Varicose veins of the lower extremities: symptoms and treatment

What do we think of when we hear that wordvaricose veins"First of all, ugly legs are purple-blue in color, which are covered with numerous tubercles and vascular network seen through the skin. Many of us consider varicose veins exclusively a cosmetic pathology that does not require special treatment. There is an opinion that varicose veins can beto live for many years, that this disease does not progress and does not lead to serious consequences, remaining only an external defect. Unfortunately, this opinion is not only wrong, but also dangerous.

To understand why varicose veins are dangerous, whether there are ways to avoid them, why the disease must be treated if it has already occurred and, most importantly, how to do it, we turned to a phlebologist for advice. We are talking about the mechanisms of the disease, ways of prevention, characteristics of the way of life in the presence of this diagnosis and modern methods of correction.

What are varicose veins

Varicose veins have been a disease known to mankind since ancient Egypt. Archaeological excavations confirm the presence of pathology among the contemporaries of the pharaohs and the builders of the famous pyramids. Hippocrates and Avicenna, people who were recognized as the best doctors of antiquity, were looking for ways to successfully treat varicose veins. What happens to varicose veins? Why does the disease occur?

Normally, in the human body, blood moves through the veins from the bottom up - from the tissues to the heart and lungs, and the contractions of our muscles help it. But due to the force of gravity, which affects all aspects of human existence, the fluid logically tends to descend. The special valves in our veins do not allow it. They open in the direction of blood flow and close to prevent it. Thus, under the "sensitive guidance" of valves that exist in the veins, blood is directed where it is needed.

But very often, for some reason, the work of the valves is disturbed, they do not close completely, and the blood still flows through the veins. The veins cannot contain all the blood, they stretch and protrude above the skin with tubercles. The external thin veins on the legs are most often affected in this way, and the disease "varicose veins" develops.

Causes of disease

There are several causes of varicose veins, all of which are well known in medicine.

1. hereditary predisposition.Heredity is one of the most common causes of disease. Scientists have identified the so-called "varicose vein gene" that is responsible for its appearance. Therefore, if your relatives have had any problems with veins, it is necessary to see a phlebologist as soon as possible. After all, the disease can manifest itself at any, even very young age. Varicose veins are insidious in that the visible symptoms appear much later than the disease itself.
2. Weakness of vascular walls and valve apparatus.Many chronic diseases (pyelonephritis, rheumatism, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, etc. ), hormonal changes and metabolic disorders, unhealthy lifestyle, physical inactivity, lower extremity injuries, women taking hormonal contraceptives lead to this condition.
3. Occupations associated with a long stay in a static position(standing or sitting). Developers, drivers, hairdressers, salespeople, carpenters, carpenters and many others are at risk of varicose veins.
4. Pregnancy. Even if there is no hereditary cause of the disease in the future mother's history, the risk of "earning" varicose veins increases significantly during pregnancy. Why does this happen? Synthesized "pregnancy hormones" affect smooth muscles, relaxing venous wall tone. Circulating blood volume increases, which increases the pressure on the vascular walls and the valvular apparatus. The rapid weight gain of a woman during pregnancy exerts unusually strong pressure on the legs and, consequently, on the veins.
5. Excess weight.With overweight, the vascular wall deforms due to high load, vascular pressure and pressure in the surrounding tissues increase. With being overweight, blood pressure rises, blood flow to the heart becomes difficult and venous congestion occurs.
6. Gender and age.According to statistics, more than 70% of cases of varicose veins occur in women of reproductive age. But cases of the disease are not uncommon in men, children and adolescents. Therefore, if disturbing symptoms occur, consultation with a phlebologist is necessary, regardless of the sex and age of the patient.

Symptoms of the disease

As we have already said, the disease is asymptomatic in the early phase or disguised as ordinary fatigue: after a working day, the legs buzz and swell, but by morning or after a long rest, everything disappears. Convulsions at night, itching and tingling in the lower extremities, feeling of heaviness in them can also occur. Such symptoms, as a rule, do not cause concern and are written off as banal overwork. The early phase of varicose veins does not reduce a person's physical activity, it does not force him to change his lifestyle.

In the future, with the development of the disease, the symptoms become more pronounced: vascular network and tubercles appear on the lower extremities, swelling does not disappear even after a long rest, severe pain occurs after a short walk, forcing a person to change normal life, reduce physical activity. minimum, which leads to even more serious blood stasis and, consequently, worsening of the disease.

Why are varicose veins dangerous?

Apart from the obvious negative consequences in the form of a cosmetic defect and the impossibility of continuing the usual way of life, varicose veins are dangerous for their complications.

• Venous bleeding.It is caused by the fact that the normal connective tissue of the vascular walls gradually changes its properties, becoming brittle and inelastic. Even the slightest physical exertion (for example, coughing or sneezing) can lead to a ruptured blood vessel and serious consequences in the form of bleeding.
• Eczema and dermatitis.They occur due to impaired blood supply, prolonged oxygen starvation. On the skin of the limbs affected by varicose veins, small blisters, scales, crusts appear, which are accompanied by severe itching.
• Thrombophlebitis.This is a severe chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the veins of the lower extremities, followed by the appearance of blood clots in their lumen. In most cases, thrombophlebitis occurs as a result of varicose veins. The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature to 38-39 ° C, acute arcuate pain in the affected area, persistent edema and complete limitation of motor activity.
• Necrosis and trophic ulcers.One of the most serious complications of varicose veins. Such a pathological process occurs in the background of thrombophlebitis, when the metabolism is disturbed due to the inflamed varicose vein and the tissues experience long-term oxygen starvation. As a result, areas of dead cells appear on the surface of the skin, which eventually turn into a large ulcer. Trophic ulcers are difficult to treat, the average duration of treatment of such ulcers and necrosis is 3-4 months.
• Thrombosis.The most dangerous complication of varicose veins. This pathological condition is characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the deep veins, which disrupts blood flow. Deep venous thrombosis is dangerous, first of all, because in the process of the most banal home activities, a blood clot can burst, which can lead to blockage of the pulmonary artery or other vital vessels and cause death. The presence of deep vein thrombosis means a lifelong limitation of the patient's motor activity.

It should be noted that all the severe consequences of varicose veins occur in the background of lack of treatment or as a result of improper treatment of the disease.

How to treat varicose veins?

The disease is difficult to treat and in 80% of cases it returns even with careful and adequate therapy, because deformed blood vessels will not be able to take their previous shape under any circumstances. But you have to treat varicose veins! Because advanced stages of the disease can lead to severe consequences and even death. The combination of modern methods of treatment and prevention of varicose veins can prevent the development of the disease and the appearance of serious complications. Modern medicine offers several ways to solve this disease.

1. Compression therapy.It is performed with the help of special compression underwear. The basis of therapy is the creation of pressure in the lower extremities. As a result of such treatment, venous circulation improves, valve functions are restored, excess fluid is removed, venous pressure in the legs is reduced several times, joints become more mobile, and the speed of blood flow increases. Compression therapy can be used as a stand-alone method of treatment, but also as an adjunct to other methods in the treatment of varicose veins. Compression underwear is prescribed only by a doctor!
2. Medical therapy.It is prescribed by a doctor to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, reduce blood viscosity, improve the elasticity and regeneration of blood vessels, increase metabolism and prevent the formation of blood clots.
3. Sclerotherapy.This is an innovative and minimally invasive technique, whose undoubted advantage is not only a very good cosmetic effect, but also a noticeable reduction in the symptoms of the disease. To date, sclerotherapy is one of the most effective ways to combat varicose veins and related functional disorders. The procedure consists of introducing special solutions with a syringe with a thin needle into the damaged vein. The injected medicine connects the vein, which stops the blood circulation in it. This is the main goal of the manipulation - to remove the problem area from the general circulation.
4. Surgical intervention.It is indicated in the stages when the disease significantly impairs the quality of life and threatens the development of dangerous complications. Surgery in most cases involves several different methods at once, whose main goal is to reduce the symptoms of the disease, improve the quality of life of the patient and prevent the development of complications.

In modern medicine, there are many effective ways to deal with varicose veins. The main thing that doctors call for is: do not self-medicate! When the first unpleasant symptoms appear, such as heaviness and pain in the legs, night cramps, creation of a vascular network and others, consult a phlebologist (vascular surgeon). The doctor will perform an examination, if necessary, prescribe additional examination and treatment.