Initial stage of varicose veins, photo

The peripheral veins of the legs suffer from a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight and various chronic diseases.

Varicose vein pathology is dangerous and accompanied by pain.In the later stages, trophic ulcers appear and venous insufficiency of the deep vessels develops.It is important to recognize varicose veins early.This will allow you to carry out gentle therapy and significantly improve your quality of life.

Varicose vein disease is dangerous

Let's take a closer look at varicose veins in the initial stage in the photo in the article.

Characteristics of the disease

The initial stage of varicose veins occurs without visible changes and has practically no symptoms.In 70% of patients, venous pathology is diagnosed already at the third or fourth degree, when the disorder can only be alleviated surgically.

In the weaker sex, varicose veins are more common, since women are more susceptible to hormonal disorders.Men suffer from a complex form of testicular varicose veins: varicocele.But the most common form is considered the pathology of the leg veins.

Varicose veins of the uterus and lower rectum - hemorrhoids - are dangerous.These forms often occur in women during pregnancy and do not always disappear after giving birth.

Varicose veins in the body develop in the following stages:

  1. The valve responsible for the outflow of blood, for some reason, stops working normally and the walls of the blood vessels weaken.
  2. Due to weak outflow, blood circulation slows down, blood clots form in the veins, and pressure on the weakened walls of blood vessels increases.
  3. The spaces narrow and the blood does not have time to pass through the veins in the required volume.In places where blood accumulates, the walls of the veins stretch.
  4. Due to expansion, the upper walls of the venous system come closer to the epidermis and become clearly visible.The skin gets tired and dry.
  5. Areas of blood clot accumulation grow, veins stretch and become “twisted.”

In progressive varicose veins, the veins resemble thick purple strings, are clearly visible and protrude onto the surface of the skin.Trophic ulcers appear on the cover, which do not heal for a long time, begin to rot.The disease develops into thrombosis or venous insufficiency.

It is important to diagnose the disease at an early stage, when gentle therapy is possible.

Causes of the disease

There are more than fifty reasons that can provoke changes in the venous system.Particularly susceptible to the disease are people whose profession involves stress on the legs and a sedentary lifestyle: sellers, hairdressers, programmers, accountants, drivers.

Scientists have conducted many years of research and identified the main factors that cause varicose veins:

  • Hormonal changes in the body: pregnancy, menopause, adolescence.
  • Obesity of any degree.
  • Genetic predisposition.70% of children whose parents suffer from venous insufficiency develop varicose veins.
  • Weak muscular system.
  • Wearing uncomfortable underwear: socks with tight elastic, tight underwear for men.
  • Lack of activity and physical activity.
  • The habit of crossing one leg over the other while sitting.
  • Rare changes in body position: standing, lying, sitting.
  • Chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus, increased blood viscosity.
Causes of the disease

Out of ten people affected by varicose veins, eight are female patients.The weaker sex is susceptible to venous pathologies due to forced hormonal disruptions during pregnancy, after childbirth and during menopause.The second important factor why women suffer from leg pain more often than men is their love of high heels.

Men are more susceptible to the disease due to excess weight, love of fatty and spicy foods and sedentary lifestyle.

Symptoms of venous pathologies

In the initial stage, the disease has no pronounced symptoms and is difficult to recognize.In the photo below you can see the initial stage of varicose veins.It is evident that there are practically no changes.

The disease is diagnosed only using ultrasound of the lower extremities.The first stage presents different symptoms, associated with the localization of the disease.

According to localization, varicose veins are divided into types:

  1. Venous pathology of the seminal canal.Varicoceles develop in men starting in adolescence.In the initial stage, the first sign is the different size of the testicles.Size differences are acceptable, but minor.
  2. Varicose veins of internal organs.The intestine and uterus are susceptible to venous pathology.Genetic predisposition or portal hypertension contributes to the disease.In the early stage it is difficult to diagnose, since there are no primary symptoms.
  3. Varicose veins of the lower rectum are hemorrhoids.In the initial stage, a person feels pain when going to the toilet, walking and doing physical activity.Bleeding from the anus is possible.
  4. Venous pathology of the legs.It is more common than other species.
Venous pathology of the legs

Varicose veins in the legs affect men and women at any age.People with genetic predisposition observe vascular changes already in adolescence (16-17 years).

Among the first signs of varicose veins of the lower extremities are:

  • At the end of the day, the legs swell and heaviness appears.
  • In the areas of swollen veins, slight itching and peeling of the skin are possible.
  • Cramps appear periodically at night.
  • Dull pain after exercise.
  • Light finger pressure causes pain.
  • Spider veins appear in some places.
  • The veins are soft to palpation.

In later stages, the veins swell and become more visible.When touched, the person feels pain.The vases acquire hardness and become more decorated.Evening swelling spreads to the ankle and foot.A person feels a nagging pain, and his legs quickly get tired.

If treatment is not started in the early stage of the disease, blood vessels may burst in some places.Blood clots appear.The skin becomes impoverished and resembles a thin sheet of paper.The affected areas become covered with ulcers.In more advanced cases, bleeding begins and gangrene forms on the leg.Immediate amputation will be necessary.

The success of therapy depends on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed.It is important to contact a phlebologist in time and get advice.Treatment is selected based on the hemodynamics of the disease.The patient is asked to undergo diagnostic tests: ultrasound, duplex angioscanning, radionuclide tests.

The patient is asked to undergo a diagnosis

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the disease, the site of localization and the general clinical picture of the patient, one of the treatment methods is selected:

  1. Conservative.It includes physical exercise, treatment with natural remedies, phlebotonics and the use of particular compression garments.
  2. Compression sclerotherapy.A special drug is injected into the vein that fills the damaged vessel and glues the torn walls together.
  3. Surgery.It includes various techniques suitable for treatment at any stage of the disease.

The initial stage of varicose veins responds well to conservative treatment.The patient is prescribed physical activity and special underwear is selected.Efficiency increases with the simultaneous use of traditional methods.Laser therapy is suitable as a corrective aesthetic procedure.

Rules and recommendations

In the initial stage of varicose veins, the patient is recommended to follow the following rules:

  1. Go for walks once or twice a day.You should walk at a calm pace, stopping periodically to rest.
  2. Wear comfortable shoes with heels no higher than 3 cm.The upper part of the shoes should not have a compression device and the laces should not be tied as tightly as possible.
  3. They attend gym workouts twice a week.The loads are selected individually by the doctor and the trainer.
  4. Review your diet.Products rich in sugar, fatty meats, flour products and starchy vegetables are excluded from food.Most of the diet of a patient with varicose veins consists of steamed or boiled vegetables.Fried and spicy foods are not recommended.
  5. The majority of the diet of a patient with varicose veins consists of vegetables.
  6. In the evening your legs need to rest.Blood outflow will increase if you raise your legs and throw them on a high pillow or the back of the sofa.
  7. If the work involves little movement, it is recommended to lubricate the legs with cooling gels or ointments containing heparin.
  8. Special compression garments or an elastic bandage are used every day.Special underwear is selected by a doctor.The special thing about compression underwear is its compressive function.Pressure on the body occurs with different forces, which forces the blood to circulate forcibly.
  9. Change position frequently.If you have to sit constantly at work, stand up and sit down several times every 30 minutes.Exercise will help prevent varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Simple recommendations will help prevent the development of venous pathology in its initial stage.

Drug therapy

In the initial stage of varicose veins, the skin is not yet depleted.Dryness and flaking can be avoided by using a light gel with moisturizing oils to wash your feet.As an economical remedy, baby soap is used, then the skin is cleansed and lubricated with baby cream.

Creams containing herbs are effective: calendula, chamomile, celandine.It is not recommended to use alcohol wipes to clean your feet.They dry out the skin and contribute to its impoverishment.

In the initial phase, ointments and gels with a light consistency are used.Among the effective ointments are:

  • Troxerutin.
  • Sodium heparin.
  • Horse chestnut gel.

Ointments and gels give elasticity to blood vessels, dilate them and strengthen the walls.After application, the heaviness disappears, the pain calms down, the swelling gradually subsides.

In combination with ointments, it is recommended to take blood-thinning drugs.Anticoagulants are not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

For better heart function and strengthening of blood vessels, therapy is supplemented with multivitamins, fish oil, vitamins A and E. Vitamins are taken twice a year: in autumn and spring.

Vitamins

Folk remedies are used in combination with medications.

Traditional methods

Herbs and natural ingredients are effective for preventing and treating varicose veins in the early stages.It is important to use folk remedies regularly and for a long time.

Soothing foot bath

To prepare the bath you will need: three drops each of lavender and geranium oil, 2 tablespoons of sea salt, 200 ml of chamomile decoction.The ingredients are poured into a warm foot bath.The feet are immersed in heated water for 25 minutes, then carefully cleaned and lubricated with troxerutin.

The benefits of the procedure increase if the bath is performed before bedtime.Oils and sea salt help strengthen blood vessels, tone and give elasticity to the skin.

Compress with herbal decoction

To prepare the decoction you will need dried herbs: calendula, mint, lemon balm, sage, St. John's wort.Herbs in equal parts (2 tablespoons each) are placed in a thermos, the mixture is poured with 1 liter of boiling water.The infusion should last 3 hours.

The broth is filtered.Gauze is moistened and applied to the area where the varicose veins are located.The compress should be kept until it dries.The sore spot is lubricated with baby cream.

Lilac flower tincture

Fresh lilac flowers are placed in a half-liter jar.Flowers should take?the entire volume of the container.Everything is filled with vodka and placed in a dark place for 20 days.The finished tincture is filtered.Take 20 drops orally three times a day before meals.

The tincture cleans blood vessels, helps strengthen the walls and normalizes blood circulation.

Fresh tomato wrap

Tomatoes contain a precious element: lycopene, which gives the fruit its bright red color.The substance helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

To prepare the compress you will need 1-2 tomatoes.The amount of greens depends on the size of the affected area on the legs and the size of the tomato.Tomatoes are chopped through a meat grinder or crushed in a blender.

The finished pulp is spread on a gauze napkin, tied to the legs.The compress should be kept for 1 hour.Then the feet are washed with warm water and lubricated with moisturizing cream.

Vitamin blend for healthy heart and blood vessels

In the initial phase of varicose veins it is important to support the functioning of the blood vessels and heart.To prepare the vitamin mixture, take the following ingredients: 2-3 figs, honey - 2 tablespoons, 1 lemon with peel, ginger root 1 teaspoon, 3 cloves.

The ingredients are passed through a meat grinder and mixed thoroughly.The vitamin mixture is consumed 1 teaspoon per day, in the morning after meals.

In the initial stage, varicose veins can be treated with traditional methods, but it will take time and patience.

Cosmetic correction

In the first stage, varicose veins appear as unsightly varicose veins on the legs.From an aesthetic point of view, the symptom is unpleasant, especially if the woman's profession is linked to the beauty of her legs.The photo below shows legs with spider veins.

There are several ways to remove spider veins on the legs:

  1. Sclerotherapy.
  2. Electrocoagulation.
  3. Using BBL broadband light.
Cosmetic correction

The simplest and safest method is to remove spider veins using a laser.The therapy uses rays that are absorbed only by blood vessels and do not affect the skin and other tissues.Light energy enters the vessel and is converted into heat.Due to the high temperature the walls shrink and the network disappears.

The laser correction procedure is quick and painless.The device is applied to the location of the vascular network and a light pulse is applied.The therapy is also effective for the removal of deeper vessels, in the case of second degree varicose veins.The maximum correction time is not more than 30 minutes.Removing the mesh will require 1-2 procedures.

To avoid overheating of the skin, a special freon is sprayed on it.Itching and mild inflammation may occur after laser exposure.The symptoms disappear on their own within a few days.

The initial stage of varicose veins is rarely diagnosed, as the disease occurs without visible symptoms.But timely treatment is more effective.Varicose veins progress rapidly and in later stages can only be treated surgically.