Many people have faced the problem of varicose veins in the lower part of the legs.Over the years, this disease has become more common, regardless of gender and age.The reason for this may be the lifestyle of office workers, who spend most of their time stationary, sitting in front of a computer, as well as part of the population who spend their working time standing on their feet - salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models, etc.
Symptoms of varicose veins are very diverse.It is rare for some patients to experience the same symptoms.Often, this vein disease occurs with individual characteristics.However, all those who suffer from this disease are united by one condition - the symptoms of "heavy legs", which include swelling, heaviness in the legs, pain along the veins, while the veins themselves at the beginning of the disease may be of normal size and not prominent.Then, dilated veins appear on the legs, which can be seen with the naked eye.This is already an indisputable sign of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: brief information about this disease
Varicose veins on the lower legs are a disease that doctors have known for a long time;it has its own history, full of interesting facts.Doctors in Ancient Egypt were involved in the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations when signs of varicose veins and the effects of treatment for complications of this disease were found on mummies.Figures such as Avicenna, Galen and Hippocrates also mentioned in their works the existence of varicose veins.
The term "varicose veins" itself is translated from Latin meaning "swelling," which reflects the clinical picture of this pathology.
Treatment of varicose veins at that time was also interesting and at the same time scary.Doctors realize that enlarged veins and thrombosis must be removed to avoid complications.However, the technology was not perfect at the time.Surgery on the vein is quite traumatic: to get to the changed vein, a wide incision is made in the limb, which runs along the entire leg in the form of a strip or spiral incision.It is not surprising that such patients often die not from the disease itself, but from complications related to surgery.
A revolution in the treatment of varicose veins on the lower leg occurred after phlebography began to develop actively.After the introduction of X-rays and ultrasound into medical practice, it became easier to diagnose the extent of vascular damage, and operations were carried out more purposefully.The risk of postoperative complications has decreased, and the recovery rate has become significantly higher.
Over time, less traumatic techniques appear, because too large an incision causes complications in the postoperative period, and often makes the patient disabled (in case of accidental damage to nerves and tendons).This is how the currently used "minimally invasive" treatment methods were developed, which do not require the use of a scalpel.
We are luckier than our ancestors, because nowadays this pathology is successfully treated.Even the surgical treatment method does not pose a great danger to health.Patients who are operated on easily return to normal life after a short time.And some interventions allow patients to forget about their problems immediately after leaving the medical facility.The main thing, as with any disease, is to have time to seek medical help in the early stages of the disease's development.
Varicose veins in the legs are not dangerous, thrombophlebitis is!
Almost all the media shout at us about varicose veins, advertising a new miracle drug that promises to get rid of this disease in the shortest possible time.So why is this disease dangerous, why are we encouraged to spend a lot of money on expensive ointments and creams to get rid of this disease?
Varicose veins reduce our quality of life.Symptoms such as pain and heaviness in the legs, swelling, skin discoloration and the appearance of non-healing ulcers are all very unpleasant and difficult.People suffering from this disease find it difficult to lead an active lifestyle, they need to find work with easier working conditions, etc.But this is not the worst thing.
Varicose veins in the legs are accompanied by the formation of blood clots in the veins.Once broken, such blood clots can enter the pulmonary artery and cause a serious condition called pulmonary embolism.It is very difficult to treat, and often patients with thromboembolism do not have time to go to a medical facility - death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins on the lower leg is a disease with serious complications.Self-medication is life-threatening.Only experienced specialists and regular monitoring will preserve your health and life!
Treatment of varicose veins: vein surgery
Enlarged veins in the legs are a reason to seek help from a surgeon.Varicose veins are the field of activity of surgical specialists.Every patient tries to avoid surgical intervention until the last moment, but you should know that varicose veins can be cured and the complications associated with this disease can only be cured in a radical way.Of course, you shouldn't completely throw away conservative therapy, but you shouldn't rely on it either.Drug treatment works together with surgical methods.It's hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative therapy reduces the course of the disease, reduces unpleasant symptoms to a minimum, allows faster recovery after surgery, and reduces the risk of complications after surgery.
Drug treatment, as an independent method, can be used if there are contraindications for surgery.Such treatment only slows the progression of the disease without eliminating its cause.
Nowadays, vein surgery is a fairly common procedure.Varicose veins are treated in several ways.The choice of one or another method of intervention is determined by the doctor, based on the stage of the disease, medical history and the results of the patient's examination.
Type of operation:
- Phlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Laser freezing.
In an operation called phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through a small incision in the limb.Vein surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of recurrence after this method of treatment is low.The operation itself does not cause much damage to the patient's health, and recovery is relatively quick.Patients usually only spend a few days in the hospital.After the intervention, drug therapy and wearing compression garments are prescribed.
Sclerotherapy, as a minimally invasive method to treat varicose veins, has its roots in the distant past.Many doctors have tried to cure this pathology by inserting various chemical compounds into the dilated vein lumen.Through trial and error, we managed to achieve success in this direction.A drug was found that is successfully used to this day.This substance is administered intravenously under ultrasound guidance.This procedure is painless.Under the influence of the drug, the walls of the damaged veins stick together, and then they complete it.This procedure should be carried out by an experienced specialist, because an overdose of the drug or its introduction into soft tissue is fraught with serious complications.
Laser coagulation is a minimally invasive vein surgery performed without incisions.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and after that the patient immediately returns to his normal lifestyle, according to certain recommendations.The essence of the method is that a laser light guide is inserted into the dilated vein under ultrasound control.Under the influence of the laser beam, the vein walls are welded together, blood flow becomes impossible.Perhaps this is the most effective and safe method of treatment in our time.Of course, laser freezing cannot be done on everyone without exception.As with any therapeutic method, it has indications and contraindications.
A phlebologist is the best friend of a patient with varicose veins
People who suffer from varicose veins, as well as people who have a hereditary predisposition to this disease or are at risk, should consult a phlebologist every year to monitor the condition of the veins in their legs.
A phlebologist is a narrowly specialized doctor who deals with problems of venous vessels.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound examination of the lower leg veins, which can show the condition of the vein walls, valves, check the patency of blood vessels, rule out the presence of blood clots, and assess the severity of the disease.This information will help prevent the development of varicose veins at an early stage, avoid surgical intervention altogether, or allow you to eliminate pathology using minimally invasive methods.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful the treatment results.
Don't be afraid to get help from an expert.Ultrasound examination of veins is a painless procedure;you just have to be patient, because it takes quite a while.