Varicose veins

Varicose veins- this is a pathology that affects the veins of the lower extremities, and with the unfavorable course of the disease, various complications are possible. These can be relatively harmless symptoms, such as fatigue, leg pain and swelling, or they can have dire consequences, such as thrombosis and trophic ulcers.

According to 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 become significantly younger - more than 80% of cases correspond to the age of 30-50, and even occur in teenagers.

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 the same time:

• First of all, these are hormonal changes that occur at different times of life and lead to the weakening of the venous network and blood vessels. This happens during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause. For example, during pregnancy, blood volume increases by up to 30%, and the growing uterus compresses small pelvic vessels, which makes normal venous flow difficult. After childbirth, the condition is only partially normalized, because changes in the structure of the deep vessels remain. Hence, such a sad statistic: after the first birth, every third or fourth woman experiences the manifestations of varicose veins. After the second - already every second.
• In addition, varicose veins develop due to genetic predisposition. That is, if relatives on the female line have any problems related to blood vessels, this disease will manifest itself sooner or later under the influence of negative factors. But even if there is a tendency to this disease, it does not mean that you will actually have varicose veins. Genetics may or may not work, but you will always be at risk.
• Varicose veins often occur under the influence of external factors due to the characteristics of everyday life. Long-term sitting and standing work, constant loads with weight lifting, overweight, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle also lead to its development.

According to statistics, despite the fact that women suffer more from vascular problems, half of men can also get varicose veins. Excess weight, sedentary lifestyle and regular heavy lifting power loads can cause 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 a person feels heaviness, slight swelling appears by the end of the day. Therefore, many call varicose veins as an unpleasant cosmetic defect.

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

Conventionally, the symptoms of varicose veins are divided into several stages that indicate the indifference of the pathology:

1. First, discomfort appears - constant pain and "heaviness" in the legs, swelling of the feet and ankles until the end of the day, and night cramps in the legs. Often, at the end of the day, sock and shoe marks appear on the skin. At the same time, the venous pattern on the skin is more noticeable, spider veins are visible in some places. Sometimes the legs remain the same in appearance, but 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 groups and knots. As they progress, they "bubble" more and more, acquire a blue-black color.
3. In the third stage, tissue trophism deteriorates. Dryness and paleness of the skin of the legs are added to the constant swelling and heaviness in the legs, cramps appear not only at night, but also during the day. Sometimes a rash and itching appear on the affected area.
4. In the final stage, inflammatory processes of the skin and blood vessels are added to all the above symptoms of varicose veins. Non-healing trophic ulcers appear where a large number of bulging vessels accumulate. Moreover, it is possible to add thrombophlebitis or secondary infection.

If the patient does not take any measures, the disease progresses. And if it is still possible to prevent unpleasant symptoms and the development of varicose veins in the early stages, serious surgical treatment may be required in the later stages.

What are the treatments for varicose veins?

Doctors have been looking for ways to get rid of varicose veins for a long time. Over time, it became known that if the dilated veins are removed, blood circulation in the extremities will remain normal. This is due to the fact that the vessels that are not surrounded by muscles and located on the surface of the body are primarily affected during the disease. Therefore, when they "separate" from the circulatory system, trophic functions are performed by the 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 inhibited 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 and apathy of the patient.

What is conservative treatment?

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 its progress 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 any contraindications for surgery. For this, the following are defined:

• Taking drugs called phleboprotectors. Preparations for oral administration primarily fight the causes of the 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 will reduce blood viscosity and prevent blood clots.
• In addition to the internal reception of tablets, ointments and gels of venotonics are prescribed. They are aimed at eliminating unpleasant symptoms in the legs - heaviness, pain and swelling. As a rule, such drugs combine cooling effect, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
• The essence of compression therapy is reduced to the constant wearing of compression stockings (socks) and elastic bandages. In this case, the material takes over the muscle function. It compresses the veins, thanks 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 patients improves significantly. Moreover, it is definitely prescribed for pregnant women with varicose veins after surgical interventions.
• When trophic ulcers appear in the final 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 choose 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 veins with damaged valves can no longer be repaired, phlebologists use various surgical methods to remove them. The point is to "turn off" the deformed vessel 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, wrapped and removed from the body. Such an operation is performed under general anesthesia within 1-2 hours, and scars up to 5 mm remain on the legs. Such a procedure cannot be performed due to ischemic heart disease, old age, severe infectious diseases, and trauma in the second half of pregnancy.
2. A more gentle way to eliminate varicose veins is laser coagulation of enlarged veins. In this case, there is an effect from the inside: an electrode with a laser beam is inserted into it. Under such influence, the walls of the vessels heat up and stick together, thereby stopping the blood flow, and over time they shrink and completely dissolve.
3. Another low-traumatic method is sclerotherapy. A special sclerosing drug, which looks like a microbubble, is injected into the problem vein. Under its influence, it is sealed and gradually grows. This procedure is extremely fast and completely atraumatic as it takes about 20 minutes to complete and no anesthesia is required.
4. According to the type of laser, radiofrequency coagulation is performed. Instead of just laser exposure, a different type of energy is used. The advantage is that it is performed when trophic ulcers have already appeared and there are other skin lesions, even in advanced cases.

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 if there is no prevention, the disease will return to the same state. Therefore, both at the first symptoms of varicose veins and in severe cases, preventive measures should not be forgotten, because they will stop the development of the disease:

• Pay attention to your weight and try to keep it normal. With excess weight, the load on the legs increases, so the vessels. Therefore, it is important to balance the diet, eat healthier foods, and give up bad habits.
• Do not forget about physical activity: the more you move during the day, the more often you pump blood through the veins and exercise the veins. So take mini-exercise breaks while sitting, don't cross your legs, don't climb stairs, and add exercise to your routine (yoga, exercise equipment, Nordic walking, exercise therapy, swimming, skiing). At the same time, it is worth excluding the occupation of sports with a large load on the legs.
• Take a critical approach to the choice of shoes and clothes for every day. Clothing should not restrict movement and should be fully appropriate for the intended activity. Avoid or minimize high heels and flats whenever possible, for example on special occasions.
• Try to wash your feet at the end of the day - alternate hot and cold water, change the pressure. In addition, massage yourself to improve muscle tone. At the same time, "hot" procedures should be excluded or minimized - this means taking a hot bath, visiting a bathhouse, using hot wax for depilation, etc.
• Get compression stockings from a professional. You should not buy such products yourself, because at the moment it is the doctor who chooses the appropriate degree of compression, taking into account the condition of the venous network, and writes a prescription for them. Use such knitting together with other preventive measures more often. At the same time, it is important to buy quality products from reliable medical brands that have the right effect.
• Before taking any hormonal drugs, especially in women during the period of body reconstruction, it is necessary to additionally consult a phlebologist.

If you experience any symptoms of the disease, it is very important to seek professional help. If you do not want to endure the pain and heaviness in your legs continuously, if you want to "hide" your legs, refuse yourself beautiful clothes, cope with varicose veins and protect your health, it is enough to visit a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination.

It includes a vascular surgeon's consultation, visual examination, anamnesis, examination of the state of veins and arteries using a modern diagnostic method (duplex scanner). Based on the received information, a diagnosis is made and a comprehensive treatment program is prepared.

The arsenal of clinics includes all advanced 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 permanent effect is ensured. If you do not follow the suggested rules, the disease will begin to progress again.

Therefore, if you have the first alarming symptoms and constant discomfort in your legs, if you have been unsuccessfully fighting this disease for more than a year, book a consultation with a specialist. Clinics are staffed by experienced doctors who will choose the appropriate program taking into account the current situation.