Signs of varicose veins on the legs in women are often found - this pathology is detected in almost every third woman. This disease, accompanied by dilation of the lumen and thinning of the walls of the venous vessels, leads not only to the appearance of cosmetic defects, but is also accompanied by pain and malnutrition of the tissues of the lower extremities. As a result, if the woman is not treated, trophic ulcers can develop on her legs, which leads to even more serious complications. Therefore, the start of treatment for varicose veins should always be timely.
Signs of varicose veins in the legs in women are not always noticeable in the initial stages - sometimes the disease lasts a long time.
Causes and early signs
Varicose veins affect the veins in the legs under the influence of the following factors:
- overweight;
- heredity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- long stay in static position;
- pregnancy;
- childbirth;
- taking high doses of contraceptives;
- increased abdominal pressure with frequent or prolonged coughing, sneezing or constipation;
- overload during physical training or exertion;
- leg injuries;
- pelvic pathology;
- excessive use of tanning beds or thermal treatments;
- wear uncomfortable shoes;
- the habit of sitting cross-legged;
- alcohol abuse;
- age.
Due to the increase in pressure in the venous vessels and blood stagnation, the vessels dissolve, the blood flow in them changes the direction and speed of the flow, because the walls of the vessels change tone and the valves stop functioning normally. As a result, changes in the veins lead to the development of a vicious circle in hemodynamics and other functions of the venous vessels.
In the initial stages of varicose veins, blood flow can still be compensated by conservative means - wearing compression underwear, gymnastics and the use of venotonics. However, as the disease progresses, changes in the structure of the veins become irreversible and can only be removed surgically.
Symptoms of varicose veins can significantly disrupt the normal rhythm of life.
The following manifestations may become the first signs of varicose veins of the legs:
- weight in legs;
- occurrence of telangiectasia - spider veins and webs of different colors (bluish, red, black);
- feeling full during a long stay in a stationary position (sitting, standing);
- convulsions at night;
- relief of symptoms after walking or resting in a horizontal position.
Often the first manifestations of this common disease are attributed to fatigue, and a visit to the doctor can be delayed until the serious consequences of the disease appear. As the expansion of the venous walls progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced, and then new ones are added to the above manifestations.
Symptoms
Expansion of varicose veins in later stages is manifested by the following symptoms:
- rapid fatigue in the legs;
- bol;
- feeling of full fluid;
- soft tissue swelling after exertion;
- transparency and bulging of large veins above the skin;
- itchy skin;
- bruising due to rupture of large vessels;
- peeling of the skin;
- hair loss;
- trophic ulcers.
Against the background of varicose veins in women in the lumen of the veins can form blood clots - thrombi. When they migrate through the bloodstream, consequences of different severity develop: thrombosis, phlebothrombosis, development of cardiovascular diseases, opening and suppuration of ulcers, entry of blood clots into the vessels of the heart or lungs.
Diagnosis and treatment
To confirm the diagnosis, the woman should contact a vascular surgeon and undergo an examination. The diagnostic plan includes an examination with instrumental studies:
- Doppler ultrasound of leg veins;
- duplex angioscanning;
- rheovasography; X-ray and radionuclide methods.
The tactics of treating varicose veins in the legs are determined at the stage of the disease. Conservative means can be used early:
- wearing compression stockings or bandage with elastic bandages;
- sufficient physical activity;
- wear comfortable shoes;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- removal of static load on legs;
- application of venotonics.
The duration of conservative therapy is individual and depends on the speed of disease progression and compliance with the doctor's recommendations. It can be supplemented with a special diet, which involves the introduction of food that helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
The likelihood that varicose veins will recede under the onslaught of conservative treatment is determined in each clinical case. The success of therapy in many ways depends on the timeliness of the visit to the doctor.
Also, these therapies are recommended in the preparation phase for surgical treatment or for those patients who are contraindicated for invasive intervention.
Sometimes prevention of varicose vein progression may consist of performing minimally invasive interventions. They are applicable only for strict indications that are determined during the patient's examination.
Treatment of varicose veins at an advanced stage usually involves performing surgery - minimally invasive or classic.
If possible, a woman is recommended radical treatment of varicose veins of the legs:
- compression sclerotherapy;
- laser coagulation;
- photocoagulation;
- radio frequency coagulation.
If the impact of these minimally invasive techniques is not sufficient, then classic surgeries are performed for more radical surgical treatment:
- miniphlebectomy;
- phlebectomy;
- Trendelenburg method (with complications of thrombosis and infection).
Sometimes classic surgical techniques are supplemented by the use of minimally invasive ones. This combination can reduce the trauma of the operation and shorten the period of postoperative rehabilitation.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities can be successfully treated, especially in the early stages. That is why the first signs of this disease should always become a reason to visit a vascular surgeon. Varicose veins can occur at different ages, and observations show that women are more likely to suffer from this disease. The signs of varicose veins on the legs in women are the same as in men.