Many people think that varicose veins on the legs are just an unwanted cosmetic manifestation. However, over time, it becomes clear that varicose veins are a serious disease associated with pathological venous deformity.
As a result, the tone of the venous walls weakens and the tissues do not receive the necessary blood supply due to the loss of good flow pressure. Knowing how dangerous varicose veins in the legs are in women, it is worth preventing the disease or starting treatment at the very beginning.
Characteristics of varicose vein development
The disease more often develops in the lower extremities. Moreover, women suffer more from varicose veins than men. Therefore, the fair sex should especially warn of the first signs and symptoms of the disease - the appearance of vascular "stars". Such signs cannot be ignored, but it is necessary to consult a doctor to prescribe conservative treatment.
Otherwise, it may appear in the future:
- feeling of heaviness, itching and pain in the legs,
- cramps and numbness at night and in the morning,
- peeling and blemishes on the skin,
- muscle pain during walking and palpation of superficial veins,
- venous nodules on legs, feet, ankles.
Important!With advanced stages of venous disease, radical methods will be needed to stop the development of varicose veins, all the way to surgery.
Why varicose veins appear more often in women
According to statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities are diagnosed in eighty-nine percent of the fair sex versus sixty-six percent in men. This is due to the natural structure of the female body and those main functions whose implementation is assigned to it. And this is the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the beginning of menopause, carrying and feeding a child, when hormonal changes take place in the body.
Other causes of varicose veins in women include:
- love for high heels in shoes,
- thyroid pathology - women are more common than men,
- type 2 diabetes mellitus, more commonly diagnosed in women,
- women's professions "on their feet" saleswomen, waitresses, teachers, teachers.
They are not insured against varicose veins and those women who use hormonal medications.
The risk of developing varicose veins is among fans of frequent sitting in a hot bath, staying in the bath / sauna.
It is worth paying special attention to the condition of the veins in the legs of those who are overweight, who can not imagine their lives without smoking, alcohol, excessive consumption of fatty, salty and spicy foods.
Important!In women, varicose veins are mostly formed during pregnancy and recovery after childbirth and progress to 2-3 at an accelerated rate. phase.
What complications can there be?
Understanding the danger of varicose veins on the legs and why it is better not to move it, but to cure it immediately, women who have found symptoms of varicose veins should visit a phlebologist. The specialist will discuss the consequences of the disease if left untreated and will prescribe therapy.
- The threat of varicose veins on a woman's legs leads to insufficient venous circulation. This has an unsatisfactory effect on the activity of the entire vascular system, which directly affects the favorable course of pregnancy.
- A common occurrence in pregnant women is the formation of hemorrhoids. Such varicose veins in the anus, which are hemorrhoids, frighten with bleeding and malignant modifications of varicose tissue.
- The disease develops faster in women than in men. As a result, the fairer sex has previously faced the consequences of varicose veins.
- If left untreated, varicose veins of the cervix and uterus can occur during pregnancy. This is manifested at the end of the 2nd trimester with pain in the lower back and lower abdomen. And if there is already a presumption about the presence of varicose veins, blood vessels should be examined before planning a pregnancy.
Most patients come to the doctor with complaints of pain and swelling in the legs. Such symptoms are characteristic of stage 2 varicose veins.
And here's what varicose veins in the legs lead to if you neglect the prevention and treatment of the disease:
- In the first stage, women are worried about the unaesthetic appearance of their legs and hide flaws under pants and long skirts.
- In stage 2, an inflammatory process develops that causes blood stagnation in the veins. This leads to the appearance of nodules and pain - quite rare and not too strong.
- In stage 3, swelling and heaviness in the legs appear, the skin on the ankles darkens. Inflammation of the skin, eczema, thrombophlebitis of subcutaneous vascular filaments, deep venous thrombosis are also possible. The danger from the latter is in the unpredictable separation of the blood clot, which once in the heart or pulmonary artery endangers a woman's life.
- In stage 4, varicose trophic ulcers develop, which together with bleeding and wounds give unbearable pain.
Important!To avoid complications with varicose veins, you should follow the treatment tactics developed by your doctor.
Treatment Methods
Treatment of a frightening disease must be carried out at any stage. Early examination and detection of the disease means faster and easier relief. Neglecting varicose veins will require persistent and long-term therapy (conservative or surgical), as well as spending money.
The professional awareness of phlebologists about the dangers of varicose veins provides opportunities to deal with it:
- medical methods using venotonic drugs in the form of tablets, gels,
- compression knitting technique, which are leggings, leggings, socks, leggings (at home they are replaced by elastic bandages,
- hardware procedures using home appliances.
In a duel with an enemy, you should include the following home options:
- contrast shower, whose flow is directed from the bottom up (it is necessary to start with warm water and end with cold),
- A special diet that restricts animal products,
- Rejection of high heels and wearing orthopedic shoes - especially indicated in the presence of flat feet.
Conclusion
Varicose veins of female legs should be controlled. And if you cannot avoid the disease, you must start treatment at the first signs in order to prevent the development of serious complications (trophic ulcer, acute thrombophlebitis, bleeding of varicose veins and others).