Varicose veins.
Usually with these words people imagine thick twisted vessels entangling their legs. But this is only the most famous sign of pathology. There are 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 of the legs. Basically the sensations are mild, but in rare cases even ordinary walking becomes painful.
Therefore, a little later we will talk about the pain of varicose veins. On the reasons and the means to face it.
But first, let's talk about the disease itself: the mechanism of development, risk factors and complications.
Thus, the blood circulates through the arteries of the heart to the organs and tissues, where it supplies oxygen and nutrients. The blood flow returns to the veins.
It is particularly difficult for the blood to circulate in the venous system of the legs, because here it must almost always rise from the feet upwards.
It opposes gravity.
Some of the blood flows and collects in the vessels. As a result, the veins dilate and their walls stretch too much. Overcrowded vessels are visible on the skin.
In healthy people, the drainage of blood is prevented by a protective mechanism - venous valves. It is the name of the membranes in the vessels. They trap the flowing blood and send it back to the bloodstream. However, for many people, this system works poorly.
For various reasons, the valves sometimes weaken or injure themselves, which increases the risk of the veins overflowing. This is how varicose veins appear.
The following factors increase the risk of varicose veins
- Genetic predisposition. . . Scientists have yet to understand why some people are born with weakened venous valves. But this fact is confirmed. If both parents suffer from swollen blood vessels, then with a probability of 90% their child will inherit this pathology.
- Age of the elderly. . . The body gradually fades away. The eyes see worse, the skin dries up. Aging also affects the valve system, which becomes more fragile and weaker. . Therefore, people over the age of 60 often develop varicose veins - worn valves simply cannot withstand the load of the flowing blood.
- 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, the increased weight does not strengthen the valves. They are forced to withstand the overpressure of a huge volume of blood, which increases the risk of overflowing the veins.
- Pregnancy. . . The body of pregnant women is under great stress. For many reasons. The pressure on the valves increases due to an increase in the amount of blood, hormonal imbalance and the effect on large vessels. We have already spoken of the influence of blood. Changes in hormone levels alter the elasticity of the venous walls, making them easy to stretch, but slowly return to their original state. The baby grows next to large veins. Sometimes the fetus pinches them. In such cases, the lumen of the 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 when sitting or standing. . . When walking, the muscles of the legs help the blood vessels to pump blood to the heart. They contract and constrict the veins. As a result, the blood is pushed upwards. In immobile legs, the muscle pump does not work, which is why all the 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
- Convulsions
- Edema
- Pain when walking after prolonged immobility
- Skin discoloration
- Thick twisted vases
Varicose veins grow slowly.
Doctors even distinguish in him the zero stage, during which no external signs have yet appeared, but the problem with venous valves has already arisen.
Usually patients suffer from heaviness in the legs first, and then others add to this problem. The strength of the symptoms also changes. At first, signs of pathology intensify in the evening and disappear in the morning. With advanced disease, they last all day.
But the persistent annoying symptoms are not the main danger in the later stages of varicose veins.
Patients may present with complications:
- Bleeding. . . Breakthrough of swollen 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. Urgent medical care is therefore necessary.
- 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 this.
- 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 cure. They are at high risk of relapse.
Fortunately, complications from varicose veins only occur in some patients - trophic ulcers in 6%, and bleeding and emboli 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 each of its symptoms, it is recommended to consult a phlebologist. Including when the veins hurt. In order to quickly respond to this threat, it is advisable to understand the reasons for the occurrence of such a symptom.
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, after a long period of immobility, they get up.
But severe and constant pain torments patients, usually in the later stages of the pathology. Quite simply because at that moment all the symptoms of the disease intensify and do not even disappear at night.
What hurts the veins in your legs?
Mainly because of the lack of oxygen. Dilated vessels do not supply nearby 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 will cause severe discomfort.
Pain in the leg with varicose veins can be a sign of thrombophlebitis. It is the name of a pathology in which blood clots form in inflamed veins.
To summarize.
While mild pain in the dilated vessels is a standard symptom, it rarely intensifies. In the later stages of pathology. With trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Therefore, when the swollen veins hurt a lot, this indicates the rapid development of the disease. In such a situation, you should immediately consult a doctor. Although many people delay seeing a vascular specialist and try to get rid of the symptoms on their own.
How to eliminate severe pain in the veins with varicose veins?
The heaviness of 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 varicose veins developed, it will not help.
In addition, if the veins in the legs are very painful, a delayed 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. A review will help your veins with over hundreds of folk 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 do an ultrasound of the veins and find out the cause of the pain. Only then will the doctor choose a treatment option.
For example, a certain procedure may be effective for varicose veins, but it does not handle complications well.
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 several treatment options at once:
- Miniflebectomy
- Endovasal laser coagulation
- Foam sclerotherapy
These methods are less traumatic, that is, they do not damage the skin and do not leave scars.
Let’s sum up now.
What to do if the veins in your legs hurt?
Go to your doctor right away.
Yes, there are some remedies and methods that can reduce the 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 the onset of dangerous complications.
In addition, if the veins of the legs hurt a lot, then such a picture is not typical for varicose veins. Perhaps another pathology is causing the discomfort. The doctor will help identify it.
Which 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.