Varicose veins

Varicose veins- this is a pathology that affects the vessels of the lower extremities, 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 have such dire 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, there has been a significant rejuvenation of the contingent of patients with this pathology - more than 80% of cases fit into the age group of 30-50 years and occur even in adolescents.

Causes of varicose veins

Women are primarily exposed to the risk of developing varicose veins. This is due to several physiological characteristics of the female body at once:

• First of all, these are hormonal changes that occur in different periods of life and lead to weakening of the venous network and blood vessels. This happens during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause. For example, during pregnancy, blood volume increases by up to 30%, and the growing uterus compresses the vessels of the small pelvis, which makes normal venous outflow difficult. After childbirth, the situation only partially normalizes, because changes in the structure of the deep veins remain. Hence such a sad statistic: after the first delivery, every third or fourth woman faces manifestations of varicose veins. After the second - already 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 occur under the influence of external factors due to the specifics of everyday life. Long-term sitting and standing work, constant weight lifting, excess weight, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle 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. Excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle and heavy loads with regular weight lifting can lead to pathology.

Stages of varicose veins

There is a classification of the disease, according to which there are several stages of varicose veins: from zero to the most severe. At the zero level, there are still no external signs of the disease, but the person feels a sense of heaviness, and by the end of the day, slight swelling occurs. Therefore, 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 show the neglect of the pathology:

1. First there is discomfort - constant pain and "heaviness" in the legs, swelling of the feet and ankles until 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 vein pattern on the skin becomes more noticeable, and in some places spider veins appear. Sometimes the appearance of the legs remains the same, but the unpleasant symptoms progress every day.
2. In the second stage, the veins already take on the appearance characteristic of varicose veins - they begin to protrude above the skin, forming entire clusters and knots. With progression, they "break out" more and more, acquire a bluish-black color.
3. In the third stage, tissue trophism worsens. Dryness and pallor of the skin of the legs are added to the constant swelling and heaviness in the legs, cramps already appear not only at night, but also during the day. Sometimes a rash and itching appear on the affected area.
4. In the last stage, inflammatory processes of the skin and blood vessels are added to all the above-mentioned 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 join thrombophlebitis or secondary infection.

If the patient does not take any measures, 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 required.

What are the treatments for varicose veins?

Doctors have been looking for ways to get rid of varicose veins for a long time. Over time, it was found that if varicose veins are removed, blood circulation in the limbs remains 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 primarily affected. Therefore, when they are "disconnected" from the circulatory system, trophic functions are performed by a network of blood vessels located in the deep layer of the legs and thighs.

In addition, in the 20th century, a number of drugs were developed that inhibit the development of the disease. Therefore, 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 method of treatment?

It should be understood that once varicose veins appear, it is no longer possible to fully recover from this disease.

The pathological process cannot be reversed and structural changes in the blood vessels will not return to their original state, but there is a chance to significantly slow down its progression and partially eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Therefore, a conservative technique is indicated in the initial stages of the disease, when there is no need for surgical intervention or there are any contraindications for surgery. For this, the following is awarded:

• Taking medicines, so calledphleboprotector. Preparations for oral administration primarily fight against the cause of the appearance - they increase the tone of the venous network, improve blood flow in the tissues, restore valve function and stop inflammatory processes. At the same time, together with venotonics, drugs are prescribed that will reduce blood viscosity and serve as prevention of blood clots.
• In addition to internal tablets, venotonic ointments and gels are prescribed. They are aimed at alleviating unpleasant symptoms in the legs - heaviness, pain and swelling. As a rule, such drugs combine cooling, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
• 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 function of the muscle. It compresses the vessels, due to which the blood flow normalizes in the vertical direction and goes to the heart. With the constant use of compression products, the patient's well-being improves significantly. Moreover, it is prescribed without fail after surgical interventions, for pregnant women with varicose veins.
• When trophic ulcers appear in the last stages of varicose veins, local measures are applied. These include compresses, 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 patient's condition.

Treatment with surgical methods

Since deformed vessels with damaged valves can no longer be restored, phlebologists use various surgical techniques to remove them. The point is to "disconnect" the deformed vein from the general vascular system and remove it. This can be achieved in several ways:

1. The classic method of surgical treatment is phlebectomy. It is removed surgically, bandaged and removed from the body. Such an operation takes place under general anesthesia for 1-2 hours, and scars up to 5 mm in size remain on the legs. This procedure cannot be performed in case of coronary heart disease, in the elderly, in severe infectious diseases and in the second half of pregnancy due to trauma.
2. A gentler 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 influence, the walls of the vessels heat up and stick together, which stops the flow of blood, and over time it decreases and completely disintegrates.
3. Another low-traumatic method is sclerotherapy. A special sclerosing drug that looks like microfoam is injected into the problematic vein. Under his influence, it was sealed and gradually healed. This procedure is quite quick and completely atraumatic, as it takes about 20 minutes and does not require anesthesia.
4. According to the type of laser, radiofrequency coagulation is performed. Only instead of laser exposure, another 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 for disease control

With the help of surgery and medical treatment, good results are achieved, but when you return to a normal lifestyle and without prevention, the disease will return to the same state. Therefore, both in the presence of the first symptoms of varicose veins and in severe cases, one should not forget about preventive measures, as they will stop the progression of the disease:

• Watch your weight and try to keep it normal. Because being overweight increases the load on the legs, and thus on the blood vessels. Therefore, 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 blood vessels. Therefore, when you sit, take breaks with mini-exercises, do not cross your legs, walk up the stairs and add appropriate exercises to your regime(yoga, exercise machines, Nordic walking, exercise therapy, swimming, skiing).
• Critically approach the choice of shoes and clothes for every day. Clothing must not restrict movement and fully correspond to the intended activity. Avoid high heels and flat soles whenever possible or keep them to a minimum, for example on special occasions.
• Try to pour your feet at the end of the day - alternating hot and cold water, change the pressure. In addition, do self-massage to improve muscle tone. At the same time, "hot" procedures should be excluded or reduced to a minimum - this refers to taking hot baths, visiting a bathtub, using hot wax for depilation, etc.
• Pick up compression stockings with an expert. You should not buy such products yourself, because it is the doctor who selects the appropriate degree of compression, taking into account the current state of the venous network, and writes a prescription for them. You use such knitwear more often in combination with other preventive measures. At the same time, it is important to buy quality products from proven medical brands that have the right effect.
• Before taking any hormonal drugs, especially for women in periods of body restructuring, it is necessary to consult a phlebologist.

If you experience any symptoms of the disease, 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, deny yourself beautiful clothes, you want to deal with varicose veins and maintain your health, it is enough to visit a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination.

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

The Arsenal clinic includes all progressive methods of dealing with varicose veins - from outpatient sclerotherapy and laser correction to complex surgical interventions. After performing any procedures, vascular surgeons give recommendations to each patient, taking into account individual characteristics, if followed, a lasting effect is ensured. 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 your legs, you have been unsuccessfully fighting this disease for more than a year, sign up for a consultation with a specialist. Clinics employ experienced doctors who will select the appropriate program, taking into account the current situation.