Varicose veins of the lower extremities, also called varicose veins, manifest as dilation of the superficial veins of the legs, which accompanies a disturbance in blood flow and valve incompetence.Currently, varicose veins are very common: they are observed in approximately 17-25% of people.At a young age, before the onset of puberty, this disease develops in both sexes with equal frequency.However, in women in adulthood, varicose veins are observed twice as often as in men.This picture can be explained by significant hormonal changes during the onset of menstruation, during pregnancy.As a result, the tone of the veins is weakened, they expand, and venous circulation is disrupted.
Factors predisposing to varicose veins
Today, experts tend to support many theories that indicate why varicose veins develop in the legs.But, nevertheless, speaking about the main cause of this disease, it should be noted a violation of the valvular apparatus of the veins.When the vein valves are insufficient in a person who has risen to his feet, blood flows downward under the influence of gravity.When walking, the muscles of the lower leg surrounding the deep veins contract.Accordingly, the veins become empty and an increase in venous pressure occurs.As a result, blood enters the superficial veins, they stretch, and varicose veins appear.
There are a number of factors that directly affect the progression of varicose veins.In women, varicose veins often develop as a consequence of pregnancy.During this period, the volume of blood in the female body increases significantly.The enlarging uterus puts a lot of pressure on the veins coming from the legs.In addition, during pregnancy, the condition of the vein wall is affected by hormonal changes in the body.In many cases, varicose veins during pregnancy are reversible, that is, after childbirth they gradually disappear.
Very often, varicose veins of the lower extremities appear in people who are forced to stand for a long time while working.Another risk factor for varicose veins is obesity: obese people have increased intra-abdominal pressure and, as a result, dilation of the veins.Often veins also dilate in people who are prone to regular straining.This happens with chronic constipation, cough, prostate adenoma and other conditions.Varicose veins can sometimes be a consequence of leg surgery.
Another factor predisposing to varicose veins is a person’s age.Typically, valves and vein walls age over time.As a result, elasticity is lost and the veins stretch.Varicose veins often occur in patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis and congenital anomalies of blood vessels.
Symptoms of the development of varicose veins of the legs
First of all, the visible symptoms of varicose veins on the legs are the appearance of a network of thin veins on the surface of the skin of the legs.Such manifestations mainly occur in the thigh area.Such varicose veins are easiest to see in people who suffer from cellulite.Sometimes it is cellulite that becomes a kind of harbinger of varicose veins.Often, fat deposits due to cellulite compress the venous vessels, and as a result, blood flow is complicated and varicose veins occur.
In some cases, swelling in the legs indicates the onset of varicose veins.However, such a sign can be a symptom of other diseases (heart failure, urolithiasis of the kidneys).Therefore, in this case, it is impossible to clearly speak about the development of varicose veins before making a diagnosis.A symptom of varicose veins is often pain in the legs.The pain can be acute and also have nagging symptoms.The most common symptom of varicose veins is pain in the calves.It mainly occurs in the afternoon, after a certain load on the legs.There may be a feeling of severe heaviness in the legs, cramps may occur at night, and trophic changes gradually appear on the legs.
Thus, a person who observes the appearance of a capillary network, periodic manifestations of pain and swelling, should consult a doctor and undergo the necessary research.There are a number of different tests that allow you to assess the condition of the veins and the degree of development of the disease.If a patient has uncomplicated varicose veins, then in most cases instrumental diagnostic methods are not used.
Principles of treatment of varicose veins
Conservative treatment of varicose veins is mainly prescribed to those people who have clear contraindications to surgical intervention.Also, such treatment is indicated if the patient has slight varicose veins, which is purely a cosmetic defect.
The goal of conservative therapy is also to prevent further progression of this disease.For this purpose, patients are recommended to bandage legs affected by varicose veins with an elastic bandage.In addition, compression knitwear is indicated for varicose veins.
People who have a tendency to varicose veins or already suffer from this disease should regularly place their legs on an elevated surface throughout the day, resting in this way for several minutes.There are also special exercises for the lower leg and foot, aimed at activating the muscular-venous pump.This is periodic extension and flexion of the ankle and knee joints.
Treatment of varicose veins also involves wearing comfortable shoes, which should have low heels and hard soles.You should not stand for a long time, allow physical stress, or stay in rooms with high temperature and humidity for a long time.It is advisable to keep your legs in an elevated position while sleeping.
Patients should limit fluid and salt intake and try to lose excess weight.To treat varicose veins, it is periodically necessary to take diuretics, drugs that improve the tone of the veins.In addition, if indicated, the patient may be prescribed medications that stimulate microcirculation in the tissues.Treatment for varicose veins may also include taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.If the patient has an uncomplicated form of the disease, physical therapy exercises are indicated.Swimming, other water treatments, foot baths with warm water, to which a 5-10% sodium chloride solution is added, are very useful.
However, the radical method of treating varicose veins is surgery.This operation is not performed if the patient has concomitant diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidneys, or liver.This operation should not be performed on pregnant women, as well as people suffering from purulent diseases.Modern technologies make it possible to use endoscopic techniques for such an operation.If a person has only small branches dilated, sclerotherapy can be used.This operation involves injecting a sclerosing solution into the vein to seal the vein walls.After this, repeated injections are made into other sections of the vein, achieving complete obliteration of the vein.
For varicose veins, combined surgical therapy is also used, in which large trunks of the altered veins are removed and sclerotherapy of small branches is performed.After surgery, patients are recommended to continue wearing an elastic bandage for 8-12 weeks.
Prevention of varicose veins of the legs
Prevention of varicose veins includes a number of measures aimed at preventing signs of the disease.It is useful for every person to periodically keep their legs elevated, take breaks during sedentary work, and not wear underwear that stresses the body.A good method for preventing varicose veins would be a contrast shower, including foods that are good for the blood in your diet, and performing some physical exercises.At the first signs of varicose veins, you should consult a doctor to prevent the progression of the disease.