Varicose veins on the legs (varicose veins - a common name) - externally visible enlargement of the saphenous veins, which develops as a result of varicose veins or postthrombotic syndrome and is accompanied by a sharp violation of venous outflow in the lower extremities.
Modern methods enable radical treatment of varicose veins without cuts and pain.
Complaints of varicose veins
For many people, varicose veins and veins are just a cosmetic problem. In others, varicose veins cause pain and discomfort. Sometimes varicose veins lead to more serious problems and complications - thrombophlebitis or the appearance of trophic ulcers. Treatment consists of removing or closing the deformed veins, which is the job of a phlebologist.
Varicose veins are a complete degeneration of the venous wall, associated with weakness of its connective tissue (varicose veins of the lower extremities), or it develops with a sharp violation of venous outflow, due to blockage or overflow of veins.
Causes of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Varicose veins of the lower extremities
The disease, as a cause of varicose veins of the legs, occurs in 20-40% of the population of developed countries. Varicose veins have been a cosmetic defect for a long time, but the progression of the disease leads to pain, swelling of the feet and legs, and in the advanced stage to darkening of the skin of the legs, inflammatory changes and enlarged trophic ulcers.
Hereditary predisposition is the main cause of primary varicose veins, however, the disease develops with excessive vein loading. The mechanism of triggering varicose veins of the lower extremities is severe physical overload, pregnancy and childbirth. In this case, there is a sudden increase in pressure in the veins of the lower extremities and damage to the valve apparatus, which triggers the mechanism for the development of the disease.
Postthrombophlebitic disease
Secondary varicose veins occur after venous thrombosis or as a consequence of congenital diseases (arteriovenous fistulas, congenital venous dysplasia). Postthrombotic disease is a complex progressive pathological process in the venous system of the lower extremities. Due to valvular insufficiency or blockage of deep veins, the veins dilate because they overflow with blood. Another cause may be congenital or acquired arteriovenous fistulas. Congenital deep vein obstruction sometimes occurs, leading to secondary varicose veins (Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome).
Complications of varicose veins
More than 40% of women and 20% of men have swollen varicose veins. In 20% of cases, varicose veins lead to the appearance of a trophic ulcer, more than 25% of patients suffer from thrombophlebitis of varicose veins. These complications often require serious treatment and pose a major health threat.
Chronic venous insufficiency
Obstruction of venous outflow causes a pathological condition called chronic venous insufficiency. At the very beginning of the disease, the appearance of individual nodules of varicose veins can be noticed, which do not cause much concern, although they can sometimes hurt. This is followed by an increase in the number of varicose veins. The disease progresses slowly but steadily. If the first varicose veins appeared below the knee, then the rate of disease development is much higher. If the disease does not stop, then the third phase of venous insufficiency gradually develops. The edema becomes permanent, dark skin color appears in the area of the ankle joint, the weight in the legs is constantly worrying, which can last even after a night's rest. Thrombophlebitis of varicose veins and inflammation of the skin, eczema and dermatitis often develop. The last stage in the development of varicose veins is the appearance of trophic ulcers.
Thrombophlebitis of varicose veins
Thrombophlebitis is the most common complication of varicose veins. Thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of the venous wall, with the formation of blood clots in the lumen of the vein. Thrombophlebitis occurs in superficial and deep veins. With varicose veins, thrombophlebitis occurs in 25% of patients and is usually superficial. The cause of thrombophlebitis in varicose veins is very slow blood flow, especially in large nodules. In these conditions, any factor that increases blood clotting (pregnancy, overheating, trauma, sprains, hypothermia and scratches, acute respiratory infections) can cause a blood clot in a varicose vein and its inflammation. Thrombophlebitis occurs in 25% of patients. with varicose veins of the lower extremities. The cause of thrombophlebitis is slowing of blood flow in varicose veins. Thrombophlebitis can progress and lead to deep vein thrombosis. Chronic venous insufficiency is a painful condition of venous outflow with varicose veins. It is characterized by edema, darkening of the skin, the appearance of trophic ulcers and varicose dermatitis.
Varicose trophic ulcer
Trophic ulcer is a sign of extreme degree of chronic venous insufficiency. This is a long-lasting non-healing wound that occurs with severe violation of venous outflow through deep and superficial veins. It occurs in 1% of the general population and in 20% of patients with venous diseases. Every fifth patient with varicose veins who is not treated sooner or later gets a trophic ulcer. It can develop in both varicose veins and secondary varicose veins. Without the elimination of pathological venous discharges, varicose trophic ulcer does not heal, or recurs constantly. Trophic ulcers with varicose veins occur in most patients and cause serious suffering. Modern minimally invasive methods allow you to reliably remove varicose trophic ulcers without cuts and pain.
Venous thrombosis and thromboembolism
Pulmonary embolism is a severe complication of venous thrombosis. Varicose veins are an important risk factor for thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis. Thromboembolism leads to the development of severe heart and respiratory failure, with a mortality rate of more than 50%.
Prevention of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Every modern person should understand what varicose veins are on the legs, how to treat and prevent their appearance. In addition to hereditary predisposition, factors that contribute to varicose veins should be avoided. The use of venotonics, wearing compression stockings during exercise, periodic examinations by a phlebologist and ultrasound of the veins are shown.
When working in the conditions of accompanying factors, it is necessary to use compression socks of the 1st compression class, therapeutic exercises, outdoor activities, daily walks of at least 1 hour in medical socks, foot massage and swimming. Refusal to use oral contraceptives with complicated hereditary varicose veins. It is better to follow these simple rules than to treat varicose veins on the legs.
Avoid factors that create during heavy physical work. This requires compression stockings, especially in the predisposition for varicose veins. Medical knitwear is indicated for all pregnant women, and in cases of propensity to varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, special compression stockings are worn for childbirth. It is recommended that all pregnant women visit a phlebologist and have an ultrasound of the veins in the last weeks of pregnancy. This will help reduce the risk of problems with the venous system.
How to treat varicose veins on the legs
In the last 10 years, "barbaric" methods of treating varicose veins have become a thing of the past, thanks to the emergence of milder and more effective methods that are successfully used in clinics.
Vein sclerotherapy for varicose veins
Sclerotherapy is the introduction into the lumen of a varicose vein of a drug that causes the walls to "stick" together with the disappearance of the veins. Numerous chemicals are used for sclerotherapy, there have been attempts to treat it with ozone. At one time, the advent of foam sclerotherapy revolutionized phlebology. For the first time, an effective method of treating varicose veins without major surgery appeared. Currently, foam sclerotherapy is used to remove varicose veins of medium diameter after laser obliteration of pathological venous discharges. Sclerotherapy is indispensable in the treatment of spider veins and reticular varicose veins, where there are no real competitors.
Laser treatment of varicose veins
Laser treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities (EVLT) is the most modern, radical and inexpensive method of treatment that allows you to treat varicose veins in the legs and eliminate the causes of trophic ulcers. The meaning of laser treatment is in the thermal heating of the venous wall from the inside and the subsequent resorption of varicose veins. The latest achievement in EVLT is a 1470 nm laser and a radial light guide, which were introduced into medical practice by phlebologists. The postoperative period after this technique is completely painless, and the result is superior to other treatment options - the radicality of the laser intervention is at least 98%.
Surgery to remove varicose veins
Surgical treatment of varicose veins with removal of the main venous trees is a thing of the past. The risk of complications in the removal of stem veins has forced phlebologists to look for other approaches, which has led to the development of laser techniques and other methods of thermal obliteration of veins. However, the modification of classical phlebectomy into microphlebectomy according to Müller and Varadi enabled a wonderful combination of laser treatment and removal of large varicose veins through punctures without incisions or sutures. Varadi's technique saved patients from painful sclerotherapy of large varicose veins. Miniphlebectomy also allows you to treat varicose veins of the legs and remove visible varicose veins anywhere on the body.
Radiofrequency obliteration of varicose veins
Radiofrequency obliteration (RFO) of varicose veins of the legs is a modern and safe method of treatment. The method is based on the use of microwaves that heat a metal probe, which is already a vein wall and causes destruction of the inner membrane. Due to its painlessness, the method corresponds to laser coagulation with lasers at a wavelength of 1470 nm, it is easy to perform, and the postoperative pain is small. However, RFO is much inferior to laser in terms of long-term treatment results. The efficiency of RFO is 85% without recurrence. The method is not suitable for the treatment of perforating veins.
Massage and bath for varicose veins
Massage is a method of active treatment of varicose veins.
All types of modern massage are used, especially in the pathology of the lymphatic and venous system. Among the exclusive methods is the technology of lymphatic drainage massage with bandages, which very effectively alleviates chronic venous insufficiency.
In chronic venous insufficiency, massage is used to relieve venous hypertension in varicose veins and postthrombotic syndrome. The combination of this massage with bandaging allows you to effectively eliminate all clinical manifestations of the disease.
Bathing with varicose veins, thrombophlebitis or post-thrombotic disease is very dangerous. Any thermal stress can cause the formation of blood clots in deep veins with all the consequences that result from it.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to achieve a complete cure of varicose veins without eliminating venous discharge and varicose veins. Although the reduction of symptoms associated with stagnation of venous blood in the legs is quite possible with the help of modern therapy. However, the prevalence of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency sometimes makes one want to speculate about this problem. Consider modern methods of treatment and deception.
Remedies for varicose veins
The goal of venous pathology drug therapy is to reduce symptoms and prevent complications, but these goals are not easy to achieve. Today, the abundance of tools that can be applied has caused another problem: which ones to choose? Unfortunately, most of the proposed drugs have a rather low efficacy, despite the theoretically justified expediency of use. This is due to a number of reasons, the main of which is the low absorption of the medicinal substances of these drugs in the body. The ideal drug for the treatment of venous insufficiency should affect as many pathogenetic connections of chronic venous insufficiency as possible, with a minimal number of side effects and high absorption in the body. A fairly large number of venotonics are present in the modern pharmaceutical market. However, they have similar medicinal substances (plant flavonoids) and therefore the effectiveness of one or the other depends only on the concentration and digestibility of the active principle.
You should not expect the disappearance of varicose veins from these drugs, however, lightness in the legs, reduction of edema and disappearance of nocturnal cramps can be.
Creams and gels for varicose veins
Despite the high efficacy promoted by retailers and manufacturers, creams and gels do not bring relief from varicose veins and varicose veins do not disappear from them. In the initial phase of venous insufficiency, phlebologists do not oppose the use of these means, because their rubbing promotes venous outflow, such as a light massage, and has a soothing effect on the skin. In advanced forms of venous insufficiency, these creams and ointments can cause dermatitis and allergies, and are therefore very harmful. Some drugs are used in the development of acute thrombophlebitis and help calm the inflammatory process, but varicose veins do not disappear from them. Thanks to real advertising, shamanic products with leeches have gained great popularity among the people, but they have no relation to medicines, or even leeches, and there is no sense in expecting them.
Drugs against blood clots in varicose veins
A common complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis, especially in pregnancy and the postpartum period. A proven drug for the prevention of blood clots is a low molecular weight acidic glycosaminoglycan that contains sulfur. To prevent thrombophlebitis after treating varicose veins, tablets are used in clinics. They are taken 7 days after laser or radio frequency intervention.
Compression stockings for varicose veins
Compression stockings are undoubtedly one of the most effective means of treating venous edema and reducing the degree of chronic venous insufficiency. Invented more than 100 years ago, after gaining immense popularity in the 20th and even more so in the 21st century, compression stockings and socks have become an integral part of treatment by phlebologists. This is due to the effects it has:
- improving venous and lymphatic outflow from the lower extremities,
- improving microcirculation,
- slowing the progression of the disease,
- prevention of varicose vein complications (varicothrombophlebitis, trophic disorders),
- prevention of deep vein thrombosis.
How to use compression socks
So, if you have varicose veins and plan to treat them, then you will undoubtedly use compression stockings during the treatment for a period of several days or several months (individually). If your feet are swollen before the end of the day after work and you suffer from heavy leg syndrome, you can also use compression stockings during the day to avoid these symptoms in the evening. If you have complications of untreated varicose veins - trophic ulcers or thrombophlebitis - you will definitely use compression to improve the condition of the legs and reduce unpleasant symptoms.
The fact is that by improving venous outflow, compression stockings work every second of wearing to improve the return of venous blood from the legs, which is undoubtedly not easy for veins endangered by disease and against the law of universal gravity. Compression knitwear can certainly be called one of the ingenious inventions of mankind, but in order to work for you, several conditions must be met:
- Compression knitwear is selected individually (according to standards). The main requirement is compliance with the anatomical profile of the limb and, thus, the creation of the correct pressure gradient.
- Knitwear is selected by a doctor (phlebologist) individually. Medical devices are marked in mm Hg and are divided into compression classes 1, 2, 3, 4. Each compression class corresponds to a certain pressure. Appropriate compression class is used in different stages of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency. That is why only a doctor has the right to prescribe and choose the right compression stockings - taking into account the nature of the pathology and according to individual standards.
- It should be medical, not weight loss knitwear. Only verified brands with RAL certification.
When do you need knitwear for varicose veins?
- correction of "heavy leg" syndrome: weight loss, edema, improving quality of life;
- during treatment by a phlebologist: after surgery or in the period prescribed by a specialist;
- slowing the progression of varicose veins;
- for the treatment of varicose vein complications (varicothrombophlebitis).
A necessary component of any treatment for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency is medical elastic compression. Thanks to compression therapy, it is possible to completely eliminate swelling, weight in the legs and create conditions for any radical treatment of varicose veins. Modern medical knitwear has a high therapeutic effect and excellent aesthetic properties.
Elastic bandages |
Therapeutic jersey |
|---|---|
The creation of the necessary pressure is determined by the technique and skill of bandaging the doctor or patient |
Treatment profile and pressure level specified during production according to compression class |
The need for medical participation in bandaging or patient education |
The participation of doctors is limited to the choice of compression class and type of product |
Difficulty in providing compression and fixation on the thigh |
Provides effective compression and fixation on the thigh |
Used for non-standard limb shapes |
With a non-standard limb shape, adjustment is possible |
Daily washing leads to rapid wear of the bandage |
Daily washing is necessary to maintain the compression properties |
It needs to be replaced after a few washes |
Guaranteed preservation of compression properties for 6 months |
Possible violations of water balance and skin temperature |
Porous bonding ensures normal temperature and water balance of the skin |
Low aesthetic properties, provide comfort and convenience |
High aesthetic properties, practicality and comfort of use |
Exercise and sports for varicose veins
Power sports for varicose veins and athletics are possible after the elimination of varicose syndrome or in compression stockings of 2-3 compression classes. Modern treatment is able to return the legs with varicose veins to normal, which removes all restrictions.
We present you a complex of therapeutic and preventive exercises developed by leading experts. Its regular use will help reduce the manifestations of venous insufficiency in the lower extremities, slow down the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
- Relieving leg veins. Breathe deeply and evenly, lie down with your eyes closed, relax. Simultaneously place several pillows under the feet so that they are raised at an angle of 15-20 °
- Exercise on a bicycle. Lying on your back and breathing evenly, imagine pedaling your bike.
- The exercise consists of several parts, performed slowly and smoothly. Lying on your back with your legs outstretched, take a deep breath. As you exhale, bend your right leg, bringing your knee closer to your chest. Inhale, straighten your leg vertically upwards. Exhale, lower it. Repeat this exercise alternately for each leg.
- Lying on your back, arms close to your body, lift your legs vertically upwards. Rotate both legs inward at the same time, then outward.
- Alternately bend and release your feet at the ankle back and forth.
- Alternately bend and bend the toes.
- Stand in position: legs together, arms along the torso. After a deep breath, slowly rise to your toes, exhale, return to starting position.
- Walking in a place without lifting socks off the floor.
- Vertical scissors. Lying on your back, arms close to your body, breathing evenly, alternately cross your legs, alternately.
- Lying on your back, bend your knees without lifting your feet off the floor. Put your hands on your hips. Inhale slowly, lift your head and torso. At the same time, the hands slide to the knees. Exhale slowly, return to starting position.
- Lying on your back, arms close to your body, legs at an angle of 15-20 °, hold a small pillow between your feet. Inhale slowly, bend at the waist, tearing the buttocks off the mattress. Exhale slowly, return to starting position.
- Lying on your back, arms close to your body, bend your knees, keeping your feet on the floor. Exhale slowly, pull in your stomach. Inhale slowly, inflate the abdomen.
- Lying on your back, legs raised at an angle of 15-20 °. Bend your right leg, bringing your knee closer to your chest. At the same time, firmly tighten the foot with your hands. Slowly straighten your leg. The arms, gripping the leg tightly, slide along the leaf to knee level. Slowly lower your leg, arms sliding over your thighs. The exercise is repeated for the other leg.
- Standing, feet together, arms close to your body, slowly inhaling, pull your shoulders back, exhaling slowly, relax your shoulders and tilt your head forward.
- Contrasting foot shower. Alternately hard jet of hot and cold water. 5-10 minutes for each leg.