Varicose veins: causes

Varicose veins are one of the oldest diseases of mankind, there are references to this disease in the works of Hippocrates, Avicenna and other founders of medicine. Venous dilatation can occur in different parts of the body and organs that have wide veins. The most common location is the legs, although it can also form in the stomach, testicles and esophagus. To study the origin of the disease, we first examine the causes of varicose veins.

General information about varicose veins of the lower extremities

Varicose veins occur due to irreversible pathological dilation of the veins.The problem is provoked due to changes in the functioning of the valves responsible for blood circulation in the body, mainly in the lower extremities.

Normal functioning of the valves means, at the moment of relaxation or contraction of the muscle fibers, the movement of blood behind the structure. It is characteristic of the disease that the valves no longer close, blood flow is reduced, so the veins dilate.

With varicose veins, the walls of blood vessels become thinner and weaker. The main problem is the lack of reversibility of the process, that is, even after the restoration of blood circulation, the walls do not return to their original position.

Particular attention is paid to the disease because of its wide distribution, as 1 in 10 men and 1 in 3 women suffer from varicose veins in their 30s and 40s. The highest prevalence of the disease in Europe - up to 40% of the population, the lowest in Asia and Africa - approximately 0. 1%.

The main causes of varicose veins in men and women

Varicose veins in the legs

The causes of the development of the disease are very comprehensive and at first sight unrelated, but these causes are confirmed by research and considered credible. There are 6 main criteria for predisposition to varicose veins, which we will examine in detail.

There are also additional, less important reasons:

  1. Reduced immunity;
  2. Injuries to organs or lower extremities;
  3. Gender plays a very important role, as evidenced by statistics - women are 3 times more likely to get sick.

hereditary predisposition

Varicose veins are a genetic disease

The causes of varicose veins should start to be considered by genetics, as this cause is in one third of all patients.If the family has relatives who are susceptible to the disease, then the risk of manifestation in the offspring increases to 70%.The reason is not so much in a familial disease as in the pathological changes in the structure of blood vessels, embedded in genes. It is usually noticed:

  • Inadequate valves, malfunctions in their work;
  • Connective tissue is present in the walls of the veins, it is likely that it is underdeveloped.

For this reason, the disease can be found not only in adults, but also in young girls and boys, as well as in children. In men, genetic predisposition causes the disease much less frequently.

Hormones

The reasons for the development of varicose veins are various, but among all the diversity, a large part is occupied by hormonal imbalance.Causes of varicose veins in women are manifested mainly when:

  1. Pregnancy, childbirth;
  2. During menstruation or any failure in it;
  3. climacteric phase;
  4. Use of drugs that affect the hormonal background of the body, especially in overdose.

In men testosterone is considered the sex hormone and in women progesterone, the latter tends to negatively affect the walls of blood vessels, provoking collagen deficiency. After all, their tone and elasticity decrease and the risk of varicose veins increases many times over.

Inflammatory processes

Important preconditions for the disease are inflammations, mainly in the organs located in the pelvis.Also, when the inflammatory process affects the small veins, increased pressure is produced in large ways. During communication between arteries and veins, increased pressure is created, due to which the function of the valves may be impaired. Due to the high pressure, the veins dilate, the valves are unable to inhibit the reverse flow, which provokes the formation of joints.

nerves

The tone in the vessels is controlled by the nerve endings. With a negative impact on the nervous system from external factors, psycho-emotional state, the nerve center may not fully regulate the valves. Subsequently, the tone decreases, and the volume of the vessels increases.

Sedentary lifestyle

It is this cause of varicose veins that is spreading more and more, some call it "computer". Muscle fibers contract and provoke the release of blood upwards, which is important for normal blood circulation. In a sitting position, this does not happen, the metabolic rate decreases, respectively, the vessels dilate. Also, a sitting position provokes blockage of some veins.

When sitting, a person is in a slightly bent position, which causes high pressure in the abdominal region. On the other hand, from there the blood with great pressure goes to the feet and the functioning of the valves is of an irregular nature. Especially true for constipation, coughing, sneezing.

Physical exercises

Heavy loads cause varicose veins

Strong physical plan loads lead to an increase in pressure on the vessel.Mostly the problem is not in hard work but in static loads, although the transfer of heavy loads often causes varicose veins.The main reasons are:

  1. overweight;
  2. Pregnancy and childbirth;
  3. Weight movement;
  4. Long standing.

Treatment

Varicose veins in the legs should be treated and in a timely manner, then it is possible to reduce the risk of worsening the situation and minimize the manifestations of the disease as much as possible.Treatment in the initial stages occurs through the use of topical medications, after which, in the absence of therapy, surgical intervention may be required.

The causes of varicose veins of the legs and its elimination are considered comprehensively, based on the type of occurrence and stage of development of the disease. You can determine the best treatment option with the help of a specialist who will indicate the appropriate options, but there are no specific contraindications to the medication.

Creams and ointments

The advantage of using the cream is the ease of application and the effect only on the affected area of the body, and not on the whole body. Ointments help eliminate pain, normalize muscle condition and prevent degenerative processes in the bloodstream.

The causes of varicose veins in women are often of a hormonal nature, while the cream acts locally, from the outside, so it is possible to achieve:

  1. Proper level of skin nutrition, it becomes more beautiful and healthy in appearance;
  2. Creating obstacles in the development of trophic formations, deviations in metabolism;
  3. Venous disease ceases to progress, as blood circulation comes in order;
  4. If varicose veins are accompanied by swelling, then creams can eliminate them.

medicaments

Preparations for the treatment of varicose veins

The causes of varicose veins in the legs are most often internal, so you need to treat them internally or in a complex way.

Drugs come in different types of effects in the course of the disease, mainly distinguishing the following groups:

  1. Phlebotonics - the main effect is the return of tone to the walls of blood vessels. It is considered as the main group of prescribed drugs;
  2. Anticoagulants - prevent blood congestion;
  3. Decongestants;
  4. Disaggregants - reduce the ability of blood to form blood clots.

Surgery

Surgery to remove varicose veins

Varicose veins on the legs and other parts of the body have a variety of causes, but despite them, the disease tends to progress. There are certain aspects, if the disease has spread beyond them, then conservative treatment rarely has a positive effect. In extreme cases, you should resort to surgery.

Today there are different methods of surgery: laser, radiofrequency, miniflebectomy, etc. In general, it is possible to simply restore the health of the foot or prevent the formation of foot disease.

Distribution

The causes of varicose veins are different, and accordingly the form of the disease is also different. It is generally accepted to distinguish several forms and 4 degrees of the disease:

  1. Descending form - the spread of the disease starts from the top and gradually descends down the femoral vein, starting from the mouth;
  2. Sticky form - when symptoms start initially in the foot and gradually go up, the reason for this is valve problems.

The severity of the disease is conditionally divided into 4 categories:

  • 0 - the disease is at a stage when the diagnosis does not determine the pathology;
  • I - a slight swelling appears, it can feel like the legs are heavy or "spider vein";
  • II - increased edema, especially in the evening, the skin changes color slightly, eczema;
  • III - trophic ulcers, they may not regenerate.

Risk and complications

Varicose veins in a man's leg, complicated by trophic ulcers

The causes of varicose veins can be individual, which can not be completely cured, but therapy should still be performed.. The main risk from the disease are complications from varicose veins.Dangerous side effects:

  1. Trophic ulcers;
  2. Inflammations, especially of the erysipelatous type;
  3. Thrombophlebitis - increases the risk of blood clots.

Symptoms of varicose veins

The symptoms of the disease sometimes appear, sometimes weaken somewhat, but it is necessary to treat the varicose veins in any case, without waiting for acute manifestations. You can recognize the disease by the characteristic symptoms:

  1. Heaviness in the legs, increased fatigue, especially often manifested in the evening;
  2. The color of the veins becomes bluish and they swell somewhat. A characteristic manifestation when, when the limb is lifted up, everything returns to normal;
  3. Over time, small nodules or conglomerates may appear;
  4. Swelling in the area of the feet, ankles, feet, feet appear to erupt, convulsions often appear;
  5. As the disease progresses, dry skin is observed and dark-colored seals also form;
  6. Trophic ulcer.

At what stage should you go to the doctor?

The phlebologist deals with the treatment of varicose veins

Treatment of female or male varicose veins should begin as soon as possible.Usually the patient does not pay much attention to the primary manifestations, but they should not be overlooked.

You should contact a phlebologist immediately after discovering the primary symptoms of the disease - the feeling of fatigue and increased heaviness of the legs, as well as changes in skin color, swelling, etc. To determine the cause of the disease, they often turn to other specialists: a general practitioner, a gynecologist and a neurologist.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis can only be made on the basis of a comprehensive diagnosis:

  1. Complete blood count - controls the level of blood clotting and the presence of inflammation;
  2. Ultrasound examination - detects affected vessels;
  3. Rheovasography - determination of the level of tissue nutrition, used to determine the stage of varicose veins;
  4. Phlebography - a contrast agent used to study venous permeability;
  5. Physiological tests - check valve function.

Forecasts and preventive measures

A timely visit to the doctor will help eliminate the symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins are among the processes that are irreversible, so complete cure is almost unattainable.With a timely visit to the doctor, accurate diagnosis, preventive measures and treatment, it is quite possible to remove the symptoms.

Prevention is quite standard:

  1. healthy lifestyle;
  2. Healthy food;
  3. Elimination of bad habits;
  4. If you stay in one position for a long time, do not cross your legs;
  5. Performs exercises, warm-ups;
  6. Periodically use the services of a massage therapist;
  7. Wear comfortable clothes as often as possible.

Many no longer pay proper attention to the disease, although such carelessness can cost the whole organism health. To prevent the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to follow the doctor's recommendations at all stages and carry out prevention.