs due to damage to the vascular valves.Normally, blood moves in one direction.If the valves are not enough, they do not close completely and the vessels are overloaded.Because of this, the veins stretch and lose their elasticity.
Major varicose veins require serious treatment.Small surgical intervention and conservative methods are used more often.
In the absence of adequate therapy, the main varicose veins in the legs are complicated by thrombophlebitis and thrombosis.
Form with holes
The legs have deep and thready veins.They are connected to each other by vessels called perforators.
These are no less important veins than the main ones.Their defeat causes lack of blood circulation in the legs.Blood is not directed into the bloodstream.This contributes to stagnation and thrombus formation.
- The picture of varicose veins on the legs with damage to the shiny veins clearly shows the presence of swollen veins;
- Bumps and bruises are noticeable in places;the skin becomes dark;
- Rashes and scratches may occur.
The localization of this form is different and depends on the location of the affected vessel.These are legs, thighs and ankles.Sometimes the veins are prominent in the areas of the Achilles tendon and below the knee.Treatment is often surgical, but minimally invasive methods are possible for solitary lesions.
Stages of varicose veins of the legs
Every year, phlebologists around the world hold forums and seminars dedicated to varicose veins.The types and forms of the disease are constantly changing.Experts describe the stages of varicose veins in the legs differently.Their number is constantly changing.The latest approved classification has seven degrees:
- First or zero.It does not show external signs.Patients complain only of heaviness, fatigue and swelling.Sometimes the occasional seizure can be frustrating.
- Second.In the photo of the second stage, you can clearly see the vascular network in the region of the popliteal cup and thighs.Symptoms do not change.
- Thirdly.The protrusions of blood vessels are evident, especially during exercise or in a sitting position.In addition to veins, you can see blue nodules on the legs.Patients feel pain and tension.
- Fourth.The appearance of edema is added to the swollen veins.In the evening, your legs are full and in the morning everything is back to normal.Swelling can cause numbness or tingling in the legs.
- The fifth.Metabolic processes are disturbed.There is insufficient nutrition for the tissues and trophic changes in the skin.They can be in the form of dry patches, redness and scratches.The skin around the veins becomes dark.Thrombophlebitis may develop.
- Sixth.The picture of this stage is different from others.Shows pronounced trophic ulcers in the area of veins of the lower extremities.As a result of mass therapy, wounds heal according to the original intention.
- Seventh.The final stage.Other classifications call fragmentation.The most negative result of the disease.It causes non-healing ulcers on the legs.They can get wet and fester.This degree requires urgent inpatient treatment.It can be complicated by sepsis and thromboembolism.
Varicose veins, complicated by the 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 three stages of varicose veins:
- Compensation.It manifests itself only with local symptoms (pain, cramps, heaviness).External changes in blood vessels are not observed.
- Bottom side.External signs of medium varicose veins develop.Signs of spider veins and segmental lesions are seen.
- Decompensation.Severe consequences of chronic venous insufficiency.Trophic lesions, ulcers and thrombosis.
Common characteristics and causes of varicose veins
In a healthy person, venous blood rises from the heart under the influence of pressure in a normal state, which is enough to overcome gravity in a normal state.When this mechanism breaks down, the body is forced to increase the pressure to push the blood upwards.
As a result of this period, valvular insufficiency occurs, characterized by blood flow from deep to superficial veins.As the pressure inside the vessels increases, their walls stretch and lose their elasticity, causing visible blue skin nodules.
Causes 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 vascular walls and valves, making them weak and defenseless.
- Congenital pathologies of valves or vessel walls, lack of connective tissue, weak deep vessels, genetic predisposition.
- Neoplasms located on the legs, in the abdomen.
- Injuries of the lower extremities.
- Endocrine system diseases.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Joint diseases - osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
- Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
- A sedentary lifestyle that often causes congestion in the legs.
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure.It usually occurs with lung diseases or frequent constipation.
- Overweight.
- Wearing tight clothes and shoes.
- Lack of vegetable fiber, which is in the diet of high-calorie and high-fat foods.
- Smoker, frequent alcohol consumption.
Arvnk occurs especially often during pregnancy, because it occurs during this periodGlobal changes in hormonal levels, as well as increased body weight.
If men suffer from this diseasea lifestyle associated with hard physical laboror a long period of time - machine operators, loaders, etc.
Varicose veins require immediate treatment, the lack of which can lead to serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis, bleeding from venous nodes and trophic ulcers that can lead to leg amputation.