Why do my legs hurt in my swords? Could venous disease also be the cause?
Veins are thin-walled structures inside which a series of valves keep blood flowing in the body in one direction. The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues through thicker-walled arteries; veins return this blood to the heart. Veins near the skin surface are called superficial veins, and veins in the muscles of the arms and legs are called deep veins.
Damaged vein walls obstruct the circulatory system, allowing pooling and retrograde (backward) blood flow when the muscles relax. This creates abnormally high pressure in the veins. This buildup causes further stretching and twisting of the veins, excessive swelling, increased valve dysfunction, slow blood flow, and the potential for blood clots. Over time, this condition can lead to various disorders known as venous disease.
What is phlebitis?
Phlebitis means inflammation of veins. Thrombophlebitis results from one or more blood clots in a vein, causing inflammation and partial or even complete closure of the vein. Thrombophlebitis usually occurs in the veins of the legs, but it can happen in the arms or other parts of the body. A blood clot in a vein causes pain and irritation and can block blood flow in the veins. Phlebitis can occur in superficial (superficial) or deep veins.
Superficial phlebitis is a disease that affects the veins on the surface of the skin. The condition is rarely serious and usually resolves quickly with proper care. However, sometimes people with superficial phlebitis also get deep vein thrombophlebitis, so medical evaluation and help are needed.
Deep vein thrombophlebitis affects larger blood vessels, usually deep in the legs. As a result, large blood clots can form that can break off and travel to the lungs. This is a serious condition called pulmonary embolism.
What causes phlebitis?
Superficial phlebitis can be a complication or consequence of a medical or surgical procedure. Damage to a vein increases the risk of a blood clot. Sometimes clots appear even without injury to the veins. Some risk factors for thrombophlebitis include the following:
- Long-term inactivity - staying in bed or sitting for several hours, for example, in a car or on a plane, which causes stagnation or slower blood flow from the leg area - this accumulation of blood in the legs causes the formation of blood clots.
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- Sedentary way - life without movement
- obesity
- cigarette smoking and passive smoking
- certain medical conditions, such as cancer or blood disorders, that speed up the blood's ability to clot
- arm or leg injuries
- hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills
- Pregnancy
- Varicose veins
How can we recognize phlebitis?
Usually, a tender red area along the superficial veins of the skin slowly appears. An extended, thin red area may be seen as the inflammation follows the external vein. This area is usually complex, warm, and tender. The skin around the vein may be itchy and swollen, and the site may throb or burn.
Symptoms may worsen when the leg is down, especially when you first get out of bed in the morning. A low-grade fever may occur. If an infection is present, symptoms may include redness, fever, pain, swelling, or even skin breakdown.
What about Deep venous thrombophlebitis?
The condition can be similar to superficial phlebitis, but some people may not have symptoms of deep vein thrombophlebitis. Instead, a person may have pain and swelling throughout the entire limb. For example, the lower leg may swell for no apparent reason. In addition, some people develop a fever due to a bacterial infection, skin discoloration, or ulcers if the condition becomes chronic and has not been adequately treated.
When to seek medical help?
Call your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of swelling, pain, and inflammation of superficial veins in your arms or legs. If the condition does not improve within a week or two or worsens, go for another checkup to ensure the situation has not declined.
Deep vein thrombophlebitis requires immediate medical attention. If you have any of these signs and symptoms, go to a hospital emergency department for evaluation:
- High fever with any symptoms in the arm or leg
- Sticks in the leg
- Severe pain and swelling in an arm or leg
- New, unexplained shortness of breath may be the first clue that a blood clot has already traveled to your lungs; call 911 if you have trouble breathing.
How do you determine the diagnosis?
Your doctor will examine you and ask about the symptoms you are experiencing. D-dimer is a blood test that measures a substance released when a blood clot dissolves. If this blood test is negative and you are not experiencing any risk factors, you are unlikely to have a blood clot.
Ultrasound can effectively detect clots or blockages in blood flow, especially in larger, proximal veins (in the upper legs). A small hand-held instrument (probe) is placed against your skin and thus helps identify blood clots and discover where the obstruction is. This is a painless, non-invasive test.
A venogram is occasionally needed to detect blood clots in smaller, more distal veins. This invasive procedure requires an X-ray dye or contrast material to be injected into a vein in the foot, and then an X-ray image of the paint flow up the leg is taken.
How can we heal?
An anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and inflammation of superficial phlebitis, but consult your doctor before using the medicine. If you increase physical activity (such as walking), you also increase blood flow, which helps prevent blood clots from forming. In addition, compression stockings with graduated compression (up to the knees or thighs) improve blood flow and can help relieve pain and swelling.
In case of vein problems, it makes sense to use medicine < strong>Detralex, intended to treat venous diseases. If you have deep vein thrombophlebitis, you may need to stay in the hospital for several days for diagnosis and treatment to ensure no complications.
If your exam shows superficial phlebitis and you are otherwise healthy, you will likely go home soon. However, you must use compression stockings and anti-inflammatory medication to manage your symptoms. Additional treatment includes arm/leg elevation and application of warm compresses. Only a few cases require antibiotics.
If you have had deep vein thrombophlebitis in the past, or if phlebitis may have spread to the deep veins, you will need to take a blood thinner (anticoagulant). The duration of anticoagulant treatment is usually 3-6 months or 3-12 months if you have a DVT for the first time.
If you have signs of infection, you will need to take an antibiotic. For example, suppose superficial phlebitis has progressed to deep veins. In that case, this is a serious condition and may even require a person to be admitted to the hospital for treatment and further evaluation by the state.
What types of venous diseases are there? What are the symptoms?
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are twisted and swollen near the skin surface and occur when weak or faulty valves allow blood to flow backward or stagnate in the veins. Varicose veins are a fairly common health problem, although women are affected twice as often as men. They usually appear in the legs, but varicose veins can also appear in the anus, where they are known as hemorrhoids. Although varicose veins do not pose a severe health risk, they can be removed for cosmetic reasons or if they cause discomfort.
Superficial thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein (usually in an extremity, especially one of the legs) that occurs in response to a blood clot in the vein. When it occurs in a vein near the skin's surface, it's known as superficial thrombophlebitis, a minor disorder usually identified by a red, tender vein.
Deep venous thrombophlebitis
Deep vein thrombophlebitis (which affects more prominent veins deep below the surface of the skin) is a more serious medical complication. It may initially cause less pronounced symptoms (half of all cases are asymptomatic) but carries the risk of pulmonary embolism (when a clot breaks off from its site of origin and travels to the lungs) and chronic venous insufficiency (impaired blood flow through the veins), causing dermatitis, increased skin pigmentation, and swelling.
Can venous disease also cause leg swelling?
Lymphedema is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes swelling of body tissues. It can affect any body part but usually develops in the hands or feet. It creates when the lymphatic system does not work correctly. The lymphatic system is a network of channels and glands throughout the body that helps fight infection and remove excess fluid. Lymphedema must be recognized and treated as soon as possible. If left untreated, it can get worse.
Lymphedema is caused by a problem with the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands spread throughout the body. The main functions of the lymphatic system are to help fight infections and drain excess fluid from the tissues.
There are two main types of lymphedema
primary lymphedema is caused by faulty genes that affect the development of the lymphatic system; it can develop at any age but usually begins in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood.
Secondary lymphedema – occurs due to damage to the lymphatic system or problems with moving and draining fluid in the lymphatic system; it can be the result of cancer treatment, infection, injury, inflammation of a limb, or lack of movement.
What are the symptoms of lymphedema?
At first, lymphedema in an arm or leg can cause symptoms such as:
- swelling and a heavy or painful feeling in the hands or feet that may spread to the fingers and toes
- bruise when you press on the swollen area
- a node that is soft to the touch and usually not painful at first
Uncontrolled lymphedema can cause:
- more significant swelling, weakness, and difficulty moving an arm or leg
- itchy, red, warm skin, and sometimes a rash
- wounds that do not heal and an increased risk of skin infections that can cause pain, redness, and swelling
- thickening or hardening of the skin
- the sensation of tension in the skin; pressure on the swollen area does not leave a dent
- hair loss
Lymphedema in the head or neck can cause:
- swelling and tight discomfort in the face, neck, or under the chin
- trouble moving your head or neck
Tell your doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms. Early treatment can prevent or reduce the severity of problems caused by lymphedema.
How can we help each other?
The drug Detralex is intended to treat and relieve symptoms of chronic vein disease, lymphedema, and acute hemorrhoidal disease in adults.
How can we avoid the occurrence of venous disease?
- Focus on staying physically active. For example, get up regularly and walk around a bit to get your blood flowing if you have an office job.
- Stay hydrated. When you drink a lot of water, your blood is thinner and flows better through your veins. Thicker blood can worsen problems with venous insufficiency due to excessive dehydration.
- Eat healthily. Fruits and vegetables are excellent for blood circulation and the health of vascular walls.
- Don't smoke. Chemicals in tobacco smoke can deoxygenate and thicken the blood. In addition, nicotine causes the hardening and narrowing of blood vessels.
- Use compression stockings. If you are susceptible to developing venous insufficiency, whether due to genetics, pregnancy, chronic conditions such as obesity or heart disease, or work/lifestyle habits, then compression stockings are suggested. These help contract the muscles around the veins to move blood back toward the heart. It would also be a good idea to elevate your legs (higher than your hips) a few times a day to increase blood circulation.
- Seek treatment. If you start to notice symptoms such as fatigue, leg heaviness, and swelling, it would be an excellent time to see a vascular doctor.
How to relieve pain due to venous disease?
- Leg Raises. Raise your legs above heart level – for 30 minutes or as little as three minutes and as often as possible. The best time for this type of exercise is after a long stand or after a hot shower.
- Wear loose clothing. Avoid tight dress around the legs and waist, which can impede blood circulation in the lower body.
- Avoid high heels. High-heeled shoes shorten the muscles at the back of the leg and prevent the deep veins from working at their total capacity.
- Sit properly. Focus on correct posture and avoid crossing your legs or sitting in ways that could compress your veins for long periods and impede flow.
- Walk. Walking causes rhythmic muscle contractions and helps stimulate blood flow back to the heart. Walk for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Take breaks. Take frequent walking breaks to avoid sitting or standing for more than two hours.
- Wear compression stockings. Wearing compression stockings purchased at the pharmacy will help increase blood flow when flying, standing for long periods, or sitting.
- Know your history. Women with a family history of varicose veins or relatives with varicose veins should wear compression stockings during menarche (first period) and menopause and pregnancy – most notably in the first trimester.
- Medication Detralex. The medicine Detralex also represents an option for the treatment or relief of pain, as it is used in adults and is intended to treat the symptoms of chronic venous disease.
- Don't smoke. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke narrow the veins and affect general circulation.
- Contact a phlebologist. Visit an authorized phlebologist to examine the condition - if you want to learn more about the risks, prevention, and treatment of venous disease, consult him.
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