Many people have faced the problem of varicose veins in the lower extremities.Over the years, this disease is becoming more and more common, regardless of gender and age.The reason for this may be the lifestyle of office workers, who spend most of their time stationary, sitting near computers, as well as that part of the population that spends working time standing - salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models, etc.
The symptoms of varicose veins are very different.It is rare for several patients to have the same symptoms.More often, this vein disease appears with individual characteristics.However, all those who suffer from this disease are united by one condition - the symptom of "heavy legs", which includes swelling, heaviness in the legs, pain along the veins, while the veins themselves at the beginning of the disease may be of normal size and not noticeable.Later, enlarged veins appear on the legs, which can be seen with the naked eye.This is already an indisputable sign of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: brief information about the disease
Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease that doctors have known for a long time;it has its own history, full of interesting facts.Doctors in Ancient Egypt were involved in the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations where signs of varicose veins and traces of treatment of complications of this disease were found in mummies.Such luminaries as Avicenna, Galen and Hippocrates also mentioned in their works the existence of varicose veins.
The very term "varicose vein" translated from Latin means "swelling", which reflects the clinical picture of this pathology.
The treatment of varicose veins at that time was also interesting and at the same time scary.Doctors realized that the enlarged and thrombosed vein must be removed to avoid complications.However, the technology was imperfect at the time.The operation on the veins was quite traumatic: to get to the changed vein, wide incisions were made in the limb, which ran along the entire length of the leg in the form of lines or spiral incisions.It is not surprising that such patients often died not from the disease itself, but from complications related to the operation.
A revolution in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities occurred after phlebography began to be actively developed.After the introduction of X-rays and ultrasound into medical practice, it became easier to diagnose the degree of damage to blood vessels, and operations were performed more purposefully.The risk of postoperative complications has decreased and the recovery rate has become significantly higher.
Over time, less traumatic techniques appeared, since very large incisions caused complications in the postoperative period and often made the patient disabled (in case of accidental damage to nerves and tendons).This is how the "minimally invasive" treatment methods currently used, which do not require the use of a scalpel, have been developed.
We are luckier than our ancestors, because at the moment this pathology is being successfully treated.Even surgical treatment methods do not pose a great risk to health.The operated patients easily return to normal life after a short time.And some interventions allow patients to forget about their problem immediately after leaving the medical facility.The main thing, as with any disease, is to have time to seek medical help at an early stage of the disease's development.
Varicose veins in the legs are not dangerous, thrombophlebitis is!
Almost all the media shout at us about varicose veins, advertising new miracle drugs that promise to rid us of the disease in the shortest possible time.So why is this disease dangerous, why are we encouraged to spend a lot of money on expensive ointments and creams to get rid of this disease?
Varicose veins reduce the quality of our life.Symptoms such as pain and heaviness in the legs, swelling, changes in skin color and the appearance of non-healing ulcers are all very uncomfortable and difficult.People suffering from this disease find it difficult to lead an active lifestyle, they have to look for jobs with easier working conditions, etc.But that's not the worst thing.
Varicose veins in the legs are associated with the formation of blood clots within the veins.After breaking off, such a blood clot can enter the pulmonary artery and cause a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism.It is very difficult to treat, and most often patients with thromboembolism do not even have time to go to a medical institution - death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a disease with serious complications.Self-medication is dangerous to life.Only experienced specialists and regular monitoring will protect your health and life!
Treatment of varicose veins: vein surgery
Enlarged veins in the legs are a reason to seek help from a surgeon.Varicose veins are the field of activity of surgical specialists.Every patient tries to avoid surgical intervention until the last moment, but you should know that varicose veins can be cured and complications related to the disease can only be cured radically.Of course, you shouldn't completely abandon conservative therapy, but you shouldn't rely on it either.Drug treatment works together with surgical methods.It is hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative therapy eases the course of the disease, reduces unpleasant symptoms to a minimum, allows faster recovery after surgery and reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
Drug treatment, as an independent method, can be used if there are contraindications to surgery.Such treatment only slows the development of the disease without eliminating the cause.
Nowadays, vein surgery is a fairly common procedure.Varicose veins are treated in several ways.The choice of one or another method of intervention is determined by the doctor, based on the stage of the disease, the medical history and the results of the patient's examination.
Types of operations:
- Phlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Laser coagulation.
In an operation called phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through small incisions in the limb.Vein surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of relapse after this treatment method is low.The operation itself does not cause much damage to the patient's health and the recovery is quite fast.Patients usually only spend a few days in the hospital.After the intervention, medication therapy and the wearing of compression garments are prescribed.
Sclerotherapy, as a minimally invasive method for treating varicose veins, has its roots in the distant past.Many doctors have tried to cure this pathology by introducing various chemical compounds into the lumen of dilated veins.Through trial and error we managed to achieve success in this regard.A drug was found that is used successfully even to this day.This substance is administered intravenously under ultrasound guidance.The procedure is painless.Under the influence of the drug, the walls of the damaged vein stick together, and then they dissolve.The procedure must be performed by an experienced specialist, as an overdose of the drug or its introduction into soft tissues is fraught with serious complications.
Laser coagulation is a minimally invasive vein surgery that is performed without incisions.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and after it the patient immediately returns to his normal lifestyle, following certain recommendations.The essence of the method is that a laser light guide is inserted into the dilated vein under ultrasound control.Under the influence of a laser beam, the walls of the vein are joined together, blood flow becomes impossible.Perhaps this is the most effective and safe method of treatment in our time.Of course, laser coagulation cannot be performed on everyone without exception.Like any therapy method, it has its indications and contraindications.
The phlebologist is the best friend of patients with varicose veins
People who suffer from varicose veins, as well as people who have a hereditary predisposition to this disease or are at risk, should consult a phlebologist every year to monitor the condition of the veins in their legs.
A phlebologist is a doctor of a narrow specialty that deals with problems of venous vessels.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities, which can show the condition of the vein walls, valves, check the patency of blood vessels, rule out the presence of blood clots and assess the severity of the disease.This information will help prevent the development of varicose veins in the early stages, avoid surgical intervention altogether or allow you to eliminate the pathology using a minimally invasive method.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful the treatment result.
Don't be afraid to ask for help from specialists.Ultrasound examination of veins is a painless procedure;you just have to be patient, as it takes a lot of time.