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In addition to the obvious unsightly visual effect, which unfortunately varicose veins bring with them, they should also be a disturbing signal, characterizing e.g. serious circulation problems. They usually take the form of arachnids – with particular preference for locating on the calves. The symptoms are quite clear — you should have no problem recognizing them. Sometimes, however, in the early stages, you may miss the alarming symptoms that herald a serious disease. So how do you learn to recognize and identify the problem properly? How can you prevent and remedy such ailment?
Varicose veins – unsightly and dangerous condition
What do varicose veins look like? Most often, they visibly reveal their presence only when they become a problem. They usually occur on the lower limbs, taking the form of persistent, fusiform, dilated and twisted superficial veins. They are often associated with venous insufficiency. The problem affects women much more often, it is usually conditioned by a sedentary lifestyle, heavy lifting, genetic inheritance. Varicose veins arise as a result of blood stagnation in the lower limbs, which in turn is caused by the incorrect operation of the venous valves that determine the flow of blood. Then abnormalities appear in this area – the blood returns to the superficial veins, under the influence of pressure pressing against their thin walls and gradually expanding them.
The beginnings of varicose veins – symptoms
Unfortunately, it is not easy to quickly diagnose the growing problem of varicose veins, because in the first phase of the development of this condition it is not a painful ailment. Usually, the motive for applying for help in this regard is the appearance of arachnids on the legs – that is, the first signs of varicose veins, commonly known as the first signs of varicose veins, small, dilated veins under the skin. We are not driven by health-related fear, but by the need to eliminate an unsightly problem.
Varicose veins of the legs – do not underestimate and do not miss the symptoms!
The initial symptoms of varicose veins of the lower limbs can put your vigilance to sleep. However, your attention should be drawn to the often accompanying feeling of heaviness in the legs (even without justifying physical effort), which disappears only at rest when lifting the legs high. Due to this ailment, you can reach for measures to eliminate the feeling of tired legs. Sometimes there is also pain in the lower limbs during prolonged sitting in an unchanging position or when you are forced to stand for a long time. Sometimes there is pain localized near the affected vein or there is swelling around the ankles. Some also complain of restless legs syndrome, unpleasant muscle cramps. This is the stage that you should not miss to prevent the development of the disease and avoid additional ailments. The next phase is the decisive development of the disease, manifested by very visible varicose veins (calf varicose veins, varicose veins under the knee, internal varicose veins), skin changes: ulcerations, eczema, discoloration. Unfortunately, the development of the disease means the intensification of lower limb venous insufficiency, which may result in varicose vein thrombosis, superficial vein thrombosis, external and subcutaneous bleeding, skin changes, ulcers.
Varicose disease – make the right diagnosis!
In diagnosing this disease, the passage of time is a very important factor, which is why it is so important to be able to recognize the symptoms as early as possible. In venous diagnostics, the method of ultrasound examination is used, which allows to define the causes of varicose veins and the scale of their growth, which allows the selection of an appropriate method of treatment. An alternative diagnostic method is phlebography, which consists in administering a contrast agent to the vein and thus obtaining a picture of the spread of the problem.