Varicose veins on the legs, early stage, how to treat

Today, diseases such as varicose veins are the most common.As a rule, an inactive lifestyle leads to the development of this disease, and a late response to the body's signals leads to quite serious consequences, which in turn are dangerous to health.In this article we will consider topics such as varicose veins on the legs, photos, early stages and how to treat them.I would like to note that varicose veins are a disease characterized by blood stagnation in the blood vessels of the lower leg, which causes swelling of the peripheral veins.Swollen vessels have a dark blue color;In the absence of adequate treatment, they acquire a purple color, the formation of blood clots and ulcers begins, and severe pain appears.

Symptoms of the disease in the early stages of development

Leg veins is a rather dangerous disease - this is explained by the fact that this disease is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages of development.The symptoms of this disease are similar to many other diseases, such as osteochondrosis or flat feet.Often, patients with varicose veins seek professional medical help when sufficient swelling and pain in the limbs appear.

Varicose veins of the legs

However, there are some common symptoms, if you see them, you should immediately contact a specialist to find out the cause of the disease and find out what varicose veins on the legs are, pictures, early stages and how to treat them.Early symptoms of this disease include increased venous patterns, however, 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 also often accompanied by itching and limb cramps during sleep;
  • the appearance of a feeling of fatigue and swelling in the legs;
  • The skin changes color, the skin in the problem area acquires a bluish color and becomes dry;
  • Veins bulge on the surface of the skin and the appearance of characteristic spider veins.

Why are varicose veins dangerous?

Note that, as mentioned above, topics such as varicose veins on the legs, photos, initial stages, how to treat, are very relevant for many people.This is explained by the fact that varicose veins are a rather dangerous disease and cosmetic defects in the form of swollen veins are only the tip of the iceberg.This disease can cause quite serious complications, so the treatment of varicose veins is mandatory!

As you can see in the photo of the early stages of this disease, the symptomatology is characterized by varicose veins, which are far from harmless;We list the diseases that can be caused by varicose veins.

  • Phlebitis- This disease indicates the beginning of the inflammatory process in the vein wall.As a rule, patients with phlebitis always feel quite strong pain.In addition, painful lumps appear in the affected area.
  • Thrombophlebitis- This disease is characterized by the formation of blood clots in inflamed and dilated veins.Note that thrombophlebitis occurs due to lack of adequate treatment for phlebitis.In addition to pain in the limbs, patients feel general weakness and loss of appetite.
  • Trophic ulcer- This is another complication of varicose veins, which manifests itself due to the lack of nutrition of the epidermis, which leads to the appearance of dermatitis, the result of which is a trophic ulcer that is difficult to heal.

Medicines for varicose veins

Ointment

Today, the pharmaceutical market offers a wide selection 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 task of the ointment is a complex effect, which helps reduce blood viscosity, resolve existing blood clots, reduce inflammatory processes, and reduce pain symptoms.Medicines provide the maximum positive effect when used in the early stages of the disease, improving blood circulation and strengthening the walls of blood vessels.

Ointment based on heparin sodium prevents the formation of blood clots and reduces blood clotting.

Venotonic helps to effectively overcome the symptoms of varicose veins, strengthens blood vessels and prevents the inflammatory process.

Cream

Creams for varicose veins are as effective as ointments due to the active ingredients they contain, which can combat the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Cream based on ketoprofen actively suppresses the inflammatory process in the lower vessels.These drugs belong to the non-steroidal group, which shows their effectiveness in relieving swelling and eliminating pain.

Creams based on natural ingredients that effectively help get rid of varicose veins.The advantage of the cream is that it does not have a negative effect on patients with varicose veins.

Creams based on rutin effectively act at the cellular level, thereby quickly suppressing the inflammatory process.This drug has an anti-edematous effect, improves vascular tone, controls intravenous pressure, and also quickly eliminates pain.

Pills

The main effect of tablets based on bioflavonoids is to improve 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 remedies for varicose veins

Cabbage.Our ancestors also used various folk remedies to treat diseases such as varicose veins.One of them is treatment with cabbage leaves.The effectiveness of this vegetable lies in the fact that cabbage can quickly relieve the inflammatory process due to the vitamins and micronutrients contained in it.As a rule, white cabbage leaves are used in the form of compresses to treat varicose veins.To make a medicinal compress, you need cabbage leaves, which must first be beaten.After this, one side of the sheet is decorated with vegetable oil and applied to the inflamed area for a day (secured with a bandage).The course of treatment is 1 month.

Ginger.This plant, which is used in cooking, can be used to treat varicose veins as an external or internal medicine.Ginger tea will help you overcome almost any disease at any stage of its development, including varicose veins.You can also make a ginger compress.To do this, you need to grind a piece of ginger root, mix it with natural honey and apply it to the sore 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, the berries should be ground to a moist state, placed on a prepared bandage or gauze and applied to the problem area.It is better to do this compress at night.

Early stages of varicose veins - the first symptoms

Today, varicose veins are one of the most common dangerous diseases among women and men.According to WHO statistics, varicose veins from the lower leg can cause death from thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and associated cancerous tumors.

Every patient needs to know about the causes, symptoms and stages of development of this disease to prevent serious consequences of this pathology.

Causes and stages of development

Varicose veins occur as a result of vein wall pathology and venous valve damage, the task of which is to bring blood enriched with carbon dioxide from the bottom to the lungs for gas exchange.

As a result of improper blood flow and valve dysfunction, blood accumulates in the vessels, increasing the pressure on the veins in the legs, which causes the weak vein walls to protrude.This is how varicose veins develop.

There are several factors that can cause this disease.These include:

  1. Ancestry.
  2. Obesity.
  3. Have bad habits.
  4. Pregnancy.
  5. Taking hormonal drugs for a long time.
  6. Cardiovascular diseases that lead to thickening of the blood.
  7. A sedentary lifestyle, which causes blood stagnation.
  8. A profession that requires a long period of time.
  9. Walk in high heels.

Under the influence of these factors, foot disease develops, which occurs in several stages.Each of them is characterized by special clinical manifestations.Overall, in medical practice there are 4 stages of varicose veins:

  • varicose veins in the early stages, shown in the picture above, passedAlmost no symptoms.A person only has a feeling of heaviness in the legs, slight swelling and pain.Small spider veins begin to appear on the skin of the thighs and legs;
  • first degree varicose veins, which is also shown in the photo, is characterized by frequent spasms of the calf muscles, a burning sensation that spreads from the lower leg to the sole of the foot, as well as ankle swelling;
  • for a second degreecharacterized by many spider veins, severe swelling, constant pain in the legs, the area of the bulging veins increases;
  • Third DegreeIndicates the involvement of the skin in the disease process: it becomes wrinkled, thin, often pigmented around the ankles.The risk of thrombosis is very high, because the veins are greatly enlarged and dilated.Patients, in addition to pain, are haunted by a constant burning sensation, eczema and dermatitis on the skin of the lower legs;When the skin is injured, deep ulcers form.

Important!If treatment is not started at an early stage, then this disease is very difficult to treat conservatively in the future and poses mortal danger to the patient!

The first symptom of varicose veins

The first symptoms of varicose veins on the legs are difficult to diagnose.For some time the patient puzzled them with fatigue and muscle tension.If you experience such sensations, especially if there was no serious pressure on your legs before, you should contact a specialist, because the disease can be cured at an early stage,without using surgical and tiring procedures.Phlebologists and surgeons treat varicose veins.

The first signs of varicose veins are shown by the following symptoms:

  1. Constant weight on the legs.This is caused by poor circulation in the legs due to venous valve dysfunction.Due to this, the pressure in the vein increases significantly, it stretches more and causes pain.
  2. Lower leg swelling.The symptom manifests itself as a result of a heavy load on the venous system.If the swelling is accompanied by pain in the vein area and redness of the skin over it, we may be talking about developing thrombophlebitis - a very dangerous complication of varicose veins.
  3. Increase calf circumferenceUp to 1 cm in the evening is associated with edema.
  4. A painful sensationWorse with exercise and gone the next day.
  5. The appearance of spider veinson the legs and thighs.Some patients consider them cosmetic defects.Their appearance indicates the pathology of the large varicose veins that feed them.Only ultrasound diagnostics can confirm or deny this.
  6. The presence of prominent veins.

At first, the first signs of varicose veins on the legs quickly disappear if you let your legs rest in a comfortable position.HoweverThis should alert the patient, as it is a definite symptom of the disease.

Then the patient may experience a burning sensation in the veins.If you do not pay proper attention to these symptoms, the patient may experience 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 feet and lumbar osteochondrosis.This is why it is so 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 early stages, which are depicted in the photo,doesn't hurt.Patients, and according to statistics, women suffer from varicose veins twice as often as men, seek help from doctors regarding the vascular network.The doctor conducts an examination and prescribes the necessary studies to assess the degree of deterioration of venous circulation.

Diagnostics

For this purpose, a general blood test can be prescribed., which will show the presence or absence of thrombocytopenia, biochemical blood tests to detect liver problems, as well as vascular ultrasound.

It indicates the pathology of the vascular wall.If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is sent for X-ray venography, with the help of which the location of the venous lesion is determined.

After research, the doctor prescribes treatment that can prevent the transition of the initial stages of varicose veins to the next.

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

Drug treatment in the early stages of varicose veinsnot provided.Experts believe that it is enough to useCompression garments - either stockings and special tights, or elastic bandages, which must be applied to the legs when waking up and worn throughout the day.This therapy can equally distribute the load on the legs and improve blood circulation.

Form of disease

The type of vascular insufficiency depends on the vein affected by the disease, the extent of the process and its location.There are varicose veins:

  • reticular (fine vascular);
  • segment (focus);
  • perforating (damage to connecting veins);
  • Primary (pathology of small or large veins 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 shape

Of all the known types of varicose veins, this is the simplest.This disease affects women's legs;Men are rarely affected by this pathology.

In the photo of varicose veins in the early stages, the reticular form can only be determined by the strengthening of the vascular pattern.This is a bluish mesh of small vein fragments with a diameter of no more than 3 mm.Most often it is localized on the thigh in the area of the lateral surface.First, several fragments similar to asterisks appear, then a larger area is affected.

This form of varicose veins is often called cosmetic;It is not harmful to blood flow, but causes aesthetic discomfort for women.Reticular varicose veins of the legs can cause:

This form is the most treatable.One of the most effective methods for treating varicose veins is microscopic sclerotherapy.It is harmless and painless.But often patients do not consider the manifestation of spider veins to be a serious reason to visit a phlebologist.In this case, the disease becomes a chronic pathology.It can cause bleeding from superficial vessels.

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

Segmental form

This type of varicose veins can appear 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, only one or several tributary veins lose their tone.This type of pathology is characterized by the absence of reverse blood flow, which facilitates therapy.

If you look at the photo of varicose veins on the legs in the form of segments, you can see swollen branches from the main veins on the lower legs.This is a tributary ship.

Treatment of this disease is conservative.In case of late presentation and tributary node formation, miniphlebectomy can be used.Segmental varicose veins are localized on the anteromedial and posterior surfaces of the legs and in the popliteal fossa.

Treatment of varicose veins

Magistralnaya

This pathology affects the main large and small veins.Large ones suffer several times more often than small ones.In the photo of varicose veins on the legs, the protrusion of the main vessels in the lower legs, thighs and lateral legs is clearly visible.The vascular walls of the legs are tense and nodular formations can be seen.

This disease occurs with the characteristic symptoms of chronic circulatory failure.Due to damage to the vascular valve, reflux occurs.Normally, blood moves in one direction.If the valves are not enough, they do not close completely, and the vessels are too much.For this reason, the veins stretch and lose their elasticity.

Major varicose veins require serious treatment.Small surgical interventions and conservative methods are more often used.

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

Hollow shape

There are deep and saphenous veins in the legs.They are connected to each other by vessels called perforators.

This is no less important than the main one.Their defeat leads to the failure of blood circulation in the legs.Blood is not directed into the bloodstream completely.This contributes to the formation of stagnation and thrombus.

  • Pictures of varicose veins on the legs with damage to the perforating veins clearly show the presence of swollen vessels;
  • Lumps and bruises can be seen in places;the skin becomes darker;
  • Rashes and scratching may occur.

The localization of this form varies and depends on the location of the affected vein.These are the legs, thighs, and ankles.Sometimes large vessels in the area of the Achilles tendon and below the knee.Treatment is often surgical, but for single lesions minimally invasive methods are possible.

Varicose veins of the legs

Phlebologists around the world hold forums and seminars dedicated to varicose veins.The type and form of the disease is constantly changing.Experts describe different stages of varicose veins in the legs.Their numbers are constantly changing.The latest approved classification contains seven degrees:

  • First or zero.No outward signs.Patients complain only of heaviness, fatigue and swelling.Sometimes occasional seizures can be annoying.
  • Second.In the photo of the second stage, you can clearly see the vascular network in the area of the popliteal cup and thigh.Symptoms do not change.
  • Third.Protrusions of blood vessels are clearly visible, especially during exercise or in a sitting position.In addition to veins, you can see blue nodules on the legs.The patient feels pain and tension.
  • Fourth.The appearance of edema is added to the swollen veins.By evening, your legs become full, and in the morning everything is back to normal.Swelling can cause numbness or tingling in the legs.
  • Fifth.Metabolic processes are disrupted.There is not enough nutrition for the tissues, and trophic changes are formed in the skin.They can be in the form of dry plaques, redness and scratching.The skin around the vein becomes darker.Thrombophlebitis can develop.
  • Sixth.The photo of this level is different from the others.It shows a trophic ulcer in the lower leg vein area.As a result of massive treatment, the wound heals with the main intention.
  • Seventh.The last stage.In other classifications it is called Decompensatory.The most negative result of this disease.Non-healing ulcers form on the feet.They can become wet and fester.This degree requires inpatient treatment.It can be complicated by sepsis and thromboembolism.

The type of varicose veins on the legs, complicated by a violation of the integrity of the skin and the addition of secondary infections, can be life-threatening for the patient.

There is another classification, which provides three stages of varicose veins:

  • Compensation.It manifests itself only with local symptoms (pain, cramps, heaviness).No external changes in the blood vessels were observed.
  • Subcompensation.External signs of moderately developed varicose veins.Spider veins and signs of segmental lesions appear.
  • Decompensation.Severe effects of chronic venous insufficiency.Trophic lesions, ulcers and thrombosis.

General characteristics and causes of varicose veins

In a healthy person, venous blood rises from the legs to the heart under the influence of pressure, which under normal conditions is sufficient to overcome gravity.When this mechanism is disrupted, the body has to increase the pressure to push the blood upwards.

As a result of this process, valve deficiency occurs, which is characterized by the flow of blood into the superficial veins from the deep ones.As the pressure inside the vessels increases, their walls lose elasticity, stretch and decrease, which leads to the formation of visible subcutaneous nodules.

Causes of the development of varicose veins from the lower legs:

  • Increased progesterone levels in the female body.This hormone has a negative effect on the condition of the vein walls and valves, making them weak and unprotected.
  • Congenital pathology of valves or vein walls, lack of connective tissue, poor patency of deep veins, genetic predisposition.
  • Neoplasms located on the legs, in the abdominal area.
  • Lower leg injuries.
  • Diseases of the endocrine system.
  • Thrombophlebitis.
  • Joint diseases - osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
  • Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
  • A sedentary lifestyle, which often causes congestion in the legs.
  • Increased intra-abdominal pressure.It usually occurs with lung disease or frequent constipation.
  • Excess body weight.
  • Wear tight clothing and shoes.
  • The presence in the diet of a large number of high-calorie and fatty foods, lack of fiber of plant origin.
  • Smoking, frequent alcohol consumption.

During pregnancy, ARVNK occurs mainly, because during this period there areGlobal changes in hormone levels, as well as weight gain.

Men suffer from this disease if theya lifestyle associated with heavy physical labor, or long periods of time - machine operators, loaders, etc.Varicose veins can also occur as a result of certain sports activities.

Varicose veins require urgent treatment, its absence can lead to serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis, bleeding from venous nodes and trophic ulcers that can lead to leg amputation.