This is a deformation and disruption of the normal functioning of the veins of the legs.In a normal state, the blood in the veins moves from bottom to top;this is achieved thanks 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 upwards and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction.When a violation occurs, the walls of the vessels expand, the valve space diverges, and the blood can move partially 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 among people over the age of 30, and women are more often affected.
Causes and prevention of varicose veins of the lower extremities
The causes of varicose veins lie in most cases 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 influence:
- excessively tight clothing (trousers, socks),
- uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels),
- hormonal balance disorders,
- frequent hot baths, visits to the sauna,
- serious and prolonged 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 without moving for several hours in a row: 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 one of the serious risk factors for varicose veins.But the genetic predisposition is still being studied and there are also numerous studies that disprove it.
Symptoms
The disease can develop very slowly: years or even decades.Symptoms of the initial stage are varied, but for convenience they are combined into a certain complex under the general feeling of heaviness in the legs:
- leg fatigue without serious exercise,
- painful veins,
- nocturnal cramps in the calves,
- pulling sensation in the legs.
If you do not keep track of the symptoms of varicose veins in the early stage, the vein will become more and more deformed.In the evening, swelling in the feet and ankles will begin to appear, which will disappear in the morning;The spider veins will become visible and then you will feel swollen veins and nodules on them.If a specialist is not consulted at this stage, in addition to the obvious worsening of the quality of life and obvious pain, the person risks contracting skin pigmentation and trophic ulcers.The further course of varicose veins entails complications such as bleeding from venous nodes and the risk of developing such a serious disease as thrombosis, which can be fatal without consulting a specialist.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of varicose veins is quite simple: it involves a survey, an examination of the patient and an ultrasound, which will show the affected area of the vein and the extent of damage to select 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, the specialist will carry out an additional examination - phlebography - injection of a contrast agent into the vein, which on 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, using compression clothing, taking medications to strengthen the walls of blood vessels) will only help in the initial stage.But unfortunately at the moment very few patients turn to a specialist.Perhaps due to such a wide prevalence of the disease, many rely on traditional treatment methods, which have not proven their effectiveness, and waste precious time, or resign themselves to the dilation of the veins to an unbearable pain syndrome, which signals an advanced stage.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins, like any other surgical procedure, requires a highly qualified team of doctors treating the patient.After all, serious contraindications for the operation can be found, so entrust your health only to experienced specialists in well-equipped medical centers.
For our patients we are ready to provide all known and clinically proven treatment methods: from conservative (non-surgical) to surgical.Among the most effective are:
- laser coagulation (removal by laser, that is, by thermal exposure of areas of dilated vessels) - this method is suitable for small vessels and for removing varicose veins located close to the surface of the skin;
- sclerosis (injection of a special substance into a vein that safely blocks it) - this method is suitable only for peripheral and small vessels;
- phlebectomy is the surgical removal of the affected area of a vein, used in the advanced stages of the disease in large-caliber veins;
- radiofrequency coagulation.
The choice of treatment method depends on many factors (extent of varicose veins, patient condition, contraindications to manipulation).Specialists try to provide the patient with the most detailed information about his condition, listen to wishes and decide on a treatment method appropriate to the specific situation.