Varicose veins, or more correctly, varicose veins, is a disease that affects only the venous system.Many consider it a selective foot disease.
But varicose veins occur not only in the lower extremities, but also in the pelvis.At the same time, it manifests itself in the form of hemorrhoids, varicoceles (dilated testicular veins) or disguises itself as various gynecological disorders.Varicose veins of the esophagus with cirrhosis of the liver cause many problems for patients.
Causes of varicose veins
The task of the venous system is to ensure the blood supply to the heart after the use of useful substances by the tissues, so that the heart sends it to receive oxygen to the lungs.The outflow is constant.The negative pressure created by the diaphragm and some parts of the heart helps the blood vessels.Since a person spends most of his time in a vertical state, the veins must overcome the force of gravity and prevent blood stagnation.To do this, they have a muscular structure and valves on the inner shell.
Varicose veins are a consequence of venous insufficiency.Violation of the structure of the wall leads to loss of elasticity and decrease in tone.Loose valves are unable to hold blood, and excessive deposition (accumulation) occurs in distant areas of the body.
Due to the slowing of blood flow, favorable conditions are created for platelets to stick together and form blood clots.The situation becomes dangerous, as a blood clot can rupture at any time and enter a major blood vessel and cause tissue necrosis.
Another complication is the development of an infection in a weakened vein wall (phlebitis).This leads to even more negative symptoms.
Signs of varicose veins are found in one in five women and one in ten men.
The causes of the disease are conventionally divided into primary and secondary varicose veins.
- The primary lesion is associated with disorders in the structure of the venous wall.
- In secondary cases, changes occur in the valvular apparatus.
This occurs when:
- hereditary predisposition associated with the lack of collagen in the body, which guarantees the elasticity of the wall, or components for its synthesis;
- endocrine disorders resulting from long-term use of hormonal drugs (birth control pills, steroid drugs);
- heavy physical activity;
- long-term forced working position standing;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- pregnancy;
- smoking;
- leg injuries.
Taking into account the listed factors contributing to the disease, it is possible to determine the risk group, which will include future patients with varicose veins, regardless of age:
- professions that require long periods of training (salesmen, teachers, hairdressers);
- immobile body position (transport drivers, sitting at the computer) - stagnation is created in the legs and pelvis;
- the habit of wearing high heels - redistributes body weight and increases the load on blood vessels;
- athletes: weightlifting, bodybuilding, wrestling, tennis cause a lot of stress on the legs;
- people wearing tight underwear, stockings with elastic bands, belt, belt - any constriction helps to delay the outflow of blood;
- the habit of sitting cross-legged for a long period of time blocks the superficial veins of the lower leg, favoring their stagnation;
- passion for alcoholic beverages and coffee causes dehydration of the body, as a result the blood thickens and slows down the flow through the vessels.
Symptoms of the disease
With varicose veins the most "unfavorable" blood circulation conditions are created in the peripheral tissues.Therefore, varicose veins of the legs are the most common manifestation of the disease.
- Leg pain and fatigue occur at the end of the working day.
- Burning sensation.
- Cramps when walking or at night.
- Swelling of the feet in the evening, patients notice that their usual shoes are too tight.
- The appearance of "vascular spiders" on the legs.
- Darkening and dryness of the skin of the feet and legs.
- Trophic ulcers on the feet.
The signs listed above develop gradually over the years.
The appearance of “visible” symptoms indicates progressive vascular damage.
Treatment
Therapy for varicose veins cannot rid the patient of the disease, but it will help prevent serious complications and slow down the further development of the disease.
What habits will you have to abandon?
When treating varicose veins, ask yourself the question: “What should you change in your usual life?”The following tips will help you:
- stop visiting the bathhouse, steam room, hot baths are contraindicated for you;
- limit the consumption of strong alcoholic beverages and beer;
- gradually stop smoking;
- check your posture when sitting, don't cross your legs;
- stop tightening with belts, belts and special underwear;
- get rid of excess weight;
- do not wear tight shoes and high heels;
- Get into the habit of rinsing your feet with cold water after a shower at night, and rest your feet on a pillow while relaxing at home.
Engine mode
Considering the risk factors, it is necessary for those who carry out "dangerous" professions to take breaks with foot massage: motorists get out of the car to go for a ride, hairdressers sit on a chair and massage their legs from bottom to top with light caressing movements.
It is necessary to walk as much as possible, the work of the leg muscles promotes the outflow of blood.
Morning exercise should include exercises lying on your back by lifting your legs, pulling your toes towards you and tensing the arch of your foot.
Recommended sports are swimming and cycling.
Diet
The choice of foods for varicose veins is associated with the need to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, limiting spicy and salty foods that retain liquid.
You should limit fatty meat in any form, spicy seasonings, smoked foods, butter, cheese, mayonnaise, sweets and carbonated drinks.
Introduce fruits and vegetables, cereals, dairy products, green or herbal tea, vegetable oil, onions and garlic into your daily diet.
Conservative means
To support venous blood flow, it is recommended to bandage the legs from the toes to the middle of the thigh.It is much more comfortable to wear special compression stockings.They are sold in the pharmacy chain and have sizes.A doctor will help you choose knee socks.
Any advertised medicines or ointments have an effect only in the initial stages of the disease, when a person notices increased fatigue in the legs.The doctor will recommend the most modern and effective drugs.In the "visual" phase their use is practically useless.
Phlebologists treat varicose veins.They believe that about 95% of cases can be compensated using low-trauma methods, only 5% require surgery.
Low trauma methods for the treatment of varicose veins
These procedures do not require any skin incisions or involve a small incision.They are performed on an outpatient basis and are painless.The patient does not experience any restrictions and can carry out his usual work.
Laser ablation
Under local anesthesia, a light guide is carefully inserted into the varicose area and during the reverse movement a circular laser is turned on.The procedure takes up to two hours.The laser beam causes a burn of the inner shell with further sclerosis.Used to treat veins of any diameter.
Sclerotherapy
The patient is injected into the affected vessel with a substance that causes the walls to collapse and therefore sclerosis.Currently, clinics use body-safe foam preparations.It is used when the diameter does not exceed 1 cm.After the procedure, it is recommended to walk for an hour.You will have to wear compression stockings for another month.
Microphlebectomy
After local anesthesia, a small skin incision is made (no more than a few mm), the diseased vein is grasped with a special hook, taken out and removed.This way you can remove pots of any size.There will be visible bruising at the incision site for several days after the procedure.A small scar will form.You need to wear compression stockings for about 10 days.
Radiofrequency ablation
The method is similar to the laser, but here a catheter with microwave radiofrequency exposure is inserted into the area of the varicose vein.It is believed to not cause burns and is safe for surrounding tissue.After half an hour of exposure, the lumen of the vessel is "sealed".After just a week you can do sports.
Surgical treatment
An operation to remove an enlarged vein or an entire bundle is called a phlebectomy.Requires hospitalization.General anesthesia is used.Two skin incisions are made (in the groin and below the knee).The superficial branches are tied.The entire vein is extracted and removed.After the operation, the patient must be observed in hospital for about a week.The condition of the postoperative sutures is monitored, drugs that slow blood clotting are prescribed to prevent the formation of blood clots.The stitches are removed after 7 – 10 days.
Contraindications to phlebectomy:
- simultaneous damage to superficial and deep veins;
- age over 75;
- various skin diseases at the site of surgery;
- oncological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the lower extremities;
- severe form of diabetes.
Traditional methods of treatment
Traditional methods are best used in the early stages of the disease in combination with medications.
Hirudotherapy (the use of leeches) is an ancient and proven method.The enzyme secreted by leeches into the blood helps relieve inflammation and tightens the walls of blood vessels.
It is recommended to use herbal decoctions and tinctures in the form of compresses on the area of varicose veins.For this, the following are used: chamomile flowers, calendula, St. John's wort, yarrow, wormwood leaves, horse chestnut, burdock.It is recommended to consume nuts and garlic internally.
The choice of treatment for varicose veins is a matter for an experienced surgeon.Consulting a doctor in a timely manner and following the recommendations will help prevent serious consequences of the disease.