Varicose veins - a condition in which the veins increases, inflamed, and sometimes cause pain and discomfort. In most cases varicose veins is a cosmetic problem.

Causes

Normally, movement of blood through the veins help valves that do not allow blood to flow in the reverse direction. When varicose veins the valves weaken, due to which the blood stagnates in the veins, venous wall stretch and the veins themselves are increasing.

This process usually occurs in the veins of the legs, though may also occur, such as the vulva or the rectum. Varicose occurs mainly in women.

The causes of varicose veins are:

• Defective valves from birth;
• Pregnancy;
• Thrombophlebitis.

Strong pressure in the abdomen and / or pelvis (for example, due to pregnancy or very tight clothes), and the need to spend a lot of time standing, can both cause varicose veins and cause worsening of symptoms.

Based on the causes of the disease are two main types of varicose veins. Primary varicose veins develop due to congenital defects of valves or without a known cause. Secondary varices occurs as a result of some other condition, such as pregnancy or thrombophlebitis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of varicose veins include:

• A feeling of heaviness, tiredness in the legs;
• Pain in the legs;
• Visible veins;
• Mild swelling of the ankles;
• Brownish skin tone over the diseased veins;
• Education leg ulcers (seen in severe forms of varicose veins).

Usually, the symptoms of varicose veins are compounded over time.

Diagnostics

Typically, varices can be diagnosed on the basis of visual inspection. Sometimes the veins are also examined with ultrasound. In rare cases, to rule out other diseases, make angiography.

Treatment

When varicose veins is commonly used conservative treatment. Patients are advised to move more, to raise the foot higher during rest and sleep Dreams: how to understand our dreams   and wear special compression stockings Compression stockings - check with your doctor   or stockings.

Surgical treatment may be necessary for cosmetic reasons, and in the following cases:

• Constant pain in the legs that does not go after the application of conservative methods of treatment;
• Ulcers on the legs or slow healing wounds caused by improper blood flow in the veins of the patient;
• Lipodetmatoskleroz - formation of adipose tissue beneath the skin, which eventually solidifies, resulting in increased blood pressure in the veins.

For the treatment of varicose veins Treatment of varicose veins: a preference - conservative methods   can be used non-invasive techniques such as sclerotherapy Sclerotherapy - the fight against varicose veins   and laser ablation.

Complications

Varicose veins can cause the following complications:

• Phlebitis (chronic inflammation of the veins);
• Ulcers in patients with veins;
• Rupture of varicose veins.

Thrombophlebitis - a disease in which blood clots cause an increase in the veins and, sometimes, their obstruction in the lower extremities. The affected vein may be near the surface of the skin - such violation is called superficial vein thrombophlebitis, or deep into the muscle tissue - a deep vein thrombophlebitis. The presence of blood clots in the deep veins of the increased risk of serious health problems, including separation of a blood clot, which can block the pulmonary artery, causing a condition called pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism - a dangerous violation . Thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs may be prolonged deficiency of physical activity - such as people leading a sedentary lifestyle, or displaced due to illness for a long time to comply with bed rest.

Symptoms

Usually, a superficial thrombophlebitis appear on the skin reddened skin areas, under which sometimes is felt something hard. These sites may also be hot and / or painful. Deep vein thrombophlebitis causes swelling of the feet Swelling of the legs - do not leave without attention   and pain in the legs, which is especially noticeable when you stand or walk. Sometimes the appearance of these symptoms are accompanied by fever. It often happens that asymptomatic thrombosis.

Noticing at thrombophlebitis symptoms should see a doctor, especially if you have risk factors - such as a sedentary lifestyle and a family history of thrombosis. If badly swollen veins, you have severe pain, shortness of breath and / or if you cough up blood, contact the emergency room. Such symptoms may be in thrombosis Thrombosis - the cause of heart attack and stroke   deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism developing.

Causes

The immediate cause of thrombosis is the formation of blood clots. The formation of blood clots can be caused by many factors - for example, those that violate the normal blood circulation. In particular, clots may form due to damage to veins or due to congenital bleeding disorders. Long flight, a trip to road transport and sedentary work can also lead to the formation of clots, but this happens relatively rarely. Besides, if you take precautions - for example, a regular warm-up and wear special tights Waist - can significantly reduce the risk of clots.

Risk factors for the development of thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs:

• Pancreas cancer Diabetes and pancreas - the things you need to know   and some other types of cancer
• A history of stroke, which caused paralysis of the legs
• Pregnancy - the period of gestation of the child shortly after birth, and the load on the veins of the legs especially strong
• Reception of hormonal contraceptive pills or drugs for hormone replacement therapy
• Being overweight or obese
• Bleeding disorders in the family history
• Age over 60 years

If you have one or more of the risk factors, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to prevent thrombosis.

Complications

In thrombophlebitis of superficial veins complications are rare. Significantly higher risk of complications of deep vein thrombophlebitis.

• Pulmonary embolism. It is a life-threatening violation occurs when a blood clot formed in the veins of the lower limbs, torn, moves and blocks the pulmonary artery.
• The veins have valves that allow blood to flow back when it moves in the direction of the heart. If the valves in the veins become damaged, can develop the following violations:
• Varicose veins. The blood stagnates in the veins, whereby they increase markedly and become visible through the skin.
• Edema. Sometimes in leg veins the blood stagnates so that it leads to the formation of edema.
• Diskoloratsiya skin. Because of the chronic edema and the strong pressure exerted by the increased skin veins, skin color changes in some areas. Sometimes the skin and ulcers are formed - in this case it is necessary as soon as possible to see a doctor.
• Obstruction of the vein. Deep vein thrombophlebitis bloodstream in some vessels because clots can be completely stopped.