Many people think that varicose veins in the legs are just an unwanted cosmetic manifestation. However, over time it becomes clear that varicose veins are a serious disease associated with pathological distortion of the venous vessels.
As a result, the tone of the venous walls weakens and the tissues do not receive the necessary blood supply due to the loss of good flow pressure. Knowing the danger of varicose veins on the legs in women, it is worth preventing the disease or starting its treatment at the very beginning.
Features of the development of varicose veins
The disease develops more often in the lower extremities. In addition, women suffer more from varicose veins than men. Therefore, the fair sex should especially be alerted to the first signs and symptoms of the disease - the vascular "asterisks" that have arisen. Such signs cannot be ignored, but it is imperative to consult a doctor to prescribe conservative treatment.
Otherwise, the following may appear in the future:
- feeling of heaviness, itching and pain in the legs,
- cramps and numbness at night and in the morning,
- peeling and spots on the skin,
- muscle pain when walking and when palpating the superficial veins,
- venous nodules on the legs, feet, ankles.
Important!With the advanced stages of venous disease, radical methods of stopping the development of varicose veins will be necessary, until surgery.
Why varicose veins in women appear more often
According to statistics, varicose veins of the lower extremities are diagnosed in eighty-nine percent of the fair sex compared to sixty-six percent in men. This is due to the natural structure of the female body and the main functions, the implementation of which is assigned to it. And this is the start of the menstrual cycle, the start of menopause, the carrying and feeding of a child, when hormonal changes in the body occur.
Other causes of female varicose veins include:
- love of high heels in shoes,
- pathology of the thyroid gland - women are more common than men,
- type 2 diabetes mellitus, more commonly diagnosed in women,
- Female “standing” trades vendors, waitresses, teachers, educators.
Not insured against varicose veins and women who use hormonal drugs.
The risk of developing varicose veins is among the frequent fans sitting in a hot tub, being in a bath / sauna.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the veins on the legs of those who are overweight, who cannot imagine their life without smoking, alcohol, immense consumption of fatty, salty and spicy foods.
Important!In women, varicose veins are formed mainly during pregnancy and postpartum recovery and progress at an accelerated rate until the 2-3rd stage.
What complications can there be?
Understand the danger of varicose veins on the legs and why it is better not to run it, but to cure it right away, women who have found symptoms of varicose veins should see a phlebologist. The specialist will talk about the consequences of the disease if it is not treated and prescribe treatment.
- The threat of varicose veins on female legs leads to insufficient venous circulation. This has an unsatisfactory effect on the activity of the entire circulatory system, which directly affects the favorable course of pregnancy.
- A common occurrence in pregnant women is the formation of hemorrhoids. These varicose veins in the anus, and these are hemorrhoids, scare with bleeding and malignant changes in varicose tissue.
- The disease develops faster in women than in men. As a result, the fair sex is previously faced with the consequences of varicose veins.
- If left untreated, varicose veins of the cervix and uterine body may appear during pregnancy. It manifests itself at the end of the 2nd trimester with pain in the lower back and lower abdomen. And if there is already a hypothesis about the presence of varicose veins, then before planning a pregnancy, the vessels of the pelvic organs should be examined.
Most patients come to the doctor with complaints of pain and swelling in the legs. These symptoms are characteristic of the 2nd stage of varicose veins.
And this is what varicose veins on the legs lead, if you ignore the prevention and treatment of the disease:
- In the 1st stage, women worry about the unaesthetic appearance of their legs and hide flaws under pants and long skirts.
- In the 2nd stage, an inflammatory process develops, causing stagnation of blood in the veins. This leads to the appearance of knots and pain - quite rare and not too severe.
- At 3rd stage swelling and heaviness of the legs appear, the skin of the ankles darkens. Skin inflammation, eczema, thrombophlebitis of the subcutaneous vascular filaments, deep vein thrombosis are also possible. The danger of the latter lies in the unpredictable separation of a blood clot which, once in the heart or pulmonary artery, threatens the life of a woman.
- In the 4th stage, trophic varicose ulcers form, which, with bleeding and injury, give intolerable pain.
Important!To avoid complications of varicose veins, you need to follow the treatment tactics developed by the doctor.
Processing methods
Treatment for a dreaded disease should be done at any stage. Early examination and detection of the disease results in faster and easier relief. Neglect of varicose veins will require persistent and long-term treatment (conservative or surgical), as well as financial expense.
The phlebologist's professional awareness of the dangers of varicose veins offers options for dealing with them:
- medicinal methods using venotonic drugs in the form of tablets, gels,
- bandage technique using compression stockings, and these are leggings, knee-highs, stockings, tights (at home they are replaced by elastic bandages,
- hardware procedures using household appliances.
In a duel with the enemy, you must include the following welcome options:
- contrast shower, the jet of which is directed from bottom to top (you must start with lukewarm water and end with cool water),
- special regime restricting products of animal origin,
- Refusal of high heels and wearing of orthopedic shoes - particularly indicated in the presence of flat feet.
Conclusion
Varicose veins in female legs should be controlled. And if you can not avoid the disease, you should start treatment at the first signs in order to prevent the development of serious complications (trophic ulcer, acute thrombophlebitis, bleeding from varicose veins and others).