Varicose veins

Varicose veins- this is a pathology affecting 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 feeling tired, painful and swollen in the legs, or have formidable 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. It is currently still considered one of the most common diseases on the planet. In recent years, there has been a significant rejuvenation of the contingent of patients with this pathology: over 80% of cases fall within the age of 30-50 and also occur in adolescents.

Causes of varicose veins

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

• 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 volume of blood increases by up to 30%, and the growing uterus compresses the vessels of the small pelvis, which makes normal venous outflow difficult. After childbirth, the situation only partially normalizes, as changes in the structure of the deep veins remain. Hence such a sad statistic: after the first birth, every third or fourth woman faces manifestations of varicose veins. After the second - already every second.
• Also, varicose veins develop due to a genetic predisposition. That is, if relatives of the female line had problems with blood vessels, this disease will sooner or later manifest itself under the influence of negative factors. However, even if there is a predisposition to this disease, it does not mean that you really will have varicose veins. Genetics may or may not work, but you 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, an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle also lead to its development.

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

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

Indeed, varicose veins are classified as a group of severe 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 abandonment of the pathology:

1. First, discomfort appears: constant pain and "heaviness" in the legs, swelling of the feet and ankles by the end of the day and night cramps in the legs. Often at the end of the day marks from socks and shoes are visible on the skin. At the same time, the venous pattern on the skin becomes more noticeable, and varicose 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 characteristic appearance of varicose veins: they begin to protrude above the skin, forming whole clusters and nodules. As they progress, they "protrude" more and more outwards, acquiring a bluish-black color.
3. At the third stage, tissue trophism worsens. Dryness and pallor of the skin of the legs add to the constant swelling and heaviness of the legs, cramps appear already not only at night, but also during the day. Sometimes rashes and itching appear in the affected area.
4. In the last stage, to all the above symptoms of varicose veins are added inflammatory processes of the skin and blood vessels. In places where a large number of protruding 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 measures, 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 serious surgical treatment may be required in the later stages.

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 due to the fact that during the disease mainly the vessels that are not surrounded by muscles and are located on the surface of the body are affected. Therefore, when they are "disconnected" from the circulatory system, the 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 number of drugs were developed that inhibit the development of the disease. Therefore, currently two types of treatment are 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 dropout.

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 the unpleasant symptoms.

Therefore, a conservative technique is indicated in the initial stages of the disease, when surgery is not required or there are contraindications for the operation. For this, the following is assigned:

• Taking medications, the so-called phleboprotectors. Preparations for oral administration mainly combat the causes of appearance: they increase the tone of the venous network, improve blood flow in tissues, restore valve function and stop inflammatory processes. At the same time, along with venotonics, drugs are prescribed that reduce blood viscosity and serve as a prevention of blood clots.
• In addition to the internal intake of tablets, venotonic ointments and gel are prescribed. They are aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms in the legs: heaviness, pain and swelling. As a rule, such drugs combine a cooling effect, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
• The essence of compression therapy comes down 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 normalizes in the vertical direction and goes to the heart. With the constant use of compression products, the well-being of the patients improves considerably. In addition, it is prescribed without fail after surgery, for pregnant women with varicose veins.
• When trophic ulcers appear in the later stages of varicose veins, local measures are applied. These include dressings, systemic use of antibiotics, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Only an experienced phlebologist is able to 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

Because deformed vessels with damaged valves can no longer be restored, phlebologists use a variety of surgical techniques to remove them. The point is to "shut 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. This operation takes place under general anesthesia for 1-2 hours, while scars up to 5 mm remain on the legs. Such a procedure cannot be performed in coronary heart disease, in old age, in the presence of severe infectious diseases and in the second half of pregnancy due to its trauma.
2. A gentler 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 into it. Under such influence, the vessel walls heat up and come together, thereby disrupting blood flow, and over time it shrinks and resolves completely.
3. Another low trauma method is sclerotherapy. A special microfoam-like sclerosing drug is injected into the problematic vein. Under its influence, it is sealed off and gradually covered with vegetation. This procedure is fairly quick and completely atraumatic, as it takes about 20 minutes to complete and no anesthesia is required.
4. Depending on the type of laser, radiofrequency coagulation is performed. Only in place of the laser exposure is a different type of energy used. The advantage is that it is also performed in advanced cases, when trophic ulcers have already appeared and other skin lesions are present.

Preventive measures to control the disease

With the help of operations and drug treatment, good results are achieved, but when you return to the 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, one should not forget about preventive measures, as 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 foods, give up bad habits.
• Do not forget about physical activity: the more movements you make during the day, the more often you "pump" the blood into the veins and train the vessels. Therefore, when you are sedentary, take breaks with mini exercises, do not cross your legs, go up the stairs and add workouts appropriate to your regimen (yoga, exercise equipment, Nordic walking, physical therapy, swimming, skiing). At the same time, it is worth excluding the occupation of those sports in which there is a large load on the legs.
• Critically approach the choice of shoes and clothes for every day. Clothing should not restrict movement and fully comply with the intended activity. Avoid high-heeled, flat-soled shoes whenever possible, or keep them to a minimum, such as on special occasions.
• Try to wet your feet at the end of the day - alternate hot and cold water, change the force of pressure. Also, do 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 bathroom, using hot wax for hair removal, etc.
• Collect compression stockings with a specialist. You should not buy such products on your own, as it is the doctor who selects the appropriate degree of compression, taking into account the state of the venous network at this time, and writes a prescription for them. Use such knitwear more often in combination with other preventive measures. At the same time, it is important to purchase quality products from reputable medical brands that have the right effect.
• Before taking any hormonal drugs, especially in women during periods of body restructuring, it is also necessary to consult a phlebologist.

If symptoms of the disease occur, it is very important to seek qualified help. If you do not want to constantly endure pain and heaviness in the legs, "hide" your legs, deny yourself beautiful clothes, want to cope with varicose veins and maintain your health, it is enough to visit a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination.

It includes a consultation with a vascular surgeon, visual examination, medical history, examination of the state of the veins and arteries using a modern diagnostic method (duplex scan). 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 carrying out any procedure, vascular surgeons provide 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 the legs, you have been battling this disease unsuccessfully 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.