varicose veins

varicose veins- This is a pathology that affects the vessels of the lower extremities, and with an unfavorable course of the disease, various complications are possible. These can range from relatively harmless symptoms, such as fatigue, pain and swelling of the legs, to serious consequences such as thrombosis and trophic ulcers.

According to the WHO, the diagnosis of varicose veins of the lower extremities occurs in almost every 4-5 adults. Currently, it is still considered one of the most common pathologies on the planet. In recent years, the contingent of patients with this pathology has decreased significantly - more than 80% of cases fit the age of 30-50 years and even occur in adolescents.

Causes of varicose veins

Women are primarily at risk of developing varicose veins. This is due to several physiological features of the female body at once:

• First of all, there are hormonal changes that occur at different stages of life and lead to a weakening of the vein network and blood vessels. This happens during pregnancy, during childbirth, during menopause. For example, blood volume increases by up to 30% during pregnancy, and the growing uterus compresses the pelvic vessels, making normal venous drainage difficult. After childbirth, the situation only partially normalizes, since changes in the structure of the deep veins remain. Hence this sad statistic: after the first childbirth, every third or fourth woman faces manifestations of varicose veins. After the second - already every second.
• Varicose veins also develop due to a genetic predisposition. That is, if relatives of the female line had problems with blood vessels, sooner or later this disease will manifest itself under the influence of negative factors. But even if there is a predisposition to this disease, this does not mean that you will actually have varicose veins. Genetics may or may not work, but you will always be at risk.
• Often, varicose veins also develop under the influence of external factors due to the peculiarities of everyday life. Long-term sedentary and standing work, constant stress from weight lifting, obesity, unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle also lead to their development.

Although, according to statistics, women are more likely to suffer from vascular problems, the male half can also get varicose veins. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and strength loads from regular weight lifting can lead to pathologies.

Stages of varicose veins

There is a classification of diseases, according to which there are several stages of varicose veins: from zero to the most severe. At the zero level, there are still no external signs of the disease, but the person feels heaviness, by the end of the day there is a slight swelling. Therefore, many describe varicose veins as an unpleasant blemish.

In fact, varicose veins are classified as a group of serious cardiovascular pathologies, which in the future will lead to the development of serious complications and limit vital activity.

Conventionally, the symptoms of varicose veins are divided into several stages, showing the neglect of the pathology:

1. First, there are complaints - constant pain and "heaviness" in the legs, swelling of the feet and ankles at the end of the day, and night cramps in the legs. Often at the end of the day, imprints from socks and shoes are visible on the skin. At the same time, the vein pattern on the skin becomes clearer and spider veins appear in some places. Sometimes the legs remain the same in appearance, but the unpleasant symptoms progress every day.
2. In the second stage, the veins already take on the appearance characteristic of varicose veins - they begin to protrude above the skin, forming whole tufts and nodules. As the course progresses, they "bulge" more and more outwards and take on a bluish-black color.
3. In the third stage, tissue trophism worsens. Dryness and pallor of the skin of the legs add to the constant swelling and heaviness in the legs, cramps already appear not only at night, but also during the day. Sometimes a rash and itching appear in the affected area.
4. At the last stage, in addition to all the above symptoms of varicose veins, inflammatory processes of the skin and blood vessels are added. In places where a large number of bulging veins accumulate, non-healing trophic ulcers appear. In addition, it is possible to attach thrombophlebitis or a secondary infection.

If the patient does not take any action, the disease will progress. And if at the initial stage it is still possible to prevent unpleasant symptoms and the development of varicose veins, then at the later stage serious surgical treatment may be required.

What are the treatments for varicose veins?

Doctors have long been looking for ways to get rid of varicose veins. Over time, it was found that if the dilated veins were removed, the blood circulation in the limbs would remain in a normal state. This is because vessels that are not surrounded by muscles and are located on the surface of the body are primarily affected during the disease. Therefore, when "disconnected" from the circulatory system, trophic functions are performed by a network of vessels located in the deep layer of the legs and thighs.

In addition, a number of drugs were developed in the 20th century that inhibit the development of the disease. Therefore, two types of treatment are currently used - conservative and surgical. In some cases they are combined. Therefore, the final treatment program depends on the patient's individual characteristics and neglect.

What is the conservative treatment method?

It should be understood that when varicose veins appear, it is no longer possible to fully recover from this disease.

The pathological process cannot be reversed and structural changes in the vessels will not return to their original state, but there is an opportunity to significantly slow down its progression and partially eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Therefore, a conservative technique is indicated at the initial stage of the disease, when surgical intervention is not required or there are contraindications to the operation. The following is awarded for this:

• Taking medications called phleboprotectors. Preparations for oral administration primarily fight the causes of the occurrence - they increase the tone of the venous network, improve blood flow in the tissues, restore valve function and stop inflammatory processes. At the same time, along with venotonics, drugs are prescribed that reduce blood viscosity and prevent blood clots.
• In addition to internal intake of tablets, ointments and gels of venotonics are prescribed. They are aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms in the legs - heaviness, pain and swelling. As a rule, such drugs combine a cooling, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
• The essence of compression therapy boils down to the constant wearing of compression stockings (stockings) and elastic bandages. In this case, the material takes over the muscle function. It compresses the vessels, due to which the blood flow normalizes in the vertical direction and goes to the heart. The constant use of compression products improves the patient's well-being significantly. In addition, it is necessarily prescribed after surgical interventions for pregnant women with varicose veins.
• When trophic ulcers appear in the last stages of varicose veins, local measures are used. These include bandages, systemic use of antibiotics, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Only an experienced phlebologist can choose a scheme of conservative treatment, including compression underwear. Here it is necessary to take into account not only the course of the disease, but also the presence of individual contraindications, the condition of the patient.

Treatment with surgical methods

Since deformed vessels with damaged valves can no longer be restored, phlebologists use various surgical techniques to remove them. The point is to "switch off" and remove the deformed vein from the general circulatory system. This can be achieved in several ways:

1. The classic method of surgical treatment is phlebectomy. It is surgically removed, bandaged, and removed from the body. Such an operation takes place under general anesthesia for 1-2 hours, leaving scars on the legs up to 5 mm in size. With coronary heart disease, in old age, with serious infectious diseases and in the second half of pregnancy, such an intervention cannot be performed due to the trauma.
2. A more gentle method of removing varicose veins is laser coagulation of dilated veins. In this case, there is an influence from the inside: an electrode with laser radiation is inserted into it. Under such influence, the walls of the vessels heat up and stick together, stopping the flow of blood, and over time it shrinks and completely dissolves.
3. Another less traumatic method is sclerotherapy. A special sclerosing agent that resembles microfoam is injected into the problem vein. Under his influence, it becomes sealed and gradually overgrown. This procedure is fairly quick and completely atraumatic, as it takes about 20 minutes and does not require anesthesia.
4. Depending on the type of laser, radio frequency coagulation is performed. Only instead of laser exposure, a different type of energy is used. The advantage is that it is performed even in advanced cases, when trophic ulcers have already appeared and there are other skin lesions.

Preventive measures to combat the disease

Good results are obtained with the help of surgery and drug treatment, but if you return to your normal lifestyle and the lack of prevention, the disease will return to the same state. Therefore, both at the first symptoms of varicose veins and in severe cases, one should not forget about preventive measures, as they stop the progression of the disease:

• Watch your weight and try to keep it normal. Because being overweight increases the load on the legs and thus on the blood vessels. Therefore, it is important to balance the diet, eat healthier and give up bad habits.
• Do not forget about physical activity: the more movements you make during the day, the more often you "pump" blood through the veins and train the vessels. Therefore, in case of lack of movement, take breaks with mini-exercises, do not cross your legs, walk themClimb up the stairs and add appropriate workouts to your program (yoga, exercise machines, Nordic walking, exercise therapy, swimming, skiing), but at the same time it is worth excluding the practice of those sports that put a heavy load on the legs.
• Be critical about the choice of shoes and clothing for everyday life. Clothing should not restrict movement and be fully consistent with the intended activity. If possible, avoid high-heeled, flat-soled shoes or keep them to a minimum, e. g. B. on special occasions.
• Try dousing your feet at the end of the day - alternate hot and cold water, change pressure levels. In addition, perform self-massage to improve muscle tone. At the same time, "hot" procedures should be excluded or minimized - this applies to taking hot baths, visiting a bath, using hot wax for depilation, etc.
• Obtain compression stockings from a specialist. You should not buy such products yourself, since the doctor will select the appropriate degree of compression, taking into account the current state of the venous network, and will issue a prescription for it. More often use such knitwear in combination with other preventive measures. At the same time, it is important to buy quality products from trusted medical brands that have the right effects.
• Before taking hormonal drugs, especially in women during the period of body restructuring, it is necessary to additionally consult a phlebologist.

If you notice any symptoms of the disease, it is very important to seek qualified help. If you do not want to constantly endure pain and heaviness in your legs, "hide" your legs, do without beautiful clothes, cope with varicose veins and maintain your health, it is enough to see a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination.

It includes an interview with a vascular surgeon, visual examination, anamnesis, examination of the condition of veins and arteries using a modern diagnostic method (duplex scanning). Based on the data obtained, a diagnosis is made and a comprehensive treatment program is developed.

The arsenal of clinics includes all advanced methods of eliminating varicose veins - from outpatient sclerotherapy to laser correction and complex surgical interventions. After performing procedures, vascular surgeons give recommendations to each patient, taking into account individual characteristics, compliance with which will ensure a lasting effect. If you do not follow the proposed rules, the disease will progress again.

Therefore, if you have the first alarming symptoms and constant discomfort in your legs, and you have been unsuccessfully fighting this disease for more than a year, sign up for a consultation with a specialist. The clinics employ experienced doctors who select the appropriate program, taking into account the current situation.