How does venous insufficiency develop, and what complications does it lead to?

Venous insufficiency develops when the walls of the vessels are weakened. This is due to genetic predisposition, due to malnutrition, lack of exercise, or all of these factors. The vein's reaction to such factors is its expansion, which is necessary for continuing its task of delivering blood to the heart. Expansion of the vein is an indispensable process, otherwise the blood flow would be blocked.


In that case, when it comes to a temporary problem, a person probably does not notice anything special. But if the expansion of the vessels occurs constantly, the first symptoms of trouble begin to appear.

The first symptoms: a feeling of fatigue in the legs

The process of development of venous insufficiency can be expressed in varying degrees: beginning with mild indisposition (feeling of heaviness in the legs or swelling) and ending with more serious manifestations, such as phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and embolism of the pulmonary artery. It is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle and, with initial symptoms, diagnose the disease as early as possible in order to take appropriate treatment. Therefore, it is very important to know the signs of venous insufficiency: it senses the soreness in the legs and the feeling as if they are burning; the ankles and feet swell, it becomes very difficult to walk; marked restless legs movements; leathers the color; at night, there are seizures of gastrocnemius muscles that prevent normal respiration.

Usually, convulsions are noted at the end of the day, if a person held it "on their feet". Another sign that distinguishes simple muscle exhaustion from venous insufficiency is that cramps, a feeling of heaviness in the legs and swelling are most intense on hot days or when a person is near a source of high temperature, for example, a stove. Thus, these symptoms are common in the summer months. In the morning pains are more tolerable, but gradually grow during the day, as the temperature rises and fatigue increases. The pain will be weakened if you lie down with your legs raised after a light-hearted shower or a small rest.

The appearance of varicose veins

In this case, if the initial symptoms are not eliminated, the veins continue to expand, trying to compensate for interference in the flow of blood. This process provokes an inflammation of the tissue of the inner walls of the vessels. Then the venous walls are stretched and, as a consequence, secrete toxins and water, which increases pain and swelling. Now more obvious signs are emerging that there are problems in the functioning of the venous system. For example, after minor bruises appear small hemorrhages, which sometimes occur even without a cause. In addition, varicose-dilated veins on the back of the knees and the external surface of the thighs can become visible. As a rule, they look like cobwebs or mesh stars.

Type of disturbance of the circulatory system: cold feet

Violation of the circulation provokes the appearance of the symptom of tired legs and veins. Another disease among the most common pathologies of the lower extremities is the so-called cold feet. The temperature of the feet is dependent on the temperature of the environment, as well as on the circulation of blood. If the tongue has a tendency to cool, do not wear tight shoes, stockings inos that prevent proper circulation; recommended moderate physical stress and the rejection of certain habits - smoking, drinking coffee, etc. These are the most effective preventive measures aimed at avoiding the appearance of the symptom of cold feet.

Despite the fact that this condition can not be considered a serious disease, without proper preventive measures, the symptom of cold feet can lead to complications such as gastritis, bronchial asthma, migraine, etc.

Expansion of veins

For most people, the widening of the veins can not always be detected from the first glance, because there is a possibility that excess fat or cellulite secretes the varicose veins. Vein enlargement occurs when the appropriate treatment for venous insufficiency has not been undertaken.

Blood returns to the veins in the heart after delivery to all cells of nutrients. On the way back, she is forced to overcome many obstacles - such as attraction, venous valves, calf muscles and low blood pressure. Excessively expanding in an attempt to maintain a constant flow of blood to the heart, the veins lose tonality, bend and become noticeable. The skin becomes transparent, and thin thin threads begin to appear through it.

The security system has several security mechanisms. If the stagnation of blood occurs in veins of small volume, the neighboring veins in some measure are able to take on the task of providing a crotch in this area. Conversely, when difficulties in blood circulation occur in large diameter vessels, it is impossible to fully compensate for obstruction of the occlusion, and therefore there is an expansion of veins. Although it may occur in many areas of the body, the most common localization of the lower extremities.

Venous insufficiency affects almost every fourth person. As for the widening of the veins, every tenth is subject to this loss of energy. And the number of women, according to statistics, exceeds twice the number of men suffering from this disease.

Usually, with the exception of very rare cases, enlargements occur in the veins of the superficial network of the legs. And first of all, subcutaneous vessels are affected. There are two large, dense veins. The external saphenous vein originates on the outer side of the tinea and rises along the central and posterior parts of the tibia to level to the deep vein. The inner vein extends from the ankle from the inner side of the leg and enters the deep vein in the groin area.

It is in these two veins that the majority of varicose extensions occur. In separate, however, rather rare cases, varicose extensions can also appear in the vascular branches of the subcutaneous veins.

Hemorrhoids - a kind of expansion of veins

Hemorrhoids are varicose veins developing in the anus and causing a burning sensation in the rectum, pain and blood during defecation. External hemorrhoids, that is, the nodes that form under the skin of the anal opening, are called "hemorrhoidal cones." The fact that hemorrhoids develop only in humans may indicate a close connection with malnutrition.

Stages of varicose veins

Isolate the triptypes of varicose veins.

Complications arising from venous insufficiency

When the advanced failure turns into a chronic stage of the disease and the walls of the vessels begin to weaken, there is a chance of complications much more serious than the weary leg and varicose veins. Until now, the main problems due to swelling of the legs were pain and anxiety. If venous insufficiency is not eliminated, phlebitis, that is, venous thrombosis as a result of a blood clot forming in the vessel, may occur.

The appearance of a blood clot in one of the superficial veins is not considered dangerous, since small volumes of blood circulate in these vessels. The formation of a blood clot in a deeper vein, on the contrary, can lead to more serious consequences due to the large volume of transported blood. A blood clot formed on the vein wall can at any time enter the bloodstream, clog up one of the pulmonary arteries and, as a consequence, cause pulmonary artery embolism.

To the doctor, it is necessary to apply before the first appearance of such symptoms as: redness, swelling, numbness, unexplained pain in the calves of the legs.

Be healthy!