Varicose veins, or more accurately, varicose veins, are a disease that only affects the venous system.Many people consider this to be a selective foot disease.
But varicose veins occur not only in the lower limbs, but also in the pelvis.At the same time, it manifests itself in the form of hemorrhoids, varicocele (varicose testicular veins) or disguises itself as various gynecological diseases.Esophageal varices accompanied by cirrhosis cause a lot of trouble for patients.
Causes of varicose veins
The task of the venous system is to ensure the supply of blood after the tissues use useful substances to the heart, so that the heart sends blood to receive oxygen to the lungs.The outflow is constant.The negative pressure created by the diaphragm and some parts of the heart helps the blood vessels.Since a person spends most of their time upright, the veins must overcome gravity and prevent blood stagnation.To do this, they have a muscular skeleton and valves in their inner shell.
Varicose veins are a consequence of venous insufficiency.Violation of the wall structure leads to loss of elasticity and reduced tone.Slow-acting valves are unable to hold blood, and excessive deposition (accumulation) occurs in distant areas of the body.
Because blood flow slows, it creates favorable conditions for platelets to stick together and form blood clots.The situation becomes dangerous because the blood clot can break off at any time and enter vital blood vessels and cause tissue necrosis.
Another complication is the development of infection in the weakened vein wall (phlebitis).This leads to more negative symptoms.
Signs of varicose veins are found in every fifth woman and in every tenth man.
The causes of the disease are often divided into primary and secondary varicose veins.
- The primary lesion is associated with a disturbance in the structure of the venous wall.
- In the secondary case, changes occur in the valve apparatus.
This happens when:
- genetic predisposition associated with the lack of collagen in the body, ensuring the elasticity of the walls or the components for its synthesis;
- endocrine disorders due to long-term use of hormonal drugs (birth control pills, steroid drugs);
- heavy physical activity;
- forced to work long hours in a standing position;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- pregnant;
- smoke;
- foot wound.
Taking into account the listed factors that contribute to the development of the disease, it is possible to determine the risk group, which includes patients who will develop varicose veins in the future, regardless of age:
- occupations that require standing for long periods of time (salesperson, teacher, hairdresser);
- immobile body position (driver, sitting in front of a computer) - creates stagnation in the legs and pelvis;
- habit of wearing high heels - redistributes body weight and increases the load on blood vessels;
- athletes - weightlifting, bodybuilding, wrestling, tennis cause a lot of stress in the legs;
- people wear tight underwear, socks with elastic bands, belts, belts - any contraction helps to delay blood flow;
- The habit of sitting cross-legged for long periods of time clogs the superficial veins in the lower legs, causing vein stagnation;
- Passion for alcoholic drinks and coffee dehydrates the body, which causes the blood to thicken and slow down its circulation through the vessels.
Symptoms of the disease
With varicose veins, the most "unfavorable" blood circulation conditions are created in peripheral tissues.Therefore, varicose veins in the legs are the most common manifestation of the disease.
- Leg pain and fatigue occur at the end of the work day.
- Burning feeling.
- Cramping when walking or at night.
- Swelling of the feet in the evening, patients note that their usual shoes are too tight.
- The appearance of “vascular spiders” on the legs.
- The skin on the legs and feet becomes dark and dry.
- Nutritional ulcers of the feet.
The above signs develop gradually over the years.
The appearance of “visible” symptoms indicates progressive vascular damage.
Treatment
Treatment of varicose veins cannot cure the patient, but it will help prevent serious complications and slow further development of the disease.
What habits will you need to break?
When treating varicose veins, ask yourself the question: “What should you change in your daily life?”The following tips will help you:
- stop visiting baths, saunas, hot baths are contraindicated for you;
- limit consumption of strong alcoholic beverages and beer;
- gradually stop smoking;
- Control your posture when sitting, do not cross your legs;
- stop tightening with belts, belts and special underwear;
- remove excess weight;
- Do not wear tight shoes and high heels;
- Get into the habit of washing your feet with cold water after bathing, in the evening, and when relaxing at home, prop your feet up on pillows.
Engine mode
In terms of risk factors, people who work in "dangerous" professions need to rest by massaging their feet: the driver gets out of the car and walks around, the hairdresser sits on a chair and rubs his feet from bottom to top with light stroking movements.
It is necessary to walk as much as possible, the activity of the leg muscles will promote blood circulation.
Exercise in the morning should include supine exercises with raising the legs, pulling the toes towards you and stretching the arches of the feet.
Recommended sports include swimming and cycling.
Diet
Choosing foods for people with varicose veins is associated with the need to strengthen blood vessel walls and limit spicy and salty foods that retain water.
You should limit eating fatty meat in any form, spicy spices, smoked foods, butter, cheese, mayonnaise, sweets and carbonated drinks.
Include vegetables and fruits, grains, dairy products, green or herbal tea, vegetable oils, onions and garlic in your daily diet.
Conservative means
To support venous blood flow, the leg should be bandaged from the toes to mid-thigh.It is much more convenient to wear special compression stockings.They are sold in pharmacy chains and come in all sizes.Your doctor will help you choose knee socks.
Any advertised medicine or ointment is effective only in the early stages of the disease, when a person notices increasing fatigue in the legs.The doctor will recommend the most modern and effective drugs.At the “intuitive” stage, their use is practically useless.
Phlebologists treat varicose veins.They believe that about 95% of cases can be compensated for with less traumatic methods, with only 5% requiring surgical intervention.
Varicose vein treatments are less traumatic
These procedures do not require any skin incision at all or only require a small incision.They are performed on an outpatient basis and are painless.The patient does not experience any limitations and can carry out his usual work.
Laser ablation
Under local anesthesia, a light guide is carefully inserted into the dilated area and the circular laser is turned on in reverse motion.The procedure takes up to two hours.The laser beam burns the inner shell and causes further hardening.Used to treat veins of any diameter.
Sclerotherapy
The patient is injected into the affected vessel with a substance that causes the vessel wall to collapse and then harden.Currently, clinics all use foaming products that are safe for the body.It is used when the diameter is not more than one centimeter.After the procedure, it is recommended to walk for an hour.You will have to wear compression stockings for another month.
Surgery to remove veins
After local anesthesia, a small incision is made in the skin (no more than a few millimeters), the diseased vein is clamped with a special hook, brought out and removed.You can remove vessels of any size this way.There will be visible bruising at the incision for several days after the procedure.A small scar will form.Compression stockings should be worn for about 10 days.
Radiofrequency ablation
This method is similar to laser, but here a catheter exposed to microwave radiofrequency is inserted into the area of varicose veins.It is believed that it does not cause burns and is safe for surrounding tissues.After half an hour of exposure, the vessel's bowels were "sealed".After just one week, you are allowed to play sports.
Surgical treatment
An operation to remove enlarged veins or entire bundles is called phlebectomy.It requires hospitalization.General anesthesia is used.Two skin incisions are made (in the groin and below the knee).Surface branches are tied back.The entire vein is taken out and removed.After surgery, the patient must be monitored in the hospital for about a week.The condition of the stitches after surgery is monitored, and drugs that slow down the clotting process are prescribed to prevent blood clots.The stitches are removed after 7 - 10 days.
Contraindications to phlebectomy:
- simultaneous damage to superficial and deep veins;
- age over 75 years old;
- various skin diseases at the surgical site;
- cancer;
- pregnant;
- atherosclerosis of the lower extremities;
- severe form of diabetes.
Traditional treatment methods
Traditional methods are best used in the early stages of the disease in combination with medication.
Hirudotherapy (using leeches) is an old, proven method.Enzymes secreted by leeches into the blood help reduce inflammation and tighten blood vessel walls.
Herbal decoctions and tinctures are recommended to be used in the form of compresses on areas with varicose veins.To do this, the following are used: chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort.John's wort, yarrow, wormwood leaves, horse chestnut, burdock.It is recommended to consume walnuts and garlic inside.
Choosing a treatment method for varicose veins is a matter for an experienced surgeon.Seeing a doctor promptly and following recommendations will help prevent serious consequences of the disease.