Varicose veins

Varicose veins- this is a pathology that affects the vessels of the lower limbs, and with an unfavorable course of the disease, various complications are possible. These can be relatively harmless symptoms, such as a feeling of fatigue, pain and swelling of the legs, or they can reach such terrible 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, a significant rejuvenation of the contingent of patients with this pathology has been observed - more than 80% of cases fall into the age group of 30-50 years and occur even in adolescents.

Causes of varicose veins

Women are primarily at risk of 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 periods of life and lead to a weakening of the venous network and blood vessels. This happens during pregnancy, during childbirth, menopause. For example, during pregnancy, the blood volume increases up to 30%, and the growing uterus presses on the vessels of the small pelvis, which makes normal venous outflow difficult. After childbirth, the situation normalizes only partially, since changes in the structure of the deep veins remain. Hence such a sad statistic: after the first birth, every third or fourth woman faces manifestations of varicose veins. After the second - now every second.
• In addition, varicose veins develop due to genetic predisposition. That is, if relatives on the female line had problems with blood vessels, then under the influence of negative factors this disease will manifest itself sooner or later. However, even if there is a predisposition 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 appear under the influence of external factors due to the peculiarities of everyday life. Long-term work in a sitting and standing position, constant heavy lifting, overweight, 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 can also get varicose veins. Overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, and physical exertion with regular weight lifting 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 a zero level, there are still no external signs of the disease, but a person feels a sense of heaviness, by the end of the day a slight swelling appears. That is why many call varicose veins 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 severe complications limiting vital activity.

Usually, the symptoms of varicose veins are divided into several stages, which indicate the neglect of the pathology:

1. Discomfort first appears - constant pain and "heaviness" in the legs, swelling of the feet and ankles by the end of the day and night cramps in the legs. Often, at the end of the day, traces of socks and shoes are visible on the skin. At the same time, the venous pattern of the skin becomes more noticeable, and spider webs appear in some places. Sometimes, outwardly, the legs remain the same, but the unpleasant symptoms progress every day.
2. At the second stage, the veins already acquire the characteristic appearance of varicose veins - they begin to protrude above the skin, forming whole groups and knots. With progression, they increasingly "pop" out, acquire a bluish-black color.
3. In the third stage, tissue trophicity deteriorates. 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 occurs in the affected area.
4. At the final 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 bulging veins accumulate, non-healing trophic ulcers appear. In addition, it is possible to attach thrombophlebitis or 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 necessary.

What are the treatments for varicose veins?

Doctors have long been looking for ways to get rid of varicose veins. Over time, it is found that if the varicose veins are removed, the blood circulation in the limbs will remain in a normal state. This is due to the fact that during the disease, 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 suppress the development of the disease. That is why 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 neglect.

What is the conservative treatment method?

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

Therefore, the conservative technique is indicated in the initial stage of the disease, when there is no need for surgical intervention or there are contraindications for the operation. For this, the following is assigned:

• Taking drugs, so-called phleboprotectors. Preparations for oral administration primarily fight the causes of the appearance - 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, along with venotonics, drugs are prescribed that will reduce blood viscosity and serve as a prevention of blood clots.
• In addition to the internal intake of tablets, venotonic ointments and gels are prescribed. They are aimed at relieving 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 comes down to the constant wearing of compression stockings (socks) and elastic bandages. In this case, the material takes over the muscle function. It compresses the vessels, due to which the blood flow is normalized in a vertical direction and goes to the heart. With the constant use of compression products, the well-being of patients improves significantly. In addition, it is prescribed necessarily after surgical interventions, in pregnant women with varicose veins.
• When trophic ulcers appear in the last 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 condition of the patient.

Treatment with surgical methods

Since deformed vessels with damaged valves can no longer be repaired, phlebologists use various surgical techniques to remove them. The point is to "disconnect" the deformed vein 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, bandaged and removed from the body. Such an operation is performed under general anesthesia for 1-2 hours, while scars up to 5 mm in size remain on the legs. Such a procedure cannot be performed in case of ischemic heart disease, in old age, in the presence of severe infectious diseases and in the second half of pregnancy due to its trauma.
2. A more gentle way to remove varicose veins is laser coagulation of varicose veins. In this case, there is an influence from the inside: an electrode with laser radiation is introduced into it. Under such an 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 resembling a microfoam is injected into the problem vein. Under its influence, it is sealed and gradually overgrown. This procedure is quite quick and completely atraumatic as it takes about 20 minutes and no anesthesia is required.
4. According to the type of laser, radiofrequency coagulation is performed. Only, instead of laser exposure, a different type of energy is used. The advantage is that it is carried out even in advanced cases, when trophic ulcers have already appeared and there are other skin lesions.

Preventive measures to combat the disease

With the help of operations and medical treatment, good results are achieved, but when returning to the usual way of life and lack of prevention, the disease will return to the same state. Therefore, both at the first symptoms of varicose veins and in severe cases, you should not forget about preventive measures, as they will stop the progression of the disease:

• Monitor your weight and try to keep it normal. Because being overweight increases the load on the legs, and hence on the vessels. That is why it is important to balance the diet, eat healthier food, give up bad habits.
• Do not forget about physical activity: the more movements you make during the day, the more often you "pump" blood through the veins and train the vessels. Therefore, when you are stuck, take breaks with mini-exercises, do not cross your legs, take the stairs and add appropriatetraining to your regime (yoga, exercise equipment, Nordic walking, exercise, swimming, skiing) At the same time, it is worth excluding those sports where there is a large load on the legs.
• Take a critical approach to choosing shoes and clothes for every day. Clothing should not restrict movement and fully correspond to the intended activity. Avoid high heels and flat soles whenever possible, or keep them to a minimum, such as on special occasions.
• Try dousing your feet at the end of the day - alternate hot and cold water, change the pressure. Also, 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 bathhouse, using hot wax for depilation, etc.
• Get compression stockings with a specialist. You should not buy such products yourself, since the doctor chooses the appropriate degree of compression, taking into account the state of the venous network at the moment and writes a prescription for them. Use such knitwear more often in combination with other preventive measures. 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 for women during periods of body restructuring, it is necessary to additionally consult a phlebologist.

If any symptoms of the disease appear, it is very important to seek qualified help. If you do not want to constantly suffer pain and heaviness in your legs, "hide" your legs, deprive yourself of beautiful clothes, you want to deal with varicose veins and maintain your health, it is enough to visit a doctor and undergo a comprehensivereview.

It includes a consultation with a vascular surgeon, a visual examination, an anamnesis, examination of the state of the veins and arteries using a modern diagnostic method (duplex scan). Based on the received data, a diagnosis is made and a complex treatment program is developed.

The clinic's arsenal includes all progressive methods for removing varicose veins - from outpatient sclerotherapy and laser correction to complex surgical interventions. After performing each procedure, vascular surgeons give recommendations to each patient, taking into account individual characteristics, if followed, a lasting effect is guaranteed. 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 the legs, you have been unsuccessfully fighting this disease for more than a year, then make an appointment for a consultation with a specialist. The clinics are staffed by experienced doctors who will choose the appropriate program, taking into account the current situation.