Varicose veins is one of the diseases that does not understand exactly who to choose as a victim, because both young and old can suffer from it.
Few rush to see doctors after the development of the disease, not thinking that it is much easier to get rid of the problem in the early stages.
To immediately seek help, you need to know what varicose veins on the legs look like, symptoms and treatment, the photo will also help to identify the disease and respond immediately.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins in the legs
It is believed that only women are usually concerned about varicose veins in the legs, while the symptoms are inherent in both men and the fair sex, because they are almost the same. You should not wait until the disease begins to progress, so you should contact the doctor as soon as the first signs of an insidious disease appear.
What symptoms of varicose veins on the legs should be alarming? There are not so many:
- venous patterns that appear on the legs, thighs;
- feeling of fullness and heaviness in the lower extremities;
- night cramps (often manifested during the day);
- swelling appears after a hard day's work;
- fatigue increases sharply;
- there is discomfort in the legs.
Even a warning signal is enough to call for medical help immediately. The sooner it is done, the better the chances of success of the treatment.
Varicose veins in the legs, symptoms during pregnancy
Lower extremity vein problems often appear in women who are in an interesting position, because there is an extra load on the legs. Here is a considerable difficulty: treatment should not harm the fetus, so you should not try to overcome the disease on your own. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe the safest treatment option for the baby.
If there is a suspicion of varicose veins in the legs, the symptoms during pregnancy differ little from the more common signs of the disease. These include:
- small "stars" that appear on the legs;
- unpleasant discomfort that is felt in the lower extremities not only at night, but throughout the day;
- severe swelling that can form not only in the lower legs, but also in the thighs themselves;
- pain and discomfort when walking;
- changes in the skin (peeling, appearance of age spots, change in natural tone);
- The veins begin to protrude above the skin, when pressed, severe pain appears.
Even if it is not certain that it is varicose veins in the legs, the symptoms should be indicated to the doctor; only a specialist can accurately diagnose the disease and determine the degree of development.
Symptoms of internal varicose veins in the legs
According to doctors, internal varicose veins can cause serious complications, so it is especially important to recognize them early. Even this does not guarantee that the treatment will be successful.
Symptoms of internal varicose veins in the legs:
- Dull or aching pain in lower extremities;
- heaviness and burning that hardly ceases;
- the stamps are visible on the skin;
- red or blue "stars" appear;
- veins under the skin expand, in places resemble grapes;
- Wounds appear that hardly heal, possibly even the development of gangrene, this can lead to the loss of a limb.
The most dangerous stage is when the muscles and bone mass begin to deform. If left untreated, this can be fatal.
Varicose veins in the legs, symptoms
No less dangerous are varicose veins in the deep veins of the legs, the symptoms of which are not as pronounced as in a common disease. How to independently determine the presence of a serious disease?
There are many signs of the disease, and almost all of them can be detected independently if you know what to look for:
- discomfort in the lower extremities (burning, heaviness, pain);
- the skin becomes dry, scaly areas may appear;
- seizures appear at night, which can last until morning;
- the saphenous veins expand, increasing in diameter several times;
- there are numerous small wounds that do not respond to treatment and do not heal on their own.
Without immediate treatment, ulcers and eczema may soon develop, followed by gangrene. The formation of blood clots with subsequent death is also possible.
Which doctor should I contact if symptoms of varicose veins are found?
Even if dangerous signs were identified in a timely manner, patients do not rush to the hospital without knowing which doctor to contact if symptoms of varicose veins are found. There are no options here, only a doctor can stop the development of the disease. An immediate visit to a phlebologist significantly reduces the risk of complications.
If you are late for the doctor, it is very possible that the ailment will spread to the lower extremities, so you will not be able to do it with the help of a phlebologist. If the specialist considers it necessary, you can go to your colleagues.
Among the specialists who will help in the treatment of varicose veins are:
- cardiac surgeon;
- angiocirujano (specialized in treating pathologies by surgery);
- physiotherapist;
- dermatologist.
A multi-specialist treatment can take many months or even years. If the phlebologist cannot cope with the disease on his own, this indicates that he has already passed the initial stage.
Treatment with ointments: which drugs to use to effectively eliminate the disease
At home, ointment treatment is most often prescribed, but only if there are no complications or contraindications. It is better not to use such drugs on your own, it is imperative to first agree on the course of action on the disease with a doctor.
Treatment of varicose veins with home remedies
In the initial stages of the disease, you can practice treatment with folk remedies, but only with the permission of the doctor. The most effective here are compresses and rubbing, which you can prepare yourself from plant materials.
Green walnuts have shown themselves well in the fight against varicose veins. Grind around a glass of green fruits, pour olive oil in equal parts. Insist on fragrant liquid for about a month and a half. After that, use it as a massage, daily rubbing a small amount of oily liquid into the affected areas.
You can also use the infusion of horse chestnut, which acts locally. To prepare the medicine, you will need the inflorescences and leaves of the plant. Grind, pour high-quality vodka or alcohol (based on one part of plant materials, 6-8 parts of alcohol). Insist a week, rub into the skin of the legs before bedtime.
Consequences of varicose veins in the legs
Knowing what health-threatening consequences of varicose veins on the legs will help you start treatment faster. The disease can progress in the absence of treatment at an incredible speed and end with thromboembolism. At best this will lead to disability, but statistics show that in almost a third of patients, the disease ends with death.
Trophic ulcers may appear, which are practically not subject to treatment. The size and depth of the lesions may soon increase and spread to large areas of the lower extremities. This inevitably leads to gangrene. Even if you resort to treatment, therapy can go on for a long time and without any guarantee of a successful result.
Varicose veins in the legs, symptoms and treatment, photos and consequences: all this information can be studied on your own to prevent a dangerous disease. You should not expect that it will be possible to avoid it before midnight, but even timely treatment will be enough not to worry about consequences or complications.