In women, signs of varicose veins of the legs often appear - this pathology occurs in almost every third woman. This disease, which is accompanied by an expansion of the lumen and a thinning of the walls of the venous vessels, leads not only to the appearance of cosmetic defects, but also to pain and malnutrition of the tissues of the lower extremities. As a result, if left untreated, a woman can develop trophic ulcers on the legs, which bring even more serious complications. Therefore, the start of treatment for varicose veins should always be timely.
Signs of varicose veins of the legs in women are not always noticeable in the initial stage - sometimes the disease lasts for a long time.
Causes and early signs
Veins on the legs are affected by varicose veins, which are influenced by the following factors:
- overweight;
- inheritance;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- long stay in a static position;
- pregnancy;
- birth;
- are taking high-dose contraceptives;
- increased abdominal pressure with frequent or persistent coughing, sneezing, or constipation;
- Overwork during physical exercise or exertion;
- leg injuries;
- pelvic pathology;
- Overuse of tanning or heat treatments;
- wears uncomfortable shoes;
- the habit of sitting cross-legged;
- alcohol abuse;
- age.
Due to the increase in pressure in the venous vessels and blood stagnation, the vessels are stretched, the blood currents in them change direction and flow rate, as the walls of the vessels change tone and the valves no longer function normally. As a result, changes in the veins lead to the development of a vicious circle in hemodynamics and other functions of the venous vessels.
In the early stages of varicose veins, the blood flow can still be balanced by conservative means - wearing compression underwear, doing gymnastics and using venotonics. However, as the disease progresses, changes in the structure of the veins become irreversible and can only be removed surgically.
The symptoms of varicose veins can significantly disrupt the normal rhythm of life.
The following manifestations can be the first signs of varicose veins of the legs:
- feeling of heaviness in the legs;
- the appearance of telangiectasias - spider veins and meshes of different colors (bluish, red, black);
- feeling of fullness during a long stay in a motionless position (sitting, standing);
- cramps at night;
- Relief of symptoms after walking or resting in a horizontal position.
Often the first manifestations of this common disease are attributed to fatigue, and a visit to the doctor can be postponed until the serious consequences of the disease appear. As the vein walls expand, the symptoms become more pronounced, and then new manifestations are added to the above.
Symptoms
An enlargement of varicose veins in later stages manifests itself in the following symptoms:
- rapid leg fatigue;
- pain;
- feel full of liquid;
- swelling of the soft tissues after exercise;
- translucency and protrusion of large veins over the skin;
- itchy skin;
- bruising from rupture of large vessels;
- peeling the skin;
- hair loss;
- trophic ulcers.
Against the background of varicose veins in women in the lumen of the veins, blood clots can form - thrombi. As they migrate through the bloodstream, consequences of varying severity develop: thrombosis, flembothrombosis, development of cardiovascular diseases, opening and suppuration of ulcers, penetration of blood clots into the vessels of the heart or lungs.
Diagnosis and treatment
To confirm the diagnosis, a woman should see a vascular surgeon and undergo an examination. The diagnostic plan includes an examination with instrumental studies:
- Doppler ultrasound of the leg vessels;
- duplex angioscanning;
- rheovasography;
- X-ray and radionuclide methods.
The tactics for treating varicose veins of the legs is determined by the stage of the disease. Conservative means can be used at an early stage:
- wears compression stockings or is connected with elastic bandages;
- adequate physical activity;
- wears comfortable shoes;
- physical therapy exercises;
- Elimination of the static load on the legs;
- Use of venotonics.
The duration of conservative therapy is individual and depends on the rate of progression of the disease and compliance with the recommendations of the doctor. It can be supplemented with a special diet, which implies the introduction of foods into the diet that will help strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
The likelihood that varicose veins will recede under the onslaught of conservative treatments is determined by each clinical case. In many ways, the success of a therapy depends on the timeliness of a doctor's visit.
These therapy methods are also recommended in the preparation phase for surgical treatment or for patients who are contraindicated for invasive intervention.
Sometimes preventing varicose veins from progressing can be to perform minimally invasive procedures. They apply only to strict indications, which are established during the examination of the patient.
Treatment of advanced varicose veins usually involves performing a surgical operation - minimally invasive or classic.
If possible, a woman is recommended to undergo radical treatment of the varicose veins of the legs:
- compression sclerotherapy;
- laser coagulation;
- photocoagulation;
- high frequency coagulation.
If the effect of these minimally invasive techniques is insufficient, classic operations are carried out for a more radical surgical treatment:
- miniflebectomy;
- phlebectomy;
- Trendelenburg method (with complications from thrombosis and infection).
Sometimes classic surgical techniques are supplemented by minimally invasive ones. This combination makes it possible to reduce the trauma of operations and shorten the time of postoperative rehabilitation.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities can be treated successfully, especially in the early stages. Therefore, the first signs of this disease should always be a reason to visit a vascular surgeon. Varicose veins can appear at different ages, and observations show that women are more likely to suffer from the disease. The signs of varicose veins on the legs are the same in women as in men.