This is a deformation and disruption of the normal functioning of the leg veins.In the normal state, the blood in the veins moves from bottom to top;this is achieved due to the contractions of the heart, the coordinated work of the elastic walls of the vessel, the muscles surrounding the vessel and the valve in the vein.This valve allows blood to flow upward and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction.When there is a violation, the vessel walls expand, the valve gap diverges and the blood can partially move in the opposite direction, creating a counterflow, further expanding the vessel walls and weakening the valve.Varicose veins appear.The disease is extremely common among people over 30 years of age, with women being 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 lot of time in a static position (mainly sitting) and do not apply the necessary stress to our muscles.The following risk factors may also affect:
- excessively tight clothing (pants, socks),
- uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels),
- disturbances in 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 at a time: get up, stretch your legs, walk more;and don't 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 studied and there are even several studies that refute it.
Symptoms
The disease can develop very slowly: years or even decades.Symptoms of the initial stage are varied, but for convenience they are combined into a certain complex under the general feeling of heaviness in the legs:
- leg fatigue without serious exercise,
- painful veins,
- nocturnal cramps in the calves,
- pulling sensation in the legs.
If you do not monitor varicose vein symptoms in the early stage, the vein will become increasingly deformed.At night, swelling in the feet and ankles will begin to appear, disappearing in the 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, in addition to the obvious decrease in quality of life and obvious pain, the person runs the risk of contracting skin pigmentation and trophic ulcers.The further course of varicose veins brings complications such as bleeding from venous nodes and the risk of developing a disease as serious as thrombosis, which can be fatal without consulting a specialist.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of varicose veins is quite simple - it is an examination, examination of the patient and an ultrasound scan, which will show the affected area of the vein and the extent of the damage in order to select 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, the specialist will carry out an additional examination - phlebography - injection of a contrast agent into the vein, which under X-rays will show the slightest 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, massages, wearing compression garments, taking medications to strengthen the walls of blood vessels) will only help at the initial stage.But, unfortunately, few patients turn to a specialist at this time.Perhaps due to the widespread prevalence of the disease, many either rely on traditional treatment methods, which have not proven their effectiveness, and waste precious time, or resign themselves to the expansion of the veins until an unbearable pain syndrome, signaling an advanced stage.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins, like any other surgical intervention, requires a highly qualified team of doctors who care for the patient.After all, serious contraindications to the operation can be found, so entrust your health only to experienced specialists in well-equipped medical centers.
For our patients, we are ready to provide all known and clinically proven methods of treatment: from conservative (non-surgical) to surgical.Among the most effective are:
- laser coagulation (removal by laser, that is, by thermal exposure of areas of dilated vessels) - a method suitable for small vessels and for removing spider veins located close to the surface of the skin;
- sclerosis (injection of a special substance into a vein that safely blocks it) - this method is only suitable for small peripheral vessels;
- phlebectomy is the 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 (extension of varicose veins, patient's condition, contraindications to manipulation).Specialists try to provide the patient with the most detailed information about their condition, listen to their wishes and decide on the treatment method suitable for the specific situation.