Varicose veins.
Usually, with these words, people imagine thick, twisted pots that intertwine their legs. But this is just the most famous sign of pathology. There are others.
Varicose veins sometimes only cause cosmetic discomfort, but some symptoms of varicose veins directly affect quality of life. For example, many people have pain in the veins of their legs. Basically, the feelings are mild, but in rare cases, even an ordinary walk will be painful.
Therefore, we will talk about varicose pain a little later. About the causes and methods of treatment.
But first let’s talk about the disease itself: the mechanism of development, risk factors, and complications.
So blood travels through the arteries from the heart to the organs and tissues where it provides oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow returns to the veins.
It is especially difficult for blood to flow through the venous system of the legs, because here it almost always has to rise straight from the legs.
It is in the way of gravity.
Some of the blood drains and accumulates in the blood vessels. As a result, the blood vessels dilate and the walls stretch too much. Overcrowded blood 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 the membranes of the vessels. They strike the flowing blood and return it to the bloodstream. For many people, however, this system is malfunctioning.
For various reasons, the valves are sometimes weakened or damaged, which increases the likelihood of venous overflow. This is how the varicose veins appear.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- Genetic predisposition. . . Scientists have not yet figured out why some are born with weakened venous valves. But this fact is confirmed. If both parents suffer from swollen blood vessels, their child is 90% likely to inherit this pathology.
- Old age. . . The body gradually fades. The eyes see worse, the skin dries out. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more fragile and weaker. This is why people over the age of 60 often develop varicose veins - worn valves simply cannot withstand the load of flowing blood.
- Overweight. . . The amount of human blood is not the same. First, it is affected by body weight - the greater the weight, the greater the volume of blood in the body. Unfortunately, the increase in weight does not strengthen the valves. They are forced to resist overpressure of huge amounts of blood, which increases the likelihood of venous overflow.
- Pregnancy. . . The body of expectant mothers is under great stress. For many reasons. The pressure on the valves increases due to the increase in blood volume, hormonal imbalance and the effect on large blood vessels. We have already talked about the effect of blood. Changes in hormone levels impair the elasticity of the venous walls, which makes it easier to stretch but slowly returns to their original state. The baby grows next to large blood vessels. Sometimes the fetus bites them. In such cases, the lumen of the blood vessels decreases and the body increases the pressure in the veins to push the blood upwards. Therefore, the load on the valves increases.
- Prolonged immobility while sitting or standing. . . While walking, the leg muscles help the blood vessels to pump blood into the heart. They constrict and constrict the blood vessels. As a result, the blood is pushed upwards. With immobile legs, the muscle pump does not work, so the full 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 difficulty in the legs
- Spider-like or tree-like web of dilated blood vessels
- Burning and itching
- Cramps
- Edema
- Pain after long immobility when walking
- Discoloration of the skin
- Twisted thick pots
The varicose veins develop slowly.
Doctors even distinguish it from the zero stage, during which external signs have not yet appeared, but the problem with venous valves has already arisen.
Usually, patients first suffer from leg difficulties and then add others to this problem. The severity of the symptoms also varies. In the early stages, the signs of pathology intensify in the evening and disappear in the morning. In case of advanced disease, they persist throughout the day.
But persistently annoying symptoms are not the main danger in the last stages of varicose veins.
Patients may experience complications:
- Bleeding. . . Breakthrough of swollen subcutaneous vessels. In rare cases, the fragile walls of diseased veins are unable to withstand the pressure and a bleeding wound develops. Such damage is difficult to repair. So urgent medical care is needed.
- Thrombosis and embolism. . . Due to poor blood circulation, blood clots and dense blood clots often accumulate in the dilated blood vessels. They close the lumen of the blood vessels. Sometimes fragments of a blood clot break off and get into the bloodstream and then get stuck in the blood vessels in the lungs. This phenomenon is called emotion. Breathing sometimes stops.
- Trophic ulcers. . . Due to oxygen starvation, the tissues near the diseased veins gradually die, and wounds that do not heal appear in place. It is very difficult to cure ulcers. There is a high risk of relapse.
Fortunately, varicose vein complications occur in only a few patients - trophic ulcers in 6%, bleeding and embolism are even less common.
As can be seen, without treatment, the pathology sometimes causes great discomfort. And it can even destroy one person.
Therefore, it is recommended to consult a phlebologist if you have any symptoms. Including when the veins hurt. In order to respond in a timely manner to this threat, it is advisable to understand the reasons for the onset of such symptoms.
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 they recover after a long period of stillness.
But constant severe pain torments patients, usually in the later stages of the pathology. Simply because by this time all the symptoms of the disease will intensify and will not go away even at night.
What causes pain in the veins in your legs?
Mainly due to oxygen starvation. Dilated blood vessels do not supply the adjacent tissues well, which can lead to discomfort.
Another cause of pain is trophic ulcers. These non-healing wounds are painful to the touch, which means that even light contact with the cloth causes severe discomfort.
Varicose leg pain may be a sign of thrombophlebitis. This is the name of a pathology in which blood clots form in inflamed veins.
Summarize.
If mild pain in dilated blood vessels is a common symptom, it is rarely exacerbated. In later stages of pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when swollen veins are very sore, this indicates rapid development of the disease. In such a situation, consult a doctor immediately. Although many people postpone seeing a vascular specialist and try to get rid of the symptoms on their own.
How to eliminate severe pain in varicose veins?
Leg difficulties, mild swelling and other mild symptoms of pathology can be alleviated by simple methods - contrast showers, certain types of massages. However, for advanced varicose veins, this does not help.
In addition, if the veins in the legs are very sore, a late visit by a phlebologist will only worsen the condition of the blood vessels. There is no point in enduring such torments.
Timely treatment of varicose veins eliminates irritating symptoms and prevents complications. Therefore, choose a reliable clinic and make an appointment with a doctor. A study with more than a hundred folk recipes helps your veins.
What treatment is prescribed if you are worried about severe pain in the varicose veins?
First, the doctor checks the blood vessels. He will perform an ultrasound scan of his veins and find out the cause of the pain. Only then does the doctor choose a therapeutic option.
For example, a certain procedure may be effective against varicose veins, but it does not do well with complications.
When the veins in the legs hurt, 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 multiple therapeutic options at once to choose from:
- Miniflebectomy
- Endovascular laser coagulation
- Foam sclerotherapy
These methods are less traumatic - meaning they do not damage the skin or leave scars.
Let's summarize now.
What to do if the veins in your leg hurt?
See your doctor immediately.
Yes, some treatments and methods can reduce pain, but this is only a temporary measure. Sooner or later the disease needs to be treated.
And better early, because in this case, you get rid of swollen veins before the dangerous complications appear.
In addition, if the veins in the legs hurt very badly, such an image is not typical of the varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is to blame for the inconvenience. Your doctor will help you identify it.
Which clinic should I go to?
Ultrasound diagnosis of blood vessels is now performed in many medical centers. But it is best to choose a clinic with experienced doctors.