This is a deformation and disruption of the normal functioning of the veins in the legs.In a normal state, the blood in the veins moves from the bottom up;this is achieved due to the contractions of the heart, the coordinated work of the elastic walls of the vessel, the muscles around the vessel and the valve in the vein.This valve allows blood to flow up and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction.When there is a violation, the walls of the vessels expand, the valve gap diverges, and the blood can partially move in the opposite direction, creating a counterflow, further expanding the walls of the vessels and weakening the valve.Varicose veins appear.The disease is extremely common in people over 30 years of age, with women most commonly 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:
- very tight clothing (pants, socks),
- uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels),
- disorders in the hormonal balance,
- frequent hot baths, sauna visits,
- prolonged serious physical activity, heavy lifting,
- obesity.
The main prevention of varicose veins is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.Even if you have a sedentary job, try not to sit still for several hours in a row: get up, stretch your legs, walk more;and do not forget about a balanced diet, which, together with moderate physical activity, will protect you from many diseases.
Pregnancy is also one of the serious risk factors for varicose veins.But genetic predisposition is still being studied, and there are even a number of studies that disprove it.
Symptoms
The disease can develop very slowly: years or even decades.The symptoms of the initial stage are different, but for convenience they are combined in a certain complex under the general feeling of heaviness in the legs:
- leg fatigue without serious exercise,
- injured veins,
- night cramps in the calves,
- pulling sensation in legs.
If you do not track the symptoms of varicose veins in the initial stage, the vein will be deformed more and more.In the evening, swelling in the legs and ankles will begin to appear, disappearing in the morning;Spider veins will become visible and then the swollen veins and nodes above them will be felt.If at this stage you do not consult a specialist, then in addition to the obvious decrease in the quality of life and obvious pain, the person risks getting skin pigmentation and trophic ulcers.The further development of varicose veins brings complications such as bleeding from the venous nodes and the risk of developing such a serious disease as thrombosis, which can be fatal without contacting a specialist.
Diagnosing
The diagnosis of varicose veins is quite simple - it is a study, examination of the patient and an ultrasound, which will show the affected area of the vein and the degree of damage 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 perform an additional examination - phlebography - injection of a contrast agent into the vein, which under X-rays will show the smallest changes in the vein along the blood flow.
Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Non-surgical treatment of varicose veins (special physical exercises, massage, wearing compression clothes, taking medications to strengthen the walls of blood vessels) will help only in the initial stage.But, unfortunately, at this time very few patients turn to specialists.Perhaps due to such a wide prevalence of the disease, many either trust traditional methods of treatment, which have not proven their effectiveness, and waste precious time, or undergo dilatation of veins to an unbearable pain syndrome, signaling an advanced stage.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins, like any other surgical intervention, requires a team of highly qualified doctors who treat the patient.After all, serious contraindications to surgery can be found, so trust your health only to experienced specialists in well-equipped medical centers.
For our patients, we are ready to offer all known, clinically proven treatment methods: from conservative (non-surgical) to surgical.Among the most effective are:
- laser coagulation (laser removal, that is, with thermal exposure of areas of enlarged vessels) - this method is suitable for small vessels and for the removal of spider veins located close to the surface of the skin;
- sclerosis (injection of a special substance into a vein that blocks it safely) - this method is only suitable for peripheral, small vessels;
- phlebectomy is the surgical removal of the affected area of a vein, used in advanced stages of large vein disease;
- radiofrequency coagulation.
The choice of treatment method depends on many factors (degree of varicose veins, patient's condition, contraindications for manipulation).Specialists try to give the patient the most detailed information about his condition, listen to wishes and decide on a treatment method suitable for the specific situation.