Where does varicose veins come from and how to treat it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Bloated veins in the legs can lead to ulcers and cardiac arrest.

What is varicose veins

With varicose veins, or varicose veins, the walls of the vessels through which blood flows from the tissues to the heart become wider, deformed and perform their functions worse. Most often, varicose veins affect the external thin veins in the legs Varicose veins and spider veins.

Blood normally flows upward through the veins - to the heart and lungs - because muscle contractions help it. But no one canceled the force of gravity, it is logical that the liquid will tend downward one way or another. To prevent this from happening and the blood is directed to the right place, there are valves in the veins. They open in the direction of the blood flow and close to keep it out.

When the valves do not work well and do not close completely, blood still flows down the veins. The vessels cannot contain all this blood, they stretch and begin to protrude above the skin as bumps.

How to detect varicose veins

The symptoms of varicose veins are usually visible to the naked eye. These are large, swollen veins that are visible under the skin and resemble nodules.

Not every vein visible is diseased. Although the disease is common, sometimes visible veins are simply a feature of the body.

In addition to external signs, varicose veins have other symptoms: pain and a feeling of heaviness in the legs.

When the disease progresses and passes into a more severe stage, the following are added:

1. Swelling of the feet or ankles.
2. Discoloration of the skin over the affected vein.
3. Skin infections.
4. Ulcers. They appear where the veins are most congested. They heal with difficulty.

The doctor (and the phlebologist deals with the veins) examines the vessels and prescribes an ultrasound to the patients: with the help of ultrasound, it is possible to determine which valves are not working, whether there are blood clots in the veins.

Why are varicose veins dangerous?

But pain and ulcers are not the main problems. There is another danger that cannot be detected with the naked eye. Due to stagnation of blood in the vessels, blood clots form - dense blood clots. They can "stick" to the wall of the vessel and narrow its lumen, or they can break off and travel with the bloodstream to other vessels, increasing the risk of blockage. This condition is called thromboembolism. It is very dangerous and can even lead to death.

Why does varicose veins appear

There is no one reason that would lead to varicose veins. But there are several factors that increase the risks:

1. Genetic predisposition. Without genetics, nowhere, and if the parents suffered from varicose veins, there is a possibility of inheriting it.
2. Floor. Women suffer from varicose veins much more often than men. In one study, varicose veins were found in 63% of women and 37% of men in Russia.
3. Trauma and surgery. They can disrupt the work of the valves of the vessels.
4. Excess weight. Because of it, the load on the legs increases, and this leads to problems.
5. Great physical activity. Static loads are especially dangerous. For example, constantly sitting or standing a lot is harmful. It is better to move, change the position of the body in order to force different muscles to work.
6. Age. The older you are, the weaker the vascular walls.
7. Pregnancy. Additional stress and changes in the body increase the risk of varicose veins.

How to treat varicose veins

Basically, treatment is to reduce the load on the veins and restore blood flow. If there are no unpleasant symptoms and threats of blood clots, then treatment may not be required.

Physical exercise

Gentle exercise, especially walking, is a good way to get your legs to work the way they should. Muscles that continually contract when walking help pump blood up to the heart and relieve congestion.

Moderate physical activity is also the best (and only proven) way to prevent varicose veins.

Self-massage helps a lot from the manifestations of varicose veins (along with it, you can use creams or ointments). The simplest exercise does not require movement at all - you just need to lie down and raise your legs to reduce swelling.

Compression underwear

Compression stockings, which compress the legs a little, physically prevent the veins from swelling, and this is one of the main treatments for varicose veins. They are worn both with a mild form of the disease and with a severe one.

Lingerie differs in compression strength, shape. Therefore, before buying, it is better to consult a doctor and take into account his recommendations.

Remember: compression garments will gradually stretch, so you should throw them away after a few months of wearing them and buy new ones.

Medication

Any medicine is prescribed by a doctor. Sometimes you need drugs to prevent blood clots, sometimes you need antibiotics to treat infections, or creams to help soothe irritated skin.

Operation

In some cases, surgery is indicated - this is the most effective method. Modern operations, which are carried out using a laser, radio frequency method or sclerotherapy, are performed under local anesthesia.

The point of these methods is to close the affected vein. When it does not work, the blood will find a workaround: it will go to the heart through healthy deep vessels, which are extremely rarely susceptible to varicose veins (they are thicker and stronger, they are not so easy to stretch).

Vessels are removed today extremely rarely and only in severe cases.

When to see a doctor

Always, if you notice the vascular network, protruding veins or severe swelling in the legs. This is necessary so as not to self-medicate. Only an examination will help determine whether it is worth going to the pharmacy for compression underwear and drinking blood-thinning medications.