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 number of complications are possible. These can be relatively harmless symptoms, such as a feeling of fatigue, pain and swelling of the legs, or reach such dire 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 renewal of the contingent of patients with this pathology - more than 80% of cases fit between the ages of 30-50 and occur even in teenagers.

Causes of varicose veins

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

• First of all, these are hormonal changes that occur at different times of life and lead to a 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 the vessels of the small pelvis, which makes it difficult for normal venous outflow. After birth, the situation is only partially normalized, as changes in the structure of the deep veins remain. Hence such sad statistics: after the first birth, every third or fourth woman faces manifestations of varicose veins. After the second - already every second.
• In addition, varicose veins develop due to a genetic predisposition. This means, if relatives in the female line had any problems with blood vessels, then under the influence of negative factors, this disease will appear sooner or later. However, even if there is a predisposition to this disease, this does not mean that you will really have varicose veins. Genetics may or may not work, but you will always be at risk.
• Varicose veins often appear 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 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 get varicose veins. Excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle and heavy loads 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, slight swelling appears by 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 indicate the neglect of the pathology:

1. First, discomfort appears - constant pain and "heaviness" of the legs, swelling of the legs and ankles until 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 visible and spider veins appear in some places. Sometimes in appearance the legs remain the same, 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 nodes. With progression, they "swell" more and more from the outside, acquire a bluish-black color.
3. In the third stage, tissue trophism worsens. Dryness and paleness of the skin of the legs are added to the constant swelling and heaviness in the legs, cramps now appear not only at night, but also during the day. Sometimes a rash and itching appear in the affected area.
4. In the last stage, inflammatory processes of the skin and blood vessels are added to all the above symptoms of varicose veins. In places where a large number of swollen veins accumulate, non-healing trophic ulcers appear. Plus, it is possible to attach thrombophlebitis or a secondary infection.

If the patient does not take any measures, then 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 required.

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 varicose veins were removed, the blood circulation in the limb would remain normal. 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 number 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 negligence.

What is the conservative method of treatment?

It should be understood that when varicose veins appear, it is no longer possible to completely 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 the unpleasant symptoms.

Therefore, a conservative technique is indicated in the initial stages of the disease, when there is no need for surgical intervention or when there are any contraindications for surgery. For this, it is determined as follows:

• Taking medications, the so-called phleboprotectors. Preparations for oral administration mainly fight the causes of the occurrence - they increase the tone of the venous network, improve the blood flow in the tissues, restore the function of the valves and stop the inflammatory processes. At the same time, together with venotonics, drugs are prescribed that will reduce the viscosity of the blood and will serve as prevention of blood clots.
• In addition to taking tablets internally, venotonic ointments and gels are prescribed. They are aimed at alleviating unpleasant symptoms in the legs - heaviness, pain and swelling. As a rule, such drugs combine a 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 function of the muscles. It compresses the vessels, due to which the blood flow is normalized in a vertical direction and goes to the heart. With the continuous use of compression products, the well-being of patients improves significantly. Moreover, it is prescribed without fail after surgical interventions, for pregnant women with varicose veins.
• When trophic ulcers appear in the last 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 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 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 classical method of surgical treatment is phlebectomy. It is surgically removed, bandaged and removed from the body. Such an operation is performed under general anesthesia for 1-2 hours, while the wounds up to 5 mm remain on the leg. Such a procedure cannot be performed in coronary heart diseases, in old age, in the presence of serious 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 enlarged veins. In this case, there is an impact from the inside: an electrode with laser radiation is inserted into it. Under such influence, the walls of the vessels heat up and stick together, stopping the flow of blood, and over time it shrinks and dissolves completely.
3. Another method with low trauma is sclerotherapy. A special sclerosing drug that resembles microfoam is injected into the problematic vein. Under his influence, it is sealed and gradually grows. This procedure is quite quick 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. Only instead of laser exposure, another 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 the normal way of life and the 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, 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 increases, and thus on the vessels. Therefore, it is important to balance the diet, eat healthier food, 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 train the vessels. Therefore, when you are sitting, take mini-exercise breaks, don't cross your legs, take the stairs and add appropriate exercise 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 clothing for every day. Clothing should not restrict movement and be fully compatible with the intended activity. Avoid high heels and flats whenever possible, or keep them to a minimum, such as on special occasions.
• Try washing your feet at the end of the day - alternate between warm and cold water, change the pressure. In addition, 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 spa, using hot wax for depilation, etc.
• Get compression stockings from a specialist. You should not buy such products yourself, as it is the doctor who chooses the right degree of compression, taking into account the state of the venous network at the moment, and writes a prescription. Use such knitted clothing 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 medication, especially in women during periods of body restructuring, it is necessary to additionally consult a phlebologist.

If you have 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, 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, anamnesis, examination of the state of 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 to get rid of varicose veins - from outpatient sclerotherapy and laser correction to complex surgical interventions. After performing each procedure, vascular surgeons give recommendations for each patient, taking into account individual characteristics, if followed, a lasting effect is ensured. 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 fighting this disease for more than a year without success, then sign up for a consultation with a specialist. Clinics employ experienced doctors who will choose the right program, taking into account the current situation.