Varicose veins are a disease that affects 30% of the world's population. Regardless of lifestyle, gender and age, this disease can become a problem for every person. But how to deal with this disease? TV commercials promise salvation from the conventional fats in our veins, the internet is full of articles about home remedies. So, how to deal with the problem so that you forget it forever? Candidate of medical sciences, doctor of the highest category, head of the phlebology center spoke about the important nuances of the disease, as well as the modern possibilities of disease prevention and treatment.
Who is at risk?
Varicose veins are the expansion of subcutaneous veins, accompanied by a violation of venous outflow. They increase in size due to the thinning of the wall of the vessel itself, and at the same time their diameter becomes larger. Basically, varicose veins are a hereditary disease, although other factors can contribute to the development of the disease.
"Sooner or later, the disease will manifest itself, " says the doctor. - If a person is a loader or weight lifter, then he will face the disease earlier. If he sits in the office, then later, with age. In women, for example, the diseaseassociated with hormonal factors: pregnancy, childbirth, oral contraceptives. "
People who are constantly on their feet, whose profession is associated with constant and long-term stress, are always at risk of this disease. The choice of our shoes also affects: regular wearing of high heels causes disease. Those who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle are also at risk.
Finding varicose veins is simple: this is not a disease that has hidden symptoms. First, the problem is immediately followed by aesthetic defects: small blue-red vascular "stars" appear on the legs, dark blue intradermal veins become visible.
In addition, by the end of the day there is swelling of the legs, a feeling of heaviness and pain in the calves after a long stay in a sitting or standing position. Disappearance of these symptoms during walking and after sleeping is characteristic of varicose veins.
How to treat?
Any disease should be diagnosed and treated only by a specialist. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to recklessly buy various ointments and self-medicate. Moreover, varicose veins have different types, and each type has its own technique.
"There are cosmetic varicose veins that are treated with laser therapy, and there are also surgical ones: we remove them with surgery, " explains the expert. – Surgical varicose veins are not treated with conservative methods. If so, then the trunks of the large and small saphenous veins are affected, and here they cannot be treated without medication. Minimally invasive surgery is performed - that is, a procedure in which a small incision is made. The most economical method of treatment is endovasal laser coagulation of veins. What is the procedure? A light guide is inserted through the vein, which closes it from the inside. This is a complex operation - the latest way of non-traumatic treatment of this disease. "
Basically, the experts remove the veins through a stripping procedure. This is an operation in which two incisions are made: in the groin and at the bottom of the leg. A probe is inserted there, after which the diseased vein is removed in its direction. This procedure is quite painful: the person limps for a long time, and the leg heals for up to six months. Until now, this type of surgical treatment of varicose veins is used for economic reasons: it is very cheap for clinics and hospitals.
An incredible paradox
Varicose veins have long acquired the status of a female disease. It is considered that such a large number of factors, such as wearing high heels, hormonal and hereditary aspects, are already enough for the fairer sex to fall into the risk group in the first place. But in fact, the situation is diametrically opposite - men suffer from this disease several times more often.
"As you know, the morbidity rate is registered by referral, and women most often come to the doctor, " explains the expert. when a trophic ulcer already appears.
There are general recommendations for the prevention of this disease. If you have a sedentary job, try to take small 10-minute breaks at least every hour: walk around, massage your feet. For activities that require you to be constantly on your feet, don't forget to shower in the evening with a contrast shower and make foot baths with herbs. Also, do not forget about moderate physical activity, which will strengthen the walls of blood vessels. And, of course, choose comfortable shoes: tight shoes never did anyone any good.