Varicose veins.
Usually with these words people imagine thick twisted bowls that entangle their legs. But this is only the most famous sign of pathology. There are others.
Sometimes varicose veins cause only cosmetic discomfort, but some of the symptoms of varicose veins directly affect the quality of life. For example, many have pain in the veins in their legs. Basically the sensations are mild, but in rare cases even a simple walk becomes painful.
Therefore, we will talk a little later about the pain in varicose veins. About the reasons and ways to deal with it.
But first, let's talk about the disease itself: the mechanism of development, risk factors and complications.
Thus, the blood moves through the arteries from the heart to the organs and tissues, where it provides oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow returns through the veins.
The flow of blood through the venous system of the legs is especially difficult, because here it must be lifted almost always straight from the feet.
Gravity bothers her.
Some of the blood flows down and accumulates in the veins. As a result, the veins dilate and the walls stretch too much. Overfilled vessels are visible on the skin.
In healthy people, blood drainage is prevented by a protective mechanism - venous valves. This is the name of the membrane in the vessels. They capture the liquid blood and return it to the bloodstream. However, for many people this system does not work.
For a variety of reasons, the valves sometimes become weakened or injured, which increases the likelihood of veins overflowing. This is how varicose veins appear.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- Genetic predisposition. . . Scientists have not yet understood why some people are born with weakened venous valves. But this fact has been confirmed. If both parents suffer from swollen blood vessels, then with 90% probability their child will inherit this pathology.
- Older age. . . The body gradually fades. The eyes see worse, the skin dries out. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more brittle and weaker. Therefore, people over the age of 60 often develop varicose veins - worn-out valves simply cannot withstand the load of flowing blood.
- Overweight. . . The amount of blood in humans is not the same. First of all, it is affected by body weight - the greater the mass, the greater the amount of blood in the body. Unfortunately, weight gain does not strengthen the valves. They are forced to withstand the overpressure of a huge amount of blood, which increases the probability of overflow of veins.
- Pregnancy. . . The bodies of expectant mothers are exposed to great stress. For many reasons. The pressure on the valves increases due to the increase in blood volume, hormonal imbalance and the impact on the large vessels. We have already talked about the influence of blood. Changes in hormone levels disrupt the elasticity of the venous walls, which is why they stretch easily, but slowly return to their original state. The baby grows next to large veins. Sometimes the fetus tightens them. In such cases, the lumen of the blood vessels shrinks and the body increases the pressure in the veins to push the blood upward. This increases the load on the valve.
- Longer immobility while sitting or standing. . . During walking, the leg muscles help the blood vessels to pump blood to the heart. They constrict and constrict the veins. As a result, blood is pushed upwards. In immobile legs, the muscle pump does not work, due to which the entire load falls on the veins and the valve system.
As you can see, some factors are related to natural processes, while others are related to lifestyle. But the results are the same.
Varicose veins cause many symptoms:
- Fatigue and heaviness in the legs
- A network of varicose veins resembling a spider or a tree
- Burning and itching
- Convulsions
- Edema
- Pain in walking after prolonged immobility
- Skin discoloration
- Twisted thick bowls
Varicose veins develop slowly.
Doctors even distinguish the zero phase during which no external signs have yet appeared, but the problem with the venous valves has already appeared.
Usually, patients first suffer from heaviness in the legs, and then others add to this problem. The severity of the symptoms also changes. In the early stages, the signs of pathology intensify by evening and disappear by morning. With advanced disease they last all day.
But persistent annoying symptoms are not the main danger in the last stages of varicose veins.
Patients may experience complications:
- Bleeding. . . Breakthrough of swollen subcutaneous veins. In rare cases, the fragile walls of the diseased veins do not withstand the pressure and a bleeding wound occurs. Such damage is difficult to repair. Therefore, urgent medical help is needed.
- Thrombosis and embolism. . . Due to poor blood circulation, blood clots, thick blood clots, often accumulate in dilated vessels. They close the lumen of the veins. Sometimes fragments of blood clots break off and enter the bloodstream and then can get stuck in the vessels of the lungs. This phenomenon is called embolism. Breathing sometimes stops during it.
- Trophic ulcers. . . Due to oxygen starvation, the tissues near the diseased veins gradually die off, and non-healing wounds appear in their place. It is very difficult to cure an ulcer. They are at high risk of recurrence.
Fortunately, complications of varicose veins occur only in some patients - trophic ulcers in 6%, and bleeding and embolism are even rarer.
As you can see, without treatment the pathology sometimes creates great inconvenience. And it can even destroy a person.
Therefore, consultation with a phlebologist is recommended for any of its symptoms. Including when the veins hurt. To respond to this threat in a timely manner, it is desirable to understand the reasons for the appearance of such a symptom.
What causes severe pain in varicose veins?
In most cases, people with varicose veins do not feel severe pain. Just sudden movements. For example, when they get to their feet after a long period of immobility.
But constant severe pain afflicts patients, usually in the later stages of the pathology. Simply because at that time all the symptoms of the disease intensify and do not disappear even at night.
What causes leg veins to hurt?
Mainly due to oxygen starvation. Dilated vessels do not supply adjacent tissues well, which can lead to uncomfortable feelings.
Another cause of pain is trophic ulcers. These incurable wounds are painful to touch, which means that even light contact with clothing will cause serious discomfort.
Leg pain with varicose veins may be a sign of thrombophlebitis. This is the name of the pathology in which blood clots form in inflamed veins.
Summarize.
If mild pain in varicose veins is a standard symptom, then it rarely intensifies. In the later stages of pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when swollen veins are very painful, it indicates the rapid development of the disease. In such a situation, consult a doctor immediately. Although many delay going to a vascular specialist and try to get rid of the symptoms on their own.
How to eliminate severe pain in the veins of varicose veins?
Weight in the legs, slight swelling and other mild symptoms of pathology can be alleviated by simple methods - contrast shower, some types of massage. However, with developed varicose veins, that will not help.
In addition, if the veins in the legs are very painful, delaying a visit to a phlebologist will only worsen the condition of the blood vessels. There is no point in suffering such torments.
Timely treatment of varicose veins will remove irritating symptoms and prevent complications. So choose a reliable clinic and make an appointment with a doctor. One examination will help you with veins with more than a hundred folk recipes.
What treatment is prescribed if you are worried about severe pain in varicose veins?
The doctor will check the blood vessels first. He will perform an ultrasound examination of the veins and discover the cause of the pain. Only then will the doctor choose the therapy option.
For example, a certain procedure may be effective against varicose veins, but it does not solve complications well.
When the veins in the legs hurt, an accurate diagnosis is extremely important for proper treatment. Without it, the cause of the symptoms cannot be eliminated.
But after diagnosis, phlebologists often offer patients several therapeutic options at once:
- Miniphlebectomy
- Endovasal laser coagulation
- Foam sclerotherapy
These methods are less traumatic - that is, they do not damage the skin and do not leave scars.
Now to summarize.
What to do if your leg veins hurt?
Go to your doctor right away.
Yes, some medications and methods can reduce pain, but this is only a temporary measure. Sooner or later the disease must be treated.
And it is better early, because in this case you will get rid of swollen veins before dangerous complications appear.
In addition, if the veins in the legs are very sore, then such a picture is not typical for varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is to blame for the discomfort. The doctor will help her identify her.
Which clinic should I go to?
Now, ultrasound diagnostics of blood vessels is performed in many medical centers. But it is best to choose a clinic with experienced doctors.