What are segmental varicose veins?
This is a form of venous disease of the legs in which there is no venous secretion. In this case, inflammation of deep or tributary veins with a diameter of 3 mm or more occurs.
The development of the disease begins with impaired functioning of the venous valves. This leads to a reflux of blood. This is called reflux. The violations that occur later become the cause of inflammation and pathological expansion of the walls of the tributary veins.
Varicose veins develop only in the veins (vessels that carry blood from the organs to the heart). The reason for this is the difference in the structure of the veins and arteries: the venous walls do not have enough muscle layer to contract and push the blood through the bloodstream.
There are valves along the entire length of the veins that allow blood to flow in only one direction. With insufficient closure of the valves, some of the blood returns and creates excessive pressure in the vessel, which is unable to push the liquid further.
Subsequently, this leads to the stretching of the walls and the development of inflammatory processes in the defective parts of the veins, an increase in pressure in the subcutaneous network.
All veins in the human body are divided into deep, superficial and perforated. The deep vessels do almost all the work (90%) of transporting blood to the heart, and the perforated vessels are a kind of bridge between the deep and the superficial.
The structure of the veins includes valves that direct and facilitate the flow of blood in just the right direction. When the circulatory system fails, some of the blood accumulates at one point.
This leads to local expansion (stretching) of the vessel. The first to suffer are the deep veins (the so-called internal varicose veins), then superficial in the form of "spider veins and nodules".
For a complete perception of the severity of the disease, it is important to note that its progression threatens the development of thrombophlebitis, pulmonary artery blockage with thrombus (or thromboembolism), as well as trophic leg ulcers, lymphostasis (edema of the lower extremities) andmany other problems that can lead to the death of the patient.
It has already been established that the risk factors that significantly increase the possibility of developing pathology are:
The distension of the veins in the legs, leading to varicose veins, occurs for several reasons.
One of the main reasons for this type of varicose veins is the pathology in the development of blood vessels, when the muscular walls of the veins become more dense and a membrane is formed inside. Arterial blood does not enter the capillary system, so the tissues do not receive the necessary amount of oxygen.
Dilated veins in the arm are rarely removed, generally conservative treatment is used:
Compression sleeves and gloves are also prescribed for patients. It is not recommended to wear compression stockings all the time, but during sports, strenuous physical activities and weight lifting, it is necessary.
These sleeves and gloves help to relieve swelling, heaviness and numbness in your hands. Exercises in the step simulator help to improve blood circulation throughout the body, necessary for varicose veins.
One of the reasons for development is heredity. In addition, the "family" disease is transmitted mainly by the female line. Characteristics of the structure of blood vessels are transmitted through genes. By not observing the basic rules of prevention, with weak vein walls, you can gain varicose veins.
The second reason is pregnancy. At this time, a large load in the veins, whose tone decreases due to changes in the hormonal background. Strong pressure is exerted by the growing uterus and weight gain. Childbirth has an even greater negative effect on the veins. It was at this time that varicose veins appeared in many women.
Shoes and uncomfortable clothes are another reason. Jeans and tight shoes, high heels and heavy bags can lead to serious illness. The heel should not exceed four centimeters. The sole of the boots is wide.
The fourth reason is bad habits and difficult working conditions. Waiters, hairdressers and vendors are especially susceptible to these diseases. If you add the wrong diet, smoking, the expansion of the veins cannot be avoided. Even a harmless "cross-legged" session can lead to disastrous consequences.
Sports loads should be moderate. Varicose veins are common in weightlifters. Barbell lifting and strength training is another reason. If we add predisposition to this, the result will not be pleasant. It should always be remembered that fitness is not always beneficial.
The most common type of varicose veins are varicose veins in the legs, so many people think that the problem is concentrated only in those parts of the body. But there are several types of this disease, which are distinguished by the location of the pathology.
These places are:
Varicose veins are a disease in which blood flow is impaired due to thinning and loss of elasticity of the venous walls. This disease does not appear suddenly, it is preceded by many factors.
The main thing is the stagnation of blood in the extremities due to a sedentary lifestyle. First, unexpressed vascular "nets" and "stars" appear on the legs.
So, if you don't start the treatment, the veins become more dense, let the liquid pass, so the blood circulation slows down and large and prominent veins appear in the legs. There are different types of varicose veins, depending on how the disease progresses.
Varicose veins are not only a cosmetic defect, but also a serious disease with complications. Complications of varicose veins include: thrombophlebitis, bleeding, skin pigmentation in areas with varicose veins, lack of oxygen in the tissues.
This disease should be treated as soon as the first symptoms appear, so treatment is easier and faster. Before starting treatment, a diagnosis of varicose veins is necessary, it is necessary to donate blood for tests and do a general examination.
The diagnosis is necessary to determine the type of varicose veins and to prescribe an effective treatment to relieve unpleasant symptoms, to return lightness and beauty to the legs.
The types of varicose veins are classified according to the severity of the disease and the location of the varicose veins. The symptoms and treatment of each type of varicose vein also differ. Let's take a closer look at what types of varicose veins exist, their symptoms and treatment methods.
Varicose veins on the legs
Each year, more and more cases of varicose veins are recorded, especially among young people. But, a few decades ago, varicose veins were considered a disorder of the elderly.
Therefore, modern experts have developed a classification system for the main and most common types of diseases. The types of varicose veins in the legs differ in symptoms, location, and rate of progression.
The structure of the venous system is very complex and includes large, medium, small and capillary reticular vessels.
Deformation of the veins in the lower extremities can appear both in all parts of this system and in some of its areas.
Based on the vessels that have changed, the following types of varicose veins in the legs are analyzed:
Each type of varicose vein in the lower extremities requires detailed consideration due to the peculiarities of the pathological process.
This type of disease is characterized by lesions in the reticular veins, whose diameter does not exceed 2 mm. These vessels are blue or green and are often intertwined in the form of networks, lines, stars. They are located immediately under the skin.
The full course of the disease is generally divided into four stages, each of which is characterized by certain signs:
Varicose veins have several stages. If treatment is not started on time, the transition from the disease to the next stage cannot be avoided.
The treatment of varicose vein stages is different. If in the first stage the patient can be helped by drugs, ointments, vitamins and exercises in a simulator like a stepper, then more time and effort will be needed to relieve the symptoms of the next stages.
In the last stage, only surgery can help. It is true that modern methods of treating varicose veins are very effective, painless and do not require long-term rehabilitation.
These operations are performed in a hospital, do not require hospitalization of the patient and have no complications.
At risk are patients whose work is related to great physical effort or constant sitting in one place. Depending on the stage and type of varicose veins, the doctor prescribes treatment individually.
When varicose veins in the legs are diagnosed in the first stage, they respond to treatment very quickly, the doctor gives a positive prognosis. Therefore, it is very important when the first symptoms of discomfort in the legs, arms or other organs of the body appear, urgently contact a qualified specialist who will make a qualitative diagnosis of the pathology and prescribe a treatment that suits you according to your individual characteristics. and body structure.
1 and 2 stages of varicose veins in the legs do not require radical therapy. Drug treatment prescribed with medications and also recommended products that support the blood vessel walls, can be vitamins, trace elements, minerals and other useful substances that are missing in the body.
In addition to pharmacological treatment, sclerotherapy is widely used - a medical method, during which the victim is injected with drugs into the affected vein for bonding in the affected areas.
The appointment of special physical exercises that stimulate the work of the muscular system, the metabolism of blood cells and artificially increase the tone of the vessels in the legs is also important.
Regardless of the type and type of varicose veins, it is a pathology of the veins, which is caused by an improper lifestyle and by an unhealthy diet. Moderate daily physical activity and the use of fortified foods will provide anyone with qualified prevention of this disease.
Varicose veins of grade 1 are characterized by the absence of external manifestations. You can suspect the onset of the disease by the following signs:
Some patients have restless legs syndrome - lying in bed, the person cannot find a comfortable position, there is a feeling of discomfort in the legs. This leads to sleep disorders. An increase in symptoms is observed in hot climates.
With grade 2 varicose veins, the symptoms are much more pronounced. They appear at the height of their workday and at night reach their maximum. The pain is so severe that pain medication is needed.
This phase is characterized by the appearance of clinical signs:
In these areas, there is increased pain and itching. At the end of the second stage of the varicose veins in the lower extremities, the veins become visible under the skin in the form of blue spots and streaks.
Warning: at this stage, the disease is still curable. A person can get rid of the disease if they seek medical help in a timely manner.
Grade 3 varicose veins are characterized by pronounced deformation of the vascular wall - it thickens and the vessels become convoluted. The veins protrude visibly under the skin, looking like bunches of grapes in appearance.
A person is concerned about severe pain in the legs, cramps, fatigue. The swelling appears both at night and in the morning. This stage of varicose veins is characterized by a change in the condition of the skin. It becomes excessively dry and scaly. These manifestations are especially pronounced in the area of the deformed veins.
Symptoms of the third stage of varicose veins in the legs
In the third stage, complications of the disease arise - thrombophlebitis and thromboembolism. Its appearance is associated with the marked stagnation of blood in the vessels, as a result of the formation of blood clots. In thrombophlebitis, inflammation of the venous wall occurs, which is manifested by increased temperature and severe pain in the legs.
Thromboembolism is a dangerous complication of varicose veins, associated with the separation of a thrombus from the venous wall and penetration into large vessels. Most of the time, blood clots in the leg veins enter the pulmonary artery. This causes pulmonary edema and death occurs in minutes.
Already the varicose veins of the legs are neglected. The veins are even more deformed, resembling tourniquets or ropes under the skin. Touching them is painful, they are almost always in the stage of inflammation. Lymphostasis develops - lymph stagnation in the vessels. The legs are very swollen and the swelling does not decrease, even at rest.
The community of scientists from around the world has systematized the manifestations of varicose veins in the lower limbs.
Given the patient's due attention to the state of his health, it is simply impossible not to notice the onset of the disease's development.
As the disease progresses, the patient will experience more and more pain, a constant tugging sensation in the knee region.
If varicose veins of the 2nd degree of the esophagus are found - a person will not be able to eat normally, they will be constantly bothered by heartburn and pain in the chest area. In fact, many blame the heart and intercostal neuralgia for this - rarely does anyone know of varicose veins in the esophagus.
Visually, the disease manifests itself more and more: bulging and blue veins are already visible to the naked eye, dark blue nodules can appear under the skin.
Do you need surgery for grade 2 varicose veins? It is still possible to prevent the development of the disease without surgical intervention: just don't be lazy and regularly take care of your legs.
Most of the time, the disease appears in men after fifty years. The cause of male infertility may be a venous expansion of the sperm cord.
Varicose veins develop gradually. In the beginning, structural changes in the veins have no external manifestations, and the disease can only be identified by the following signs:
One of the listed signs or their joint appearance indicates the initial stage of venous insufficiency. Seeking medical attention and taking timely measures can prevent further structural changes in the circulatory system. Ignoring the signs of the disease leads to the development of the disease.
The next phase is characterized by the appearance of external signs: dilated vessels become visible in the skin, in some areas of the lower extremities, the pigmentation of the skin changes and there is peeling. In addition, nodules and seals protruding above the skin appear and, when pressed, pain is felt.
Sometimes redness appears on the skin surface in these places. The protruding parts of the vessels and nodules are clearly visible if the patient is standing. After assuming the reclined position, the vessels' tension decreases significantly and they become virtually invisible. Walking for long periods can cause muscle pain of varying intensity.
The clinical picture described requires immediate visit to a specialist and qualified assistance. The lack of necessary treatment in most cases leads to serious complications.
The pathology is diagnosed by means of diagnostic measures, such as Doppler ultrasonography and duplex scanning.
Doppler can detect reflux. Duplex scanning complements the information obtained during the Doppler image and allows you to confirm the diagnosis.
In the early stages, only a specialist can identify varicose veins. If you suspect an illness, you should contact a vascular surgeon or phlebologist. After the initial research and examination of the patient, additional studies are prescribed - ultrasound and contrast venography.
With the aid of the ultrasound examination, it is possible to confirm the presence of pathology, as well as to establish the presence of blood clots, neoplasms and to evaluate the structural changes of the veins. Contrast venography is performed by intravenous administration of a specially colored composition, due to the movement from which all violations of the structure and functioning of the circulatory system are revealed.
Both methods are used in the diagnosis, however, due to the less pain of the procedure, ultrasound is performed much more frequently.
The disease can be treated with medication, as well as surgery.
Ointments and creams for external use are used in conservative therapy:
The duration of use of topical preparations depends on the severity of the varicose veins and is determined by the attending physician. Usually, the effect is noticeable in the second week of use.
In addition to medication, the patient must wear compression underwear (note 1-2).
The varicose veins of the lower extremities are one of the most common vascular pathologies and, according to statistical data, it is getting younger every year.