Varicose veins is a common pathological process that is accompanied by varicose veins, the appearance of lumps and congestion of blood. Internal varicose veins on the legs are characterized by the nodal structure of the venous vessels on the epidermis. There are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Many people have a question about how to treat this disease.
What is this disease?
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a very dangerous disease that can be fatal. This is a pathological lesion of the organs of the circulatory system. With the complication of the disease, an irreversible process of stretching and stretching the veins is observed.
Nodules begin to form in the capillaries, which impede normal blood flow. With varicose veins of the deep veins, the walls of the vessels expand so much that the function of the valves deteriorates. Because of this, the blood in the legs begins to stagnate.The disease mainly affects people between the ages of 30 and 40.
Reasons for development
The causes of this disease can be very different. Among them are:
- hereditary factors (possible congenital abnormality or weakness of venous cells);
- occurs more often in women (in women, the disease is observed much more often due to the use of hormonal drugs, the risk also increases due to postponed delivery);
- increased pressure in the veins (this is due to an inactive lifestyle when overweight);
- the presence of neuroendocrine changes; mechanical obstacles to normal blood flow (this can be facilitated by constant compression of the limbs);
- the presence of allergic reactions;
- changes in the immune system;
- disorders in the function of the valves of the venous system;
- This pathology can develop due to cellulite or dermatitis.
Before starting treatment, the root cause of the disease must be determined. An experienced phlebologist will help you with this.
Symptoms and manifestations of internal varicose veins
It is important to consult a doctor in good timeif varicose veins of the lower extremities occur. The symptoms of this disease at the stage of the onset of varicose veins are as follows:
- at the end of the day the extremities swell(this symptom occurs on the ankles and feet, edema can also appear in the lower half of the lower leg);
- The patient develops a feeling of heaviness in the area of the calf muscles.(A feeling of fullness occurs after a long walk or standing. This symptom can occur after a long period in a sitting position. )
A distinctive feature of this disease is the fact thatAfter the break, all symptoms disappear without a trace.It shrinks even after a long pause.
During the gradual development of varicose veins, the following symptoms occur:
- in the area of the calf muscles there is moderate pain, such pain is dull and painful;
- local burning sensation and fatigue;
- excessive dryness of the skin occurs, pigment spots and skin hardening appear;
- cramps very often at night;
- spider veins begin to appear on the epidermis;
- The internal veins on the legs, the photos of which are shown below, begin to expand significantly. In their appearance they look like grapes.
- It is possible to form subtle wounds that will heal over a long period of time.
Important!Early treatment of this disease for the patient can lead to a number of complications. In some cases a fatal outcome is possible.
After a while, eczema and trophic ulcers appear. Such symptoms very easily turn into burns. All of these can lead to limb amputation, sepsis, or death.
The most dangerous consequence is the appearance of a thrombus with its subsequent separation. This becomes the death of the patient.
Symptoms and treatment of latent varicose veins is the question that affects patients the most.
Treatment methods
The treatment of varicose veins is conservative and timely. Treatment of the internal veins in the legs, the symptoms of which can manifest themselves in different ways, is carried out only after a preliminary diagnosis.The following techniques can be used:
- compression;
- scleropathy;
- drugs;
- surgically.
Compression methodscure help to cope with the disease in the early stages. This therapy method involves wearing special compression underwear every day.
In scleropathy, a vein is blocked. This is due to the introduction of sclerotherapy preparations. After such actions, the blood can move easily through the capillaries.
A conservative cure is only effective when the first signs of the disease appear. Of the drugs, patients are prescribed venotonics. They help strengthen the walls of the blood vessels as much as possible.
Self-treatment of internal varicose veins, the symptoms of which can be mild and vice versa, is prohibited.
Prevention
To prevent varicose veins from forming, it is imperative to know the causes of this disease and prevent its development.Preventive measures are as follows:
- constant physical activity is necessary (people who lead an inactive lifestyle are much more susceptible to the disease. From time to time take breaks, stand up and exercise so that the blood circulates normally. );
- It is forbidden to cross your legs while sitting.
- give up all bad habits;
- Pay attention to your diet, refuse to be too fat and salty;
- to take therapeutic measures related to endocrine diseases, they lead to the development of varicose veins;
- Use only loose, non-crushing shoes (it is necessary to ensure free circulation and to limit yourself in shoes with heels).
- take sea baths, but it is necessary to get rid of sun overheating.
Conclusion
It should be noted that if at least one symptom of this disease is manifested, it is necessary to urgently consult a specialist. The doctor will prescribe diagnostic procedures and indicate the appropriate treatment. Delay threatens with complications.
From the above, we can summarize that hidden varicose veins are a very dangerous disease that can have undesirable consequences. Because of this, it is necessary to see a doctor if at least one symptom appears. Only a specialist can choose the necessary treatment.
Internal varicose veins on the legs: symptoms and treatment
The geography of the spread of varicose veins covers almost all countries in the world. It is one of the oldest diseases known to man. According to medical statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities and pelvic organs occur in 15-17% of the population. Patients with this diagnosis now make up around 4% of all patients in surgical clinics. According to scientists, this disease is a kind of payment to humanity for the ability to walk upright. Let's examine what are internal varicose veins, the main symptoms of the disease and effective treatment.
Explanation of onset of the disease
The development of internal varicose veins on the legs is one of the most dangerous types of the disease, which is manifested in the pathological expansion of blood vessels located deep under the skin in the tissues.
Unfortunately, this disease often affects young people of working age, and symptoms are much more common in women. Internal varicose veins on the legs are often accompanied by an external one in the form of strongly protruding tuberous veins with a pronounced cyanotic hue.
These symptoms of varicose veins make treatment difficult. The appearance of the legs with varicose veins is represented in numerous photos of medical institutions.
The dilation of venous vessels on the legs can be an independent pathology, but most often it is caused by other diseases. Therefore, it is common practice in modern medicine to divide varicose veins into primary and secondary. The cause of primary varicose veins of the deep leg veins is the weakness of the vein wall or its functional pathologies. These reasons also cause varicose veins of the pelvic organs. The main causes of the disease include:
- pregnancy.
- Overweight, morbid obesity.
- Prolonged stress on the lower limbs, constant work on the legs or constant heavy lifting.
- Hereditary or congenital weakness of the connective tissue of various organs.
- Long walking in high heels and hosiery with tight rubber bands.
- In the elderly, internal varicose veins can be caused by hormonal changes in the body.
The development of secondary internal varicose veins is a consequence of changes in the process of outflow of venous blood in various diseases:
- Post-thrombophlebic syndrome.
- Failure of the deep venous valve.
- Tumors of organs of various etiology.
- Injuries to limbs and other organs.
Treatment of primary and secondary varicose veins is different.
main functions
The consequences of a timely undetected internal varicose veins can be very serious. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the first symptoms of the disease, especially since they are visually manifested very clearly in comparison with other forms of the disease. The main symptoms of internal varicose veins of the lower extremities are manifested in the following:
- The pain in the calf muscles is very severe and often so unbearable that the patient is forced to take strong painkillers on a regular basis. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
- The venous pattern on the lower extremities in the thigh area becomes pronounced, the vessels become strongly convex and tuberous, they are easy to identify by palpation.
- The venous pattern takes on a cyanotic color and becomes black in places, sometimes purple.
- The lower extremities are very swollen and the swelling does not decrease after a night's rest.
- In the evening, after a day's work on the feet, the patient experiences frequent cramps in the calf muscles.
All of these symptoms significantly affect the patient's quality of life and require immediate medical attention. Sometimes it is just a surgical treatment of veins.
Clinical presentation
The severity of the symptoms of internal varicose veins depends on the stage of the disease.
At the initial stage, pathological changes in the walls of blood vessels are not detected, at the end of the working day patients have swelling of the legs and heaviness in the legs, but after a night's rest these unpleasant sensations disappear.
Some patients have a slight patty formation. This stage of the disease is known as "intradermal varicose veins". If treatment is started at this stage of the disease, the prognosis is very favorable, since the valve system of the veins has not yet changed, and coping with the load, the pathological symptoms quickly disappear.
In the second stage of the disease, the edema of the lower extremities becomes permanent, patients complain of constant heaviness in the legs and increased fatigue. The manifestations of internal varicose veins at this stage of the disease are also indicated by constant spasms of the calf muscles and cold extremities.
A photo in medical publications shows that blood vessels appear on the skin on the inside of the thigh, but the zones of their appearance are not painful to palpate. At this stage, varicose veins begin to form, which may cause bleeding.
These symptoms worsen very quickly, and if left untreated, the disease moves to the next stage.
The third stage of varicose veins of the legs is already well defined visually. This can be seen in the photo from various medical sources.
Varicose veins and enlarged sacs caused by severe circulatory disorders are already well defined under the skin on the calves and inner thighs.
At this stage, in addition to the appearance of nodes, the patient has fragility and hair loss, dry skin, and constant cramps in the calf muscles.
The fourth stage of the disease already brings with it serious complications (bleeding, ulcers, etc. ) that can be fatal. You need to start treating the disease immediately without waiting for tremendous symptoms.
Complications
These include:
Trophic ulcers of the skin of the legs.
This is a very painful complication for the patient, as trophic ulcers heal very slowly, and the patient constantly itches and burns in the places where they are located.
The photo clearly shows that ulcers are round in shape, brightly colored and have different types of secreted secretions: purulent, hemorrhagic or serous discharge. They appear on the calves and the inside of the thigh.
With competent and timely therapy, ulcer scarring begins. However, if help is not available or not provided in a qualified manner, the patient may develop a burn wound followed by amputation of the limb. Death is also possible.
Traumatic bleeding.
Massive bleeding can be due to a rupture of a vessel due to thinning of the vein wall with steadily rising blood pressure or to minor trauma. This syndrome is particularly dangerous as bleeding can lead to patient death.
Thrombosis is a result of congestion and inflammation in the veins of the lower extremities. Thrombosis can only manifest itself visually in leg edema and severe pain.
With the formation of external venous nodes, the thrombosis is accompanied by severe pain in the area of the thrombus formation, vein tenderness when palpating and fever in the area of the thrombosis.
Thromboses are very dangerous for the patient's life and urgently require hospitalization and treatment, as they can cause a heart attack and blockage of the pulmonary artery in the patient.
Therapy principles
It is very difficult to treat internal varicose veins on the legs, and the effectiveness of therapy largely depends on the stage of the disease.
The general principles of treatment for the disease include normalizing hormone levels, optimizing physical activity and adhering to a diet.
If the patient is obese, a weight loss method must be developed and its implementation monitored. To normalize the vascular tone of the lower extremities, it is recommended to use compression stockings.
The most effective method of treatment is surgery, the technique of which is well developed in modern surgery. One possible complication of the surgery is bleeding from a vein, but the risk is small.
If for any reason surgical intervention is impossible, e. g. B. If the patient is concerned that life-threatening bleeding will occur, treatment will be medically administered with the following groups of drugs:
- Antiplatelet agents - to thin the blood and prevent blood clots.
- Phlebotonics - to normalize blood circulation and prevent edema.
- nitrates - used to relieve pain symptoms.
- Angioprotectors - to normalize the vascular tone.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - to decrease the possibility of platelet adhesion and relieve pain.
Many sources recommend treating varicose veins with folk remedies. You can find many "before" and "after" style photos of calves and thighs online on websites promoting traditional medicine and guaranteeing 100% recovery. Doctors are very careful with such drugs and warn that they can only be used as part of complex therapy.
Internal varicose veins on the lower extremities are a serious systemic disease that requires timely and qualified treatment. The first alarming symptoms cannot be ignored. The earlier the patient seeks a doctor, the more effective the treatment will be.
Main features
Specialists distinguish three stages of varicose veins of the lower extremities - compensation, subcompensation and decompensation.
Corresponds to the easy, medium and difficult course. In some cases, more than a year elapses between the onset of the disease and the appearance of symptoms.
There is practically nothing to worry about during compensation. With severe overloading of the body, slight pain in the limbs is possible. Distal swelling that subsides after sleeping.
Some people report feeling like spiders or goose bumps crawling down their legs. This is a result of impaired blood flow and tissue trophism.
The valve apparatus for deep veins is largely intact. Visible superficial changes to the skin and veins are usually not observed.
The subcompensation is characterized by a more serious clinical picture. Pain is becoming more common. They have sharp dagger pains. An ordinary touch can be quite a hard work.
Patients cannot walk normally. The usual shopping spree is tested to the last.
The legs swell strongly and exceed the normal leg volume by one and a half times. Such swelling often does not subside even after a long sleep. Traces of pressed fingers remain on the shins. Many people notice cramps in the calf muscles.
During decompensation, signs of bleeding, thrombophlebitis and thrombosis, as well as trophic ulcers, often appear.
Complications due to the development of internal varicose veins
The most common complication with varicose veins is bleeding. If this is not diagnosed in a timely manner, it can be fatal. Even minor bleeding from varicose veins of the lower extremities can cause irreparable damage. Stopping such a defect with a conventional pressure bandage often fails. Many surgeons come to ligate vessels or coagulate them.
The second most common complication is the addition of infection during the development of trophic ulcers. Due to a decrease in tissue trophism, abscesses do not heal for a long time, a chronic purulent focus develops.
It is associated with general intoxication of the body, feverish temperature and profuse sweating. Such wounds take a long time to heal. It depends on the degree of disruption of tissue trophism and the depth of the lesion.
Ulcers should not be bandaged often, as this can lead to crusting that begins to form and the formation of an open wound.
The second most common complication is deep vein thrombosis. With poor motor skills, the blood stagnates and the risk of blood clots forming increases, which in turn can lead to pulmonary embolism.
Vascular surgeons are more afraid of a floating thrombus as its distal part tends to break off and lead to embolism.
Treatment methods
The treatment of the internal varicose veins of the lower extremities takes place in several stages.
Drug therapy is the most popular direction, which can be used in all stages of varicose veins, as well as for the prevention of vascular problems.
The basis of conservative treatment is the use of venotonic drugs. They strengthen the vascular wall, increase its elasticity and reduce blood stagnation. It is better to apply them internally and also externally to the site of the lesion.
There are different classes of underwear that are used for different stages of the disease. Many models will be able to satisfy the individual desire of each person, I only have positive reviews.
Do not cause discomfort or irritation when worn under clothing.
Proper and balanced nutrition is one of the most important points in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities. It is necessary to radically limit the consumption of salt and large amounts of liquids. The use of natural fruit drinks and juices is desirable.
The diet should strictly correspond to human energy consumption and contain fewer calories in order to avoid obesity. You should limit yourself to eating fatty and fried foods that are spicy and acidic. You need to give preference to vegetables and fruits. Include seafood, fermented milk dishes, and products with digestible carbohydrates in your diet.
If conservative therapy methods are ineffective, they resort to surgical techniques. This includes both invasive and minimally invasive treatments.
Prevention of pathology
Many know the dangers of varicose veins with deep veins and want to prevent their occurrence in advance. To do this, you don't need to follow strict rules, just get your lifestyle back to normal.
The most important preventive measure is regular physical activity.
You can do gymnastics, yoga, walking, swimming, or even dancing to reduce the risk of many diseases.
It is also advisable to give up bad habits entirely or at least partially. It is recommended that you regulate the work and rest schedule to give your body at least a short break.
It would be useful to adjust your diet, with the exception of fried, fatty, smoked, pickled, overly spicy, or salty foods. You need to eat more vegetables and fruits.
Regular contrast showers and relaxing foot baths are good preventative measures.