Varicose veins
Usually with these words people imagine thick and twisted glasses that get tangled in the legs. But this is only the most famous sign of pathology. There's 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 an ordinary walk becomes painful.
Therefore, a little later we will talk about pain with varicose veins. On the reasons and ways of dealing with it.
But first, let's talk about the disease itself: about the mechanism of development, risk factors and complications.
The blood then moves through the arteries from the heart to the organs and tissues, where it provides oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow returns through the veins.
It is especially difficult for blood to flow through the venous system of the legs, because here it must rise from the feet almost always upwards.
She gets in the way of gravity.
Some of the blood flows downward and collects in the vessels. As a result, the veins expand and their walls are overstretched. Overcrowded vessels are visible on the skin.
In healthy people, blood drainage is prevented by a protective mechanism: the venous valves. This is the name of the vessel membranes. They trap the flowing blood and return it to the bloodstream. However, for many people, this system does not work properly.
For various reasons, the valves are sometimes weakened or injured, increasing the likelihood that the veins will overflow. This is how varicose vessels appear.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- Genetic predisposition. . . Scientists have not yet discovered why some people are born with weakened venous valves. But this fact is confirmed. If both parents suffer from inflamed blood vessels, then, with a 90% probability, their child will inherit this pathology.
- Advanced age. . . The body gradually fades away. The eyes see worse, the skin becomes dry. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more brittle and weak. Therefore, people over the age of 60 often develop varicose veins - worn valves simply cannot withstand the load of blood flow.
- Overweight. . . The amount of blood in humans is not the same. First of all, 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 probability of overflowing the veins.
- The pregnancy. . . The bodies of pregnant women are subject to great stress. For many reasons. The pressure on the valves increases due to the increase in the amount of blood, the hormonal imbalance and the effect on the large vessels. We have already discussed the influence of blood. Changes in hormone levels deteriorate the elasticity of the vein walls, making them easy to stretch, but they slowly return to their original state. The baby grows together with large veins. Sometimes the fetus pinches them. In such cases, the lumen of the vessels decreases and the body increases pressure on the veins to push the blood upward. Therefore, the load on the valves increases.
- Prolonged immobility when sitting or standing. . . When you walk, your leg muscles help your blood vessels pump blood to your heart. Veins contract and contract. As a result, the blood is pushed upward. In immobile legs, the muscle pump does not work, so 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.
- Mesh of dilated veins in the shape of a spider or tree
- Burning and itching
- Seizures
- Edema
- Pain when walking after long immobility.
- Skin discoloration
- Twisted thick glasses
Varicose veins develop slowly.
Doctors even distinguish the zero stage in it, during which external signs have not yet appeared, but the problem with the venous valves has already arisen.
Usually patients first suffer from heaviness in the legs and then others are added to this problem. The strength of the symptoms also changes. In the early stages, the signs of pathology intensify at night and disappear in the morning. With advanced disease, they last all day.
But persistent bothersome symptoms are not the main danger in the later stages of varicose veins.
Patients may experience complications:
- Bleeding. . . Advancement of inflamed subcutaneous vessels. In rare cases, the fragile walls of diseased veins cannot withstand the pressure and a bleeding wound occurs. Such damage is difficult to repair. That is why urgent medical attention is required.
- 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 then they can get stuck in the vessels of the lungs. This phenomenon is called embolism. Breathing sometimes stops during it.
- Trophic ulcers. . . Due to the lack of oxygen, the tissues near the diseased veins gradually die and non-healing wounds appear in their place. Ulcers are very difficult to heal. They are at high risk of relapse.
Fortunately, complications of varicose veins occur only in some 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 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 With 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 stand up.
But intense and constant pain torments patients, usually in the later stages of the pathology. Simply because at this time all the symptoms of the disease intensify and do not disappear even at night.
What Causes Veins in Your Legs to Hurt?
Mainly due to the lack of oxygen. Dilated vessels do not irrigate neighboring tissues well, which can lead to 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 serious discomfort.
Leg pain with varicose veins can 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 the dilated vessels is a standard symptom, it rarely intensifies. In the last stages of the pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when swollen veins hurt a lot, it indicates the rapid development of the disease. In such a situation, you should immediately consult a doctor. Although many people put off going to a vascular specialist and try to get rid of the symptoms on their own.
How to eliminate severe pain in veins with varicose veins?
Heaviness in the legs, slight swelling and other mild symptoms of pathology can be relieved by simple methods: a contrast shower, some types of massage. However, with developed varicose veins, this will not help.
Also, if the veins in the legs are very sore, a late visit to a phlebologist will only worsen the condition of the vessels. There is no point in enduring such torment.
Prompt treatment of varicose veins will eliminate irritating symptoms and prevent complications. Therefore, choose a reliable clinic and make an appointment with a doctor. An exam will help your veins with more than 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 perform an ultrasound exam of the veins and find out 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 resolve complications well.
When leg veins 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 several therapy options at once to choose from:
- 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 let's summarize.
What to do if the veins in your legs hurt?
See your doctor immediately.
Yes, some remedies 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 the swollen veins before dangerous complications appear.
Also, if the veins in the legs hurt a lot, then that picture is not typical for varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is to blame for the discomfort. The doctor will help identify it.
What clinic should I go to?
Now, ultrasound diagnosis of blood vessels is carried out in many medical centers. But it is better to choose a clinic with experienced doctors.