Diseases of the veins of the lower extremities are not just cosmetic defects, but a serious pathology that can lead to quite serious complications.
If at the initial stages of the disease, you are oppressed only by the aesthetic unattractiveness of the shins, then later you can get acquainted with swelling and pain, limitation of motor activity, and trophic disorders. We in no way seek to scare you but only call for a reasonable attitude toward your health.
- Classification and Explanation
- Superficial Pathologies of Lower Extremities
- Perforating and Deep Veins of Lower Extremities
- About Venous Insufficiency and Complications
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency of Lower Extremities
- We are Rehabilitated
1. Classification and Explanation
You have heard the word “varicose veins“, but you hardly know that it literally means a knot. In principle, the term schematically explains what happens to the vessels, instead of a smooth hollow tube, the vein twists, and twists, thereby impeding blood flow. The process can affect both superficial and deep vessels, proceeding with symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency or without it.
2. Superficial Pathologies of Lower Extremities
They can be divided into the following groups:
Telangiectasias: Capillaries, arterioles, and venules are subject to expansion – that is, the smallest vessels of the skin, no larger than 1 mm in diameter. Both congenital and acquired causes can lead to expansion.
Reticular varicose: This is a larger vasodilatation. The reticular vessels do not exceed 3 mm in diameter, and in the case of expansion, they form a bizarre pattern on the legs, which is brightly individual from an artistic point of view. However, the drawing will not add style and originality to you, and it is better to get rid of it. Because even in the absence of clinical signs of reticular varicose veins, it can go further – to the defeat of deeper veins.
Varicose veins of the stem and lateral veins: Affects subcutaneous vessels, larger than 3 mm. Cosmetic defects, in this case, are inevitable, in addition, characteristic features are added:
- heaviness in the limbs.
- skin itching.
- swelling.
- trophic disorders.
Most often, it is with the latter type of pathology that the patient finally turns to the doctor.
3. Perforating and Deep Veins of Lower Extremities
Perforating vessels are those that connect the superficial and deep veins of the lower extremities. It is logically clear that if they are prone to varicose veins, then the process will easily spread further, to deep vessels.
In addition, it is the altered perforating veins that are the main cause of atrophic ulcerative pathologies. Varicose veins are an insidious disease. And getting younger every year. So we need to fight now.
Proper prevention of varicose veins is described in this article and will not take much time. Do not know what to do with severe varicose veins during pregnancy? Read the following article and get all the answers.
4. About Venous Insufficiency and Complications
In relation to deep vein varicose veins, things are even worse – i.e. and the course of the disease is more severe, and the possibility of developing complications increases several times. Let’s talk about the main ones.
Trophic ulcers: External ulcerations of the skin usually appear at the site of strong pigmentation and are localized above the ankle. Trophic disorders are accompanied by pain, itching, and purulent or serous discharge. Sometimes trophic lesions of the legs lead to significant movement restrictions.
Acute thrombophlebitis: The vein becomes inflamed, and its walls thicken significantly. The skin over the affected vein turns red sharply. Pain in the legs with acute thrombophlebitis is strong enough – it becomes difficult for a person to walk. There is a great danger of rupture of a diseased vein and separation of blood clots, which can clog the bloodstream. There is also a risk of bleeding from the affected vein, sometimes significant.
5. Chronic Venous Insufficiency of Lower Extremities
CVI (this abbreviation is accepted in medicine) can be both a consequence of varicose veins and its cause. This is a separate, large pathology, which has its own classification. With the addition of inflammatory processes, CVI can significantly complicate the patient’s life.
In 5% of cases, the disease leads to disability. Pulmonary thromboembolism, atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, arterial insufficiency, and trophic ulcers are dangerous and severe complications that CVI can lead to.
6. We are Rehabilitated
Patients should understand that even with a hereditary predisposition to vascular pathologies, it is quite possible to live life without them. This does not mean at all that you should undergo treatment in expensive sanatoriums, although this is not superfluous. Everything matters – and your habits, mode, and mobility.
Problems of leg veins in the program about medicine “Happy and Healthy” with Ints Udris and Pēteris Gerke in the video below:
But the most important thing is the fight against the initial manifestations of any disease: if you “catch” the pathology in time, you can put a tight barrier on it. Do not miss your chances – if in the evenings, if not often, but your legs still hurt and swell, consult a doctor, and examine your vessels. Doctors – phlebologists are engaged in the treatment and prevention of varicose veins, they will also help to get rid of it quickly and painlessly.
In specialized institutions, such as the Baltic Vein Clinic, diagnostics, and phenological care are carried out at the highest, world level. Do not neglect the opportunity to undergo an examination and, if necessary, to show worthy resistance to the disease.
