Varicose veins are superficial vein dilations in the lower legs, due to valve inefficiency and impaired blood flow.In this case, gravity plays an important role here.It has a positive effect on the blood circulation of organs located above the heart.If we talk about the vessels of the lower leg, then gravity has the opposite effect.Under its influence, normal blood flow is disrupted, as a result of which blood stagnates in the veins, thus causing their deformation.Varicose veins are usually found on the lower legs and behind the knees.
Currently, about every 10 people in the world suffer from varicose veins.Moreover, women aged 30 to 60 are most susceptible to this disease.In general, men suffer from varicose veins 4-6 times more often than women.
Factors that affect the occurrence of varicose veins:
- hereditary predisposition;
- injuries that cause damage to the venous valves (as a result, the outflow of blood is interrupted);
- great physical activity;
- staying for a long time in an upright position (this is especially true for categories of people who have a profession that requires a long period of standing on their feet: teachers, salesmen, surgeons, etc.);
- sedentary lifestyle (leads to blood stagnation);
- overweight (overload on blood vessels);
- increased intra-abdominal pressure (can occur due to chronic constipation, chronic cough, prostate adenoma, etc.).
In addition, varicose veins on the lower legs can occur as a result of wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on the vessels, often sitting cross-legged, and smoking.
Separately, it is worth mentioning about pregnancy.During this period, women often experience varicose veins, but they are often reversible and gradually disappear after childbirth.During pregnancy, varicose veins can occur due to fetal pressure on the vessels leading to the legs;an increase in the amount of blood in the body, as well as the effect of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on the condition of the vein wall.
Therefore, the categories of people who most often suffer from varicose veins include pregnant women, the elderly, athletes, people who have a "standing" profession, people with flat feet, overweight people, as well as those whose close relatives suffered (or are suffering) from this disease.
Symptoms of varicose veins:
- the appearance of tortuous dark blue or purple veins, as well as spider veins, on the legs;
- brown spots on ankles and shins;
- thickening and swelling of veins;
- periodic spasms in the leg muscles;
- the formation of trophic ulcers on the skin of the lower part;
- pain, swelling and fatigue of the legs;
- heaviness and burning in the lower part of the leg.
Varicose veins on the lower legs occur in four stages:
- Varicose veins, spider veins and spider veins appear on the skin.Sometimes there is a slight swelling of the legs in the evening.There is no pain or discomfort at this stage.
- Periodically, severe ankle swelling occurs, and a feeling of heaviness in the legs appears (most often in the late afternoon and after exercise).At night, the patient experiences cramps in the calf muscles, along with goosebumps, numbness, and tingling.
- Leg swelling becomes noticeable and becomes permanent.A seal is formed on the skin and subcutaneous tissue.Pigmentation and dermatitis also appear at this stage of the disease.In addition, the patient began to be bothered by itching and bloating.
- Trophic ulcers appear on the skin of the feet.
Varicose veins in themselves are not a dangerous disease, but if there is no effective treatment in time, they can lead to serious consequences, in some cases ending in death.
The most common complications of varicose veins:
- chronic venous insufficiency - the outflow of blood is obstructed, as a result of poor vascular valve function due to an increase in the diameter of blood vessels;
- varicose vein thrombophlebitis - the formation of blood clots in the veins due to inflammation of the vein walls;
- pulmonary embolism - cessation of blood flow in the pulmonary artery due to its blockage by a detached blood clot;
- Trophic ulcer is a skin defect (wound) that forms when there is a severe disruption of blood flow through superficial and deep veins.
Varicose veins always require qualified treatment.It does not disappear by itself and gradually develops into various complications.You can only reduce the pain and discomfort yourself.To prevent the disease and reduce its symptoms, you must:
- avoid a sedentary lifestyle (sedentary or standing) (move more often, change body position, do gymnastics, etc.);
- wearing special medical knitwear;
- shower only in the evening;
- sleep in a position where the legs are higher than the level of the heart (contraindications for people with heart disease);
- limit the consumption of salty foods;
- wear shoes with heels no higher than 4 cm;
- try not to sit cross-legged.
The diagnosis of varicose veins, in addition to the visual examination and palpation of the leg by a vascular surgeon, may include additional examinations such as:
- Ultrasound is one of the most informative methods for diagnosing varicose veins on the lower legs.Allows you to determine the degree of vein dilation, their patency, as well as determine the presence of blood clots and the direction of blood flow.
- Contrast venography is a method that allows you to see the contour of the affected vein on x-ray.To do this, before the examination, a substance is injected into the vein to dye the blood in a different color.
A modern basic method for treating varicose veins on the lower legs
Miniphlebectomy
Miniphlebectomy is a gentle operation in which the affected vein is removed through a small incision and puncture using a special hook.It is often performed under local anesthesia, which allows patients to return to their normal lifestyle within 2-3 hours after the procedure.In addition, thanks to minimal surgical intervention after miniphlebectomy, almost no marks remain on the skin of the legs, and all bruises and pigments finally disappear after a few months.
After this operation, it is necessary to always wear a special therapeutic knitwear for several weeks, and also strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations to avoid a new recurrence of the disease.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation allows complete treatment of varicose veins on an outpatient basis.The procedure is carried out as follows: under local anesthesia, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the affected vein through a puncture, which "seals" the vein through exposure to microwaves.
Thanks to the precise and controlled effect, radio frequency ablation allows you to achieve effective results.After this procedure, the patient returns to a normal lifestyle within 30 minutes, and active sports are allowed within a week.
Laser treatment (EVLT)
This method is also known for its minimal level of trauma and high cosmetic effect.The procedure is performed under local or spinal anesthesia.Through a small puncture, a light guide connected to a laser device is inserted into the lumen of the diseased vein.Under the influence of laser radiation, the affected vein area is reliably closed (adjacent tissue is not damaged).The process of advancing the light guide is controlled by the doctor using ultrasound, which ensures high accuracy of the procedure.
EVLT lasts about 30-40 minutes, after which the patient goes home independently and returns to his normal lifestyle the next day.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the safest and most aesthetic methods for treating varicose veins (including "stars", "webs", "snakes"), which are completely
remove scars and marks on the skin.The technique of this procedure is as follows: using a very thin needle, a gluing solution (sclerosant) is injected into the affected vein, after which it is compressed from the outside with a special latex pad and elastic bandage.Thanks to sclerotherapy, the walls of the blood vessels stick together, as a result of which the varicose veins are excluded from the blood flow, and the blood circulation becomes healthy, and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
The procedure in question lasts several sessions (about 3-5), each lasting from 5 to 10 minutes.After each procedure, the patient must wear special stockings, which are worn for 1 to 3 days.
It is important to note that in some cases, different methods are combined to treat varicose veins.
Treatment of trophic ulcers
Trophic ulcers often occur in the last stages of varicose veins as a result of venous stagnation.It is the area of skin and underlying tissue that is affected without long-term healing.
The treatment of this complication involves a comprehensive and multi-level approach.It may include surgical intervention and pharmacotherapy, wearing compression garments.In the early stages, trophic ulcers are successfully treated with laser methods.In advanced cases, biopsy and radiopaque venography are used.
It is worth mentioning the importance of immediately contacting a qualified specialist when the first symptoms of varicose veins on the lower legs appear.This way you will eliminate the risk of complications and quickly regain your health.