Varicose veins on the legs, symptoms and treatment, photo

Manifestations of varicose veins on the legs

Varicose veins are one of the diseases that do not understand exactly who to choose as the victim, as both young and old people can suffer from it.

Little rush to see doctors after the development of the disease, without believing that it is much easier to get rid of the problem in the first stages.

To seek help immediately, you should know what varicose veins look like on the legs, symptoms and treatment. The photo also helps identify the disease and respond immediately.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins in the legs

It is believed that only women are usually concerned about varicose veins on the legs, while the symptoms are peculiar to both men and the fairer sex as they are almost the same. You shouldn't wait for the disease to progress. Therefore, you need to contact the doctor as soon as the first signs of an insidious disease appear.

What symptoms of varicose veins in the legs should be alarming? There aren't that many of them:

  1. venous patterns appear on the legs, thighs;
  2. feeling of fullness and heaviness in the lower limbs;
  3. night cramps (they often manifest during the day);
  4. swelling occurs after a hard day at work;
  5. Fatigue increases sharply;
  6. There is discomfort in the legs.

Just one alarm signal is enough to call for medical help immediately. The earlier this is done, the higher the chances of successful treatment.

Varicose veins in the legs, symptoms during pregnancy

Women who are in an interesting position often experience problems with the veins of the lower extremities, as the legs are put under additional strain. There are significant difficulties here - treatment should not harm the fetus, so you should not try to overcome the disease on your own. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe the safest treatment option for the baby.

If varicose veins in the legs are suspected, the symptoms during pregnancy hardly differ from the most common signs of the disease. These include:

  1. small "stars" appear on the legs;
  2. unpleasant complaints that occur not only in the evening but throughout the day in the lower extremities;
  3. severe swelling that can develop not only in the lower legs but also on the thighs;
  4. pain and discomfort when walking;
  5. changes in the skin (peeling, appearance of age spots, change in the natural shade);
  6. veins begin to protrude above the skin, when pressed, severe pain occurs.

Even if there is no certainty that there are varicose veins on the legs, it is necessary to show the symptoms to the doctor - only a specialist can accurately diagnose the disease and determine the degree of its development.

Symptoms of internal varicose veins in the legs

According to doctors, internal varicose veins can lead to serious complications. It is therefore particularly important to recognize them in good time. Again, this does not guarantee that the treatment will be successful.

Symptoms of internal varicose veins in the legs:

  1. aching or dull pain in the lower extremities;
  2. heaviness and burning sensation that hardly stops;
  3. seals are visible on the skin;
  4. red or blue "stars" appear;
  5. veins under the skin expand, in places they resemble grapes;
  6. Wounds appear that practically do not heal, possibly even the development of gangrene, this can lead to the loss of a limb.

The most dangerous stage is when muscles and bone mass begin to deform. If left untreated, this can be fatal.

Varicose veins in the legs, symptoms

No less life-threatening are varicose veins in the legs, the symptoms of which are not as pronounced as in a common illness. How to independently determine the presence of a serious disease?

Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs

There are many signs of the disease, and almost any one of them can be independently identified if you know what to look for:

  1. Discomfort in the lower extremities (burning sensation, heaviness, aching pain);
  2. the skin becomes dry and flaky spots may appear;
  3. Cramps occur at night and can last until morning.
  4. The saphenous veins expand and increase in diameter several times;
  5. There are numerous small wounds that do not respond to treatment and do not self-heal.

Without immediate treatment, ulcers and eczema can soon develop, followed by burns. Blood clots with subsequent death are also possible.

Which doctor should I contact if symptoms of varicose veins occur?

Even if dangerous signs are detected in time, patients do not rush to the hospital and do not know which doctor to turn to if symptoms of varicose veins are detected. There are no options here - only a doctor can stop the development of the disease. An immediate visit to a phlebologist will greatly reduce the risk of complications.

If you go to the doctor late, it is entirely possible that the disease could spread to the lower extremities so that you cannot seek the help of a phlebologist. If the specialist deems it necessary, he can turn to colleagues.

The specialists who help treat varicose veins include:

  1. cardiac surgeon;
  2. Angiosurgeon (specializing in the treatment of pathologies through surgical intervention);
  3. physiotherapist;
  4. dermatologist.

Treatment with several specialists can take many months or even years. If the phlebologist cannot cope with the disease on his own, this indicates that it has already outgrown the initial stage.

Treatment with ointments: what drugs should be used to get rid of the disease effectively?

At home, treatment with ointments is most often prescribed, but only if there are no complications or contraindications. It is better not to use such drugs alone. It is imperative to first agree on how to deal with the disease with a doctor.

Treatment of varicose veins using folk remedies

In the initial stages of the disease, you can practice treatment with folk remedies, but only with the permission of the doctor. The most effective here are compresses and rubs, which you can make yourself from vegetable materials.

Green walnuts have proven themselves well in the fight against varicose veins. Grind about a glass of unripe fruit and pour olive oil in equal parts. Insist on fragrant liquid for about a month and a half. Then use it as a rubbing and rub a small amount of oily liquid into the affected areas daily.

A horse chestnut infusion can also be used, which acts locally. To make the drug, you need the inflorescences and leaves of the plant. Grind them, pour high-quality vodka or alcohol (based on one part of plant matter, 6-8 parts of alcohol). Insist a week, rub into the skin of the legs before bed.

Consequences of varicose veins on the legs

If you know the consequences of varicose veins on the legs, you can start treatment faster. The disease can progress incredibly quickly without treatment and result in thromboembolism. At best, this leads to disability, but statistics show that nearly a third of patients are killed by the disease.

Trophic ulcers may appear that are practically impossible to treat. The size and depth of the lesions may increase and soon spread to large areas of the lower extremities. This inevitably leads to burns. Even if you resort to treatment, therapy can drag on for a long time with no guarantee of a successful result.

Varicose veins on the legs, symptoms and treatment, photos and consequences - all this information can be studied on your own to prevent a dangerous disease. One should not hope that it is possible to avoid it at midnight, but even timely treatment will be enough not to worry about the consequences or complications.