It is a chronic venous disease, which is characterized by the thinning of their walls, the extension of the light and of the formation of the nodes. Found in 40% of women and 20% men.
This is a dangerous disease, mainly because of its complications. Improper or delayed treatment of evolving as formidable as thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, and bleeding of varicose veins.
Thrombosis (partial or total occlusion of the target vein by a blood clot) or thrombophlebitis (inflammatory disease of the wall of vein in thrombosis) occurs suddenly, is not associated with physical activity. The inflammation extends rapidly to the lower extremities and accompanied by unbearable pain. It can cause redness or bruising, local tenderness of the skin. In the case of the separation of the clot with the blood that enters the blood vessels of the lungs, and in the case of the full or partial closure of the vessel can lead to serious diseases - pulmonary embolism. This complication is frequently lethal. If you suspect these complications, you should immediately take a horizontal position, lift the leg to a telephone to contact emergency medical assistance. When trauma to the dilation of the blood vessels may experience heavy bleeding. In this case, the urgent need to put the leg above the bleeding tourniquet (medical or improvised), enough to ensure that the bleeding has stopped, and urgently call the ambulance.
The weakness of the muscle layer of the wall vein and the incompetence valvular be the reason that influenced the actions of the "pump muscle" the blood begins to flow in the opposite direction, down. This leads to an increase of pressure on the walls of blood vessels, in addition to the progression of the disease of the valve, the enlargement of the light veins and nodules. The muscle fibers of the vein walls atrophy, disrupted nerve receptors that regulate venous tone, which in turn increases even more the manifestations of the venous insufficiency. Risk Factors for the development of the disease are: genetic predisposition, pregnancy, obesity, daily for a long period of sitting or standing, activities related to the uprising, the systematic use of tight clothing, corsets, incorrect diet with insufficient intake of fiber and vitamins violations of hormonal status.
Clinical manifestations
The main visible sign of varicose veins disease - saccular or cylindrical dilation of the veins superficial. Varicose veins in the legs become branched, protruding above the surface of the skin of the legs and feet. Varicose veins maximum expressed after a hard and long exercise. In the early stage of the disease with fatigue, feeling of heaviness in the legs, burning, mild inflammation, the severity of which the maximum after the exercise. You may experience temporary swelling, pain, pain along the veins. Timely access to a specialist, even in the initial stage will prevent further development of the disease. With the progression of the disease is formed by chronic venous insufficiency.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
The "gold" standard is considered to be diagnostic ultrasound of the veins of the lower extremities, which are certain to the affected areas veins. This principle is based the anatomical classification of varicose veins with an indication of the change of boat. For example, the failure of the great saphenous vein above or below the knee, small saphenous vein. When questionable data non-invasive methods of resorting to surgical methods of research, for example, venography (the injection of a contrast agent to assess the state of the venous system).
The treatment of varicose veins
Non-surgical treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs gives good results only in the opening stages of the disease, when the skin manifestations are not strongly expressed and only moderately reduce the ability of work.
This is a surgical disease, complete healing is only possible after a surgical treatment:
- Phlebectomy - surgical removal of varicose-expanded veins. The goal of the operation is the elimination of abnormal discharge of the blood to remove the main trunks of the great or small saphenous vein and ligation of communication veins. There are several types of surgery. They are applicable almost always, even in difficult cases. While all of these methods remove part of the vein that is affected and healthy segments of the veins are preserved. Vienna as if carefully peeled, not cut from cloth that also reduces the surgical trauma. The same happens when you use a surgical technique, and, in addition, it generates less blue, as the cold reduces spasm of the bleeding.
- Sclerotherapy - an introduction to the vein special substance (sclerosant) which causes "caking" of the wall of the vein to the cessation of blood flow through it. As a result, no abnormal discharge of blood, eliminates the cosmetic defect, such as Vienna, collapses and becomes invisible. Sclerotherapy is effective only when the expansion of the small branches of the main trunks, which limits its application to high severity of the process. The advantage of sclerotherapy is the absence of scars, the need of hospitalization. After hardening of the veins specific rehabilitation is necessary.
- Laser coagulation - a method based on the destruction of the vein wall to the warm of the laser exposure, resulting in the "peak" of the venous lumen. Displays only if the extension of the veins are not more than 10 mm. the Method is associated with the anesthesia. Cosmetics favourite, but after the vein removal requires early activation of the patient, and in the long-term elastic compression.