If the veins on the legs are very large and clearly visible to the naked eye, then this is by no means a reason to be proud (actually, this is not a muscle). However, they don’t look as attractive as, say, quadriceps. Therefore, most people usually hide it. Even from a doctor. Which, by the way, is completely false. Because if you have any problems with the condition of veins and blood vessels, then they should be shown to a doctor who specializes in them - a phlebologist. But first, read this article: in it you will learn how to treat varicose veins in the legs, what symptoms are there and what procedures are carried out to eliminate them.
Varicose veins of the legs: symptoms
The symptoms of this disease depend on its stage:
So, in the first stage, the patient is bothered by a feeling of heaviness in the lower legs, muscle cramps (more often during sleep), itching or burning, swelling of the legs. Sometimes there is pain in the legs, especially in the vein area. Often there are telangiectasias.
In the second stage, there is a vascular network and all the symptoms are present in the first stage, but are already more pronounced. Also, the visibility of the veins is significantly increased: they can be observed even with the naked eye.
The third stage is characterized by all of the above symptoms. At the same time, the swelling becomes almost permanent. Sometimes they can pass in the morning, but at the same time reappear in the evening.
In the fourth stage, the skin color changes. It may be brown or black. Inflammation appears, skin atrophy is possible. In this case, spots of blue or purple color appear on it.
In the fifth and sixth stages, trophic ulcers form: healed and non-healed, respectively.
Leg varicose veins: treatment
Today, the treatment of varicose veins in the legs can be done in several ways:
Laser destruction of veins. This is a high -tech procedure, which is carried out using modern equipment - medical laser devices. The device is equipped with a flexible light guide, which is inserted through a puncture or incision into the lumen of the troubled vessel at a certain depth. After that, the phlebologist turns on the apparatus, and the end of the light guide begins to emit a continuous stream of light. Light has such a wavelength that the radiation is absorbed by the vein wall, as a result of which it heats up and solders. Control over the implementation of the procedure with the help of ultrasonic lasers makes it possible to treat varicose veins in the legs more accurately and efficiently. After a while, the glued veins dissolve. The light guide has a special design, in which the entire internal circumference of the ship is immediately processed. The required duration of treatment is achieved due to the fact that the doctor gradually removes the light guide. Laser ablation has an average session duration of 2-4. 5 hours, but this discomfort is compensated by the fact that varicose veins can be treated with just one session of laser ablation. And because the procedure requires a small incision (not exceeding 0. 3 cm), there is no need to sew after the session.
Miniphlebectomy. This procedure also requires a puncture or incision (and also no more than 3 mm). It is needed to extract the affected area of the vein. Afterwards, the phlebologist removes the extracted vein, and the ends are compressed. Treatment of varicose veins on the legs with this procedure does not involve sutures, because the puncture is small - usually it is covered with plaster and wrapped. This is enough for healing.
Sclerotherapy. For this procedure, you don’t have to make an incision - the session can be injected completely. Using a syringe, a special liquid preparation (or in the form of foam) is injected into the skin, which sticks along the vein wall. Just as in the case of laser vein removal, the glued vessels dissolve in the tissue after a while.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins in the legs. The operation is performed using a local anesthetic. During the operation, the doctor removes the skin in the area of the removed vein, after which they remove it. In addition, the cause of blood backflow is simultaneously eliminated. After surgical treatment, a relatively long recovery period is required, which is accompanied by mandatory bandages.
Keep in mind that after all procedures, you must follow certain instructions that will be given by the doctor after they are completed. Therefore, it is necessary to abandon any type of tanning, do not go to the sauna or bath for several months after the treatment of varicose veins of the legs. It is also forbidden to be in a standing or sitting position for long periods of time. A special moment in achieving the effectiveness of the procedure, as well as in a faster recovery period, is wearing compression underwear. At the same time, it is enough to adhere to this rule all the time in the first few days. In the future, compression underwear can only be worn during the day. By the way, uncomfortable shoes (high heels, tight) initially also need to be left. Two or three weeks after the procedure, it is advisable to wear comfortable and spacious shoes.
The cause of varicose veins
One of the main reasons for the appearance and development of varicose veins of the legs, experts call genetic predisposition. So, if a person in one of the relatives is diagnosed with varicose veins, then the risk of this disease will be much higher than the person whose relatives do not have varicose veins. However, there are many other factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins in the legs:
Sedentary lifestyle.
Wear uncomfortable shoes or shoes with high heels.
Delayed leg injuries.
Weight gain: overweight, weight lifting.
Wrong nutrition.
Pregnancy and childbirth.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Weak vascular tone.
Taking certain hormone medications.
Smoking and alcohol abuse.
Diseases of the pelvic organs.
Constant stress and emotional tension.
High blood viscosity.
Varicose veins are more common in older people (because vascular tone decreases with age). However, it can also appear in young people even up to 30 years of age. The disease affects both sexes.
Why you need to treat varicose veins in the legs
If the removal of varicose veins in the legs (treatment) is not done in a timely manner, then various complications are possible, including trophic ulcers that do not heal. After that, such ulcers can cause gangrene, and this can already be met with amputation of the lower limbs and disability. In addition, the treatment of any disease is easier to carry out in the early stages of the disease.
Also, do not forget about the possible development of thrombophlebitis. One of the complications of this disease is pulmonary embolism, which can generally be fatal.
Prevention of varicose veins in the legs
A good preventative measure for varicose veins on the legs is to wear compression underwear that can provide uniform pressure on the entire surface of the foot. It is also recommended to follow other tips:
Do not neglect sports activities: cycling, swimming, walking, etc.
Avoid uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels).
Contrast bath.
In addition, if you have a genetic predisposition to varicose veins (or other factors), then consult a phlebologist at least twice a year.