Diagnosis: varicose veins. If the disease has come, how to save the beauty and health of the feet

leg pain with varicose veins

Varicose veins are a disease that affects 30% of the world's population. Regardless of lifestyle, gender and age, this disease can become a problem for every person. But how to fight this disease? TV commercials promise to get rid of ordinary ointments in our veins, the Internet is full of articles about home remedies. So, how to deal with the problem to forget forever? Candidate of medical sciences, doctor of the highest category, head of the phlebology center spoke about the important nuances of the disease, as well as the modern possibilities of prevention and treatment of the disease.

Who is at risk?

Varicose veins are dilatation of subcutaneous veins accompanied by a violation of venous flow. Due to the thinning of the wall of the vessel itself, its dimensions increase and at the same time its 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 heavy athlete, then he will face the disease sooner. If he sits in the office, then age. For example, in women, the disease is associated with hormonal factors: pregnancy, childbirth, oral contraceptives.

People who are constantly on their feet, whose profession is related to constant and long-term stress, are always at risk of encountering this disease. The choice of our shoes also affects: regular wearing of high heels provokes the disease. Those who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle are also at risk.

Varicose veins are easy to find: it is not a disease with hidden symptoms. First, the problem is immediately accompanied by aesthetic defects: small blue-red vascular "stars" appear on the legs, dark blue intradermal veins appear.

In addition, swelling of the legs by the end of the day, heaviness and pain in the calves after sitting or standing for a long time. A characteristic feature of varicose veins is the disappearance of these symptoms during walking and after sleep.

How to treat?

Any disease should be diagnosed and treated only by a specialist. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to buy various ointments and self-medicate without thinking. Moreover, there are types of varicose veins and each type has its own technique.

"There are cosmetic varicose veins treated with laser therapy, and there are surgical ones: we eliminate them with the help of surgery, " the expert explains. - Surgical varicose veins are not treated with conservative methods. If this is the case, then the trunks of the great and small saphenous veins are affected, where the drugs cannot be released. A minimally invasive operation is performed - that is, a procedure in which a small incision is made. The most cost-effective treatment method is endovasal laser coagulation of veins. What is the procedure? A light guide is inserted through the vein, closing it from the inside. This is a complex operation - the newest method of non-traumatic treatment of this disease. "

Basically, specialists remove veins using a stripping procedure. This is an operation where two incisions are made: in the groin and under the leg. A probe is inserted there, 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 up to six months. Until now, this type of surgical treatment of varicose veins is used for economic reasons: it is very cheap for clinics and hospitals.

A wonderful paradox

Varicose veins have long been a women's 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 fact, the situation is quite the opposite - men suffer from this disease several times more often.

"As you know, the morbidity rate is registered through referrals, and mostly women consult a doctor, " the expert explains. - Still, ladies are worried about cosmetic defects. In fact, men suffer more from varicose veins, but when a trophic ulcer already appears, they consult a doctor at the last moment.

There are general recommendations for the prevention of this disease. If you have a sedentary job, try to take small breaks of at least 10 minutes every hour: walk, massage your feet. For activities that require constant standing, remember to take evening contrast showers and 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 never did anyone any favors.