The defeat of the vessels on the legs is called "angiopathy of the lower extremities." Very often it occurs in diabetes mellitus, due to complications or in the absence of treatment of the disease. The consequences of this problem can be very serious: from gangrene to amputation and even to death.
Angiopathy - Causes
What is the angiopathy of the vessels of the lower extremities? These are complications in the form of disturbances in the functioning of the wall of elastic tubular formations in the human body and their structure caused by various diseases. The launched form provokes irreversible processes due to improper circulation for a long time.
Angiopathy of the vessels of the lower extremities in diabetes is caused by an excess of glucose in the blood. It destroys the small and large tubular organs of man, which in some cases thicken, and in others - thin, which leads to their deformation. In the walls of tissues fat deposits can be formed, while on the inner surface mucopolysaccharides are deposited. As a result, the blood does not circulate fully in the body, oxygen starvation occurs.
If the legs are affected, first the fingers are atrophied, then the foot, shin and hips. These tissues can not be restored, so they are subject only to amputation. Angiopathy of the lower extremities develops between 30 and 40 years. It depends not on the age of the patient, but on the severity and duration of diabetes , the changes in blood sugar and control over it.
Angiopathy of the lower extremities, except for diabetes mellitus, has such causes:
- disturbance of the work of the nervous system, which is responsible for the tone in the walls of the vessels;
- hypothermia of the lower extremities;
- injuries resulting from injuries;
- bad habits ;
- blood diseases;
- arterial hypotension and hypertension ;
- work related to harmfulness at work;
- systemic vasculitis, of autoimmune origin;
- lesions of the brain and spinal cord;
- congenital pathology of the structure of the walls of blood vessels;
- defeat of the peripheral nerves, when the vessels lose their regulatory capacity;
- prolonged vegetative-vascular dystonia, which is improperly treated.
Angiopathy caused by diabetes can be of 2 types:
- macroangiopathy - arteries and veins are damaged;
- microangiopathy - only capillaries suffer.
Symptoms of angiopathy of lower extremities
In order to prevent the disease and at the time begin to treat it, you need to know the symptoms of its manifestation. They depend on the degree of vascular damage, their location, the general condition of the patient and his age. At the initial stage, leg angiopathy does not manifest itself in any way, and changes in the body can be seen only after careful examination.
The disease has several stages and is divided according to the situation:
- There are no clinical signs, but atherosclerotic changes occur in the arteries.
- Period of intermittent claudication. When walking for a long time, the sick feel the soreness of the muscles, which makes you stop and rest.
- Pain occurs in a state of rest, when a person sits or lies. Unpleasant sensations occur when the position of the limbs is changed.
- The most difficult stage. On the surface of the skin appear ulcers, gangrene and even areas with necrosis.
Signs of metabolic angiopathy
A complex of changes in the structure of the vessels that have occurred as a result of metabolic disorders is called metabolic angiopathy of the lower limb arteries. In the tubular organs, it is possible to see point hyperechoic bright inclusions. Characteristic changes will occur in the spectral characteristics of the blood flow. The main features are:
- bleeding from the bronchi, gastrointestinal tract, nose;
- burning and numbness in the legs;
- intermittent claudication, which does not allow long walking;
- manifestation of the vascular network on the legs;
- deterioration of vision.
At external survey it is possible to see and feel:
- sluggishness of the skin;
- violation of trophic tissue, which is characterized by peeling;
- swelling of the extremities with a bluish or gray hue;
- Brushes and feet to the touch are cold.
Diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities - symptoms
With a diagnosis such as diabetic angiopathy of the vessels of the lower extremities, doctors face very often. In this disease, eye retina and kidney are also affected. Prevention and treatment of this problem should be done immediately, after the conclusion of a doctor. In the opposite case, the life of the patient can be significantly reduced by several years.
When asked about the symptoms of diabetic angiopathy, one should say:
- about painful sensations in the mornings;
- about sweating;
- about increased fatigue;
- about the thickening of the nail plate;
- about convulsions;
- on the absence of pulsation on the arteries of the foot.
Angiopathy of the lower extremities in diabetes mellitus - treatment
If a diagnosis such as diabetic angiopathy is found and established, treatment should be started immediately. Initially, it is necessary to normalize the amount of sugar in the blood in order to restore the correct blood flow in the body. There are two types of therapy:
- conservative - medicines are used;
- lymphomodulation - laser coagulation;
- operative - surgical intervention.
Angiopathy of the legs in diabetes mellitus in stages, until irreversible processes have occurred, is treated with therapeutic medications successfully, but for a long time. Patients are additionally recommended:
- wear comfortable shoes,
- get rid of bad habits;
- stabilize blood pressure;
- lose weight.
Massage with diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities
With such a terrible diagnosis as diabetic angiopathy of the vessels of the lower extremities, the treatment can be supplemented with a massage and to improve the effect of physiotherapy:
- electrostimulation;
- mud treatment;
- plasmophoresis.
Treatment of diabetic angiopathy of the lower limbs - drugs
Patients with a diagnosis of angiopathy of the lower extremities, with diabetes prescribed drugs for:
- acceleration of microcirculation (Pentoxifylline);
- improvement of trophic tissue (Co-carboxylase and ATP);
- dilution of blood (Cardiomagnesium, Aspirin);
- recovery of the body (Nicotinic and ascorbic acid, B vitamins).
Metabolic angiopathy of lower extremity vessels - treatment
Elimination of swelling of tissues and improvement of blood circulation in the diagnosis of metabolic angiopathy is carried out with the help of lymphomodulation. This procedure allows you to speed up the metabolism in the affected areas. These tissues get the opportunity to receive the necessary oxygen and nutrition. For vascular permeability, doctors prescribe lipoic acid.
Angiopathy of the lower extremities treatment of folk remedies
With the disease of angiopathy of the lower extremities, treatment with traditional medicine can be supplemented with folk remedies. The most popular of them are considered.
Tea from the medicinal product
Ingredients:
- hawthorn;
- arnica;
- root elecampane;
- blueberry;
- nettle leaves.
Preparation and use:
- Collect the herbs weighing 15 grams and mix with each other and pour boiling water. Leave to stand for about an hour.
- Strain and take before eating.
Compress of grass
Ingredients:
- flowers of calendula;
- linden buds;
- ground leaves of nettle.
Preparation and use :
- Collect the pour steep boiling water and insist.
- Grass wrap in gauze, put on clean feet and fix. Leave for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water and put on socks.
- Repeat 3 times a day.