Varicose veins are dilation of the superficial veins of the lower extremities, resulting from valvular incompetence and impaired blood outflow.In this case, gravity plays a key role here.It has a positive effect on the blood circulation of organs located above the heart.If we are talking about the vessels of the lower extremities, then gravity has the opposite effect.Under its influence, normal blood flow is disrupted, as a result of which blood stagnates in the veins, thereby causing their deformation.Dilated vessels are usually found in the lower legs and on the back of the knees.
Currently, approximately every 10 people in the world suffer from varicose veins.Moreover, women aged 30 to 60 years are most susceptible to this disease.In general, men suffer from varicose veins 4-6 times less often than women.
Factors influencing the occurrence of varicose veins:
- hereditary predisposition;
- injuries that cause damage to the venous valves (as a result, the outflow of blood is disrupted);
- great physical activity;
- prolonged stay in an upright position (this is especially true for the category of people with professions that require long periods of standing on their feet: teachers, salespeople, surgeons, etc.);
- sedentary lifestyle (leads to blood stagnation);
- excess weight (excessive load on blood vessels);
- increased intra-abdominal pressure (can occur as a result of chronic constipation, chronic cough, prostate adenoma, etc.).
In addition, varicose veins of the lower extremities can occur as a result of wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on the vessels, frequent sitting cross-legged, and smoking.
Separately, it is worth mentioning about pregnancy.During this period, women often experience varicose veins, but they are often reversible and gradually disappear after childbirth.During pregnancy, varicose veins can occur as a result of fetal pressure on the vessels leading to the legs;an increase in the total amount of blood in the body, as well as as a result of the influence of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on the condition of the walls of the veins.
Thus, the category of people most often suffering from varicose veins includes pregnant women, elderly people, athletes, people with “standing” professions, people with flat feet, overweight people, as well as those whose close relatives suffered (or are suffering) from this disease.
Symptoms of varicose veins:
- the appearance of tortuous dark blue or purple veins, as well as spider veins, on the legs;
- brownish spots on the ankles and shins;
- thickening and bulging of veins;
- periodic cramps in the leg muscles;
- formation of trophic ulcers on the skin of the lower extremities;
- pain, swelling and fatigue of the legs;
- heaviness and burning in the lower extremities.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities occur in four stages:
- Tortuous veins, spider veins and spider veins appear on the skin.Sometimes there is slight swelling of the legs in the evening.There is no pain or discomfort at this stage.
- Periodically, severe swelling of the ankle occurs, and heaviness in the legs appears (most often in the late afternoon and after exercise).At night, the patient suffers from cramps in the calf muscles, coupled with goosebumps, numbness, and tingling.
- Swelling of the legs becomes pronounced and becomes permanent.Seals form on the skin and subcutaneous tissue.Pigmentation and dermatitis also appear at this stage of the disease.In addition, the patient begins to be bothered by a feeling of itching and bloating.
- Trophic ulcers appear on the skin of the legs.
Varicose veins in themselves are not a dangerous disease, but in the absence of timely effective treatment, they can lead to serious consequences, in some cases ending in death.
The most common complications resulting from varicose veins:
- chronic venous insufficiency - obstructed blood outflow, resulting from poor functioning of vascular valves due to an increase in the diameter of blood vessels;
- thrombophlebitis of varicose veins - the formation of blood clots in the veins as a result of inflammation of the venous wall;
- pulmonary embolism - cessation of blood flow in the pulmonary artery due to its blockage by a detached blood clot;
- trophic ulcers are skin defects (wounds) that form when there is a severe disruption of blood outflow through the superficial and deep veins.
Varicose veins always require qualified treatment.It does not go away on its own and gradually develops into various complications.You can only reduce pain and discomfort on your own.To prevent the disease and alleviate its symptoms, you must:
- avoid a sedentary (sedentary or standing) lifestyle (move more often, change body position, do gymnastics, etc.);
- wear special medical knitwear;
- take a bath only in the evenings;
- sleep in a position where the feet are higher than the level of the heart (contraindicated for persons with heart disease);
- limit consumption of salty foods;
- wear shoes with heels no higher than 4 cm;
- try not to sit cross-legged.
Diagnosis of varicose veins, in addition to visual examination and palpation of the legs by a vascular surgeon, may include additional examinations such as:
- Ultrasound is one of the most informative methods for diagnosing varicose veins of the lower extremities.Allows you to determine the degree of dilation of the veins, their patency, as well as determine the presence of blood clots and the direction of blood flow.
- Contrast venography is a method that allows you to see the contours of the affected veins on an x-ray.To do this, before the examination, a substance is injected into a vein to color the blood in a contrasting color.
Basic modern methods of treating varicose veins of the lower extremities
Miniphlebectomy
Miniphlebectomy is a gentle operation during which the affected veins are removed through small incisions and punctures using special hooks.It is often performed under local anesthesia, which allows the patient to return to their normal lifestyle within 2-3 hours after the procedure.In addition, thanks to minimal surgical intervention after miniphlebectomy, there are practically no marks left on the skin of the legs, and all bruises and pigments finally disappear after a couple of months.
After this operation, it is necessary to regularly wear special therapeutic knitwear for several weeks, and also strictly follow all the doctor’s recommendations in order to prevent new relapses of the disease.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation allows for complete treatment of varicose veins on an outpatient basis.This procedure is carried out as follows: under local anesthesia, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the affected vein through a puncture, which “seals” the vein through microwave exposure.
Thanks to precise and controlled effects, radiofrequency ablation allows you to achieve effective results.After this procedure, the patient returns to a normal lifestyle within 30 minutes, and active sports are allowed within a week.
Laser treatment (EVLT)
This method is also known for its minimal level of trauma and high cosmetic effect.This procedure is performed under local or spinal anesthesia.Through small punctures, a light guide connected to a laser device is inserted into the lumen of the diseased vein.Under the influence of laser radiation, the affected area of the vein is reliably closed (adjacent tissues are not damaged).The process of advancing the light guide is controlled by a doctor using ultrasound, which ensures high accuracy of the procedure.
EVLT lasts about 30-40 minutes, after which the patient goes home independently and returns to his normal lifestyle the very next day.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the safest and most aesthetic methods of treating varicose veins (including “stars”, “meshes”, “snakes”), which are completely
eliminates the appearance of scars and marks on the skin.The technique of this procedure is as follows: using very thin needles, a gluing solution (sclerosant) is injected into the affected vein, after which it is compressed from the outside with a special latex pad and an elastic bandage.Thanks to sclerotherapy, the walls of blood vessels stick together, as a result of which the varicose vein is excluded from the bloodstream, and blood circulation becomes healthy, and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
The procedure in question lasts several sessions (about 3-5), each of which lasts from 5 to 10 minutes.After each procedure, the patient must wear a special stocking, which is worn for 1 to 3 days.
It is important to note that in some cases, different methods are combined to treat varicose veins.
Treatment of trophic ulcers
Trophic ulcers often occur in the last stages of varicose veins as a result of venous stagnation.They are long-term non-healing affected areas of the skin and underlying tissues.
Treatment of this complication involves a comprehensive and multi-stage approach.It may include both surgical intervention and pharmacotherapy, wearing compression garments.In the initial stages, trophic ulcers are successfully treated with the laser method.In advanced cases, biopsy and radiopaque venography are used.
It is worth mentioning the importance of immediately contacting qualified specialists when the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities appear.This way you will eliminate the risk of complications and quickly regain your health.