Many people have encountered the problem of varicose veins in the lower extremities.Over the years, this disease is becoming more common, regardless of gender and age.The reason for this may be the lifestyle of office workers, who spend most of their time immobile, sitting at computers, as well as that part of the population that spends their working time standing on their feet - salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models, and so on.
Symptoms of varicose veins are very diverse.It is rare for several patients to have the same symptoms.Most often, this vein disease occurs with individual characteristics.However, all those suffering from this disease are united by one condition - the symptom of “heavy legs”, which includes swelling, heaviness in the legs, pain along the veins, while the veins themselves at the beginning of the disease may be of normal size and not stand out.Later, dilated veins appear on the legs, which can be seen with the naked eye.This is already an indisputable sign of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: brief information about the disease
Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease that has long been known to doctors; it has its own history, replete with interesting facts.Doctors in Ancient Egypt were involved in the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations when signs of varicose veins and traces of treatment for complications of this disease were found in mummies.Such luminaries as Avicenna, Galen and Hippocrates also mentioned in their works the existence of varicose veins.
The term “varicose veins” itself translated from Latin means “swelling,” which reflects the clinical picture of this pathology.
The treatment of varicose veins at that time was also interesting and at the same time terrifying.Doctors realized that the dilated and thrombosed vein must be removed to avoid complications.However, the technology was imperfect at that time.The operation on the veins was quite traumatic: in order to get to the altered vein, extensive incisions were made on the limbs, which ran along the entire length of the leg in the form of stripes or spiral incisions.It is not surprising that such patients often died not from the disease itself, but from complications associated with surgery.
A revolution in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities occurred after phlebography began to actively develop.After the introduction of X-rays and ultrasound into medical practice, it became easier to diagnose the degree of vascular damage, and operations were carried out more purposefully.The risk of postoperative complications has decreased, and the recovery rate has become significantly higher.
Over time, less traumatic techniques appeared, since too large incisions caused complications in the postoperative period, and often made the patient disabled (in case of accidental damage to nerves and tendons).This is how the currently used “minimally invasive” treatment methods were developed, which do not require the use of a scalpel.
We are luckier than our ancestors, because at the moment this pathology is being successfully treated.Even surgical treatment methods do not pose a great danger to health.Operated patients easily return to normal life after a short time.And some interventions allow patients to forget about their problem immediately after leaving the medical facility.The main thing, as with any disease, is to have time to seek medical help at an early stage of the development of the disease.
Dilated veins in the legs are not dangerous, thrombophlebitis is!
Almost all the media shout to us about varicose veins, advertising new miracle drugs that promise to rid us of the disease in the shortest possible time.So why is this disease dangerous, why are we encouraged to spend a lot of money on expensive ointments and creams to get rid of this disease?
Varicose veins reduce our quality of life.Symptoms such as pain and heaviness in the legs, swelling, changes in skin color and the appearance of non-healing ulcers are all very unpleasant and difficult.People suffering from this disease find it difficult to lead an active lifestyle, they have to look for work with easier working conditions, and so on.But this is not the worst thing.
Varicose veins in the legs are accompanied by the formation of blood clots inside the veins.Having broken off, such a blood clot can enter the pulmonary artery and cause a serious condition called pulmonary embolism.It is very difficult to treat, and most often patients with thromboembolism do not even have time to get to a medical facility - death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a disease with serious complications.Self-medicating it is life-threatening.Only experienced specialists and regular monitoring will preserve your health and life!
Treatment of varicose veins: vein surgery
Enlarged veins in the legs are a reason to seek help from a surgeon.Varicose veins are the field of activity of surgical specialists.Each patient tries to avoid surgical intervention until the last moment, but you should know that varicose veins can be cured and complications associated with the disease can only be cured in a radical way.Of course, you shouldn’t completely discard conservative therapy, but you shouldn’t really rely on it either.Drug treatment works in conjunction with surgical methods.It's hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative therapy alleviates the course of the disease, reduces unpleasant symptoms to a minimum, allows for faster recovery after surgery, and reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
Drug treatment, as an independent method, can be used if there are contraindications to surgery.Such treatment only slows down the development of the disease without eliminating the cause.
Nowadays, vein surgery is a fairly common procedure.Varicose veins are treated in several ways.The choice of one or another method of intervention is determined by the doctor, based on the stage of the disease, medical history and examination results of the patient.
Types of operations:
- Phlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Laser coagulation.
In a surgery called phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through small incisions in the limbs.Vein surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of relapse after this treatment method is low.The operation itself does not cause much damage to the patient’s health, and recovery is quite fast.Patients usually spend only a few days in hospital.After the intervention, drug therapy and wearing compression garments are prescribed.
Sclerotherapy, as a minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins, has its roots in the distant past.Many doctors have tried to cure this pathology by introducing various chemical compounds into the lumen of dilated veins.Through trial and error, we managed to achieve success in this direction.A drug was found that is successfully used to this day.This substance is administered intravenously under ultrasound guidance.The procedure is painless.Under the influence of the drug, the walls of the damaged vein stick together, and then they resolve.The procedure should be carried out by an experienced specialist, since an excessive dose of the drug or its introduction into soft tissues is fraught with serious complications.
Laser coagulation is a minimally invasive vein surgery that is performed without incisions.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and after it the patient immediately returns to his normal lifestyle, following certain recommendations.The essence of the method is that a laser light guide is inserted into the dilated vein under ultrasound control.Under the influence of a laser beam, the walls of the vein are welded together, blood flow becomes impossible.Perhaps this is the most effective and safe treatment method in our time.Of course, laser coagulation cannot be performed on everyone without exception.Like any method of therapy, it has its indications and contraindications.
Phlebologist is the best friend of patients with varicose veins
People suffering from varicose veins, as well as people who have a hereditary predisposition to this disease or are at risk, should consult a phlebologist annually to monitor the condition of the veins in their legs.
A phlebologist is a doctor of a narrow specialty who deals with the problems of venous vessels.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities, which can show the condition of the walls of the veins, valves, check the patency of blood vessels, exclude the presence of blood clots, and assess the severity of the disease.This information will help prevent the development of varicose veins in the early stages, avoid surgical intervention altogether, or allow you to eliminate the pathology using a minimally invasive method.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful the treatment outcome.
Don't be afraid to seek help from specialists.Ultrasound examination of veins is a painless procedure; you just need to be patient, as it takes quite a long time.