Many people have faced the problem of varicose veins of the lower limbs.Over the years, this disease becomes 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 motionless, sitting in front of computers, as well as that part of the population that spends its working hours standing on its feet - salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models, etc.
The symptoms of varicose veins are very diverse.It is rare for several patients to have the same symptoms.Most often, this vein disease occurs with individual characteristics.However, all sufferers of 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 can be of normal size and do not stand out.Later, varicose veins appear on the legs, which are visible to 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 has long been known to doctors;has its own history, full of interesting facts.Physicians in Ancient Egypt were involved in the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations where signs of varicose veins and traces of treatment for complications of this disease were found in mummies.Such luminaries as Avicenna, Galen and Hippocrates also mention the existence of varicose veins in their writings.
The very term "varicose veins" 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 terrifying.The doctors realized that the enlarged and thrombosed vein had to be removed to avoid complications.However, the technology was imperfect at the time.Vein surgery was quite traumatic: to get to the changed vein, extensive incisions were made on the limbs, which ran along the entire length of the leg in the form of strips or spiral incisions.Not surprisingly, such patients often die 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 in medical practice, it became easier to diagnose the extent of vascular damage and operations are performed more purposefully.The risk of postoperative complications is reduced and the recovery rate is significantly higher.
Over time, less traumatic techniques appeared, since too large incisions cause complications in the postoperative period and often make the patient disabled (in case of accidental damage to nerves and tendons).This is how the currently used "minimally invasive" treatment methods, which do not require the use of a scalpel, were developed.
We are luckier than our ancestors, because this pathology is now successfully treated.Even surgical methods of treatment do not pose a great danger 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 development of the disease.
Varicose veins of the legs are not dangerous, but thrombophlebitis is!
Almost all the media are screaming at us about varicose veins, advertising new miracle drugs that promise to get rid of the disease in the shortest possible time.So why is this disease dangerous, why are we being made to spend a lot of money on expensive ointments and creams to get rid of this disease?
Varicose veins reduce our quality of life.Symptoms such as pain and heaviness in the legs, swelling, changes in skin color and the appearance of non-healing ulcers are very unpleasant and difficult.People suffering from this disease find it difficult to lead an active lifestyle, they have to look for work with easier working conditions, etc.But that's not the worst of it.
Varicose veins of the legs are accompanied by the formation of blood clots in the veins.Once broken 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 get to a medical facility - death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a disease with serious complications.Self-medication is life-threatening.Only experienced specialists and regular monitoring will preserve your health and life!
Treatment of varicose veins: vein surgery
Varicose 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 the complications associated with the disease can only be cured in a radical way.Of course, you shouldn't completely reject conservative therapy, but you shouldn't rely on it either.Drug treatment works in combination with surgical methods.It's hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative therapy alleviates the course of the disease, minimizes unpleasant symptoms, 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 down the development of the disease without eliminating the cause.
Vein surgery is a fairly common procedure these days.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 a phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through small incisions in the limbs.Vein surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of recurrence after this method of treatment is low.The operation itself does not cause much harm to the patient's health and the recovery is quite fast.Patients usually only spend a few days in the hospital.After the intervention, drug therapy and the wearing of compression clothing are prescribed.
Sclerotherapy, as a minimally invasive method of 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 varicose veins.Through trial and error, we managed to achieve success in this direction.A drug was discovered that is successfully used 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 dissolve.The procedure must be performed by an experienced specialist, since an excessive dose 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 usual way of life, following certain recommendations.The essence of the method is that a laser light guide is introduced into the dilated vein under ultrasound control.Under the influence of a laser beam, the walls of the vein are welded 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 treatment method, it has its indications and contraindications.
A phlebologist is the best friend of patients with varicose veins
People suffering from varicose veins, as well as people who have a hereditary predisposition to this disease or are at risk, should consult a phlebologist annually to monitor the condition of the veins in their legs.
A phlebologist is a doctor with a narrow specialty who deals with the 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 to prevent the development of varicose veins in the early stages, to completely avoid surgical intervention or 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 seek help from professionals.Ultrasound examination of veins is a painless procedure;you just have to be patient as it takes quite some time.