Varicose veins of the lower extremities: symptoms and treatment

What do we think of when we hear the wordvaricose veins"First of all, ugly legs are purple-blue in color, which are covered with many tubercles and a vascular network that is visible through the skin. Many of us think of varicose veins as an extremely cosmetic pathology that does not require special treatment. There is an opinion that you can live with varicose veins for many years, that this disease does not progress and does not lead to serious consequences, leaving only an external defect. Unfortunately, this opinion is not only wrong but also dangerous.

To understand why varicose veins are dangerous, are there ways to avoid it, why the disease should be treated if it has already appeared and most importantly, how to do it, we turned for advice to a phlebologist. We talk about the mechanisms of the disease, ways to prevent it, the peculiarities of lifestyle in the presence of this diagnosis and modern methods of correction.

What is varicose veins

Varicose veins are a disease known to mankind since ancient Egypt. Archaeological excavations confirm the presence of pathology among the contemporaries of the pharaohs and the builders of the famous pyramids. Hippocrates and Avicenna, people who were recognized as the best physicians of antiquity, sought ways to successfully treat varicose veins. What happens to varicose veins? Why does the disease occur?

Normally in the human body, blood moves through the veins from the bottom up - from the tissues to the heart and lungs, and muscle contractions help us do this. But due to the force of gravity, which affects all aspects of human existence, the fluid logically tends to descend. The special valves in our veins do not allow it. They open in the direction of blood flow and close so that it does not come out. Thus, under the "sensitive guidance" of the valves that exist in the veins, the blood is directed where it is needed.

But quite often, for some reason, the work of the valves is disrupted, they do not close completely and the blood still flows down the veins. The vessels cannot contain all the blood, they stretch and protrude above the skin with tubercles. Most often, this affects the external thin veins of the legs and causes varicose veins.

Causes of the disease

There are many causes of varicose veins and they are all well known in medicine.

1. hereditary predisposition.Heredity is one of the most common causes of the disease. Scientists have identified the so-called "varicose vein gene", which is responsible for its appearance. Therefore, if your relatives have had problems with veins, it is necessary to be examined by a phlebologist as soon as possible. After all, the disease can occur at any, even very young age. Varicose veins are insidious, as the visible symptoms appear much later than the disease itself.
2. Weakness of the vascular walls and the valve apparatus.Many chronic diseases (pyelonephritis, rheumatism, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, etc. ), hormonal changes and metabolic disorders, unhealthy lifestyle, lack of physical activity, lower limb injuries, women taking hormonal contraceptives lead to this condition.
3. Occupations associated with long stays in a static position(standing or sitting). Threatened with varicose veins are programmers, drivers, hairdressers, salespeople, carpenters, carpenters and many others.
4. Pregnancy. Even if there is no hereditary cause of the disease in the expectant mother's history, the risk of "gaining" varicose veins increases significantly during pregnancy. Why does it happen? Synthesized "pregnancy hormones" affect smooth muscle, relaxing the tone of the venous walls. of circulating blood increases, thus increasing the pressure on the vascular walls and the valvular apparatus. The rapid weight gain of a woman during pregnancy exerts unusually strong pressure on the legs and veins, respectively.
5. Overweight.Overweight causes deformation of the vascular wall due to high load, vascular pressure and pressure in the surrounding tissues increase. With overweight, blood pressure rises, the movement of blood to the heart becomes difficult and venous congestion occurs.
6. Gender and age.According to statistics, more than 70% of cases of varicose veins occur in women of childbearing age. But cases of the disease are not uncommon in men, children and adolescents. Therefore, if any anxious symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a phlebologist, regardless of gender and age of the patient.

Symptoms of the disease

As we said above, the disease in the early stages is asymptomatic or disguised as ordinary fatigue: after a working day the legs buzz and swell, but by morning or after a long rest everything disappears. There may be convulsions at night, itching and burning in the lower extremities, a feeling of heaviness in them. Such symptoms, as a rule, do not cause concern and are written off as banal fatigue. The early stage of varicose veins does not reduce a person's physical activity, does not force him to change his lifestyle.

In the future, with the development of the disease, the symptoms become more pronounced: vascular network and tubercles appear on the lower extremities, swelling does not disappear even after a long rest, severe pain appears after a short walk, forcing a person to change the usual rhythm of life. , reducing physical activity to a minimum, leading to even more severe blood stasis and a corresponding worsening of the disease.

Why are varicose veins dangerous?

In addition to the obvious negative consequences in the form of a cosmetic defect and the inability to continue a normal lifestyle, varicose veins are dangerous for their complications.

• Venous hemorrhage.This is due to the fact that the normal connective tissue of the vessel walls gradually changes its properties, becoming brittle and inelastic. Even the slightest physical exertion (such as coughing or sneezing) can lead to rupture of the vessel and serious consequences in the form of bleeding.
• Eczema and dermatitis.They occur due to impaired blood supply, prolonged oxygen starvation. On the skin of the limb affected by varicose veins appear small blisters, scales, crusts, which are accompanied by severe itching.
• Thrombophlebitis.It is a severe chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the veins of the lower extremities, accompanied by the appearance of blood clots in their lumen. In most cases, thrombophlebitis occurs as a result of varicose veins. The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature to 38-39 ° C, acute writhing pain in the affected area, constant edema and complete limitation of motor activity.
• Necrosis and trophic ulcers.One of the most serious complications of varicose veins. Such a pathological process occurs against the background of thrombophlebitis, when due to an inflamed varicose vessel metabolism is disrupted and the tissues experience prolonged oxygen starvation. As a result, areas of dead cells appear on the surface of the skin, which eventually turn into a large ulcer. Trophic ulcers are difficult to treat, the average treatment period for such ulcers and necrosis is 3-4 months.
• Thrombosis.The most dangerous complication of varicose veins. This pathological condition is characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the deep veins, which disrupts blood flow. Deep venous thrombosis is dangerous primarily because in the process of the most banal household activities, a blood clot can break off, which can lead to blockage of a pulmonary artery or other vital vessel and cause death. The presence of deep vein thrombosis means lifelong limitation of the patient's motor activity.

It should be noted that all the severe consequences of varicose veins occur against the background of lack of treatment or as a result of improper treatment of the disease.

How to treat varicose veins?

The disease is difficult to treat and in 80% of cases it returns even with careful and adequate therapy, as the deformed vessels will not be able to regain their previous shape under any circumstances. But you need to treat varicose veins! Because the advanced stages of the disease can lead to severe consequences and even death. The combination of modern methods of treatment and prevention of varicose veins can prevent the development of the disease and the occurrence of serious complications. Modern medicine offers several ways to deal with the disease.

1. Compression therapy.It is done with the help of special compression underwear. The basis of therapy is the creation of pressure in the lower extremities. As a result of such treatment, venous circulation is improved, valve function is restored, excess fluid is removed, venous pressure in the legs is reduced several times, joints become more mobile and the rate of blood flow increases. Compression therapy can be used as an independent method of treatment and in addition to other methods of dealing with varicose veins. Compression underwear is prescribed only by a doctor!
2. Medical therapy.It is prescribed by a doctor to relieve the symptoms of the disease, reduce blood viscosity, improve the elasticity and regeneration of blood vessels, increase metabolism and prevent the formation of blood clots.
3. Sclerotherapy.This is an innovative and minimally invasive technique, whose undoubted advantage is not only a very good cosmetic effect, but also a noticeable reduction in the symptoms of the disease. To date, sclerotherapy is one of the most effective ways to combat varicose veins and related functional disorders. The procedure consists of introducing special solutions with a syringe with a thin needle into the damaged vein. The injected medicine sticks to the vessel, thus stopping blood circulation in it. This is the main purpose of the manipulation - to remove the problem area from the general circulation.
4. Surgical intervention.It is shown at stages when the disease significantly impairs the quality of life and threatens the development of dangerous complications. Surgery in most cases involves several different methods at once, the main purpose of which is to reduce the symptoms of the disease, improve the quality of life of the patient and prevent the development of complications.

In modern medicine there are many effective ways to deal with varicose veins. The main thing that doctors call for is: do not self-medicate! When the first unpleasant symptoms appear, such as heaviness and pain in the legs, night cramps, formation of a vascular network and others, consult a phlebologist (vascular surgeon). The doctor will perform an examination, if necessary, will prescribe additional examination and treatment.