This is a deformation and disruption of the normal functioning of the veins on the legs.In a normal state, the blood in the veins moves from the bottom up;this is achieved by contractions of the heart, coordinated work of the elastic walls of the vessels, the muscles around the vessel and the valve in the vein.This valve allows blood to flow upwards and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction.When a violation occurs, the vessel walls expand, the valve gap diverges, and blood can partially move in the opposite direction, creating a counterflow, further expanding the vessel walls and weakening the valve.Varicose veins appear.The disease is extremely common in people over 30 years of age, and women are the most affected.
Causes and prevention of varicose veins of the lower extremities
The causes of varicose veins in most cases lie in a sedentary lifestyle: we spend a long time in a static position (especially sitting) and do not give the necessary stress to our muscles.The following risk factors may also affect:
- overly tight clothing (pants, socks),
- uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels),
- disorders in hormonal balance,
- frequent hot baths, sauna visits,
- prolonged serious physical activity, heavy lifting,
- obesity.
The main prevention of varicose veins is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.Even if you have a sedentary job, try not to sit without moving for several hours in a row: get up, stretch your legs, walk more;and don't forget a balanced diet, which along with moderate physical activity will protect you from many diseases.
Pregnancy is also a serious risk factor for varicose veins.But genetic predisposition is still being studied, and there are even numerous studies that disprove it.
Symptoms
The disease can develop very slowly: over years or even decades.The symptoms of the initial stage are different, but for convenience they are combined into a specific complex under the general feeling of heaviness in the legs:
- leg fatigue without serious exercise,
- painful veins,
- nocturnal leg cramps,
- pulling sensation in the legs.
If you do not monitor the symptoms of varicose veins in the initial phase, the vein will become more and more deformed.In the evening, swelling will begin to appear on the feet and ankles, which will disappear by morning;Spider veins will become visible, and then you will feel swollen veins and nodules on them.If you do not consult a specialist at this stage, then, in addition to the obvious reduction in the quality of life and obvious pain, the person risks getting skin pigmentation and trophic ulcers.The further course of varicose veins brings complications such as bleeding from venous nodes and the risk of developing such a serious disease as thrombosis, which can be fatal without contacting a specialist.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of varicose veins is quite simple - it involves an examination, examination of the patient and an ultrasound that will show the affected area of the vein and the extent of the damage in order to choose the optimal treatment.If for some reason (for example, when the damaged veins are located deep), the ultrasound does not provide all the necessary information, then the specialist will conduct an additional examination - phlebography - injection of a contrast agent into the vein, which will show the smallest changes in the vein along the blood stream under X-rays.
Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Non-surgical treatment of varicose veins (special physical exercises, massage, wearing compression clothes, taking drugs to strengthen the walls of blood vessels) will help only in the initial stage.But, unfortunately, very few patients turn to a specialist at the moment.Perhaps due to such a wide distribution of the disease, many people either believe in traditional methods of treatment, which have not proven their effectiveness, and waste precious time, or put up with the expansion of veins to an unbearable pain syndrome, signaling an advanced stage.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins, like any other surgical intervention, requires a highly qualified team of doctors treating the patient.After all, serious contraindications for surgery can be found, so entrust your health only to experienced specialists in well-equipped medical centers.
For our patients, we are ready to provide all known, clinically proven treatment methods: from conservative (non-surgical) to surgical.Among the most effective are:
- laser coagulation (removal with a laser, or by thermal exposure of the area of dilated vessels) - this method is suitable for small blood vessels and for the removal of spider veins located near the surface of the skin;
- sclerosis (injection of a special substance into the vein that safely clogs it) - this method is suitable only for peripheral, small vessels;
- phlebectomy is the surgical removal of the affected area of the vein, which is used in advanced stages of the disease in large veins;
- radiofrequency coagulation.
The choice of treatment method depends on many factors (size of varicose veins, patient's condition, contraindications for manipulation).Specialists try to provide the patient with as much detailed information as possible about his condition, listen to his wishes and decide on a treatment method that suits the specific situation.