What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

In life, we may suffer from diseases due to some congenital or acquired factors. Usually, our body will have some unusual symptoms after the disease occurs. If we can pay enough attention to these symptoms and give effective treatment as soon as possible, the development of the disease can be controlled and the harm to the patient will be much less. Varicose veins are also a relatively common vascular disease that needs our attention. In normal times, it is best for us to have a preliminary understanding of its symptoms so as to achieve early detection and treatment. So, what are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Varicose veins refer to the tortuosity and dilation of veins due to factors such as blood stasis and weak venous walls. Varicose veins can occur in many parts of the body. For example, hemorrhoids are actually a type of varicose veins. Other clinically visible varicose veins include esophageal varicose veins, varicocele, abdominal wall varicose veins, etc. The most common site of varicose veins is the lower extremities. It is worth emphasizing that varicose veins are secondary manifestations of other lesions.

Causes

There are many causes of varicose veins in the lower limbs, the most common of which is simple superficial varicose veins in the lower limbs, the main cause of which is the insufficiency of the femoral saphenous vein valve. Another important cause is primary deep venous insufficiency (PDVI) of the lower extremities, which is often combined with great saphenous vein valvular insufficiency and often manifests as tortuous dilatation of the superficial veins. In addition, post-deep vein thrombosis syndrome in the lower limbs causes compensatory tortuous dilatation of the superficial veins due to poor deep vein reflux; lower limb arteriovenous fistula and venous malformation hypertrophy syndrome can also present with varicose veins of the lower limbs; obstruction of inferior vena cava reflux, such as Budd-Chiari syndrome, can also lead to varicose veins of the lower limbs.

Clinical manifestations

1. The surface blood vessels are varicose like earthworms, obviously protruding from the skin, and the varicose blood vessels are in the shape of masses or nodules;

2. There is a sore and swollen feeling in the legs, pigmentation, desquamation, itching of the skin, and edema of the feet and ankles;

3. Strange sensations in the limbs, such as tingling, itching, numbness, or burning sensations;

4. The epidermal temperature rises, with pain and tenderness;

5. Local gangrene and ulcers.

If it is simple varicose veins of the lower limbs, the clinical symptoms are generally mild and progress slowly, mostly manifested as simple varicose veins. In a few cases, there may be thrombophlebitis, venous ulcers, etc.; if it is deep vein valve insufficiency or even deep vein reflux obstruction, the condition is relatively serious, with a feeling of heaviness when standing in the calf, easy fatigue, and even swelling and bursting pain in the lower limbs. In the later stage, nutritional changes in the skin occur, desquamation, atrophy, pigmentation, and the formation of eczema ulcers.