Symptoms of varicose veins of the legs are common in women - this pathology is found in almost every third woman. This disease, which is accompanied by enlargement of the lumen and thinning of the walls of venous vessels, not only leads to the appearance of cosmetic defects, but also is accompanied by pain and malnutrition in the tissues of the lower extremities. As a result, if left untreated, a woman may develop trophic ulcers in her legs, which can lead to more serious complications. Therefore, the start of treatment for varicose veins should always be timely.
In women, the symptoms of varicose veins in the legs are not always noticeable in the early stages - sometimes the disease lasts a long time.
Causes and early symptoms
Varicose veins in the legs are affected by the following factors:
- overweight;
- heredity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- stay in a static position for a long time;
- pregnancy;
- birth;
- taking high-dose contraceptives;
- increased abdominal pressure with frequent or prolonged coughing, sneezing, or constipation;
- excessive load during physical training or stress;
- foot injuries;
- pelvic pathology;
- Excessive use of tanning or thermal treatments;
- wear uncomfortable shoes;
- habit of sitting on one's feet;
- alcohol abuse;
- old age.
Due to increased pressure in the venous vessels and blood stasis, the arteries dilate, the walls dilate as the walls of the arteries change tone and the valves stop functioning normally, changing the direction and speed of blood flow inside. As a result, changes in blood vessels lead to the development of a closed circle in hemodynamics and other functions of venous vessels.
In the early stages of varicose veins, blood flow can still be compensated by conservative means - wearing compression underwear, gymnastics and the use of venotonics. However, as the disease progresses, changes in the structure of the blood vessels become irreversible and can only be removed surgically.
Symptoms of varicose veins can significantly disrupt the normal rhythm of life.
The following symptoms may be the first signs of varicose veins in the legs:
- weight on legs;
- appearance of telangiectasia - spider veins and whites of different colors (blue, red, black);
- feeling full when sitting still for a long time (sitting, standing);
- nocturnal seizures;
- Relieve symptoms after walking or resting in a horizontal position.
Often, the first manifestations of this common disease are associated with fatigue, and a visit to the doctor may be delayed until the serious consequences of the disease appear. As the dilation of the venous walls progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced, and then new ones are added to the above manifestations.
symptoms
In the later stages, varicose veins show the following symptoms:
- rapid fatigue in the legs;
- pain;
- feeling full of fluid;
- swelling of soft tissues after tension;
- transparency and the appearance of large veins on the skin;
- itchy skin;
- bruising due to rupture of large vessels;
- peeling of the skin;
- hair loss;
- trophic ulcers.
Against the background of varicose veins in women may form blood clots - thrombi in the lumen of blood vessels. When migrating through the bloodstream, the consequences of various severity develop: thrombosis, phlebothrombosis, the development of cardiovascular disease, the opening and washing of ulcers, the entry of blood clots into the heart or pulmonary arteries.
Diagnosis and treatment
To confirm the diagnosis, a woman should contact a vascular surgeon and be examined. The diagnostic plan includes examination with instrumental tests:
- Doppler ultrasound examination of the leg vessels;
- duplex angioscan;
- rheovasography;
- X-ray and radionuclide methods.
The tactics of treatment of varicose veins of the legs are determined by the stage of the disease. Conservative tools can be used early:
- wear compression stockings or wrap with an elastic bandage;
- enough physical activity;
- wear comfortable shoes;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- elimination of static load on the legs;
- Application of venotonics.
The duration of conservative therapy is individual and depends on the rate of disease progression and compliance with the doctor's recommendations. It can be supplemented with a special diet that includes foods that help strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
The likelihood of varicose veins retreating under the attack of conservative treatments is determined by each clinical case. In many ways, the success of therapy depends on the timely arrival of a doctor.
In addition, these treatments are recommended for patients in preparation for surgery or contraindicated for invasive intervention.
Sometimes the prevention of varicose veins can be achieved by minimally invasive interventions. These apply only to strict instructions prescribed during the examination of the patient.
Advanced treatment of varicose veins generally involves minimally invasive or classic surgery.
If possible, a woman is recommended radical treatment of varicose veins of the legs:
- compression sclerotherapy;
- laser coagulation;
- photocoagulation;
- radio frequency coagulation.
If the effect of these minimally invasive methods is not enough, classical operations are performed for more radical surgical treatment:
- miniflebectomy;
- phlebectomy;
- Trendelenburg method (with complications of thrombosis and infection).
Sometimes classical surgical methods are completed with the use of minimally invasive ones. This combination can reduce surgical trauma and shorten postoperative recovery time.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities can be successfully treated, 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 occur at different ages, and observations show that women suffer more from this disease. The symptoms of varicose veins in the legs in women are the same as in men.