Varicose veins of the lower extremities: symptoms and treatment

What we think when we hear the wordvaricose veins"? First of all, ugly feet are purple-blue, which are covered with many tubercles and a vascular network visible through the skin. Many of us think of varicose veins as an exclusively cosmetic pathology that does not require treatment. There is an opinion that you can live with varicose veins 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, are there ways to avoid it, why the disease should be treated if it has already appeared and, most importantly, how to do it, we turned to a phlebologist for advice. We talk about the mechanisms of occurrence of the disease, ways to prevent it, the features of the lifestyle in the presence of this diagnosis and modern methods of correction.

What are varicose veins

Varicose veins are 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 known as the best physicians of antiquity, were looking for ways to successfully treat varicose veins. What happens to varicose veins? Why does the disease appear?

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

But quite often, for some reason, the valves stop working, they do not close completely and blood still flows down through the veins. The vessels can not contain all the blood, they stretch and come out on the skin with tubercles. Most often, this way the thin outer veins of the legs are affected and the disease "varicose veins" appears.

Causes of the disease

There are many causes of varicose veins and everyone is familiar with medicine.

1. hereditary predisposition.Heredity is one of the most common causes of disease. Scientists have identified the so-called "varicose vein gene", which is responsible for its appearance. Therefore, if your relatives have had any problems with the veins, it is necessary to be examined by a phlebologist as soon as possible. After all, the disease can appear at any age, even at a very young age. Varicose veins are insidious in that the obvious 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. Professions related to a long stay in a static position(standing or sitting). Programmers, drivers, hairdressers, vendors, carpenters, carpenters and many others are at risk for varicose veins.
4. pregnant. Even if there are no hereditary causes of the disease in the anamnesis of the future mother, during pregnancy the risk of "gaining" varicose veins increases significantly. Why does it happen? Synthesized "pregnancy hormones" affect the smooth muscles of the muscles, relaxing the tone of the venous walls. Circulating blood volume increases, thus increasing the pressure on the vascular walls and valvular apparatus. The rapid weight gain of a woman during pregnancy exerts extremely strong pressure on the legs and, accordingly, on the veins.
5. Excess weight.With excess weight, deformation of the vascular wall occurs due to a large load, vascular pressure and pressure on the surrounding tissues increases. With excess weight, blood pressure rises, blood flow to the heart becomes difficult, and venous blockage occurs.
6. Gender and age.According to statistics, more than 70% of cases of varicose veins occur in women of childbearing age. But cases of the disease are not uncommon in men, children and adolescents. Therefore, if disturbing symptoms appear, a consultation with a phlebologist is necessary, regardless of the patient's gender and age.

Symptoms of the disease

As we said above, the disease in the early stages is asymptomatic or disguised as ordinary fatigue: after a day of work, the legs bump and swell, but in the morning or after a long rest, everything goes away. There may also be convulsions at night, itching and burning in the lower extremities, a feeling of heaviness in them. Such symptoms, as a rule, do not cause concern and are hidden as banal overwork. The early stage 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: a vascular network and tubercles appear in the lower extremities, the swelling does not go away even after a long rest, severe pain occurs after a short walk, forcing aperson. to change the normal rhythm of life, to reduce physical activity to a minimum, which leads to even more serious blood stagnation and, accordingly, to the aggravation of the disease.

Why are varicose veins dangerous?

In addition to the obvious negative consequences in the form of a cosmetic defect and the inability to continue the usual lifestyle, varicose veins are dangerous for their complications.

• Venous bleeding.Occurs due to the fact that the normal connective tissue of vascular walls gradually changes its properties, becomes brittle and inelastic. Even the slightest physical effort (for example, coughing or sneezing) can lead to rupture of the vessel and severe consequences in the form of bleeding.
• Eczema and dermatitis.Occur due to impaired blood supply, prolonged oxygen starvation. On the skin of the limb affected by varicose veins appear small blisters, scales, crusts, which are accompanied by severe itching.
• Thrombophlebitis.It is a severe chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the veins of the lower extremities, accompanied 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 up to 38-39 ° C, acute arch pain in the affected area, persistent edema and complete restriction of motor activity.
• Necrosis and trophic ulcers.One of the most serious complications of varicose veins. Such a pathological process occurs against the background of thrombophlebitis, when, due to an inflamed varicose vessel, metabolism is disturbed and the tissues experience prolonged 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 treatment period for 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 vein thrombosis is dangerous, first of all, because in the process of the most banal domestic activities, a blood clot can break off, which can lead to blockage of the pulmonary artery or another vital vessel and cause death. The presence of deep vein thrombosis implies a lifelong restriction of the patient's motor activity.

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

How to treat varicose veins?

The disease is difficult to treat and in 80% of cases returns with careful and adequate therapy, because the deformed vessels will not be able to take the previous form under any circumstances. But you have to treat varicose veins! Since the advanced stages of the disease can lead to serious 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 emergence of serious complications. Modern medicine offers several ways to treat the 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 is improved, valve functions are restored, excess fluid is removed, venous pressure in the leg is reduced several times, the joints become more mobile and the rate of blood flow increases. Compression therapy can be used as an independent method of treatment and as an adjunct to other methods for treating varicose veins. Compression underwear is prescribed only by a doctor!
2. Medical therapy.It is prescribed by the doctor to relieve the symptoms of the disease, to reduce the viscosity of the blood, to improve the elasticity and regeneration of the blood vessels, to increase the metabolism and to prevent the formation of blood clots.
3. Sclerotherapy.This is an innovative and minimally invasive technique, the undoubted advantage of which is not only a very good cosmetic effect, but also a noticeable reduction of the symptoms of the disease. To date, sclerotherapy is one of the most effective ways to fight varicose veins and related functional disorders. The procedure consists of inserting special solutions with a syringe with a thin needle into the damaged vein. The injected drug sticks together the vessel, thus stopping the blood circulation in it. This is the main purpose of the manipulation - to remove the problem area from the general circulation.
4. Surgical intervention.It is shown in the stages when the disease significantly impairs the quality of life and threatens the development of dangerous complications. Surgical intervention in most cases involves several different methods at once, the main purpose of which is to reduce the symptoms of the disease, improve the patient's quality of life and prevent the development of complications.

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