Many people mistakenly believe that varicose veins are just a threat to the appearance of the legs. In fact, everything is more serious - this disease is quite often complicated by thrombosis and inflammation of the deep veins, and in advanced cases, chronic venous insufficiency, which is manifested by pronounced trophic changes in the tissues. Therefore, it is necessary to diagnose this pathology in the initial stages to prevent the development of dangerous conditions.
Varicose veins are a pathological change in the walls of venous vessels, which occurs under the influence of blood accumulated in them. Most often, this process takes place in the veins of the legs and small pelvis. Normally, blood through the veins is directed only to the heart, this is facilitated by the venous valves and muscles, which with their contractions seem to "carry" the blood through the vessels. With varicose veins, for a variety of reasons, an abnormal blood flow is formed. It begins to get stuck first in the deep veins, and then in the superficial ones, which multiply, forming varicose veins under the skin.
Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities
The first signs of this disease are non-specific (they are also found in other diseases), they are combined together under the term "severe leg syndrome". It is characterized by increased and progressive fatigue of the lower limbs, leg pain, sensation of heaviness, burning and cracking in the calves, cramps at night of the calf muscles. These symptoms appear at the end of the day, especially if a person has been standing or sitting for a long time during it. Then, with the development of pathology, to the described manifestations of the disease is added in the evening swelling of the back of the leg and joints. After resting, the condition of the injured foot usually improves.
Visual changes in the early stages of the disease are not always noticeable, as varicose veins in the legs begin with deeper vessels. The only external sign of a problem that has started may be vascular networks. They, of course, do not always show varicose veins, but it is better to consult a phlebologist, a specialist in venous diseases, when they appear.
But in the later stages of varicose veins, cyanotic subcutaneous veins and varicose nodes already appear - these are enlarged and winding superficial veins that resemble grapes. They are usually located on the inside of the foot and thigh.
In addition, as the pathology progresses, the feet begin to swell more. Gradually, chronic venous insufficiency is formed, in which venous outflow and microcirculation in the tissue are disrupted. All this is reflected in the condition of the skin of the feet: it darkens, flakes, itches, then on it appear trophic ulcers, which heal very poorly. This is how varicose veins develop. A similar result of varicose veins can be prevented with timely treatment, therefore, if even a slight but systemic discomfort appears in the legs and vascular networks or "stars" on the skin, you should consult a doctor.
Symptoms of varicose veins of the pelvis
In the pelvis, varicose veins are less common than in the legs and mainly in young women. The cause of the development of this pathology is pregnancy (here the hormonal and mechanical contributing factors play a role). After childbirth, the signs of the disease, as a rule, disappear and only about 10% of women notice a periodic resumption of unpleasant symptoms after prolonged standing, hypothermia and physical exertion.
Small pelvic varicose veins are manifested by chronic pelvic pain as well as by the expansion of superficial venous formations in the perineum and vulva. Such patients often fail to treat inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs, as pain in the lower abdomen, characteristic of pelvic varicose veins, is sometimes mistakenly associated with chronic oophoritis, salpingitis, endometriosis, etc.
How are varicose veins diagnosed?
When varicose nodes become clearly visible on the patient's feet, the doctor can make a diagnosis of "varicose disease" even without the results of instrumental studies. If the pathology has just begun to develop or is localized in the small pelvis, an in-depth examination is necessary.
The main method for diagnosing varicose veins is Doppler ultrasound. This study is informative about venous lesions in every part of the body. With the help of ultrasound, the doctor can study the condition of the walls and the anatomy of deep and superficial veins, valves, assess blood flow in the vessels, detect blood returns, etc. The classification of varicose veins and, accordingly, the choice of treatment method is based precisely on the ultrasound results.
Another diagnostic method used in this pathology is rheovasography. Its application allows you to determine how well the tissues of the lower extremities are filled with blood and nutrients. This information helps the doctor determine at what stage the disease is: in the stage of compensation, undercompensation, etc.
Rarely, phlebography is used for varicose veins - this is an X-ray examination of the veins using contrast.
In addition, a comprehensive examination of patients with varicose veins usually involves various blood tests: doctors are particularly interested in hemoglobin level, erythrocytes, platelets, and coagulogram parameters. These data make it possible to assess the density of the blood and the tendency of the patient's body to form blood clots.