Varicose veins in the legs, how to treat the initial stage

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 premature reaction to the body's signals leads to very serious consequences that are detrimental to health. In this article, we will consider a topic such as varicose veins in the legs, photos, the initial stage of how to treat. I would like to note that varicose veins are a disease characterized by stagnation of blood in the blood vessels of the lower extremities due to swelling of the peripheral veins. Swollen veins are dark blue in color, turn purple when left untreated, blood clots and ulcers begin to form, and severe pain occurs.

Symptoms of the disease in the early stages of development

Varicose veins of the legs is a very insidious disease - it is very difficult to diagnose this disease at an early stage of development. The symptoms of the disease are similar to many other diseases, such as osteochondrosis or flat feet. Often, patients with varicose veins seek professional medical attention when they see a severe swelling and pain in the extremities.

However, there are a few common symptoms that you should contact a specialist immediately to find out the cause of the disease and what varicose veins in the legs are, photos, how to treat them. The initial symptoms of the disease include an increase in venous pattern, but as a rule, in this case there is no swelling, pain and swelling of the vessels.

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

• The appearance of pain in the legs that can be seen at any time, as well as such symptoms are accompanied by itching and pain in the limbs during sleep;
• appearance of fatigue and swelling in the legs;
• changes skin color, skin in problem areas turns blue, becomes drier;
• swelling of the veins above the skin surface and the appearance of characteristic spider veins.

Why Varicose Veins Are Dangerous

As mentioned above, a topic like varicose veins in the legs is the initial stage of how to treat it, it is very relevant for many. This is because varicose veins are a very dangerous disease and a cosmetic defect in the form of swollen veins is just the tip of the iceberg. The disease can cause very serious complications, so treatment of varicose veins is a must!

As you can see in the photo in the early stages of the disease, its characteristic symptoms are swelling of the veins, far from harmless, let's list the diseases that can cause varicose veins.

• Phlebitis- this disease involves the onset of inflammation of the venous walls. As a rule, patients with phlebitis always feel a strong enough pain. In addition, painful lumps appear in the affected area.
• Thrombophlebitis- the disease is characterized by blood clots in inflamed and dilated vessels. Remember that thrombophlebitis is caused by a lack of treatment for phlebitis. In addition to pain in the hands and feet, the patient feels a general weakness, loses appetite.
• Trophic ulcersis ​​one of the complications of varicose veins, which are trophic ulcers that manifest themselves due to malnutrition of the epidermis, cause dermatitis and are difficult to cure.

Preparation for varicose veins

Ointments

Today, the pharmaceutical market offers a wide range of drugs for the treatment of diseases involving 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 function of the ointment is a complex effect that helps to reduce blood viscosity, resorption of visible blood clots, reduce the inflammatory process and reduce pain symptoms. When drugs are applied in the early stages of the disease, they have a maximum positive effect when improving blood circulation and strengthening the walls of blood vessels.

Sodium heparin-based ointment prevents blood clotting and reduces clotting.

Venotonics helps to effectively fight the symptoms of varicose veins, strengthen blood vessels and inhibit inflammatory processes.

Creams

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

Ketoprofen-based creams actively suppress inflammatory processes in the vessels of the lower extremities. These drugs belong to the group of non-steroids, which are effective in reducing swelling and relieving pain.

Creams based on natural ingredients that are effective in getting rid of varicose veins. The advantage of the cream is that it has no adverse effects on patients with varicose veins.

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

Pills

The main effect of bioflavonoid-based tablets is to increase the elasticity and tone of blood vessels, which improves blood circulation and prevents blood clots. Thanks to the use of these drugs, a phenomenon such as venous stagnation, venous permeability is eliminated.

An effective folk remedy for varicose veins

Cabbage.Even our ancestors used various folk remedies to treat diseases such as varicose veins. One of them is the treatment with cabbage leaves. The effectiveness of this vegetable, thanks to the vitamins and trace elements in it, cabbage is able to quickly eliminate inflammatory processes. As a rule, white cabbage leaves are used to treat varicose veins in the form of compresses. To make a medical compress, you will first need a cabbage leaf that must be beaten properly. After that, one side of the leaf is rubbed with vegetable oil and applied to the inflamed area one day (added with a bandage). The course of treatment is 1 month.

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

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

The initial stage of varicose veins - the first symptoms

Today, varicose veins are one of the most common and dangerous diseases among both women and men. According to WHO statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities can lead to death from thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and related cancers.

Every patient needs to know about the causes, symptoms and stages of the disease in order to avoid serious consequences of this pathology.

Reasons and stages of development

Varicose veins are caused by pathology of the venous walls and malfunction of the venous valves, the function of which is to carry carbon dioxide-enriched blood from the lower extremities to the lungs for gas exchange.

As a result of improper blood flow and dysfunction of the valves, blood collects in the arteries, the pressure in the arteries in the legs increases, which leads to the swelling of the weak venous wall. This is how varicose veins develop.

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

1. Heredity.
2. Obesity.
3. Having bad habits.
4. Pregnancy.
5. To take hormonal drugs for a long time.
6. Cardiovascular diseases that cause blood clots.
7. A sedentary lifestyle that causes blood clots.
8. Long-term professions.
9. Walking in high heels.

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

The

• described above passes in the early stages of varicose veins,practically without symptoms. A person only has a feeling of heaviness, slight swelling and pain in the legs. Small spider veins begin to appear on the skin of the thighs and legs;
• Grade 1 varicose veins, also shown in the photo, are characterized by frequent stinging of the calf muscles, burning sensation from the lower leg to the sole of the foot, and swelling of the ankles;
• for the second degreespider veins, severe edema, persistent pain in the legs, increase in the area of ​​protruding veins;
• third degreeindicates that the skin is involved in the disease process: it becomes flaky, thin, often pigmented near the ankle. The risk of thrombosis is very high. the veins dilate and dilate greatly. The patient, in addition to pain, is accompanied by a persistent burning sensation, eczema and dermatitis on the skin of the lower extremities, deep ulcers appear 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 death!

The first symptoms of varicose veins

It is difficult to identify the first symptoms of varicose veins in the legs.The patient confuses them with fatigue and muscle tension for a while. With such feelings, especially if previously there was no serious load on the legs, you should contact a specialist, you can treat the disease at an early stage, without resorting to surgery and tedious procedures. Phlebologists and surgeons treat varicose veins.

The following symptoms are the first signs of varicose veins:

1. Continuous weight on the legs. This is due to impaired blood circulation in the legs due to dysfunction of the venous valves. As a result, the pressure in the arteries rises sharply, lengthens and causes pain.
2. Swelling of the lower extremities. The symptom manifests itself as a result of a heavy load on the venous system. If the pain in the veins and redness of the upper skin are accompanied by swelling, we can talk about developing thrombophlebitis - an extremely dangerous complication of varicose veins.
3. In the evening, an increase around the lower legis ​​associated with edema.
4. The painintensifies with tension and disappears until the next morning.
5. Spider veinsin legs and hips. Some patients consider them a cosmetic defect. Appearances indicate pathology of the large varicose veins that feed them. Only ultrasound diagnostics can confirm or deny this.
6. Presence of protruding veins.

First, if the feet are allowed to rest in a comfortable position, the first signs of varicose veins in the legs will disappear quickly. However,should warn the patient, as this is a sure sign of the onset disease.

Then the patient may have a burning sensation in the arteries. If you do not pay enough attention to these symptoms, the patient may experience cramps in the calf muscles at night and fatigue in the legs below the knee.

ATTENTION! The symptoms of early varicose veins are similar to other diseases - osteochondrosis of the straight legs and lumbar spine. 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 in the initial stage shown in the photo arepainless. According to patients and statistics, women suffer from varicose veins twice as often as men, seeking help from a doctor about the vascular network. The doctor conducts an examination and prescribes the necessary tests to assess the degree of venous circulatory disorders.

This may include a biochemical blood test to detect liver problems, as well as a general blood test for vascular thrombocytopenia.

Indicates the pathology of the vascular wall. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is sent an X-ray phlebography to determine the location of the venous lesion.

After the examination, the doctor prescribes a treatment that can prevent the initial stage of varicose veins from moving on to the next.

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

Medical treatment is not provided in the early stages of varicose veins. For professionals,it is enough to use compression underwear - either special socks and tights, or elastic bandages that should be applied to the feet after waking up during the day. This therapy improves blood circulation by distributing the load evenly on the legs.

Forms of the disease

The type of vascular insufficiency depends on the vessels that cause the disease, the spread and localization of the process. There are varicose veins:

• reticular (thin vein);
• segmental (focal);
• perforation (damage to the connecting vessels);
• primary (small or large vascular pathology under the skin).

Each varicose vein has its own characteristics in terms of external manifestations. The presence of complications depends on the stage of the disease.

Reticular form

This is the easiest of all known varicose veins. The disease mainly affects women's feet; men are rarely affected by this pathology.

In the photograph of varicose veins in the initial stage, the reticular shape can be determined only by strengthening the vascular pattern. It is a blue mesh of small venous fractures no larger than 3 mm in diameter. More often it is localized in the thighs in the region of the lateral surfaces. Initially, several star-like fragments appear, larger areas are affected.

These varicose veins are often called cosmetic, are not dangerous for blood flow, and give women aesthetic discomfort. May cause reticular varicose veins of the legs:

This form is the most treatable form. One of the most effective methods of treating such varicose veins is microscopic sclerotherapy. Not dangerous and painless. However, often patients do not consider the manifestations of spider veins as a serious reason to contact a phlebologist. In this case, the disease becomes a chronic pathology. May cause bleeding from superficial veins.

The reticular form of varicose veins requires mandatory medical consultation. This will prevent complications.

Segment form

This type of varicose veins can already 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. However, the disease is focal, only one or a few arteries lose their tone. This type is characterized by the absence of reverse blood flow, which facilitates pathological therapy.

If you look at the shape of the varicose veins in the legs in a segmental form, you can see swollen branches from the main vein of the lower leg. These are goal sleeves.

Treatment of the disease is conservative. Miniphlebectomy can be used with late treatment and the formation of armpits. Segmental varicose veins are localized on the anteromedial and posterior surface of the leg and in the popliteal fossa.

trunk

This pathology affects large and small main vessels. Large and small suffer several times more. The photograph of the varicose veins in the legs clearly shows the protrusions of the large veins in the lower leg, side thighs and foot. The vascular wall in the legs is tense and nodular formations are visible.

The disease continues with the characteristic symptoms of chronic circulatory failure. Reflux occurs due to the failure of the vascular valves. Normally, the blood moves in one direction. If the valves are not enough, they do not close completely and the vessels are overloaded. Due to this, the veins stretch and lose their elasticity.

Trunk varicose veins require extensive treatment. Minor surgery and conservative methods are more commonly used.

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

Perforated shape

Deep veins and sapenous veins are present in the legs. Perforated vessels are connected by so-called vessels.

These are less important vessels than the main vessels. Their defeat leads to insufficient blood circulation in the legs. The blood is not completely directed to the bloodstream. It contributes to the formation of stagnation and thrombus.

• The shape of varicose veins in the legs with damage to the perforated vessels clearly indicates the presence of swollen veins;
• hills and bruises appear in some places; the skin darkens;
• Stupidity and scratches may occur.

The localization of this form is different and depends on the location of the affected vessel. These are the feet, thighs and ankles. Sometimes the vessels are bulging in the Achilles tendon and below the knee. Treatment is often surgical, but minimally invasive methods with single foci are possible.

Stages of varicose veins of the legs

Every year, phlebologists around the world hold forums and seminars on varicose veins. 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 consists of seven levels:

• before or empty. Does not manifest itself with external signs. Patients only complain of heaviness, fatigue and swelling. Sometimes the recurrent appearance of seizures can be annoying.
• Second. In the photo of the second stage, you can clearly see the popliteal cup and the vascular mesh in the bud. Symptomatology does not change.
• Third. The protrusions of the vessels are clearly visible, especially during sports or sitting. In addition to the veins, blue nodules may also appear on the legs. Patients feel pain and tension.
• Fourth. The appearance of edema is added to the swollen veins. In the evening the legs are full and in the morning everything is normal. Swelling can cause numbness or tingling in the legs.
• Fifth. Metabolic processes are disrupted. There is not enough tissue nutrition and trophic changes occur in the skin. It may look like dry patches, redness and scratches. The skin around the veins becomes darker. Thrombophlebitis may develop.
• Sixth. The photo of this stage is different from the others. Shows obvious trophic ulcers in the veins of the lower extremities. As a result of mass treatment, wounds are treated with primary intent.
• Seventh. The last stage. In other classifications, this is called decompensation. The most negative consequence of the disease. There are incurable ulcers on the legs. They can become moist and swollen. This degree requires urgent inpatient treatment. It can be complicated by sepsis and thromboembolism.

Types of varicose veins in the legs, mixed with the violation of the integrity of the skin and the addition of a secondary infection, can be life-threatening.

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

• Compensation. It manifests itself only with local symptoms (pain, convulsions, violence). No external changes are observed in the vessels.
• Subcompensation. External signs of moderate varicose veins develop. Signs of spider veins and segmental lesions appear.
• Decompensation. Severe consequences of chronic venous insufficiency. Trophic lesions, ulcers and thrombosis.

General features and causes of varicose veins

In a healthy person, venous blood rises from the legs to the heart under the influence of pressure, which is enough to overcome the force of gravity under normal conditions. 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 blood flow to the deep blood vessels to the superficial vessels. As the pressure inside the arteries increases, the walls lose their elasticity, stretch and become depleted, leading to the formation of visible blue subcutaneous nodules.

Causes of varicose veins of the lower extremities:

• An increase in progesterone levels in a woman's body. This hormone has a negative effect on the condition of the venous walls and valves, making them weak and defenseless.
• Congenital defects of valves or vessel walls, connective tissue deficiency, poor openness of deep vessels, genetic predisposition.
• Neoplasms in the legs, abdomen.
• Lower peripheral injuries.
• Diseases of the endocrine system.
• Thrombophlebitis.
• Joint diseases - osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
• Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
• A sedentary lifestyle that often leads to stagnant processes in the legs.
• Intra-abdominal pressure increases. It usually occurs with lung disease or frequent constipation.
• Overweight.
• Wear tight clothes and shoes.
• The presence of large amounts of high-calorie and fatty foods in the diet, the lack of plant fiber.
• Smoking, frequent drinking.

BPVD occurs especially frequently during pregnancy becauseglobal changes in hormonal levels and weight gain occur during this period.

Men,if their lifestyle is associated with heavy physical laboror if they stay on their feet for a long time - machine operators, loaders, etc. Varicose veins of the legs can also occur as a result of some sports activities.

Absence of varicose veins requires urgent treatment, which can lead to serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis, bleeding from venous nodules and trophic ulcers that can lead to amputation of the leg.