Many people have faced the problem of varicose veins in the lower extremities.Over the years, this disease becomes more and more common, regardless of gender and age.The reason for this may be the lifestyle of office workers, who spend most of their time motionless, sitting at computers, as well as the part of the population that spends their working time standing - salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models, etc.
The symptoms of varicose veins are very diverse.It is rare for several patients to present with the same symptoms.Most often, this venous disease has individual characteristics.However, everyone who suffers from this disease is united by one condition - the symptom of “heavy legs”, which includes 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 stand out.Later, enlarged veins appear on the legs, visible to the naked eye.This is already an undeniable sign of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: brief information about the disease
Varicose veins of the lower limbs are a disease known to doctors for a long time;it has its own history, full of interesting facts.Ancient Egyptian doctors were involved in the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations where signs of varicose veins and traces of treatment for complications of this disease were discovered in mummies.Luminaries like Avicenna, Galen and Hippocrates also mentioned the existence of varicose veins in their works.
The term "varicose veins" itself translated from Latin means "swelling", which reflects the clinical picture of this pathology.
The treatment of varicose veins at that time was also interesting and at the same time terrifying.Doctors realized that the dilated and thrombosed vein needed to be removed to avoid complications.However, the technology was imperfect at that time.The operation on the veins was quite traumatic: to access the damaged vein, extensive incisions were made on the limbs, which extended along the entire length of the leg in the form of stripes or spiral incisions.It is not surprising that these patients often die not from the disease itself, but from complications associated with the surgical procedure.
A revolution in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities occurred after venography began to actively develop.After the introduction of X-rays and ultrasound into medical practice, it became easier to diagnose the degree of vascular damage and operations were performed more purposefully.The risk of postoperative complications decreased and the recovery rate became significantly higher.
Over time, less traumatic techniques appeared, because too large incisions led to complications in the postoperative period, and often rendered 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 this pathology is currently being treated successfully.Even surgical treatment methods do not pose a great danger to health.Operated patients easily return to normal life after a short period.And some interventions allow patients to forget about their problem immediately after leaving the medical institution.The main thing, as with any disease, is to have time to consult a doctor in the early stages of the development of the disease.
Enlarged veins in the legs are not dangerous, thrombophlebitis is!
Almost all the media tell us about varicose veins and advertise new miracle drugs that promise to get rid of the 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, changes in skin color and the appearance of ulcers that do not heal are all very unpleasant and difficult.People suffering from this disease find it difficult to lead an active life, they have to look for work with easier working conditions, etc.But that's not the worst.
Varicose veins in the legs are accompanied by the formation of blood clots inside the veins.Once broken, such a blood clot can enter the pulmonary artery and cause a serious condition called pulmonary embolism.It is very difficult to treat, and most often patients with thromboembolism do not even have time to go to a medical institution - death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins of the lower limbs are a disease causing serious complications.Self-medication is life-threatening.Only experienced specialists and regular monitoring will preserve your health and your 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 specialist surgeons.Each patient tries to avoid surgery until the last moment, but it is worth knowing that varicose veins can be cured, and complications associated with the disease can only be cured radically.Of course, one should not completely abandon conservative therapy, but one should not really rely on it either.Drug treatment works in conjunction with surgical methods.It's hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative treatment alleviates the course of the disease, minimizes unpleasant symptoms, provides faster recovery after surgery and reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
Drug treatment, as an independent method, can be used if there are contraindications to surgery.Such treatment only slows down the development of the disease without eliminating the 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, depending on the stage of the disease, medical history and examination results of the patient.
Types of operations:
- Phlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Laser coagulation.
In a surgical procedure called phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through small incisions in the limbs.Venous surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of relapse after this treatment method is low.The operation itself does not cause much harm to the patient's health and recovery is quite rapid.Patients usually only spend a few days in the hospital.After the procedure, drug treatment and wearing compression clothing are prescribed.
Sclerotherapy, as a minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins, has its roots in the distant past.Many doctors have tried to cure this pathology by introducing various chemical compounds into the lumen of enlarged veins.Through trial and error, we managed to achieve success in this direction.A drug has been discovered and successfully used to date.This substance is administered intravenously under ultrasound control.The procedure is painless.Under the influence of the drug, the walls of the damaged vein stick to each other and then resolve.The procedure should be carried out by an experienced specialist, since an excessive dose of the drug or its introduction into soft tissues leads to serious complications.
Laser coagulation is a minimally invasive vein surgery performed without incisions.The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis, after which the patient immediately returns to his normal lifestyle, following 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 a laser beam, the walls of the vein become welded together, blood circulation becomes impossible.This is perhaps the most effective and safe method of treatment of our time.Of course, laser coagulation cannot be performed on everyone without exception.Like any therapeutic method, it has its indications and contraindications.
The phlebologist is the best friend of patients suffering from varicose veins
People suffering from varicose veins, as well as people with a hereditary predisposition to this disease or at risk, should visit a phlebologist every year to monitor the condition of the veins in their legs.
A phlebologist is a doctor of a narrow specialty who deals with problems of venous vessels.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound scan of the veins of the lower extremities, which will be able to show the condition of the walls of the veins, valves, check the patency of blood vessels, exclude 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 surgery altogether or eliminate the pathology using a minimally invasive method.The earlier the disease is detected, the more effective the treatment result.
Don't be afraid to seek help from specialists.Ultrasound examination of veins is a painless procedure;you just have to be patient, because it takes a long time.