Varicose veins are enlargement 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 talk about the vessels of the lower extremities, then gravity has the opposite effect.Under its influence, the normal blood flow is disturbed, as a result of which the blood stagnates in the veins, thus causing their deformation.Varicose veins are usually found in the lower legs and back of the knees.
Currently, approximately one in 10 people in the world suffers from varicose veins.In addition, women aged 30 to 60 years are most 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 impaired);
- great physical activity;
- prolonged stay in a standing position (this is especially true for the category of people with professions that require long periods of standing: teachers, salespeople, surgeons, etc.);
- sedentary lifestyle (leads to blood stagnation);
- overweight (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 clothes that put pressure on the vessels, often sitting with crossed legs and smoking.
Separately, it is worth mentioning about pregnancy.During this period, women often develop varicose veins, but they are often reversible and gradually disappear after childbirth.During pregnancy, varicose veins can appear as a result of the pressure of the fetus 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 most often suffer from varicose veins includes pregnant women, the elderly, athletes, people with "standing" professions, people with flat feet, overweight people, as well as those whose close relatives have suffered (or suffer) from this disease.
Symptoms of varicose veins:
- the appearance of curved dark blue or purple veins, as well as spider veins on the legs;
- brownish spots on ankles and shins;
- thickening and bulging of veins;
- periodic leg muscle cramps;
- formation of trophic ulcers on the skin of the lower extremities;
- pain, swelling and fatigue in the legs;
- heaviness and burning in the lower limbs.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities occur in four stages:
- Curved veins, cobwebs and cobwebs appear on the skin.Sometimes there is a slight swelling of the legs in the evening.There is no pain or discomfort at this stage.
- Periodically, there is severe swelling of the ankle and heaviness in the legs (most often in the late afternoon and after physical exertion).At night, the patient suffers from cramps in the calf muscles, accompanied by goosebumps, tingling and numbness.
- Swelling of the legs becomes pronounced and becomes permanent.Seals form on the skin and subcutaneous tissue.At this stage of the disease, pigmentation and dermatitis also appear.In addition, the patient begins to worry about a feeling of itching and swelling of the abdomen.
- Trophic ulcers appear on the skin of the legs.
Varicose veins in themselves are not a dangerous disease, but in the absence of timely and effective treatment, they can lead to serious consequences, in some cases ending in death.
The most common complications resulting from varicose veins:
- chronic venous insufficiency - difficult blood flow as a result of poor functioning of vascular valves due to an increase in the diameter of 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 - stoppage of blood flow in the pulmonary artery due to its blockage by a separate blood clot;
- trophic ulcers are skin defects (wounds) that form when there is a severe violation of blood flow through the superficial and deep veins.
Varicose veins always require qualified treatment.It does not disappear by itself and gradually develops into various complications.You can only reduce the pain and discomfort yourself.To prevent the disease and relieve its symptoms, you should:
- avoid a sedentary (sedentary or constant) lifestyle (move more often, change body position, do gymnastics, etc.);
- wear special medical hosiery;
- take a bath only in the evening;
- sleeping in a position in which the legs are higher than the level of the heart (contraindicated for people with heart diseases);
- limiting the consumption of salty foods;
- wear shoes with a heel no higher than 4 cm;
- try not to sit with your legs crossed.
The diagnosis of varicose veins, in addition to the visual examination and palpation of the legs by a vascular surgeon, may include additional studies 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 that stains the blood in a contrasting color is injected into the vein.
Main modern methods of treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Miniphlebectomy
Miniphlebectomy is a gentle operation in which the affected veins are removed through small incisions and punctures using special hooks.It is often performed under local anesthesia, allowing the patient to return to their normal lifestyle within 2-3 hours after the procedure.In addition, thanks to the minimal surgical intervention after miniphlebectomy, there are practically no traces 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 to strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations in order to prevent new relapses of the disease.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation allows complete treatment of varicose veins in an outpatient setting.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 by 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 its minimal level of trauma and high cosmetic effect.This procedure is performed under local or spinal anesthesia.A light guide connected to a laser device is inserted through small incisions 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 moving the light guide is controlled by a doctor using ultrasound, which guarantees high accuracy of the procedure.
EVLT lasts about 30-40 minutes, after which the patient goes home on his own and returns to his normal lifestyle the very next day.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the safest and most aesthetic methods of treating varicose veins (including "stars", "webs", "snakes") that are completely
eliminates the appearance of scars and spots on the skin.The technique of this procedure is as follows: with the help of 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 cut off from the blood circulation, the blood circulation becomes healthy and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
The procedure in question consists of several sessions (about 3-5), each lasting from 5 to 10 minutes.After each procedure, the patient must wear a special sock that is worn for 1 to 3 days.
It is important to note that in some cases different methods of treating varicose veins are combined.
Treatment of trophic ulcers
Trophic ulcers often appear in the last stages of varicose veins as a result of venous stagnation.They are long-term non-healing affected areas of the skin and underlying tissues.
The treatment of this complication involves a comprehensive and multi-stage approach.It can include both surgical intervention and pharmacotherapy, wearing compression clothing.In the initial stages, trophic ulcers are successfully treated with the laser method.In advanced cases, biopsy and X-ray contrast venography are used.
It is worth noting how important it is to immediately contact qualified specialists when the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities appear.This will eliminate the risk of complications and quickly restore your health.