Many people mistakenly believe that varicose veins do not pose a particular threat to the human body as a whole. However, in fact, this is not the case, in advanced forms, this ailment can lead not only to severe complications, but even to death.
Anyone who has such a widening of the veins on the skin needs to know better what varicose veins are - how dangerous it is in the later and final stages.
Varicose veins - why is it dangerous?
Varicose veins are one of the most common diseases among people, whose work requires a constant, periodic position on the legs with minimal movement. Most often, this ailment occurs in surgeons, cooks, salespeople, hairdressers and other professions who spend a lot of time on their feet.
The main sign of varicose veins is dilated veins, which are easy to notice externally, usually they are in the form of nets and cobwebs. The causes of this disease are varied - they can depend on genetics, excess weight, long time on the legs, pregnancy, multiple flights.
At first, varicose veins do not bother the person who has it, but the longer it is left untreated, the worse consequences it can lead to. Due to the disease, the pressure in the entire circulatory system rises, the flow of blood to the organs and tissues of the body slows down significantly. This in turn leads to hypoxia in the body and further death of body cells.
In addition, toxic products begin to accumulate in the blood, which are released during metabolism, after which ulcers and tumors may appear.
One of the worst options for the development of varicose veins is the occurrence of a blood clot, which can follow the bloodstream and subsequently cause a heart attack or stroke.
If you turn to specialists too late for help, they most likely will not be able to do anything, because there is simply no experience of curing the late stage of varicose veins. In general, there are more than 9 different diseases and complications that this ailment can lead to.
Phlebitis
The initial stage of inflammation of the venous walls, which can then develop into thrombophlebitis. The main cause of phlebitis is varicose veins.
Symptoms include:
- tension and enlargement of veins in the limbs;
- the occurrence of painful sensations in this radius;
- redness, fever and general weakness of the body.
- over time, red streaks may appear next to the veins;
- in a more neglected form, the limbs begin to swell, severe pain appears.
At this stage, it is possible to prevent the disease with the help of complex and conservative treatment. Hospitalization of the patient is usually required.
Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is a later form of phlebitis, in which blood clots can develop. This ailment most often occurs in the limbs of a person, but there are cases of its appearance in other parts of the body.
The main symptoms are:
- strong painful sensations in the muscles and limbs;
- puffiness occurs;
- periodically there is a picture of the occurrence of purulent intoxication.
Thrombophlebitis is a dangerous disease that can lead to stroke or heart attack. Usually this ailment has no complications, but there are exceptions in the form of sepsis, streptococcal lymphangitis, cellulite and hyperpigmentation. Treatment is carried out surgically and conservatively.
Pulmonary embolism
This is a condition of the body in which the pulmonary arteries are clogged with blood clots that have arrived there with the blood.
The main symptoms are:
- severe pain in the chest area;
- frequent heartbeat;
- an increase in body temperature;
- the occurrence of cough and blue discoloration in the chest area.
The causes of this disease are blood clots, which are formed as a result of thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. The minimum threat in this disease is heart and respiratory failure, and in other cases, pulmonary embolism can lead to sudden cardiac death.
Treatment is carried out using drugs and conservative methods, and in some cases, operations are performed to remove a blood clot.
Vein thrombosis of the lower extremities
Vein thrombosis of the lower extremities is one of the most common consequences of varicose veins. Visually, this disease can be easily confused with common varicose veins.
However, with thrombosis, pain occurs in the area of veins swelling, the appearance of dense areas around them, in the final stages the temperature can rise to 39 degrees, the limbs swell, and the human body turns red.
Conservative methods can only temporarily weaken the symptoms of the disease; it can only be radically affected by endovenous laser obliteration. Treatment should be started as early as possible, since in the later stages it is impossible to cope with this ailment.
Skin diseases
Another complication of varicose veins is various skin diseases:
- At the first stage, severely swollen and blue veins in the form of cobwebs and stars are visible on the human body.
- At the next stage, the veins protrude even more above the skin, and places of stagnation appear, they look like nodules, the veins can turn black.
- At stage 3, the skin becomes dry and very pale, severe swelling of the limbs appears.
- The last stage, at which venous expansion reaches its peak, swelling and redness appear around them, as a result, these places will turn into a trophic ulcer, which does not heal without specific treatment.
Such consequences can be avoided at stages 1 and 2, at 3 it is very difficult, and 4 is no longer treated.
Venous ulcers
Venous ulcers due to varicose veins most often occur on the lower leg, but there are exceptions. Such education does not heal and constantly worries a person.
The main symptoms by which ulcerative formations can be identified are:
- significant varicose veins;
- painful and itching sensations in the lower leg;
- evening feeling of heaviness;
- the occurrence of puffiness.
Also, to check, you can press your finger on the front of the lower leg; when pressed, a dent appears, which disappears only after a few minutes. Treatment is carried out with the use of special drugs, compression bandages and stockings, therapeutic exercises and constant care of the skin surface.
Infertility
One of the serious complications is varicocele disease - this is an ailment that appears only in men and causes infertility.
It occurs due to a violation of the flow and outflow of venous blood to the testicles. Most often this manifests itself in relation to the left testicle due to the peculiarities of the structure of the venous network in this area of the body.
The most common symptoms of this disease are:
- pain in the scrotum;
- constant discomfort;
- decreased intimate attraction.
The first stages of varicocele are almost asymptomatic. To cure this disease, a surgical operation is performed.
Impotence
Because of varicose veins, impotence can also occur. This problem also appears due to insufficient blood circulation to the genitals.
The main symptoms are: decreased sex drive, inability to insert the penis into the vagina during an erection. Treatment and prevention takes place with the help of certain medications.
Disability, disability
The main problem of the late stage of varicose veins, in addition to the threat to life, is disability. At the extreme stages of the disease, pain in the limbs can reach those limits when it becomes impossible to move.
If the cells of the limbs begin to die off, this can lead to the amputation of certain areas, and this in turn will lead to disability.
Ways to prevent the consequences of varicose veins
Experts identify several ways to prevent varicose veins:
- Don't put on a lot of excess weight.
- Do not wear heels higher than 6 centimeters.
- You need to move more.
- In the shower, pour water over your feet, first hot and then cold.
- Do not cross your legs while sitting.
- Sports with high leg activity should be avoided.
By following these simple rules, it is easy to prevent most of the consequences of varicose veins. Varicose veins is a disease to which one should not turn a blind eye, but it is necessary to start treatment and prevention at the initial stages. This ailment in the final stages can lead to irreversible consequences, and sometimes even death.
