Varicose veins and thrombophlebitis: what is the difference and how to treat insidious diseases of the lower extremities?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

One of the most common diseases are varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. What is the difference between them? The differences are in what changes occur to the blood vessels in each of these cases. Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease in which the outflow of blood is impaired and the pressure on the veins increases.

Thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of the vein wall and the appearance of blood clots on it. With this ailment, a blood clot can come off and block the flow of blood, which poses a threat to life.

Varicose veins and thrombophlebitis: symptoms of diseases

Many people often confuse these pathologies, thinking that there is no difference between them. But it's not right. The difference is that with varicose veins there is a loss of elasticity of the vein walls, and with thrombophlebitis, blood clots form. Varicose veins begin with the appearance of swelling and heaviness in the lower extremities. Sometimes it is enough to fully rest for the first manifestations of varicose veins to disappear.

Doctors distinguish the following symptoms of this disease:

• swelling of the lower extremities in the thigh or lower leg;
• thickening of the skin on the lower leg;
• the appearance of red spots and darkening on the skin;
• pain in the calves when walking;
• pain in the veins on palpation;
• the formation of trophic ulcers.

These symptoms increase with prolonged standing or sitting. Thrombophlebitis most often affects vessels that have already expanded.

This disease has the following symptoms:

• pain in the lower extremities;
• a feeling of heaviness and burning in the legs;
• redness of the skin over the thrombosed veins;
• an increase in body temperature up to thirty-seven and a half degrees.

A concomitant symptom of the disease is a slight swelling of the limb in which the thrombus has formed. The appearance of compacted areas is accompanied by pain when walking. As doctors note, thrombophlebitis is an advanced form of varicose veins that occurs when the symptoms of varicose veins are ignored.

The main reasons for the appearance of varicose veins and thrombophlebitis

The most common cause of varicose veins is heredity. It doesn't matter which family member had vein problems. In the presence of a gene that is responsible for varicose veins, the disease can make itself felt at any age.

In addition to hereditary predisposition, doctors identify other causes of varicose veins:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• gender (women suffer from varicose veins more often than men);
• heavy physical activity;
• excess weight;
• irrational and unbalanced nutrition.

Thrombophlebitis, which is a complication of varicose veins, occurs for the following reasons:

• phlebeurysm;
• post-thrombophlebitic disease;
• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• malignant tumors;
• installation of a venous catheter for a long period;
• infectious diseases;
• hormonal disorders.

At the first manifestations of varicose veins, visit a phlebologist. This is the only way to stop the development of this disease and prevent possible complications.

Varicose veins and thrombophlebitis: a drug solution to the problem

Treatment with medications is used in the complex therapy of varicose veins and the appearance of a blood clot.

To stop the development of symptoms of these diseases and prevent serious complications, doctors prescribe the following drugs:

• Troxevasin;
• Venitan;
• Heparin ointment.

Troxevasin

It has a firming, decongestant and tonic effect. This drug is prescribed by vascular surgeons for the treatment of venous insufficiency, varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.

The ointment contains troxerutin, which has the following effects:

• restores the elasticity of vascular tissues;
• prevents the appearance of blood clots;
• eliminates inflammation and increases the density of the vascular walls;
• increases the tone of capillaries and reduces their fragility.

The agent is applied in the morning and in the evening to the dilated veins until completely absorbed into the skin. Movements should be soft, as rough massaging can aggravate the disease. To enhance the therapeutic effect, the drug is recommended to be applied under stockings or elastic bandages. The treatment lasts one week.

The use of Troxevasin should be abandoned in such cases:

• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
• violations of the structure of the skin and various rashes;
• first trimester of pregnancy;
• children's age up to fifteen years.

If, after a week of using the ointment, the condition has not improved, be sure to consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and change the treatment tactics.

Venitan cream

Used to treat varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, accompanied by pain and a feeling of heaviness in the legs. This drug tones the walls of blood vessels, eliminates puffiness and relieves inflammation.

The main component of Venitana is horse chestnut dry extract, the seeds of which are composed of a number of active ingredients:

• escin;
• acidic saponin;
• catechins;
• flavone glycosides.

The most important of these substances is escin. It increases the tone of the veins and reduces capillary permeability. Adults should apply the cream to the affected area one to three times a day. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.

Venitan should not be taken in such cases:

• hypersensitivity to the components of the cream;
• the presence of abrasions, wounds, burns and other damage to the skin;
• children's age up to sixteen years.

As a result of using Venitan cream, edema decreases, metabolic processes in the affected tissues improve and blood flow increases.

Heparin ointment

Often prescribed for varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. The substance heparin, which is part of the ointment, normalizes blood circulation and relieves inflammation. The analgesic component benzocaine relieves pain in the lower limb. Benzonicotinic acid dilates blood vessels and accelerates the penetration of heparin into the deep layers of the skin.

Absorbed into the bloodstream, the drug has a number of beneficial effects:

• prevents the appearance of blood clots;
• eliminates puffiness;
• improves microcirculation.

Heparin ointment is applied three times a day with a thin layer to the problem area. This remedy should be used for seven days. If at the end of the course the symptoms have not disappeared, then the treatment is extended for another week.

Heparin ointment should not be used in such cases:

• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• cracks, ulcers, or wounds on the surface of the skin;
• predisposition to prolonged heavy bleeding.

All medications considered cannot be used alone. They can only be prescribed by a doctor after confirming the diagnosis.

How to keep your legs healthy?

Prevention of varicose veins and thrombophlebitis consists in observing the following rules:

• pay due attention to healthy eating, limit the intake of fatty foods;
• consume one and a half liters of water per day;
• walk regularly in the fresh air;
• exercise;
• observe the mode of work and rest (chronic lack of sleep harms blood vessels);
• do not cross your legs when sitting;
• do not wear tight clothing that squeezes your legs;
• consume vitamins K, C and P;
• give up bad habits.

There is a direct relationship between varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. The difference between these pathologies is that thrombophlebitis is much more insidious, since it leads to severe complications. To prevent blood clots, treat varicose veins in time.