This is a deformation and disruption of the normal functioning of the leg veins.In a normal state, the blood in the veins moves from the bottom up;this is achieved thanks to the contractions of the heart, the coordinated work of the elastic walls of the vessel, the muscles around the vessel and the valve in the vein.This valve allows blood to flow up and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction.When there is a violation, the vessel walls expand, the valve gap deviates, and blood can partially move in the opposite direction, creating a countercurrent, expanding the vessel walls even more and weakening the valve.Varicose veins appear.The disease is extremely common among people over 30 years of age, with women being the most affected.
Causes and prevention of varicose veins of the lower extremities
The causes of varicose veins in most cases lie in a sedentary lifestyle: we spend a long time in a static position (especially sitting) and do not give the necessary stress to our muscles.The following risk factors may also affect:
- clothes that are too tight (pants, socks),
- uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels),
- disturbances in the hormonal balance,
- frequent hot baths, sauna visits,
- prolonged serious physical activity, weight lifting,
- obesity.
The main prevention of varicose veins is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.Even if you have a sedentary job, try not to sit without moving for several hours in a row: get up, stretch your legs, walk more;and do not forget about a balanced diet, which together with moderate physical activity will protect you from many diseases.
Pregnancy is also one of the serious risk factors for varicose veins.But genetic predisposition is still being researched, and there are even a number of studies that disprove it.
Symptoms
The disease can develop very slowly: years or even decades.The symptoms of the initial stage are diverse, but for convenience they are combined in a certain complex under the general feeling of heaviness in the legs:
- leg fatigue without serious exercise,
- inflamed veins,
- nocturnal calf cramps,
- pulling sensation in the legs.
If you do not follow the symptoms of varicose veins in the initial stage, the vein will deform more and more.Swelling on the legs and ankles begins to appear in the evening, which disappears by morning;Spider veins will become visible, and then swollen veins and nodules will be felt.If you do not consult a specialist at this stage, then in addition to the obvious reduction in quality of life and obvious pain, a person risks getting skin pigmentation and trophic ulcers.The further course of varicose veins leads to complications such as bleeding from the venous nodes and the risk of developing such a serious disease as thrombosis, which can be fatal without contacting a specialist.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of varicose veins is quite simple - it is a study, examination of the patient and ultrasound, which will show the affected area of the vein and the degree of damage in order to choose the optimal treatment.If for some reason (for example, when the damaged veins are located deep), the ultrasound does not provide all the necessary information, then the specialist will conduct an additional examination - phlebography - injection of a contrast substance into the vein, which on X-rays will show the smallest changes in the vein along the blood flow.
Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Non-surgical treatment of varicose veins (special physical exercises, massage, wearing compression clothing, taking drugs to strengthen the walls of blood vessels) will help only in the initial stage.But, unfortunately, very few patients turn to a specialist at that time.Perhaps due to such a wide spread of the disease, many either trust traditional methods of treatment that have not proven their effectiveness and waste valuable time, or put up with the expansion of the veins to a syndrome of unbearable pain, signaling an advanced stage.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins, like any other surgical intervention, requires a highly qualified team of doctors treating the patient.After all, there may be serious contraindications to the operation, so trust your health only to experienced specialists in well-equipped medical centers.
For our patients, we are ready to provide all known, clinically proven treatment methods: from conservative (non-surgical) to surgical.Among the most effective are:
- laser coagulation (removal with a laser, i.e. by thermal exposure of areas with dilated vessels) - this method is suitable for small vessels and for the removal of cobwebs located near the surface of the skin;
- sclerosis (injection of a special substance into a vein that safely clogs it) - this method is only suitable for peripheral, small vessels;
- phlebectomy is surgical removal of the affected area of a vein, used in advanced stages of the disease in large veins;
- radiofrequency coagulation.
The choice of treatment method depends on many factors (degree of varicose veins, patient's condition, contraindications for manipulation).Specialists try to provide the patient with as much detailed information as possible about his condition, listen to wishes and choose a treatment method suitable for the specific situation.