Varicose veins in the legs are not only an aesthetic problem that worries people about their attractiveness, but also a dangerous disease that requires proper treatment and adherence to preventive measures.
The causes of varicose veins are many: from a sedentary lifestyle, physical overload and ending with hormonal disorders, congenital weakness of the walls of blood vessels, pregnancy. What Happens During Varicose Veins? With varicose veins of the lower extremities, they lose their normal elasticity and stretch under blood pressure.
The valves in the veins are normally locks and when the blood passes through them, they close and allow the blood to flow again. If the valves are not functioning properly, blood can be delivered freely downward, which leads to blood stasis.
In this regard the veins cannot cope with the pressure, they expand, the valves are no longer able to block the great lumen. . . all this provokes the onset of the initial stage of varicose veins (see photo).
Why do varicose veins form and what is it? The main risk factors for the development of the disease are considered to be genetic predisposition and gender. Due to the love of high heels, hormonal changes during pregnancy, and taking contraceptives, women become victims of varicose veins twice as often as men.
The development of the disease is promoted by:
Secondary varicose veins occur with leg injuries, heart defects, liver and spleen dysfunction. In this case, first of all, appropriate treatment of the primary disease is carried out.
Genetic predisposition and sex are considered to be the main risk factors for the development of the disease. Due to the love of high heels, hormonal changes during pregnancy, and taking contraceptives, women become victims of varicose veins twice as often as men.
The development of the disease is promoted by:
Secondary varicose veins occur with leg injuries, heart defects, liver and spleen dysfunction. In this case, first of all, appropriate treatment of the primary disease is carried out.
What promotes varicose veins
The development of varicose vessels is based on the congenital weakness of the venous wall, the insufficiency of the valves of the superficial veins and an increase in venous pressure in connection with this. Special one-way valves prevent the blood from flowing back and prevent it from stagnating in one place, when they are destroyed, the movement of blood from the tissues to the heart is interrupted. It should be noted that conservative treatment does not affect the pressure in the veins.
There are 3 stages of symptom progression in the development of varicose veins.
By themselves, varicose veins are not considered a very serious disease, but if they have already developed, they will never go away on their own and, even more so, they will progress, leading to all kinds of complications that pose dangergreater.
The first signs that indicate the onset of varicose vein development:
In the later stages, varicose veins appear on the skin, protruding veins and various seals, indicating congestion in the vessels.
It is quite difficult to diagnose the early stages of the disease, since in the initial stage there are no spider veins and dilated veins rising above the skin.
Initial symptoms of varicose veins:
Often, before the first varicose veins appear or veins are found in places where they were not previously seen, the patient does not experience any other symptoms of the disease, and only cosmetic defects on the skin cause discomfort. As a rule, in the early stages, the symptoms of varicose veins completely disappear or significantly decrease with rest, so they often go unnoticed.
One or more varicose veins protruding above the skin indicate progression and abandonment of the disease. With a prolonged standing position, aching pains occur in the area of the nodes, numbness, tingling, "crawling chills", bangs in the legs are felt. By the end of the day, swelling often occurs, which disappears after a night's sleep. You can judge edema by the shoes that are free in the morning, which begin to press in the evening.
Thrombophlebitis is one of the most common complications of varicose veins. In addition, the increased pressure in the venous section leads to the penetration of erythrocytes through the walls of the vessels into the tissue. Because of this, skin pigmentation, its thickening and tissue hypoxia are observed, which contributes to the appearance of trophic ulcers. Even with minor skin damage in the knot area, it can rupture and bleed severely.
To diagnose varicose veins of the lower extremities and prescribe appropriate treatment, the specialist will offer the patient a comprehensive examination, which includes various methods.
Only a highly qualified phlebologist can diagnose deep venous varicose veins.
The complicated course of varicose veins is accompanied by the formation of thrombosis and inflammation of the veins, trophic ulcers and skin disorders. These complications manifest themselves in discoloration of the skin on the legs, redness, darkening, blue skin.
Persistent ankle swelling is also common, especially when walking or standing. In the calf area, pain occurs when walking, pain along the tortuous vein, hardening on the skin and the formation of ulcers of various sizes on it.
Pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing varicose veins of the lower limbs, this is facilitated by the following reasons:
For varicose veins in the legs, treatment may not be a medical necessity unless the symptoms are problematic.
However, some people may want to be treated for varicose veins for cosmetic reasons because they are not happy with their appearance.
Let's look at the main methods that will help get rid of this problem.
Physical activity - fast walking, gymnastics, swimming and water exercise (excluding sports exercises with a heavy load on the legs - tennis, weightlifting, jumping) play an important role in treatment and prevention.
Conservative treatment of varicose veins is prescribed mainly to those people who have clear contraindications to surgical intervention.
A similar treatment is indicated even if the patient has a slight dilation of the veins, an exclusively aesthetic defect. The goal of conservative therapy is also to prevent further progression of this disease. To this end, patients are advised to use an elastic bandage on legs affected by varicose veins. In addition, compression stockings for varicose veins are shown. People who have a tendency to varicose veins or are already sick with this ailment should regularly place their feet in elevation during the day, thus resting for several minutes. There are also special exercises for the lower leg and foot, aimed at activating the musculo-venous pump. This is the periodic extension and flexion of the ankle and knee joints.
The patient must be careful not to allow the shins and thighs to be joined by different toilet objects, as this can significantly impede the flow of venous blood.
With the help of elastic compression, you can activate blood flow in deep veins, prevent edema, reduce the amount of blood in the saphenous veins, promote the body's metabolic processes and blood microcirculation.
But to get positive results, it is important to bandage the leg correctly. This process must be done in the morning, before getting out of bed. The bandage runs from the toes to the thigh, while a slight tension should be felt in the bandage. In the process of bandaging, be sure to grab your heel and ankle joint. The bandage with each turn around the limb should cover half of the previous round. Buy only certified elastic bandages and compression stockings.
Treatment of varicose veins also involves the use of comfortable shoes, which should have a low heel and a stiff sole. You should not stand for a long time, allow physical stress, stay in rooms with high temperature and humidity for a long time. In a dream, it is advisable to keep the legs in an elevated position.
Patients should limit their fluid and salt intake and try to get rid ofexcess weight. For the treatment of varicose veins it is periodically necessary to take diuretic drugs, drugs that improve the tone of the veins. Also, if there are indications, the patient may be prescribed drugs that stimulate microcirculation in the tissues. Varicose vein therapy may also include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If the patient has an uncomplicated form of the disease, he is shown physical therapy. Very useful swimming, other procedures in water, foot baths with warm water, to which a 5-10% solution of sodium chloride is added.
Very often local therapy methods are used in the treatment of varicose veins. But such treatment must be used in conjunction with other pharmacological methods. Local remedies for varicose veins are produced in the form of gels, ointments, creams. Most of these drugs containheparinor venoactive components. Ointments for varicose veins help to normalize the tone of the walls of the veins, can correct disorders of lymphatic outflow and microcirculation. In some local preparations, several active ingredients are present in the composition.
If secondary infection occurs during the varicose vein process, it is advisable to use external agents withantibioticsorantiseptics.
Since ancient times,hirudotherapyhas been used for the treatment of varicose veins. The use of leeches, secreting hirudin, allows to thin the blood, promotes the reabsorption ofblood clots, eliminating spider veins and varicose veins. In addition, hirudotherapy for varicose veins can reduce pain in the legs, overcome edema. However, it is important to apply hirudotherapy in the very early stages of varicose veins. This treatment should not be used by people withhaemophilia,anemia,hypotension,Pregnant women.
However, a radical method of treating varicose veins is surgery. It is performed to eliminate veno-venous reflux. Such an operation is not performed if the patient has concomitant diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidneys and liver. Such an operation should not be performed on pregnant women, as well as on people suffering from purulent diseases. Modern technologies make it possible to use endoscopic techniques for such an operation.
If a person has only small dilated branches, sclerotherapy is allowed. This operation involves injecting a sclerosing solution into the vein to make the walls of the vein adhere. Subsequently, repeated injections are performed in other sections of the vein, while achieving complete obliteration of the vein.
For varicose veins, combined surgical therapy is also used, in which large trunks of altered veins are removed, and small branches are sclerotherapy. After surgery, patients are advised to continue wearing the elastic bandage for 8-12 weeks.
Those looking for an effective and miraculous cure for varicose veins will immediately have to be shocked: even the most modern and expensive drugs are unable to completely eliminate varicose veins. They help relieve pain, swelling and even improve the condition of the venous wall, but there is no complete recovery.
In addition, conservative treatment brings a tangible effect only in the initial stage of the disease, after which it is carried out to prevent further development of varicose veins. The main role in the treatment of this disease belongs to plant preparations, which are based on natural plant substances. However, don't forget that most venotonic drugs cause photosensitization; when you take them, you shouldn't allow the sun's rays to hit open skin areas.
In addition to the use of drugs, relaxing activities and special exercises for the legs, doctors strongly recommend that you wear compression stockings regularly: stockings, knee-highs, tights. They improve blood microcirculation and prevent the formation of edema. It is very important to choose the right size of elastic stockings and the degree of compression, which can be both prophylactic and therapeutic.
To improve vascular tone, use venotonic tablets for varicose veins - phlebotonics. These preparations are analogous and contain a purified flavonoid fraction consisting of 90% diosmin. One tablet is taken twice a day, the course of treatment is selected individually.
Horse chestnut preparations can be used to reduce capillary permeability, reduce blood viscosity and increase venous tone
There are a huge number of methods of treating varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies, both for external and internal use. The following are the most common:
In addition to folk remedies, many patients with varicose veins supplement therapy with special gymnastics - Mikulin's exercises allow you to feel a significant improvement.
Very often,acute superficial venous thrombophlebitismanifests itself as a complication of varicose veins. Sometimes the damage causes varicose veins to rupture and bleed. When blood is shed from a lump that has burst, very significant blood loss is possible.
In addition, arterial blood flow slows down due to the increase in pressure in the venous system. For this reason,hypoxiaand subsequentoxygen starvationmay develop. Due to the development of such a state, tissue cells can die, which is a dangerous process for the body. Due to the pronounced stagnation of blood in the veins, toxins accumulate in the tissues.
Complications of this disorder are also blockage of blood vessels caused by blood clots, malnutrition of the leg tissues, the appearance of pigmentation and darkening of the skin.
The subcutaneous fat layer gradually becomes denser,dermatitis,venous trophic ulcersappear. In very rare cases, such ulcers degenerate into malignant formations.
If the disease persists for a long time, the person may subsequently developchronic venous insufficiency.
But the most dangerous complication of varicose veins ispulmonary embolism. This disease is fatal.
If you belong to a risk group, your relatives have suffered from varicose veins or have to spend a lot of time on their feet due to the nature of their work - you must pay special attention to the condition of your legs in order not to miss"bells".
Basic prevention measures help prevent the onset of the disease, and also slow down the progress of existing varicose veins.
Prevention measures:
Despite its prevalence, varicose veins are difficult to treat. When the first alarming symptoms appear, do not postpone a visit to the vascular surgeon, because the earlier the disease is detected, the better the chances of avoiding surgery.
Varicose veins of the legs are a disease that can be cured for years, even after surgical removal, it reappears in 80% of cases.
Prognosis depends on the stage at which treatment is initiated. A set of preventive measures in the early stages (treatment of varicose veins with venotonics 2 times a year and a healthy lifestyle) allows you to stop the further development of the disease. You will have to adhere to a strict prevention framework for life.
In the later stages (with the appearance of severe deformity, knots, edema and signs of oxygen deficiency in the tissues), the prognosis determines the presence of concomitant diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity) and the patient's willingness to follow the recommendations of thedoctor (being examined, taking medications, losing weight).
With diabetes mellitus, complications of varicose veins (thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers) develop in 89%.
Varicose veins are considered a non-life-threatening disease, but its complications can significantly worsen the quality of life and prognosis. With deep vein thrombosis, approximately 50% of patients die from thromboembolism within 3 months.