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

Today, such a disease as varicose veins is the most common. As a rule, a sedentary lifestyle leads to the development of an illness, and an untimely reaction to the body's signals leads to rather serious consequences, which in turn harms health. In this article we will consider such a topic as varicose veins on the legs, photos, the initial stage of how to treat. I would like to note that varicose veins are usually called an ailment characterized by stagnation of blood in the blood vessels of the lower extremities, due to which the peripheral veins are swollen. Swollen vessels have a dark blue color, in the absence of adequate treatment, they acquire a purple hue, the formation of blood clots and ulcers begins, and severe pain appears.

Symptoms of the disease at the initial stage of development

Varicose veins of the legs is a rather insidious disease - this is due to the fact that this disease is very difficult to diagnose at the initial stage of development. Symptoms of the disease are similar to many other diseases, such as osteochondrosis or flat feet. Often, patients with varicose veins seek professional medical help when a sufficiently strong swelling and soreness of the extremities appears.

Nevertheless, there are several general symptoms, noticing which you should immediately contact a specialist to find out the cause of the ailment and find out what varicose veins on the legs are, photos, the initial stage of how to treat. The initial symptoms of the disease include an increase in the venous pattern, however, as a rule, in this case, swelling, soreness and swelling of the vessels is not noted.

Let's consider the most obvious symptoms that indicate the presence of such a disease as varicose veins:

• the appearance of pain in the legs, which can appear at any time, also often such symptoms are accompanied by itching and cramps of the limbs during sleep;
• the appearance of a feeling of fatigue and swelling in the legs;
• the skin changes its color, the skin in problem areas acquires a bluish tint, becomes drier;
• bulging of veins above the skin surface and the appearance of characteristic spider veins.

Why varicose veins are dangerous

Note that as mentioned above, such a topic as varicose veins on the legs photo the initial stage of how to treat, is very relevant for many. This is due to the fact that varicose veins are a rather dangerous ailment and a cosmetic defect in the form of swollen veins is just the tip of the iceberg. The disease can lead to quite serious complications, so treatment of varicose veins is a must!

As you can see in the photo of the initial stage of the disease, its characteristic symptomatology is swelling of the veins, which is far from harmless, we list the ailments that varicose veins can provoke.

• Phlebitis- this disease implies the onset of an inflammatory process of the venous walls. As a rule, patients with phlebitis constantly feel quite strong aching pain. In addition, painful lumps appear in the affected area.
• Thrombophlebitis- the disease is characterized by the formation of blood clots in the inflamed and dilated veins. Note that thrombophlebitis occurs due to the lack of adequate treatment for phlebitis. In addition to pain in the extremities, the patient feels general weakness, loses his appetite.
• Trophic ulcers- this is another complication of varicose veins, which manifests itself due to a lack of nutrition of the epidermis, which leads to the appearance of dermatitis, the consequence of which is trophic ulcers that are difficult to heal.

Preparations for varicose veins

Ointments

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 for the treatment of varicose veins are the most popular. The main task of the ointment is a complex effect, which helps to reduce blood viscosity, resorption of blood clots that have appeared, reduce the inflammatory process, and reduce pain symptoms. The drugs provide the maximum positive effect when applied at the initial stage of the disease, improving blood circulation and strengthening the walls of blood vessels.

Ointment based on sodium heparin, prevents blood clots and reduces blood clotting.

Venotonics help to effectively cope with the symptoms of varicose veins, strengthening blood vessels and suppressing inflammatory processes.

Creams

Creams for varicose veins are also effective, as well as ointments due to their active ingredients, which can effectively fight the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Creams based on ketoprofen actively suppress inflammatory processes in the vessels of the lower extremities. These drugs belong to the non-steroidal group, which indicates its effectiveness in removing puffiness 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 any negative effect on the patient with varicose veins.

Rutin-based creams are effective at the cellular level due to which the inflammatory process is quickly suppressed. The drug has a decongestant effect, improves vascular tone, regulates intravenous pressure, and quickly eliminates pain.

Pills

The main effect of tablets based on bioflavonoids is to increase such properties of blood vessels as elasticity and tone, which in turn improves blood circulation and prevents the formation of blood clots. Thanks to the intake of these drugs, such a phenomenon as venous stasis, permeability of venous vessels is eliminated.

Effective folk remedies for varicose veins

Cabbage.Even our ancestors used a variety of folk remedies to treat such an ailment as varicose veins. One of them is the treatment with cabbage leaves. The effectiveness of this vegetable lies in the fact that cabbage is able to quickly relieve inflammatory processes, due to the vitamins and microelements it contains. As a rule, white cabbage leaves are used for the treatment of varicose veins in the form of compresses. In order to make a medical compress, you will need a cabbage leaf, which must first be properly beaten off. After that, one side of the leaf is smeared with vegetable oil and applied to the inflamed area for a day (attached with a bandage). The course of treatment is 1 month.

Ginger.This plant, used in cooking, can be used to treat varicose veins as an external and internal medicine. Ginger tea will help to cope with almost any disease at any stage of its development, including varicose veins. You can also make ginger compresses. To do this, you need to grate a piece of ginger root, mix it with natural honey and apply to the affected area for 3-4 hours.

Kalina.Like ginger, viburnum can be used to treat varicose veins as a fortified drink and as an effective compress. To prepare the compress, the berries should be rubbed to a mushy state, put on a prepared bandage or gauze and applied to the problem area. It is best to do such a compress at night.

The initial stage of varicose veins - the first symptoms

Today, varicose veins are one of the most common dangerous diseases, both among women and men. According to WHO statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities can lead a person to death from thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers and cancerous tumors associated with them.

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

Reasons and stages of development

Varicose veins occur as a result of pathologies of the venous walls and malfunctioning of the venous valves, whose task is to carry blood enriched with carbon dioxide from the lower extremities to the lungs for gas exchange.

As a result of improper blood flow and valve dysfunction, blood accumulates in the vessels, increases the pressure in the veins in the legs, which leads to a bulging of the weak venous wall. This is how varicose veins develop.

There are a number of factors that can cause disease. These include:

1. Heredity.
2. Obesity.
3. Having bad habits.
4. Pregnancy.
5. Taking hormonal drugs for a long time.
6. Cardiovascular diseases leading to blood clots.
7. Sedentary lifestyle that provokes blood stagnation.
8. Long-term occupations.
9. Walking in high heels.

Under the influence of these factors, leg disease develops, which proceeds in several stages. Each of them is characterized by specific clinical manifestations.There are 4 stages of varicose veins in medical practice:

• early stage varicose veins, pictured above, passespractically without symptoms. A person only has a predominant feeling of heaviness in the legs, slight swelling and pain. Small spider veins begin to appear on the skin of the thighs and legs;
• grade 1 varicose veins, which is also shown in the photo, is characterized by frequent cramps of the calf muscles, a burning sensation that spreads from the lower leg to the sole of the foot, as well as swelling of the ankles;
• for the second degreecharacterized by an abundance of spider veins, severe edema, constant pain in the legs, an increase in the area of ​​protruding veins;
• third degreeindicates the involvement of the skin in the process of disease: it becomes flaky, thin, often pigmented near the ankle. The risk of thrombosis is very high. veins are greatly enlarged and dilated. The patient, in addition to pain, is haunted by a constant burning sensation, eczema and dermatitis on the skin of the lower extremities, deep ulcers form when the skin is injured.

IMPORTANT! If treatment is not started in the early stages, the disease is very difficult to treat conservatively in the future and threatens the patient with mortal danger!

The first symptoms of varicose veins

The first symptoms of varicose veins on the legs are difficult to diagnose.The patient confuses them for some time with fatigue and muscle strain. With such sensations, especially if before that there was no serious load on the legs, you should contact a specialist, becauseyou can cure the disease at an early stage, without resorting to surgery and exhausting procedures. Phlebologists and surgeons are engaged in the treatment of varicose veins.

The following symptoms indicate the first signs of varicose veins:

1. Constant heaviness in the legs. This is due to poor circulation in the legs due to dysfunction of the venous valves. Because of this, the pressure in the vein rises sharply, it stretches even more and causes pain.
2. Swelling of the lower extremities. The symptom manifests itself as a result of a heavy load on the venous system. If pain in the vein and redness of the skin above it joins the swelling, we can talk about developing thrombophlebitis - an extremely dangerous complication of varicose veins.
3. An increase in the girth of the lower legup to 1 cm in the evening is associated with edema.
4. Pain sensationsintensify with exertion and disappear by the next morning.
5. Spider veinson the legs and in the hips. Some patients consider them a cosmetic defect. Their appearance indicates the pathology of the large varicose vein that feeds them. Only ultrasound diagnostics can confirm or deny this.
6. Protruding veins.

At first, the first signs of varicose veins on the legs quickly disappear if you give your legs a rest in a comfortable position. However,this should alert the patient, because it is a sure symptom of the onset of the disease.

Then the patient may experience a burning sensation in the veins. If you do not pay enough attention to these symptoms, the patient may experience cramps in the calf muscles at night and the appearance of fatigue in the legs below the knees.

WARNING! Symptoms of early varicose veins are similar to other diseases - flat feet and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. That is why it is so important to seek advice from a phlebologist in order to exclude other diagnoses and start treatment in a timely manner!

Diagnostics and treatment

As a rule, varicose veins at the initial stage, which is illustrated in the photo,is ​​painless. The patient, and according to statistics, women suffer from varicose veins twice as often as men, seeks help from a doctor about the vascular network. The doctor conducts an examination and prescribes the necessary studies to assess the degree of impaired venous circulation.

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

It shows the pathology of the vascular wall. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is referred for X-ray phlebography, which determines the location of the venous lesion.

After the research, the doctor prescribes treatment that can prevent the transition of the initial stage of varicose veins to the subsequent ones.

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

Medical treatment at an early stage ofvaricose veins is not provided. Experts believe that it is enough to usecompression underwear - either special stockings and tights, or elastic bandages, which must be applied to the legs upon waking up and worn throughout the day. This therapy can evenly distribute the load on the legs and improve blood circulation.

Forms of the disease

The type of vascular insufficiency depends on the veins that struck the disease, the prevalence of the process and localization. There are varicose veins:

• reticular (small vascular);
• segmental (focal);
• perforating (lesion of the connective veins);
• main (pathology of a small or large vein 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 form

Of all the known types of varicose veins, this is the easiest. The disease mainly affects female legs; men are rarely affected by this pathology.

In the photo of varicose veins in the initial stage, the reticular shape can only be determined by strengthening the vascular pattern. This is a bluish mesh of small venous fragments with a diameter of no more than 3 mm. More often it is localized on the thighs in the area of ​​the lateral surfaces. First, several fragments similar to asterisks appear, then more extensive areas are affected.

This form of varicose veins is often called cosmetic, it is not dangerous for the blood flow, but gives women an aesthetic inconvenience. Reticular varicose veins of the legs can cause:

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

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

Segment form

This type of varicose veins can appear already 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 discharge, which facilitates therapy.

If you look at the photo of the varicose veins in the legs in segmental form, you can see the swollen branches from the main vein in the lower leg. These are the tributary vessels.

Treatment of the disease is conservative. With late treatment and the formation of tributary nodes, miniflebectomy can be used. Segmental varicose veins are localized in the anteromedial and posterior surface of the leg and in the popliteal fossa.

Trunk

This pathology affects the large and small main veins. Large, suffers several times more often than small. In the photo of varicose veins on the legs, the protrusion of the great vessels in the lower leg, lateral thighs and on the feet is clearly visible. The vascular wall on the legs is tense and nodular formations are visible.

The disease proceeds with characteristic symptoms of chronic circulatory failure. Due to damage to the vascular valves, reflux occurs (reverse discharge). Normally, blood moves in one direction. If the valves are insufficient, they do not close completely, and the vessels are overloaded. For this reason, the veins stretch and lose their elasticity.

Trunk varicose veins require serious treatment. Small surgical intervention and conservative methods are used more often.

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

Perforating form

Deep and saphenous veins are present on the legs. They are connected to each other by vessels, which are called perforating vessels.

These veins are no less important than the trunk veins. Their defeat leads to insufficient blood circulation in the legs. The blood is not fully directed into the bloodstream. This contributes to stagnation and thrombus formation.

• a picture of varicose veins on the legs with lesions of the perforating veins clearly shows the presence of swollen vessels;
• bumps and bruises are visible in some places; the skin becomes darker;
• rash and scratching may occur.

Localization of this form is varied and depends on the location of the affected vein. These are the legs, thighs, and ankles. Sometimes the vessels bulge even in the Achilles tendon and under the knee. Treatment is often surgical, but with single foci, minimally invasive methods are possible.

Stages of varicose veins of the legs

Phlebologists around the world annually hold forums and seminars dedicated to varicose veins. The types and forms of the disease are constantly changing. Experts describe the stages of varicose veins in different ways. Their number is constantly changing. The last approved classification contains seven grades:

• First or Null. Does not manifest itself by external signs. Patients only complain of heaviness, fatigue and swelling. Sometimes it can annoy the recurrent appearance of seizures.
• Second. In the photo of the second stage, you can clearly see the vascular mesh in the popliteal cups and thighs. The symptomatology does not change.
• Third. The protrusions of the vessels are clearly visible, especially during exercise or in a sitting position. In addition to the veins, blue nodules can be seen on the legs. Patients feel pain and tension.
• Fourth. The appearance of edema is added to the swollen veins. By the evening, the legs become full, and in the morning everything returns to normal. Swelling can cause numbness or tingling sensations in the legs.
• Fifth. Metabolic processes are disrupted. There is not enough tissue nutrition, and trophic changes are formed on the skin. They can appear as dry patches, redness, and scratching. The skin around the veins becomes darker in color. Thrombophlebitis may develop.
• Sixth. The photo of this stage is different from the others. It shows pronounced trophic ulcers in the veins of the lower extremities. As a result of massive treatment, wounds heal by primary intention.
• Seventh. The last stage. In other classifications, it is called decompensation. The most negative outcome of the disease. Non-healing ulcers form on the legs. They can get wet and suppurate. This degree requires urgent inpatient treatment. It can be complicated by sepsis and thromboembolism.

Types of varicose veins on the legs, complicated by a violation of the integrity of the skin and the addition of a secondary infection, can threaten the patient's life.

There is another classification that provides for three stages of varicose veins:

• Compensation. It manifests itself only with local symptoms (pain, convulsions, severity). External changes in blood vessels are not observed.
• Subcompensation. External signs of moderate varicose veins develop. Spider veins and signs of segmental lesions appear.
• Decompensation. Severe consequences 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 in a normal state is quite enough to overcome gravity. When this mechanism is disturbed, the body is forced to increase the pressure to push blood upward.

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

Reasons for the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities:

• Increased levels of progesterone in a woman's body. This hormone has a negative effect on the condition of the venous walls and valves, making them weak and unprotected.
• Congenital malformations of valves or vein walls, lack of connective tissue, poor patency of deep veins, genetic predisposition.
• Neoplasms located on the legs, in the abdominal cavity.
• Lower limb injuries.
• Diseases of the endocrine system.
• Thrombophlebitis.
• Joint diseases - osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
• Long-term use of hormonal contraceptive drugs.
• A sedentary lifestyle that often leads to stagnant processes in the legs.
• Increased intra-abdominal pressure. It usually occurs with lung disease, or with frequent constipation.
• Overweight.
• Wearing tight clothes and shoes.
• The presence in the diet of a large amount of high-calorie and fatty foods, the absence of vegetable fiber.
• Smoking, frequent alcohol consumption.

During pregnancy, BPVD occurs especially often, since during this periodglobal changes in hormonal levels occur, as well as an increase in body weight.

Men suffer from this disease if theirlifestyle is associated with hard physical labor, or prolonged stay on their feet - machine operators, loaders, etc. Varicose veins of the legs can also occur as a result of some sports activities.

Varicose veins need urgent treatment, the absence of which can result in serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis, bleeding from the venous nodes and a trophic ulcer that can provoke amputation of the leg.