The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-medication. In the event of pain or other worsening of the disease, diagnostic tests should only be prescribed by your doctor. Consult a specialist for correct diagnosis and treatment.
Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular diseases. It affects about 25% of women and 10% of men worldwide. This disease is a pathological process in which the veins swell and protrude. This is due to poor vascular permeability. As a result, blood accumulates and stretches their villages. They will be too thin, manifested in a bluish mesh on the skin. The main cause of the disease is considered to be hormonal changes. The menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause are all reasons why women are more prone to this disease and are more interested in treatment than men.
Signs of varicose veins in women
Patients often ignore the initial stage of the disease. Symptoms associated with the disease include general illness, uncomfortable shoes, bad weather, drop in atmospheric pressure, and so on. attributed. Such tactics are wrong. It is very important that you notice the main signs of varicose veins at an early stage. In this case, it will be easier and faster to handle. The most common symptoms of the disease are:
- Swelling of the foot. It is worth noting that the limbs are cast simultaneously and separately.
- Vascular mesh on the skin of the legs.
- Itching and burning sensation in calves.
- Increased pigmentation of the skin of the legs.
- The blood vessels on the lower extremities become well visible even to the naked eye.
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs, worse in the evening.
- Cramps in the lower extremities.
In addition to the above characteristic manifestations, the veins of the legs acquire increased sensitivity. A woman experiences painful feelings when she feels them. Bruises and wounds on the legs do not heal for a long time. Injuries occur from the slightest blow. The limbs are eventually covered with wounds. All of these symptoms worsen after prolonged standing or exercise. If you find at least one or more of these manifestations at one time, contact a qualified professional immediately.
Causes of the disease
The disease usually occurs in the background of individual characteristics of the body, which depend on the patient's lifestyle and genetic predisposition. Excessive weakness of the venous valve is the main congenital cause of the disease. However, the factors that cause the disease are known in medicine. The most common are:
- systematic standing position;
- sedentary work;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- overweight;
- excessive physical activity;
- uncomfortable shoes;
- bad habits.
In addition, women are prone to this disease due to pregnancy. Varicose veins of the lower extremities can occur both immediately during and after childbirth.
Very often, the pathology of the cardiovascular system is a provocative factor. They are accompanied by problems with blood flow through the veins. This leads to chronic valve failure. Against the background of these processes, the blood in the veins stagnates. It overloads them and promotes stretching. Lumps and seals are formed. Over time, deformation of the vessel walls occurs. As a result of these processes, the trophism of the legs is disturbed. Complications appear on calves in the form of long-lasting, non-healing wounds.
Which doctor should I go to?
The disease is not only an aesthetic problem but also causes significant discomfort and can lead to dangerous consequences. Therefore, for the first uncharacteristic changes in well-being, a woman must go to a medical institution. Initially, you should visit a therapist. This is the doctor who will listen to the patient’s complaints and advise you to contact a close specialist. The diagnosis and treatment of this pathology is performed by:
- Phlebologist
- Vascular surgeon
Before telling you how to treat varicose veins in women, your doctor should familiarize yourself with the clinical manifestations. To do this, you conduct a survey by asking the patient:
- Since when did you start worrying about discomfort?
- How much time do you spend on your feet?
- Is swelling of the lower extremities disturbed?
- What is your professional activity related to?
- What chronic diseases do you have in history?
- Is there a genetic predisposition to the disease?
- Do you use hormonal drugs?
After the interview, the doctor will examine and feel the affected limbs. It also designates to perform instrumental and laboratory tests. Their results allow the most accurate diagnosis to be made.
Conservative treatment of leg varicose veins in women
As soon as the doctor receives the test data, he or she will begin to develop therapeutic procedures focused on eliminating the disease. The method of treatment is selected on a case-by-case basis. In the initial stage, practitioners use conservative therapies. This type of treatment involves the use of medicines belonging to the following groups:
- Flebotonikov. They relieve cramps.
- Analgesics. These medications relieve pain.
- Drugs that reduce the risk of thrombosis.
In addition, many experts recommend that women wear compression underwear. The stockings are selected by the doctor. It also tells you how to use them correctly. During treatment, you must refuse access to the saunas and hot tubs. The high temperature widens the wonw and reduces its sound. Doctors recommend visiting the pool 2-3 times a week.
Diet also plays an important role in eliminating the disease. A woman with varicose veins should refuse:
- Flour;
- coffee and tea;
- sweet;
- greasy and fried.
The diet should be enriched with freshly squeezed juices. These can be citrus, blueberry and apricot nectars. If your doctor finds that you have a high risk of thrombosis, you should recommend the use of pumpkin juice. Fasting days also have a beneficial effect. They allow the body to get rid of toxins and excess weight. You must spend such days no more than three times a month. In some cases, doctors prescribe hirudotherapy. It also has a positive effect on the condition of the blood vessels in the lower extremities.
Operational treatment
If the disease is at an advanced stage, it cannot be without the intervention of a vascular surgeon. This specialist performs surgical treatment of the lower extremity varicose veins. The most popular and effective methods are:
- Coagulation. It can be laser or radio frequency. Today, this type of treatment is performed under local anesthesia and allows outpatient recovery.
- Phlebectomy. This type of treatment is aimed at excising the nodes and removing the deformed veins.
- Sclerotherapy. Provides accurate injection. In the most severe cases, the procedure is performed under the supervision of an ultrasonic machine.
Each of the above techniques is aimed at removing knots and seals. After surgery, it is important to do everything possible to avoid recurrence. Therefore, all appointments by the treating physician should be adhered to.