Varicose veins are the expansion of the superficial veins of the lower extremities, as a result of valvular incompetence and impaired blood flow.In this case, gravity plays a key role here.It has a positive effect on the blood circulation of the organs located above the heart.If we are talking about the vessels of the lower extremities, then gravity has the opposite effect.Under its influence, the normal flow of blood is interrupted, as a result of which the blood stagnates in the veins, thus causing their deformation.Varicose veins are usually found on the lower legs and the back of the knees.
Currently, approximately every 10 people in the world suffer from varicose veins.Moreover, women aged 30 to 60 years are more susceptible to this disease.In general, men suffer from varicose veins 4-6 times less often than women.
Factors affecting the appearance of varicose veins:
- hereditary predisposition;
- injuries that cause damage to the venous valves (as a result, blood flow is interrupted);
- great physical activity;
- prolonged standing in an upright position (this is especially true for the category of people with professions that require long periods of standing: teachers, salesmen, surgeons, etc.);
- sedentary lifestyle (leads to blood stagnation);
- excess weight (excessive load on blood vessels);
- increased intra-abdominal pressure (can occur as a result of chronic constipation, chronic cough, prostate adenoma, etc.).
In addition, varicose veins of the lower extremities can appear as a result of wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on the blood vessels, frequent sitting cross-legged and smoking.
Separately, it is worth mentioning about pregnancy.During this period, women often experience varicose veins, but they are often reversible and gradually disappear after childbirth.During pregnancy, varicose veins can appear as a result of fetal pressure on the vessels leading to the legs;an increase in the total amount of blood in the body, as well as as a result of the influence of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on the condition of the vein walls.
Thus, the category of people who suffer more often from varicose veins includes pregnant women, the elderly, athletes, people with "standing" professions, people with flat feet, overweight people, as well as those whose relatives have suffered (or are suffering) from this disease.
Symptoms of varicose veins:
- the appearance of dark blue or purple tortuous veins, as well as spider veins, on the legs;
- brown spots on ankles and feet;
- thickening and swelling of veins;
- periodic cramps in the muscles of the legs;
- the formation of trophic ulcers on the skin of the lower extremities;
- pain, swelling and fatigue of the legs;
- heaviness and burning in the lower extremities.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities occur in four stages:
- Twisted veins, spider veins and spider veins appear on the skin.Sometimes there is slight swelling of the legs in the evening.At this stage there is no pain or discomfort.
- Periodically, severe ankle swelling occurs and heaviness in the legs occurs (more often in the late afternoon and after exercise).At night, the patient suffers from cramps in the calf muscles, accompanied by lumps, numbness and tingling.
- The swelling of the legs becomes pronounced and becomes permanent.Seals form on the skin and subcutaneous tissue.Pigmentation and dermatitis also appear at this stage of the disease.In addition, the patient begins to be bothered by a feeling of itching and swelling.
- Trophic ulcers appear on the skin of the legs.
Varicose veins in themselves are not a dangerous disease, but in the absence of effective treatment in time, they can lead to serious consequences, in some cases ending in death.
The most common complications from varicose veins:
- chronic venous insufficiency - obstructed blood flow, as a result of poor functioning of the vascular valves due to the increase in the diameter of the blood vessels;
- thrombophlebitis of varicose veins - the formation of blood clots in the veins as a result of inflammation of the venous wall;
- pulmonary embolism - interruption of blood flow in the pulmonary artery due to its blockage by a detached blood clot;
- trophic ulcers are skin defects (wounds) that form when there is a severe interruption of blood flow through superficial and deep veins.
Varicose veins always require qualified treatment.It does not go away by itself and gradually develops into various complications.You can only reduce the pain and discomfort.To prevent the disease and alleviate its symptoms, you should:
- avoid a sedentary lifestyle (sitting or standing) (move more often, change body position, do gymnastics, etc.);
- wear a special medical gown;
- shower only in the evening;
- sleep in a position where the legs are higher than the level of the heart (contraindicated for people with heart disease);
- limit the consumption of salty foods;
- wear shoes with heels no higher than 4 cm;
- try not to sit cross-legged.
The diagnosis of varicose veins, in addition to visual examination and palpation of the legs by a vascular surgeon, may include additional examinations such as:
- Ultrasound is one of the most informative methods for diagnosing varicose veins of the lower extremities.It allows you to determine the degree of expansion of the veins, their patency, as well as to determine the presence of blood clots and the direction of blood flow.
- Contrast venography is a method that allows you to see the contours of the affected veins on an x-ray.To do this, before the examination, a substance is injected into a vein to color the blood in a contrasting color.
Basic modern methods of treating varicose veins of the lower extremities
Miniphlebectomy
Miniphlebectomy is a gentle operation during which the affected veins are removed through small incisions and punctures using special hooks.It is often performed under local anesthesia, which allows the patient to return to his normal lifestyle within 2-3 hours after the procedure.In addition, thanks to minimal surgical intervention after miniphlebectomy, there are practically no marks on the skin of the legs, and all bruises and pigments finally disappear after a few months.
After this operation, it is necessary to regularly wear special therapeutic knitwear for several weeks, as well as strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations to prevent new relapses of the disease.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation enables the complete treatment of varicose veins on an outpatient basis.This procedure is performed as follows: under local anesthesia, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the affected vein through a puncture, which "seals" the vein through exposure to microwaves.
Thanks to precise and controlled effects, radiofrequency ablation allows you to achieve effective results.After this procedure, the patient returns to a normal lifestyle within 30 minutes and active sports are allowed within a week.
Laser treatment (EVLT)
This method is also known for the minimal level of trauma and the high cosmetic effect.This procedure is performed under local or spinal anesthesia.Through small punctures, a light guide connected to a laser device is inserted into the lumen of the diseased vein.Under the influence of laser radiation, the affected area of the vein is reliably closed (adjacent tissues are not damaged).The process of advancing the light guide is controlled by a doctor using ultrasound, which ensures high accuracy of the procedure.
EVLT lasts about 30-40 minutes, after which the patient goes home independently and returns to his normal lifestyle the next day.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the safest and most aesthetic methods of treating varicose veins (including "stars", "nets", "snakes"), which are completely
eliminates the appearance of scars and marks on the skin.The technique of this procedure is as follows: using very thin needles, an adhesive solution (sclerosant) is injected into the affected vein, after which it is compressed from the outside with a special latex pad and an elastic bandage.Thanks to sclerotherapy, the walls of the blood vessels stick together, as a result of which the varicose vein is excluded from the blood circulation and the blood circulation becomes healthy and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
The procedure in question takes several sessions (about 3-5), each of which lasts from 5 to 10 minutes.After each procedure, the patient must wear a special stocking, which is worn for 1 to 3 days.
It is important to note that in some cases, different methods are combined to treat varicose veins.
Treatment of trophic ulcers
Trophic ulcer often occurs in the last stages of varicose veins as a result of venous stagnation.They are long-term affected areas of skin and tissue that do not heal.
Treatment of this complication involves a comprehensive and multi-stage approach.It can include both surgical intervention and pharmacotherapy, wearing compression garments.In the initial stages, trophic ulcers are successfully treated with the laser method.In advanced cases, biopsy and radiopaque venography are used.
It is worth mentioning the importance of immediate contact with qualified specialists when the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities appear.In this way, you will eliminate the risk of complications and quickly regain your health.