Veins have valves that usually block or open blood flow in the ducts. Because blood flow in a vein is directed from the tissue to the heart, the valve’s job is to prevent venous blood from returning to the veins of the lower leg.
When the elasticity of the vessel wall decreases and the vein expands, the valve does not control blood flow and varicose veins develop, which are characterized by venous blood stasis in the vein. That is, blood cannot be transported normally from the legs to the heart - it is always delayed.
With varicose veins, the superficial veins in the legs turn blue or dark purple, appear lumpy, bulging, and amorphous. Not always with varicose veins bulging to the surface, as they can be located deep in the tissues of the lower leg. Therefore, foot pain often confuses people because there is no obvious cause for the pain.
Varicose veins need to be treated, as it can cause thrombophlebitis - inflammation of the venous wall. With thrombophlebitis, blood clots form, if they enter the pulmonary circulation, a person can die from pulmonary embolism, in which blood clots clog important vessels.
The cause of varicose veins
Varicose veins in the legs occur due to decreased elasticity of the venous wall and lack of valves. The following contribute to the development of varicose veins:
- sedentary lifestyle and long work. It often develops in office workers, weightlifters, dentists and surgeons;
- hereditary tendencies;
- women: women experience varicose veins more often than men, because the "female" hormone estrogen has a negative effect on the venous wall. In addition, during pregnancy, the pressure in the pelvic veins and lower legs increases, so the risk of developing varicose veins in the lower legs becomes higher.
- congenital weakness of the vascular system;
- Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, in which pathological messages are formed between arteries and veins, contributes to the backflow of venous blood.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins can be symptomatic and almost hidden. In the first case, the symptoms of varicose veins are as follows:
- discomfort and aching pain in the lower legs;
- swelling in the ankle;
- burning or throbbing sensation in the legs;
- seizures that occur mainly in the evening or at night;
- itching over the site of the dilated vein;
- rapid leg fatigue;
- skin discoloration.
These symptoms become more pronounced in the evening, at the end of the working day, during the summer and after the person stands for a long time. With hidden varicose veins, there are no external signs of varicose veins, but there is pain in the legs.
As a rule, pain in the lower part of the foot is severe and lies deep in the foot. Often, pain can indicate phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and the formation of blood clots. The development of thrombophlebitis is accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
The enlarged veins can rupture and then bruising occurs at the point where the affected vessel passes. Ulcers on the skin can occur, even after minor damage to the skin. Usually, varicose vein ulcers are small, shallow, and painful.
The danger of phlebitis, thrombosis and ulcers in the varicose veins of the legs is that it leads to the development of small blisters with thin walls on the ankles. These blisters are easily damaged and bleed. During sleep, blisters can rupture, which can cause minor bleeding.
Varicose veins in the lower legs lead to other skin and vascular pathologies:
- lymphadenopathy. Enlarged veins can damage the channels of the lymphatic system, which transport and remove toxins and metabolic products. Also, damage to the lymphatic vessels can cause lymphedema, in which swelling of the lower extremities occurs;
- dermatitis, which is accompanied by itching and rash in the area of varicose veins. Most often, the rash is located on the bottom of the foot and ankle joints. Dermatitis can cause minor bleeding, skin irritation, and infection.
How to treat varicose veins?
If the symptoms of varicose veins are mild, it is enough to take preventive measures that will be prescribed by a phlebologist (treating varicose veins). But when varicose veins cause discomfort, such as pain, cosmetic defects, fatigue in the legs, swelling or discoloration of the skin, therapy is needed, which consists of the following methods:
- compression stockings, which moderately compresses the legs and veins of the lower legs so that blood does not stagnate in them. Compression stockings can help relieve pain and swelling. Stockings must be worn for at least 6 months for symptoms to disappear. Also, wearing socks should be combined with regular physical activity, in which the feet are more involved: running, exercise equipment, cycling;
- radio frequency ablation. This is a minimally invasive method: a disposable catheter is inserted into a vein, which heats up and makes the vein collapse. As a result, the veins close, and venous blood flows to the heart through healthy veins;
- sclerosing therapy. The doctor injects a drug that transforms part of the vein into connective tissue, as a result of which the venous lumen is closed, and blood is transported by nearby healthy vessels;
- surgical methodswhich involves the ligation or complete removal of the affected vein.
How to treat varicose veins in the legs in women?
Treatment of varicose veins does not depend on gender: in women it is the same as in men. However, there are therapeutic features in pregnant women. Varicose veins in pregnant women increase the risk of obstetric and vascular complications, can cause unstable pregnancy and increase the incidence of toxicosis of pregnant women. Therefore, special attention is given to the treatment of varicose veins in pregnant women.
Surgical treatment is used in extreme cases, when varicose veins are accompanied by venous insufficiency and complications, such as the formation of trophic ulcers or thrombotic pathology. Microinvasive methods such as sclerotherapy and radio frequency ablation are contraindicated during pregnancy. Also, women during pregnancy are rarely given hormonal agents and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The main method of treating varicose veins in women is conservative therapy in the form of compression (compression stockings) in combination with drugs that improve the nutrition of the walls of blood vessels (phlebotropic agents). If compression therapy is not effective, the doctor prescribes a drug that does not penetrate the placenta and does not affect the fetus.
Complications of varicose veins
Untreated varicose veins can be complicated by trophic ulcers, acute thrombophlebitis and bleeding from the affected veins.
Trophic ulcers most often form on the inner surface of the lower leg and above the ankle. The first signs of developing an ulcer are dermatitis: the skin becomes inflamed and itchy. Then one and several small painful wounds form, from which pus or inflammatory fluid is secreted in small quantities.
In acute thrombophlebitis, seals appear on the superficial veins, accompanied by pain and redness along the veins. Patients with acute thrombophlebitis experience difficulty walking due to discomfort and pain in the legs. Thrombotic veins may rupture. Then there was a lot of bleeding, which led to a huge blood loss.
Prevention of varicose veins
To prevent varicose veins in men and women, you need to follow the recommendations. The most effective tips and methods:
- always prefer physical activity than immobility, for example, instead of an elevator, climb the stairs yourself, if you have to travel 1-2 stops, do not get into transport and walk;
- pay attention to your weight - being overweight is a factor that provokes varicose veins;
- a mobile lifestyle is the key to varicose vein prevention. However, physical activity must be reasonable. It is not recommended to engage in weightlifting, because weight lifting puts a lot of pressure on the legs and leads to blood stasis in them. The best sports for the lower legs are running, cycling, swimming, aerobics. Choose activities that involve the lower legs and ankles, such as soccer or skiing;
- if you have an inactive lifestyle, get up from your chair every 40 minutes and do a little warm-up: sit 5-10 times or just walk;
- choose comfortable shoes without high heels, try to walk barefoot as often as possible;
- walk for at least 30 minutes a day, at least 3-4 times a week;
- if you have a permanent job, get compression stockings and wear them while you work. Therefore, you tighten the lower veins and blood does not stagnate in them.
If your feet hurt for no apparent reason, there is fatigue and swelling, and curved blue or purple veins appear on the skin, you may have varicose veins in the lower part of the feet. Do not delay treatment and seek medical advice and diagnosis.