What varicose veins are?
We can defeat something only if we are sufficiently informed about it. Your reading this information is a great first step to success.
Chronic venous disease (CVD) affects about 50% of the population in Bulgaria and is more common in women. The disease often remains undiagnosed and untreated, leading to serious complications.
There are a lot of signs prompting that measures need to be taken. Some of the most common first symptoms of CVD are: pain, heaviness, swelling, burning sensation, tingling, night cramps and reduced sensitivity in the legs.
Legs are tired quickly and the feet get swollen by the evening. Pressing or raising the legs make the veins fade or disappear.
Fortunately, early and intensive treatment can prevent CVD progression to its more severe stages and contribute to significant quality of life improvement.
About veins
The veins are the vessels that carry the blood to the heart. When we walk the muscles in the body contract and force the blood to move in the veins. But sitting for long periods of time in one and the same position slows down the movement of the blood and keeps it the the lowest parts of the body
Over time some of the pumped out blood returns back to the lower extremities which may lead to venous hypertension and dilatation of the veins. People rarely pay attention to the early symptoms since no permanently dilated vessels are visible in the initial stage of the disease.
What happens over the years?
The venous walls become slack under the pressure of the increasing quantity of blood. The interstitial fluid starts passing from the veins to the tissues rather than back. The legs get swollen and painful.
Due to the slowed down blood flow, a large quantity of waste products and blood components is retained in the veins (erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes). They contribute to the development of inflammatory processes, leading to structural and functional changes in the veins.
External vessel changes in the form of “stars” and varicose veins start to appear. The skin around the ankles becomes dry and prone to injuries.
What might be the consequences?
Everyone wants to have nice-looking legs. And varicose veins in the legs do not help for it.
In addition to aestheric problems, the venous disease may lead to various disorders such as phlebitis, thrombosis, varicose eczema and leg ulcers. Most serious among them is the formation of blood clots in the varicose veins. If complicated, in the acute phase it may progress to venous limb gangrene or hemorrhagic necrosis, leading to eventual loss of the limb. If a blood clot breaks loose, it most often gets to the lungs and causes a life-threatening condition – pulmonary embolism.
We know it sounds a bit scary, but taking the right timely measures will help you enjoy a healthy and happy life.
