This is a deformation and violation of the normal functioning of the veins in the legs.In a normal state, the blood in the veins moves from the bottom to the top;This is achieved due to the contraction of the heart, the elastic walls of the vessels, the muscles around the vessels and the coordinated work of the valve in the vein.This valve allows blood to flow upwards and prevents it from moving in the opposite direction.In the event of a violation, the vessel walls expand, the valve gap is widened, and the blood can partially move in the opposite direction, creating a counterflow, expanding the vessel walls even more and weakening the valve.Varicose veins appear.The disease is very common in people over 30 years old, 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 lot of time in a static position (especially sitting) and do not give the necessary stress to our muscles.The following risk factors may also play a role:
- too tight clothes (pants, socks),
- Uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels),
- Hormonal imbalance
- frequent hot baths, sauna;
- Prolonged serious physical exertion, 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 for several hours in a row without moving: get up, stretch your legs, walk more;And don't forget a balanced diet, which together 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 a number of studies that disprove it.
symptoms
The disease can develop very slowly: over years or even decades.The symptoms of the initial stage are diverse, but for convenience they are combined in a certain complex under the general feeling of heaviness in the legs:
- Fatigue in the legs without serious exercise,
- painful veins
- nocturnal cramps in the calves,
- A feeling of tightness in the legs.
If you do not observe the symptoms of varicose veins at the initial stage, the vein will deform more and more.Swelling in the feet and ankles will begin in the evenings, which will disappear in the morning;Spider veins will become visible, and then swollen veins and nodules will be felt on them.If you do not consult a specialist at this stage, then, in addition to the obvious decrease in the quality of life and obvious pain, a person is at risk of skin pigmentation and trophic ulcers.The further course of varicose veins leads to complications such as bleeding from venous nodes and the risk of developing a serious disease such as thrombosis, which can be fatal without contacting a specialist.
diagnosis
Diagnosing varicose veins is quite simple - it is a survey, examination of the patient and ultrasound, which shows the damaged area of the vein and the degree of 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 - the introduction of a contrast substance into the vein, which under X-ray will show the smallest changes along the blood flow in the vein.
Treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs
Non-surgical treatment of varicose veins (special physical exercises, massage, wearing compression clothes, taking medicines to strengthen the walls of blood vessels) can help only in the initial stage.But, unfortunately, at this time, very few patients refer to a specialist.Perhaps, due to such a wide spread of the disease, many people either trust traditional methods of treatment that have not proven their effectiveness and waste valuable time, or dilate veins to unbearable pain syndrome, which indicates 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, there may be serious contraindications for the operation, 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 methods of treatment: conservative (non-surgical) and surgical.The most effective among them are:
- Laser coagulation (laser removal, i.e. by thermal exposure of the areas of enlarged vessels) - this method is suitable for small vessels and for removing spider veins near the surface of the skin;
- Sclerosis (introduction of a special substance into the vein, which safely closes it) - this method is intended only for peripheral, small vessels;
- Phlebectomy is the surgical removal of the damaged 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 (widening of varicose veins, patient's condition, contraindications to manipulation).Specialists try to provide the patient with the most detailed information about his condition, listen to his wishes and decide on the appropriate treatment method for a specific situation.