Reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities: symptoms and treatment

Vascular diseases have various symptoms, and people with no medical education are not always able to understand them. Any chronic disease has its own clinical manifestations and requires certain treatments. The classification is based on the nature of the disease process, thus distinguishing between pathologies that occur in mild and severe forms.

A patient with reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities accepts an appointment from a phlebologist

What is reticular varicose veins? What disease is he referring to? What if you are diagnosed with this disease? Is he in danger? How and how to treat varicose veins of the lower extremities? In our article, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions. We will not only help you understand cardiovascular disease, but also tell you the cause, symptoms and main treatments of the disease.

Reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities: what is it?

The small veins located under the skin appear dilated and are several millimeters in diameter, which are called reticular veins or reticular varicose veins. In other words, this type of pathology will manifest as an increase in venous patterns. Usually, the smaller blood vessels in the papillary layer of the dermis are simultaneously affected and form telangiectasias-vascular "nets" or "stars". The patient has a linear, stellate, reticulated or branched "pattern" of intertwined veins and filamentous saphenous veins. They are blue, green, ruby or lavender.

Signs of reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities-dilation of fine veins and vascular reticulum

In most cases, reticular varicose veins are located in the lower extremities and affect the veins on the outer surface of the thighs and thighs. In the early stage of varicose veins, varicose veins of both lower extremities are extremely common. It is worth noting that the location area for changing blood vessels is not only the area of the legs and the entire leg, but also body parts such as the face and abdomen. The obvious vein patterns on the skin of the legs are usually owned by women, and sometimes they are also formed in men.

How serious is this diagnosis? Due to the involvement of the intradermal fine veins, the nature of the disease is mild, and the degree of venous insufficiency is early. It is generally believed that the only inconvenience is the unsightly appearance of the patient, who was diagnosed with lower extremity reticular veins. But not all experts insist on this view.

Expert Opinion

Although the main course of reticular varicose veins is mild, it is mainly superficial vein disease, which is considered to be one of the first manifestations of venous insufficiency. If you don't pay attention to varicose veins for a long time, the symptom complex may aggravate, and your condition may worsen, until varicose veins and trophic ulcers are formed in the "network" part of the blood vessels.

Smoking is one of the reasons for the development of reticular varicose veins

Reticular varicose veins on the legs: causes

In the vast majority of cases, vascular diseases are caused by multiple factors that trigger the pathological process. Therefore, they are considered to be multifactorial. However, when studying the pathogenesis of vascular diseases, the main reason for the appearance of reticular veins is genetic predisposition. In individuals with an unfavorable combination of genetic factors, a certain structure of the vein wall has been determined, which is prone to varicose veins. Along with this reason, the blood vessel wall is congenital weak, which occurs because the fetus is exposed to pathogenic factors in the uterus.

In addition to the predetermined structural features of the above-mentioned venous tube, the development of varicose veins is also promoted in the following ways:

  • The existence of bad habits-alcoholism and smoking;

  • Unbalanced diet, passion for diet (including vegetarian food);

  • Hormonal imbalance and hormonal therapy;

  • Pregnancy, abortion, childbirth, menopause;

  • overweight;

  • Inactive lifestyle

  • Arterial hypertension;

  • Severe liver damage;

  • Allergic reactions;

  • Professional activities related to static load on the legs ("sitting"/"standing" work);

  • Wear uncomfortable clothes and shoes (squeeze elements, shaping underwear, narrow shoe lasts, etc. ).

A sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work can lead to the appearance of varicose veins

Unfortunately, the prerequisites leading to the development of reticular varicose veins are not limited to this list. Clients of beauty salons are also risky for shaving, chemical peels, and going to the solarium; as well as those who go to the gym for leg strength training, and those who choose high-impact load exercises (jumping, snatch, etc. ).

Signs and symptoms of reticular varicose veins

What are the clinical manifestations of reticular varicose veins? In the initial stage of varicose veins, one of the earliest and only signs is a clearly visible pattern of red-purple subcutaneous veins. Many of the finest blood vessel network structures mainly appear on the inner and back surfaces of the thighs and ankles. In rare cases, it may be sore when you press it.

The characteristics of reticular varicose veins are edema, tension, heaviness, itching, intradermal hemorrhage, spontaneous fever of the legs, and involuntary spasm of the calf muscles.

Ignoring the main symptoms of the disease can lead to its progression and complications. Remember, for absolutely healthy blood vessels, they will never be visible. Therefore, even if the spider web of the finest venous line does not cause any inconvenience to you, it is probably only temporary. Any disease is always easier to eliminate, and if treated in time, it may not even have consequences.

Ultrasonic diagnosis of reticular varicose veins of the legs

Reticular varicose veins on the legs: treatment

In this part of this article, we will discuss in detail how to treat reticular varicose veins. We will answer the most important questions-if you find that you have signs of varicose veins, what sequence of actions should you take, which doctor treats it, and many other questions.

If one or more symptoms of reticular varicose veins are detected, the first step on the road to recovery should be to see a doctor. In this case, you can contact a therapist and they will refer you to a vascular surgeon, vascular doctor or phlebologist, or go directly to these doctors who have expertise in venous pathology. Any one of them will first interview the patient and examine the feet, legs and thighs. Then an initial diagnosis is announced and an inspection plan is developed to establish the final clinical diagnosis. The patient's examination plan will include the necessary diagnostics-laboratories and instruments. In order to obtain maximum information about the state of the deep veins, the severity of superficial changes, and the consistency of the perforating veins, the patient will be assigned an ultrasound scan. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will reassess the signs of the disease, choose the best treatment plan and give recommendations.

How is the reticular vein treated? Their treatment, like the treatment of any vascular disease, has two methods: conservative and surgical. Each method includes a set of methods.

Conservative treatment of varicose veins includes expert advice on lifestyle and nutrition. Unfortunately, despite the obvious benefits of the principles of good diet and healthy lifestyle, we did not give these concepts the necessary importance. If there are no bad habits, proper physical exertion, good rest, correct daily diet and nutrition, all systems and organs of the human body will never function normally.

Proper nutrition helps improve health and prevent all diseases.

For patients with varicose veins:

  • It is not advisable to eat smoked, spicy, fried foods, and reduce the intake of salt and sweets;

  • It is not recommended to rest for a long time between meals and hunger;

  • Keep plenty of berries, fruits, vegetables and herbs in your diet;

  • Eating whole grains, rye, oats, and barley for breakfast may help.

  • Compared with carbonated drinks, fresh fruit juice is preferred.

Correct nutrition to treat varicose veins

It is difficult to rebuild your habits and behaviors based on a healthy lifestyle and start eating correctly from the very beginning. By working hard and following the doctor’s advice, patients will make a significant contribution to improving their quality of life.

Reticular varicose veins can be used for treatment at home with water procedures. The foot contrast shower stimulates blood circulation, optimizes the function of the venous valve and increases the tension of the vein wall.

Expert Opinion

To eliminate the symptoms caused by reticular varicose veins, medication is needed. The effects on the veins are carried out in complex ways: internally-using tablets and capsules, and externally-by applying ointments, gels or creams. Medications are also used to prevent the progression of the disease and eliminate the risk of complications.

For these purposes, doctors will prescribe venom formulations based on synthetic and natural plant ingredients. These funds have a wide range of therapeutic effects and have systemic effects:

  • Helps improve blood circulation;

  • Eliminate pain syndrome and heaviness in the legs;

  • It has a positive effect on strengthening blood vessel walls and capillaries;

  • Prevent the development of edema;

  • Stop the inflammatory process;

  • Help get rid of hematoma etc.

The dosage of the drug and its method of use are prescribed by the attending physician, taking into account the signs of varicose veins and the dynamics of their development.

Special attention should be paid to a factor in the development of vascular disease such as pregnancy, especially how to accurately treat reticular varicose veins during this period. When carrying a fetus, all treatments should be as safe as possible.

In order to reduce reticular varicose veins, including during pregnancy, experts recommend the use of pressure underwear.

These can be knee socks, stockings or elastic bandages. The compression level directly affects the type of linen-it can be preventive (0-1 degrees) and curative (2-3 degrees).

In the case of immediate elimination of reticular varicose veins or rapid disease progression, venuleectomy, laser treatment (photocoagulation), microsclerotherapy for telangiectasia, and sclerotherapy for reticular veins are used. Which method is most suitable for the treatment of varicose veins is determined by the doctor individually for each patient.

Gymnastics is great for preventing varicose veins

Varicose Reticulum: Gymnastics

In order to normalize the process of lymphatic outflow, venous blood outflow, and peripheral blood circulation and increase the tension of the veins, experts recommend systematic treatment exercises.

This set of exercises is not difficult, and there are many types. For each patient, the specialist in the exercise therapy room will develop a program of 3-5 actions, which needs to be performed at least twice a day, 10-15 times each time. These exercises will suit the patient's physical ability, age and other characteristics.

The most popular exercises are considered to be "birch", "bicycle", "scissors", heel-to-toe rolling, walking in place, etc.

The expert will tell you how to perform this or that action correctly, and tell you what to avoid when you choose to practice.

Reticular varicose veins: treatment with folk remedies

The question of interest to some patients with reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities is, can they be treated with remedies? The use of alternative medicine methods as part of complex treatments is not ruled out.

With the help of folk prescriptions taken internally and externally, symptoms can be relieved. Based on the results of many years of experience, it is considered to be an extremely effective product based on garlic, birch buds, horse chestnuts, verbena, nutmeg, knotweed and natural apple cider vinegar.

Usually, most popular recipes have no special contraindications, but it is always worth remembering that self-medication can cause irreparable harm. Therefore, in the treatment of varicose veins, the use of any alternative drug formula, even the most harmless formula at first glance, should always be agreed with the attending physician.

For accurate diagnosis, please contact an expert.