Vascular diseases have a variety of symptoms and cannot always be understood by a person without a medical degree. Each chronic disease has its own clinical picture and requires some treatment. There is a classification according to the nature of the course of the disease, therefore a distinction is made between pathologies that occur in mild and severe form.
What is reticular varicose veins? What diseases do you refer to? What if they were diagnosed with this? Dangerous? How and how to treat reticular varicose veins in the lower extremities? In our article you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions. Not only do we help you understand cardiovascular disease, but we also tell you the causes and symptoms of the disease and the main methods of treatment.
Reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities: what is it?
The dilation of thin veins located subcutaneously with a diameter of several millimeters is called reticular veins or reticular varicose veins. In other words, this type of pathology manifests itself in an increase in the venous pattern. Often, the smaller blood vessels in the upper papillary layer of the dermis are touched simultaneously and telangiectasia is formed - vascular "networks" or "stars. "The patient develops linear, star-like, networked, or branched "patterns" of intertwined veins and filamentous saphenous veins. They are blue, green, ruby or purple.
Most commonly, reticular varicose veins are located in the lower extremities, which affect the veins in the lateral surface of the thighs and upper legs. In the initial stages of varicose veins, varicose veins in both lower extremities are extremely common. It is worth noting that the area of localization of the altered blood vessels is not only the area of the legs and feet, but also the other parts of the face, abdomen and body. The owners of the pronounced venous pattern on the skin of the legs are usually women, sometimes men.
How severe is this diagnosis? Due to the involvement of thin intradermal veins, the nature of the disease is mild, with an initial degree of venous insufficiency. It is generally accepted that the only discomfort is the aesthetic appearance of a patient diagnosed with reticular veins in the lower extremities. But not all experts insist on this opinion.
Expert opinion
Although reticular varicose veins are predominantly mild, it is primarily a disease of the superficial veins that is considered to be one of the first manifestations of venous insufficiency. If you do not pay attention to the varicose vein for a long time, it is possible that the syndrome will increase and the situation will continue to worsen, until varicose and trophic ulcers develop at the site of the vascular "network".
Reticular varicose veins of the legs: causes
In the vast majority of cases, vascular diseases are caused by a combination of factors that cause the pathological process, and are therefore considered multifactorial. But still, the main reason for the appearance of reticular veins in the study of the pathogenesis of vascular diseases is the inherited predisposition. In individuals with unfavorable combinations of hereditary factors, a certain structure of the venous wall is already defined, which predisposes to the appearance of varicose veins. However, congenital weakness of the vessel walls resulting from intrauterine exposure to pathogenic factors affecting the fetus.
In addition to the above predefined structural features of venous channels, the development of varicose veins is facilitated by:
presence of bad habits - alcohol and smoking;
unbalanced diet, passion for diets (including vegetarians);
hormonal imbalance and hormone therapy;
pregnancy, abortion, childbirth, menopause;
overweight;
inactive lifestyle;
arterial hypertension;
severe liver damage;
allergic reactions;
professional activity related to static leg loads ("sitting" / "standing" work);
wearing uncomfortable clothing and shoes (clamping elements, shaping underwear, tight shoe racks, etc. ).
Unfortunately, the prerequisites for the formation of reticular varicose veins are not limited to this list. Clients of beauty salons visiting shugaring, chemical peels and tanning beds are also at risk; and those who train to strengthen the gym on their feet, as well as those who choose high-impact sports (jumping, biting, etc. ).
Signs and symptoms of reticular varicose veins
What is the clinical picture of reticular varicose veins? One of the earliest and often only signs of varicose veins in the early stages is a reddish-cyanotic color with a clearly visible subcutaneous venous pattern. The mesh of the thinnest blood vessels appears mainly on the inner and posterior surfaces of the thighs and ankles. In extremely rare cases, when pressed, pain may occur.
Reticular varicose veins are characterized by edema, tension, heaviness, itching, intradermal bleeding, spontaneous fever in the legs, and involuntary spasm of the calf muscles.
Ignoring the primary symptoms of the disease leads to disease progression and complications. Keep in mind that they will never be visible with completely healthy blood vessels. Therefore, even if the emerging cobweb of the finest webs doesn’t cause you any inconvenience, it’s probably only temporary. Any disease is always easier to eradicate and preferably without consequences if treated in time.
Reticular varicose veins in the legs: treatment
In this part of our article, we discuss in detail the treatment of reticular varicose veins. We answer the most important questions - what should be the sequence of actions if you find signs of varicose veins, which doctor is treating you, and many others.
The first step toward recovery, if you notice one or more symptoms caused by a reticular varicose vein, should be a medical visit. In this case, you can contact a therapist who will refer you to a vascular surgeon, angiologist, or phlebologist, or you can go directly to doctors who have a narrow background in venous pathology. Either of them first asks the patient and examines the foot, leg, and thighs. This is followed by a preliminary diagnosis and a study design to establish a definitive clinical diagnosis. The patient's test plan includes the necessary diagnostics - laboratory and instrumental. For maximum information on the condition of the deep veins, the severity of superficial lesions, and the consistency of the perforating veins, the patient is assigned an ultrasound examination. Based on the results of the test, the doctor will re-evaluate the signs of the disease, select the optimal treatment, and make recommendations.
How are reticular veins treated? They are treated like any other vascular disease in two ways: conservative and operative. Each method contains one method.
Conservative treatment of varicose veins includes specialist recommendations regarding lifestyle and nutrition. Unfortunately, despite the obvious benefits of the principles of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, we do not attach sufficient importance to these concepts. All the systems and organs of the human body will never function normally without proper habits and moderate physical exertion, good rest, a proper daily system and nutrition.
Proper nutrition helps to improve health and prevent all diseases.
For patients with varicose veins:
it is not advisable to eat smoked, spicy, fried foods and to reduce the consumption of salt and sweets;
it is not advisable to take significant breaks between meals and go hungry;
large amounts of berries, fruits, vegetables and herbs should be kept stable in the diet;
Breakfast cereals of whole wheat, rye, oats and barley can be helpful.
it is better to prefer fresh juices than carbonated drinks.
It’s hard to rebuild your normal behavior according to the basics of a healthy lifestyle and start eating only at the beginning. By making an effort and following the doctor’s recommendations, the patient makes a significant contribution to improving their own quality of life.
Reticular varicose veins provide home water treatment. A contrast shower for the foot stimulates blood circulation, optimizes the function of the venous key system and increases the tone of the venous wall.
Expert opinion
Medication is needed to eliminate the symptoms caused by reticular varicose veins. The effect on the veins is done in a complex way: internally - with tablets and capsules, and externally - by applying an ointment, gel or cream. Medications are also used to prevent the progression of the disease and the risk of complications.
To this end, doctors prescribe formulations of the venotonic group based on synthetic and natural plant components. These funds have a wide range of therapeutic effects and have a systemic effect:
helps to improve blood circulation;
eliminates pain syndrome and heavy feeling in the legs;
has a positive effect on strengthening the vessel wall and capillaries;
prevents the development of bloating;
stopping the inflammatory process;
helps get rid of hematomas, etc.
The dosage and methods of administration of the drugs are prescribed by the attending physician, taking into account the signs of varicose veins and the dynamics of their development.
Particular attention should be paid to the development of vascular pathologies such as pregnancy, and in particular to the precise treatment of reticular varicose veins during this period. When carrying the fetus, all treatment methods should be as safe as possible.
To reduce reticular varicose veins, including pregnancy, experts recommend compression underwear.
These can be knee-length pants, stockings or elastic bandages. The compression class directly affects the type of bedding - it can be prophylactic (0-1 degrees) and therapeutic (2-3 degrees).
In cases where reticular varicose veins need to be removed immediately or the disease is progressing rapidly, miniflebectomy, laser treatment (photocoagulation), telangiectasia microsclerotherapy, and reticular vein sclerotherapy are used. The physician will determine which method is most appropriate for the treatment of reticular varicose veins.
Reticular varicose veins: gymnastics
In order to normalize lymph outflow, venous blood outflow, peripheral blood circulation, and increase venous tone, experts recommend systematic exercise.
The series of exercises is not difficult and varied. For each patient, the practitioner of the practical therapy room prepares a program of 3-5 movements that should be performed at least twice a day, 10-15 times per approach. The exercises are appropriate to the patient's physical abilities, age, and other characteristics.
The most popular exercises are "birch", "bike", "scissors", rolling from heel to toe, walking locally and others.
The practitioner will tell you how to perform this or that movement correctly and tell you what to avoid when choosing your exercises on your own.
Reticular varicose veins: treatment with folk remedies
Some patients with reticular varicose veins in the lower extremities are interested in the question of whether it can be treated with folk remedies. The use of alternative medicine methods as part of complex therapy is not ruled out.
Folk recipes for internal and external use can relieve symptoms. Based on many years of experience, its products based on garlic, birch buds, horse chestnut, verbena, nutmeg, clove and natural apple cider vinegar are considered extremely effective.
Most popular prescriptions usually have no particular contraindications, but it’s always worth remembering that self-medication can cause irreparable damage. Therefore, in the treatment of varicose veins, the use of any prescription for alternative medicine, even the most harmless at first glance, should always be discussed with your doctor.
Consult a specialist for an accurate diagnosis.