Varicose veins are the dilation of the superficial veins of the lower extremities, caused by 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, gravity has the opposite effect.Under its influence, normal blood flow is disrupted, as a result of which blood stagnates in the veins, causing their deformation.Dilated vessels are usually found in the lower legs and back of the knees.
Currently, approximately every 10 people in the world suffer from varicose veins.Additionally, women between the ages of 30 and 60 are more susceptible to this disease.In general, men suffer from varicose veins 4-6 times less often than women.
Factors influencing the appearance of varicose veins:
- hereditary predisposition;
- injuries that cause damage to the venous valves (as a result, the outflow of blood is interrupted);
- great physical activity;
- prolonged standing (this applies especially to the category of people with professions that require long periods of standing: teachers, sellers, surgeons, etc.);
- sedentary lifestyle (leads to blood stagnation);
- excess weight (excessive load on blood vessels);
- increased intra-abdominal pressure (may occur due to chronic constipation, chronic cough, prostatic adenoma, etc.).
Also, varicose veins of the lower extremities can occur due to wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on the vessels, frequent sitting cross-legged, and smoking.
Separately, it is worth mentioning pregnancy.During this period, women often suffer from varicose veins, but they are often reversible and gradually disappear after giving birth.Varicose veins may occur during pregnancy due to fetal pressure on the vessels leading to the legs;an increase in the total amount of blood in the body, as well as the result of the influence of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on the condition of the walls of the veins.
Therefore, 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 tortuous dark blue or purple veins, as well as varicose veins, on the legs;
- brownish spots on the ankles and shins;
- thickening and swelling of the veins;
- periodic cramps in the leg muscles;
- formation of trophic ulcers on the skin of the lower extremities;
- leg pain, swelling and fatigue;
- heaviness and burning in the lower limbs.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities occur in four stages:
- Tortuous veins, varicose veins and varicose veins appear on the skin.Sometimes in the evening there is a slight swelling in the legs.There is no pain or discomfort at this stage.
- Periodically, severe swelling of the ankle occurs and heaviness appears in the legs (most often in the late afternoon and after exercise).At night the patient suffers from cramps in the calf muscles, accompanied by goosebumps, 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 sensation 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 timely and effective treatment they can lead to serious consequences, which in some cases end in death.
The most common complications arising from varicose veins:
- chronic venous insufficiency - obstructed blood outflow, resulting from poor functioning of vascular valves due to an increase in the diameter of blood vessels;
- thrombophlebitis of varicose veins - formation of blood clots in the veins due to inflammation of the vein wall;
- pulmonary embolism - cessation 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 disruption of the outflow of blood through the superficial and deep veins.
Varicose veins always require qualified treatment.It does not disappear on its own and gradually develops into various complications.You can reduce pain and discomfort only on your own.To prevent the disease and relieve its symptoms, you need:
- avoid a sedentary (sedentary or standing) lifestyle (move more often, change body position, do gymnastics, etc.);
- wear special medical knitwear;
- bathe only in the evening;
- sleep in a position where the feet are higher than the heart level (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.
Diagnosis of varicose veins, in addition to visual examination and palpation of the legs by a vascular surgeon, may include additional tests 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 dilation of the veins, their patency, as well as determining the presence of blood clots and the direction of blood flow.
- Contrast venography is a method that allows you to see the outlines 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 for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Miniphlebectomy
Miniphlebectomy is a delicate 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 their normal lifestyle within 2-3 hours of the procedure.In addition, thanks to minimal surgery after miniphlebectomy, practically no marks remain on the skin of the legs, and all bruises and pigments finally disappear after a couple of months.
After this operation, it is necessary to regularly wear special therapeutic knitwear for several weeks and strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations to prevent new relapses of the disease.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation allows the complete treatment of varicose veins on an outpatient basis.This procedure is performed as follows: under local anesthesia, through a puncture, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the affected vein, which "seals" the vein through exposure to microwaves.
Thanks to precise and controlled effects, radiofrequency ablation allows you to obtain 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.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.
The EVLT lasts approximately 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 for 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 (sclerosing) solution 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 blood vessels unite, as a result of which the varicose vein is excluded from the blood flow, blood circulation becomes healthy and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
The procedure in question lasts several sessions (approximately 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 1-3 days.
It is important to note that in some cases different methods are combined to treat varicose veins.
Treatment of trophic ulcers
Trophic ulcers often occur in the later stages of varicose veins due to venous stagnation.They are long-term affected areas of the skin and underlying tissues that do not heal.
Treatment of this complication involves a comprehensive, multi-stage approach.It may include both surgery 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 remembering the importance of immediately turning to qualified specialists when the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities appear.This way you will eliminate the risk of complications and quickly regain your health.