Varicose veins are a disease that affects 30% of the world population. Regardless of lifestyle, gender and age, this disease can become a problem for any person. But how to deal with this disease? TV commercials promise salvation from conventional ointments in our veins, the internet is full of articles on home remedies. So how to deal with the problem to forget it forever? The candidate of medical sciences, doctor of the highest category, head of the phlebological center spoke about the important nuances of the disease, as well as about the modern possibilities of prevention and treatment of the disease.
Who is at risk?
Varicose veins are an expansion of the subcutaneous veins, accompanied by a violation of the venous outflow. They increase in size due to the thinning of the vessel wall itself, and at the same time their diameter becomes larger. Basically, varicose veins are a hereditary disease, although other factors can contribute to the development of the disease.
"Sooner or later, the disease will manifest itself, " says the doctor. -If a person is a loader or a weightlifter, he will have to deal with an illness first. If you sit in the office, then with age. In women, for example, the disease is associated with hormonal factors: pregnancy, childbirth, oral contraceptives ».
Constantly standing people, whose profession is associated with constant and prolonged stress, are always at risk of encountering this disease. The choice of our shoes also influences: wearing high heels regularly causes the disease. Those who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle are also at risk.
Finding varicose veins is simple - this is not a disease that has hidden symptoms. First, the problem is immediately accompanied by cosmetic defects: small blue-red vascular "asterisks" appear on the legs, dark blue intradermal veins become visible.
Also, at the end of the day there are swelling in the legs, a feeling of heaviness and pain in the calves after a long stay in a sitting or standing position. Characteristic of varicose veins is the disappearance of these symptoms during walking and after sleep.
How to treat?
Any disease should only be diagnosed and treated by a specialist. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to recklessly purchase various ointments and self-medicate. In addition, varicose veins have varieties, and each type has its own technique.
"There are cosmetic varices, which are treated with laser therapy, and there are surgical ones: we eliminate them with the help of an operation, " explains the expert. - Surgical varicose veins are not treated with conservative methods. If it is, then the trunks of the large and small saphenous veins are affected, and here the drugs cannot be eliminated. A minimally invasive operation is performed, which is a procedure in which a small incision is made. The most economical method of treatment is endovascular laser coagulation of the veins. What is the procedure? A light guide is inserted through the vein, which closes it from the inside. This is a complex operation, the newest way of non-traumatic treatment of this disease ".
Basically, the specialists remove the veins using the stripping procedure. This is an operation in which two incisions are made: in the groin and in the lower leg. There a probe is inserted, after which the diseased vein is removed in its direction. This procedure is quite painful: a person limps for a long time, and the leg heals for up to six months. So far this type of surgical treatment of varicose veins is used for economic reasons - it is very economical for clinics and hospitals.
A surprising paradox
Varicose veins have long since acquired the status of a female disease. It is believed that such a large number of factors, such as wearing high heels, hormonal and hereditary aspects, are already enough for the fair sex to fall into the risk group in the first place. But in reality, the situation is diametrically opposite: men suffer from this disease many times more often.
"As you know, the morbidity rate is recorded by referral and very often women come to the doctor", explains the expert. - However, the ladies are concerned about a cosmetic defect. Indeed, men are much more likely to suffer from varicose veins, but they go to the doctor at the last moment, when a trophic ulcer already appears.
There are general recommendations for the prevention of this disease. If you have a sedentary job, try at least every hour to take small breaks of 10 minutes: walk, massage your legs. For activities that require constant standing, don't forget to take a contrast shower in the evening and take herbal foot baths. Also, do not forget about moderate physical activity, which will strengthen the walls of blood vessels. And, of course, choose comfortable shoes - tight shoes have never been good for anyone.