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 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 about home remedies. So, how to deal with the problem in order to forget about 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 modern possibilities for the prevention and treatment of the disease.
Who is at risk?
Varicose veins is an expansion of subcutaneous veins, accompanied by a violation of venous flow. They increase in size due to the thinning of the wall of the vessel 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 appear, " says the doctor. - If a person is a porter or a weightlifter, then he will face an illness earlier. If he sits in the office, then later, with age. For example, in women, the disease is associated with hormonal factors: pregnancy, childbirth, oral contraceptives.
People who are constantly on their feet, whose occupation is associated with continuous and prolonged stress, are always at risk of facing 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.
Finding varicose veins is simple: this is not a disease that has hidden symptoms. First, the problem is immediately associated with aesthetic defects: small blue-red vascular "stars" appear on the legs, dark blue intradermal veins become visible.
In addition, by the end of the day there is swelling of 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 while walking and after sleeping.
How to treat?
Any disease should be diagnosed and treated only by a specialist. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to mindlessly buy various ointments and self-medicate. Moreover, varicose veins have varieties and each type has its own technique.
"There are cosmetic varicose veins, which are treated with laser therapy, there are also 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 great and small saphenous veins are affected and here the drugs cannot be delivered. Minimally invasive surgery is performed - that is, a procedure in which a small incision is made. The most economical method of treatment is endovasal laser coagulation of 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, specialists remove the veins using the stripping procedure. This is an operation in which two incisions are made: in the groin and at the bottom of 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.
An amazing paradox
Varicose veins have long 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 fact, the situation is diametrically opposite - men suffer from this disease several times more often.
"As you know, the morbidity rate is recorded by referral and more often women come to the doctor", explains the expert. - However, the ladies are worried about a cosmetic defect. In fact, 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 to take small breaks for 10 minutes at least every hour: walk around, massage your feet. For activities that require constant standing, don't forget to take a contrast shower in the evening and take an herbal foot bath. 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 good.