Varicose veins or varicose veins are a pathological process that many people face. In most cases, the disease affects the vessels of the legs, leading to their elongation, deformation, thinning of the vascular walls. In addition, the valves located inside the veins cease to fully perform their functions, which disrupts the systemic circulation and the blood gets stuck in the veins.
Under the influence of the described factors, the vessels increase in size, appear on the surface, appearing through the skin. As a result, an entire vascular network is visible on the surface of the skin, often with trophic joints and ulcers. However, in addition to aesthetic concerns, the problem is much deeper and very often accompanied by painful sensations.
Nature of pain with varicose veins
First of all, it is important to understand that the concept of "very often" does not mean that pain is accompanied by 100% of cases of varicose veins. Much depends on a number of factors, the individual characteristics of the patient's body, even in the later stages of progression of the pathological process, there may be no pain.
If we classify painful sensations, we will first examine their localization:
- In most cases, the pain syndrome is localized directly at the site of vascular lesions, their deformation.
- In second place in terms of frequency of localization is the area of the gastrocnemius muscle, while the pain itself is localized closer to the popliteal region of the foot.
- The lowest probability of localization of pain syndrome goes to the ankle area.
Naturally, the likelihood of developing leg pain increases as the pathological process progresses. This is due to the aggravating condition of the blood vessels, their enlargement, the progression of stagnant processes and, accordingly, the increase in vascular pressure. After all, the pressure can rise so much that the walls of the vessel will not withstand, this threatens internal hemorrhage, the formation of hematomas and trophic ulcers.
Therefore, the nature of the pain depends on the degree of development of the disease:
- In the initial stages, painful or rather uncomfortable sensations of an attractive or tight character are caused by swelling of the feet. It is important to understand that along with circulatory disturbances, fluid is retained in the legs, which provokes swelling. In the initial stages, edema is periodic, most often appearing in the evening, and discomfort is caused by fatigue, walking in shoes during the day, in extreme cases by skin tension.
- The fact of fatigue deserves special attention. With varicose veins, the legs get tired faster. Initially this is expressed during prolonged physical exertion during the day (if the patient stands for a long time, walks a lot, etc. ). However, as the disease progresses, fatigue is felt more often and more intensely, due to which characteristic painful sensations are felt. In this case, the pain is dull in nature, also attractive or aching.
- Around the second stage of the disease, with deterioration of the condition of the veins, their more serious deformation and malfunction of the valves of moderate severity, patients complain of the effect of severity. In this case the pain is characterized as erupting, in some cases even called acute. This is due to the increase in pressure in the blood vessels and if at first it is enough to lie down and place your feet on a hill so that the pain subsides, in the future you will have to cope with them using medication.
- The most probable is the development of pain syndrome, as well as the increase of its intensity in the case of the progression of varicose veins in the last, fourth stage. It is at this stage that the vascular deformity and vascular pressure reaches its peak.
It is difficult to describe more accurately the characteristics of painful sensations with varicose veins in the legs. This is due to the individual characteristics of the body of each patient, as well as the characteristics of the course of the disease. However, the pain can feel like:
- Stupid.
- Drawing.
- Pain.
- Exploding.
- Compressive.
- Sharp.
- Similar to rezi.
Also in the second stage, and more often in the third stage of pathology development, the pain is accompanied by muscle cramps, which bother patients mainly during night sleep.
Causes of painful sensations
Understanding where varicose vein pain comes from can help you deal with this problem more effectively or prevent the onset of pain. So pain arises under the influence of the following reasons:
- Pathological changes in the vascular bed slow down blood circulation to certain areas of the veins. This leads to a decrease in blood flow, due to which oxygen deprivation begins and pain appears.
- Blood circulation promotes the elimination of waste products, which are constantly produced by the body in small quantities. Due to the reduction of blood flow and its stagnation, the products of decay are slowly removed, which leads to the appearance of toxins that poison living cells, this process also causes painful sensations.
- Trophic disorders that appear in the late stages of varicose veins and with the progression of the disease only intensify, provoking more and more acute pain, also contribute to the appearance of pain.
The pain is exacerbated by physical exertion, leg fatigue, in most cases they become particularly severe in the afternoon or evening.
Pathology treatment methods
For complete elimination of pain, it is necessary to direct all forces in the treatment of the pathological process. To do this, you should consult a doctor who will make a diagnosis, based on which he will prescribe a treatment that is most suitable for a particular patient.
The treatment will take a certain time, during which the patient will suffer from pain. Therefore, it is important to understand not only how to deal with varicose veins, but also to know the methods of pain relief.
First aid in the fight against pain
Elimination of pain is only a symptomatic part of the treatment, in most cases it does not affect the solution of the main problem - varicose veins.
However, it is very important to eliminate the pain, consider the main methods of treating uncomfortable and painful sensations:
- In the initial stages of disease development, the pains are unstable, their intensity is quite low and they appear mainly in the evening. In such cases, it is enough to take a lying position and place your feet on a pillow or simply lean them against the wall so that your feet are above body level. This position facilitates blood flow, reducing pain and swelling.
- It is also very helpful to do a light massage, cooking the lower limbs with massage movements and rubbing. Remember, you can stretch your legs during the day, which is very helpful in the later stages of disease development.
Traditional methods of pain relief
In case of intense pain that bothers you constantly, as well as in cases when there is no way to massage or relax, you should turn to the help of medication. Of course, only a doctor should prescribe a medicine, but in most cases the following medicines are used:
- Special tools in gel form - we are mainly talking about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that effectively relieve pain, as well as have a pronounced moderate anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.
- In some cases, you can use painkillers, but with varicose veins, their effect is insignificant and short-lived. These are mainly analgesic and antispasmodic.
- If painful sensations are accompanied or worsened by convulsions, it is worth talking to your doctor about the use of muscle relaxants, which help reduce muscle spasms.
- Also, traditional methods of treating painful sensations with varicose veins in the legs include wearing socks, stockings or special compression stockings. This method is considered the most effective in terms of pain relief and its effect is longer. The mentioned underwear should be bought only in pharmacies and since they have different degrees of compression, consult your doctor first.
Folk remedies
In folk medicine there are also many ways to eliminate or prevent pain caused by the development of varicose veins. Consider some of the most effective methods and recipes:
- Horse chestnut - an alcoholic solution should be prepared from the fruit of this tree. To do this, grind 100 grams of peeled chestnuts, place in a glass container and pour 500 milliliters of vodka. Place the container in a dark place and leave for 7-8 days at room temperature, stirring once a day. After that, the solution is filtered and rubbed with your feet before going to bed or even during the day if the pain bothers you during the day.
- Products based on beeswax or propolis show high efficacy in the fight against varicose veins. To prepare the medicine, take 80-90 grams of propolis, grind it and pour 300 milliliters of medical alcohol into a glass container. The agent is injected for 30 days or until the propolis is completely dissolved, during which time it is also kept in a dark place, shaking it periodically. Once the medicine is ready, you can rub your feet or apply lotions.
Pain prevention
It is also important to understand that in the early stages of the disease, when the pain is not intense or rarely bothers, but treatment has been started, it will suffice to follow the recommendations that reduce the possibility of painful sensations:
- Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.
- Make sure your shoes are comfortable.
- In the cold season, when working indoors, it is important to switch from boots to lighter and more comfortable shoes.
- Try to minimize stress on your feet.
- It is impossible to hold a static position for a long time. If you stand a lot on your feet, try to sit more, but if you sit a lot, it is important to take periodic walks or at least warm up.
- During the day try to massage the lower extremities, 5 minutes of light massage will protect you from pain during the day.
- It is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle, start doing light sports, eat properly, give up bad habits, and so on.