Varicose veins on the lower leg, also called varicose veins, manifest as widening of the superficial veins of the legs, which accompany disturbances in blood flow and valve inefficiency.Currently, varicose veins are very common: they are observed in about 17-25% of people.At a young age, before the onset of puberty, the disease develops in both sexes with equal frequency.However, in women in adulthood, varicose veins are observed twice as often as in men.This picture can be explained by significant hormonal changes at the beginning of menstruation, during pregnancy.As a result, the tone of the veins becomes weak, they expand, and venous circulation is disturbed.
Factors predisposing to varicose veins
Today, experts tend to support many theories that show why varicose veins develop in the legs.But, nevertheless, talking about the main cause of this disease, it is worth noting the violation of the venous valve apparatus.When the venous valve is insufficient in a person who has stood up, the blood flows downward under the influence of gravity.When walking, the lower leg muscles around the deep veins contract.Therefore, the veins become empty and an increase in venous pressure occurs.As a result, blood enters the superficial veins, they stretch, and varicose veins appear.
There are several factors that directly affect the development of varicose veins.In women, varicose veins often develop as a result of pregnancy.During this period, the amount of blood in a woman's body increases significantly.The growing uterus puts a lot of pressure on the veins coming from the legs.In addition, during pregnancy, the condition of the vein wall is affected by hormonal changes in the body.In many cases, varicose veins during pregnancy can be reversed, that is, after childbirth they gradually disappear.
Often, varicose veins on the lower legs appear in people who have to stand for a long time while working.Another risk factor for varicose veins is obesity: obese people have increased intra-abdominal pressure and, as a result, dilation of the veins.Often the veins also dilate in people who are exposed to normal tension.This happens with chronic constipation, cough, prostate adenoma and other conditions.Varicose veins can sometimes be the result of leg surgery.
Another factor that causes varicose veins is a person's age.Normally, valves and vein walls age over time.As a result, elasticity is lost and veins stretch.Varicose veins often occur in patients with deep vein thrombosis and congenital anomalies of blood vessels.
Symptoms of the development of varicose veins in the legs
First of all, the symptoms of varicose veins that can be seen on the legs are the appearance of a network of thin veins on the surface of the skin of the legs.Such manifestations mainly occur in the thigh area.Such varicose veins are most easily seen in people who suffer from cellulite.Sometimes it is cellulite that is a sign of varicose veins.Often, fat deposits due to cellulite compress venous vessels, and as a result, blood flow becomes complicated and varicose veins occur.
In some cases, swelling in the legs indicates the beginning of varicose veins.However, such signs can be symptoms of other diseases (heart failure, kidney urolithiasis).Therefore, in this case, it is impossible to talk clearly about the development of varicose veins before making a diagnosis.Symptoms of varicose veins are often pain in the legs.The pain can be acute and also have disturbing symptoms.The most common symptom of varicose veins is pain in the calf.It mainly occurs in the afternoon, after a certain load on the legs.There may be severe heaviness in the legs, cramps may occur at night, and trophic changes gradually appear in the legs.
Therefore, a person who observes the appearance of a capillary network, periodic manifestations of pain and swelling, should consult a doctor and undergo the necessary research.There are several different tests that allow you to assess the state of the veins and the level of disease progression.If the patient has uncomplicated varicose veins, then in most cases instrumental diagnostic methods are not used.
Principles of varicose vein treatment
Conservative treatment of varicose veins is mainly prescribed to those who have clear contraindications to surgical intervention.Also, such treatment is indicated if the patient has a small amount of varicose veins, which is a purely cosmetic defect.
The goal of conservative therapy is also to prevent the further development of the disease.For this purpose, patients are recommended to wrap the legs affected by varicose veins with elastic bandages.In addition, compression knitwear is indicated for varicose veins.
People who have a tendency to varicose veins or already suffer from this disease should often put their feet on a high surface throughout the day, resting in this way for a few minutes.There are also special exercises for the lower legs and feet, aimed at activating the muscle-venous pump.This is periodic extension and flexion of the ankle and knee joints.
Varicose vein treatment also involves wearing comfortable shoes, which should have low heels and hard soles.You should not stand for a long time, allow physical stress, or stay in a room with high temperature and humidity for a long time.It is advisable to put your legs in a high position while sleeping.
Patients should limit fluid and salt intake and try to lose excess weight.To treat varicose veins, it is necessary to periodically take diuretics, drugs that increase the tone of the veins.In addition, if indicated, the patient may be given drugs that stimulate microcirculation in the tissues.Treatment for varicose veins may also include taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.If the patient has an uncomplicated form of the disease, physical therapy exercises are indicated.Swimming, other water treatments, foot baths with warm water, to which a 5-10% sodium chloride solution is added, are very useful.
However, the radical method of treating varicose veins is surgery.This operation is not performed if the patient has concomitant diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidneys, or liver.This operation should not be performed on pregnant women, as well as people suffering from purulent diseases.Modern technology makes it possible to use endoscopic techniques for such operations.If a person only has a small dilated branch, sclerotherapy can be used.This operation involves injecting a sclerosing solution into the vein to close the vein wall.After this, repeated injections are made to other parts of the vein, achieving complete destruction of the vein.
For varicose veins, combined surgical therapy is also used, where the large stem of the altered vein is removed and sclerotherapy of small branches is performed.After surgery, patients are recommended to continue wearing an elastic bandage for 8-12 weeks.
Prevention of varicose veins
Prevention of varicose veins includes several measures aimed at preventing signs of the disease.It is useful for everyone to periodically raise their legs, take breaks during sedentary work, and not wear underwear that presses on the body.A good way to prevent varicose veins is to take a contrast bath, include foods that are good for blood in your diet, and do some physical exercise.At the early signs of varicose veins, you should see a doctor to prevent the development of the disease.