Varicose veins.
Normally, with these words, people imagine thick, twisted vessels that entangle their legs. But this is just the most famous sign of pathology. There are others.
Sometimes varicose veins only cause cosmetic discomfort, but some of the symptoms of varicose veins directly affect 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 normal walk becomes painful.
Therefore, a little later we will talk about pain with varicose veins. About the reasons and ways to handle it.
But first, let's talk about the disease itself: about the mechanism of development, risk factors, and complications.
Thus, blood passes through the heart's arteries to organs and tissues, where it supplies oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow returns through the veins.
It is especially difficult for blood to flow through the venous system in the legs, because here it must almost always rise from the feet upwards.
It gets in the way of gravity.
Some of the blood flows down and accumulates in the vessels. As a result, the veins expand and their walls stretch too much. Overcrowded vessels are visible on the skin.
In healthy people, the drainage of blood is prevented by a protective mechanism - the venous valves. This is the name of vessel membranes. They trap the flowing blood and return it to the bloodstream. However, for many people, this system doesn't work well.
For a variety of reasons, valves are sometimes weakened or damaged, which increases the likelihood of overflowing veins. This is how varicose vessels appear.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- genetic predisposition. . . Scientists have yet to figure out why some people are born with weakened venous valves. But this fact is confirmed. If both parents suffer from swollen blood vessels, then with a 90% chance your child will inherit this condition.
- old age. . . The body gradually disappears. The eyes see worse, the skin dries out. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more fragile and weak. Therefore, people over 60 years of age often develop varicose veins - worn valves simply cannot support the load of flowing blood.
- Overweight. . . The amount of blood in humans is not the same. First, it is influenced by body weight - the greater the mass, the greater the volume of blood in the body. Unfortunately, weight gain does not strengthen the valves. They are forced to withstand the overpressure of a large volume of blood, which increases the likelihood of overflowing through the veins.
- Pregnancy. . . Pregnant women's bodies are subject to great stress. For many reasons. The pressure in the valves increases due to the increased amount of blood, hormonal imbalance and effect on the great vessels. We've already talked about the influence of blood. Changes in hormone levels impair the elasticity of the venous walls, which makes them easy to stretch, but slowly return to their original state. The baby grows close to large veins. Sometimes the fetus pinches them. In these cases, the lumen of the vessels decreases and the body increases pressure in the veins to push the blood upward. Therefore, the load on the valves increases.
- Prolonged immobility while sitting or standing. . . When walking, the muscles in the legs help the blood vessels to pump blood to the heart. They contract and contract the veins. As a result, blood is pushed up. In immobile legs, the muscle pump does not work, which is why the entire load falls on the veins and 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
- Spider or tree-shaped mesh of dilated veins
- burning and itching
- Convulsions
- Edema
- Pain when walking after long immobility
- skin discoloration
- thick twisted vases
Varicose veins develop slowly.
Doctors even distinguish stage zero in it, during which the external signs have not yet appeared, but the problem with the venous valves has already arisen.
Typically, patients suffer from the heaviness in the legs first and then others are added to this problem. The strength of the symptoms also changes. In the early stages, signs of pathology intensify at night and disappear in the morning. With advanced disease, they last all day.
But persistent irritating symptoms are not the main danger in the late stages of varicose veins.
Patients may have complications:
- Bleeding. . . Rupture of swollen subcutaneous vessels. In rare cases, the fragile walls of diseased veins cannot withstand the pressure and a bleeding wound occurs. This damage is difficult to repair. Therefore, urgent medical attention is needed.
- Thrombosis and embolism. . . Due to poor blood circulation, blood clots, dense 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 can then become trapped in the vessels of the lungs. This phenomenon is called embolism. Breathing sometimes stops during this.
- Trophic Ulcers. . . Due to the lack of oxygen, the tissues near the diseased veins gradually die and non-healing wounds appear in their place. It is very difficult to heal ulcers. They are at high risk of relapse.
Fortunately, complications from varicose veins occur only in a few patients - trophic ulcers in 6%, and bleeding and embolism are even less common.
As you can see, without treatment, the pathology sometimes causes great inconvenience. And it can even destroy a person.
Therefore, for any of your symptoms, it is recommended to consult a phlebologist. Even when the veins hurt. In order to respond in a timely manner to this threat, it is advisable 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 experience severe pain. Only with sudden movements. For example, when, after a long immobility, they get up.
But constant, sharp pain plagues patients, usually in the more advanced stages of the pathology. Simply because at this point all the symptoms of the illness intensify and don't even go away at night.
What makes your leg veins ache?
Mainly due to lack of oxygen. Dilated vessels do not supply the surrounding tissues well, which can cause unpleasant sensations.
Another cause of pain is trophic ulcers. These non-healing wounds are painful to the touch, which means that even light contact with clothing can cause great discomfort.
Leg pain with varicose veins can be a sign of thrombophlebitis. This is the name of a condition in which blood clots form in inflamed veins.
Sum up.
If mild pain in dilated vessels is a standard symptom, it rarely intensifies. In the later stages of the pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when the swollen veins are very painful, this indicates the rapid development of the disease. In such a situation, you should see a doctor right away. Although many people put off seeing a vascular specialist and try to get rid of symptoms on their own.
How to eliminate severe pain in veins with varicose veins?
Heaviness in the legs, mild swelling, and other mild symptoms of pathology can be alleviated by simple methods - a contrast bath, some types of massage. However, with developed varicose veins, this will not help.
Also, if the veins in the legs are very painful, a lengthy visit to a phlebologist will only worsen the condition of the vessels. There is no point in enduring such torment.
Timely treatment of varicose veins will eliminate irritating symptoms and prevent complications. So choose a trusted clinic and make an appointment with a doctor. An exam will help your veins with over hundreds of popular recipes.
What treatment is prescribed if you are concerned about severe pain with varicose veins?
First, the doctor will check the blood vessels. He will do an ultrasound examination of the veins and find the cause of the pain. Only then will the doctor choose a therapy option.
For example, a certain procedure may be effective against varicose veins, but it does not deal well with complications.
When leg veins ache, an accurate diagnosis is extremely important for proper treatment. Without it, the cause of the symptom cannot be eliminated.
But after diagnosis, phlebologists often offer patients several therapy options at the same time to choose from:
- Miniphlebectomy
- Endovasal laser coagulation
- Foam Sclerotherapy
These methods are less traumatic - that is, they do not damage the skin and leave no scars.
Now let's 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's better sooner, because in this case you'll get rid of the swollen veins before dangerous complications arise.
In addition, if the veins in the legs hurt a lot, this condition is not typical of varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is to blame for the discomfort. The doctor will help identify you.
Which clinic should I go to?
Now, ultrasound diagnosis of blood vessels is performed in many medical centers. But it is better to choose a clinic with experienced doctors.