varicose veins

varicose veins- this is a pathology that affects the vessels of the lower extremities and with an unfavorable course of the disease, a variety of complications are possible. These can be relatively harmless symptoms, such as a feeling of tiredness, pain and swelling of the legs, or reach such formidable consequences 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, there has been a significant rejuvenation of the contingent of patients with this pathology: more than 80% of cases fit the age of 30-50 years and occur even in adolescents.

Causes of varicose veins

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

• First of all, these are hormonal changes that occur at different periods of life and lead to a weakening of the venous network and blood vessels. This happens during pregnancy, during childbirth, menopause. For example, during pregnancy, the blood volume increases by up to 30%, and the growing uterus compresses the vessels of the small pelvis, hindering normal venous outflow. After childbirth, the situation is only partially normalized, since changes in the structure of the deep veins remain. Hence these sad statistics: after the first childbirth, every third or fourth woman is faced with manifestations of varicose veins. After the second, and every second.
• Also, varicose veins develop due to a genetic predisposition. That is, if relatives on the female line had any problems with blood vessels, then under the influence of negative factors this disease will manifest itself sooner or later. However, even if there is a predisposition to this disease, this does not mean that you will actually have varicose veins. The genetics may or may not work, but it will always be at risk.
• Often varicose veins also occur under the influence of external factors due to the peculiarities of everyday life. Long-term sitting and standing work, constant loads with weight lifting, excess weight, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle also lead to its development.

Despite the fact that, according to statistics, women suffer more from vascular problems, the male half can also develop varicose veins. Excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle and power loads with weight lifting on a regular basis can lead to pathology.

Varicose veins stages

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 a feeling of heaviness, a slight swelling appears at the end of the day. Therefore, many refer to varicose veins as an unpleasant cosmetic defect.

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, limiting vital activity.

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

1. First, the discomfort appears: constant pain and "heavyness" of the legs, swelling of the feet and ankles at the end of the day, and nighttime leg cramps. Often at the end of the day, sock and shoe marks are visible on the skin. At the same time, the vein pattern on the skin becomes more noticeable, and spider veins appear in places. Sometimes in appearance the legs remain the same, but the unpleasant symptoms progress every day.
2. At the second stage, the veins already acquire the characteristic appearance of varicose veins - they begin to protrude above the skin, forming whole clusters and nodules. With progression, they "bulge" outward more and more, take on a bluish-black color.
3. In the third stage, tissue trophism worsens. To the constant swelling and heaviness in the legs is added the dryness and paleness of the skin of 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, inflammatory processes of the skin and blood vessels are added to all the previous symptoms of varicose veins. In places where a large number of bulging veins accumulate, non-healing trophic ulcers appear. Also, it is possible to attach thrombophlebitis or a secondary infection.

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

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 extremities would remain in a normal state. This is due to the fact that during the disease, the vessels that are not surrounded by muscles and are located on the surface of the body are mainly affected. Therefore, when they are "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, in the 20th century, a series of drugs were developed 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 individual characteristics of the patient and the negligence.

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 the structural changes in the vessels will not return to their original state, but there is a chance to significantly slow down their progression and partially eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Therefore, a conservative technique is indicated in the early stages of the disease, when there is no need for surgical intervention or when there are contraindications for the operation. To do this, assign the following:

• Take medications, the so-called phleboprotectors. Preparations for oral administration mainly combat the causes of the appearance: they increase the tone of the venous network, improve blood flow in the tissues, restore valve function, stop inflammatory processes. At the same time, along with venotonics, drugs are prescribed that will reduce blood viscosity and serve as prevention of blood clots.
• In addition to the internal intake of tablets, venotonic ointments and gels are prescribed. They are intended to relieve 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 is reduced to the constant use 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 is normalized in the vertical direction and goes to the heart. With the constant use of compression products, the well-being of patients improves significantly. Also, it is prescribed without fail after surgical interventions, for pregnant women with varicose veins.
• When trophic ulcers appear in the late stages of varicose veins, local measures are applied. These include bandages, systemic use of antibiotics, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Only an experienced phlebologist can select a scheme for 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 patient's condition.

Treatment with surgical methods.

Since deformed vessels with damaged valves can no longer be restored, phlebologists use a variety of surgical techniques to remove them. The point is to "turn off" the deformed vein from the general circulatory system and remove it. 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 is carried out under general anesthesia for 1-2 hours, while up to 5 mm scars remain on the legs. Such a procedure cannot be performed in coronary diseases, in old age, in the presence of serious infectious diseases and in the second half of pregnancy due to its trauma.
2. A more gentle way to remove varicose veins is laser coagulation of dilated veins. In this case, there is an influence from the inside - an electrode with laser radiation is introduced. Under such influence, the walls of the vessel heat up and stick together, which stops the flow of blood, and over time it shrinks and completely resolves.
3. Another less traumatic method is sclerotherapy. A special microfoam-like sclerosing drug is injected into the problem vein. Under its influence, it is sealed and gradually grows. This procedure is quite quick and completely atraumatic, taking about 20 minutes to complete and requires no anesthesia.
4. By the type of laser coagulation is performed by radiofrequency. 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 control the disease.

With the help of operations and drug treatment, good results are achieved, but when you return to your normal lifestyle and lack of prevention, the disease will return to the same state. Therefore, both in the presence of the first symptoms of varicose veins and in severe cases, preventive measures should not be forgotten, since they will stop the progression of the disease:

• Watch your weight and try to keep it normal. Since with excess weight, the load on the legs, and therefore on the vessels, increases. Therefore, it is important to balance the diet, eat healthier food, 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. So when you're sedentary, take mini-exercise breaks, don't cross your legs, take the stairs, and add appropriate exercises to your regimen (yoga, exercise equipment, Nordic walking, exercise therapy, swimming, skiing). At the same time, it is worth excluding the occupation of those sports where there is a large load on the legs.
• Critically approach the choice of shoes and clothes for every day. Clothing must not restrict movement and fully comply with the intended activity. Avoid high-heeled and flat-soled shoes whenever possible, or keep them to a minimum, such as on special occasions.
• Try to spray your feet at the end of the day: alternate warm and cold water, change the pressure force. Also, do self-massages 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 hair removal, etc.
• Pick up compression stockings from a specialist. You should not buy such products on your own, since it is the doctor who selects the appropriate degree of compression, taking into account the state of the venous network at the moment, and prescribes a prescription for them. Wear such knitwear more often 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 effect.
• Before taking any hormonal drugs, especially in women during periods of body restructuring, additional consultation with a phlebologist is necessary.

If you experience 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, deny yourself beautiful clothes, cope with varicose veins and maintain your health, it is enough to visit a doctor and undergo a full examination.

It includes a consultation with a vascular surgeon, visual examination, anamnesis, examination of the state of the 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 progressive methods of getting rid of varicose veins, from outpatient sclerotherapy and laser correction to complex surgical interventions. After performing any procedure, vascular surgeons give recommendations to each patient, taking into account individual characteristics, if followed, a lasting effect is guaranteed. If you do not follow the proposed rules, the disease will begin to progress again.

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