Varicose veins are a dilation of the superficial veins of the lower extremities, resulting from valvular incompetence and impaired blood flow.In this case, gravity plays a key role here.It has a positive effect on the blood circulation of the organs located above the heart.If we talk about the vessels of the lower extremities, gravity has the opposite effect.Under its influence, normal blood flow is disrupted, which leads to stagnation of blood in the veins, thereby causing their deformation.Dilated vessels are usually found in the lower legs and behind the knees.
Currently, around one in ten people worldwide suffer from varicose veins.In addition, women aged 30 to 60 are most susceptible to this disease.In general, men suffer from varicose veins 4 to 6 times less often than women.
Factors influencing the appearance of varicose veins:
- hereditary predisposition;
- injuries that damage the venous valves (as a result, the flow of blood is disrupted);
- high physical activity;
- prolonged stay in an upright position (this is especially true for the category of people working in professions that require long periods of standing: teachers, salespeople, surgeons, etc.);
- sedentary lifestyle (leads to blood stagnation);
- excess weight (excessive load on blood vessels);
- increased intra-abdominal pressure (may occur as a result of chronic constipation, chronic cough, prostate adenoma, etc.).
In addition, varicose veins of the lower extremities can occur due to wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on the vessels, frequent sitting cross-legged, and smoking.
Separately, it is worth mentioning pregnancy.During this period, women often suffer from varicose veins, but these are often reversible and gradually disappear after childbirth.During pregnancy, varicose veins can occur as a result of fetal pressure on the vessels leading to the legs;an increase in the total amount of blood in the body, as well as a consequence of the influence of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on the state of the walls of the veins.
So, the category of people most often suffering from varicose veins includes pregnant women, the elderly, athletes, people in a "standing" profession, people with flat feet, overweight people, as well as those whose loved ones have suffered (or suffer) from this disease.
Symptoms of varicose veins:
- the appearance of dark blue or purple tortuous veins, as well as spider veins, on the legs;
- brownish spots on ankles and shins;
- thickening and swelling of the veins;
- periodic cramps in the leg muscles;
- formation of trophic ulcers on the skin of the lower extremities;
- pain, swelling and fatigue in the legs;
- heaviness and burning sensation in the lower limbs.
Varicose veins of the lower limbs occur in four stages:
- Tortuous veins, spider veins and spider veins appear on the skin.Sometimes there is slight swelling of the legs in the evening.There is no pain or discomfort at this stage.
- Periodically, severe swelling of the ankle occurs and heaviness in the legs appears (most often in the late afternoon and after exercise).At night, the patient suffers from cramps in the calf muscles, associated with goosebumps, numbness and tingling.
- The swelling of the legs becomes pronounced and becomes permanent.Seals form on the skin and subcutaneous tissues.Pigmentation and dermatitis also appear at this stage of the disease.In addition, the patient begins to be bothered by a feeling of itching and bloating.
- Trophic ulcers appear on the skin of the legs.
Varicose veins themselves are not a dangerous disease, but in the absence of effective and timely treatment, they can have serious consequences, sometimes leading to death.
The most common complications resulting from varicose veins:
- chronic venous insufficiency - obstructed blood flow, resulting from poor functioning of vascular valves due to an increase in blood vessel diameter;
- varicose vein thrombophlebitis - formation of blood clots in the veins as a result of inflammation of the vein wall;
- pulmonary embolism - cessation of blood flow in the pulmonary artery due to its blockage by a detached blood clot;
- Trophic ulcers are skin defects (wounds) that form in cases of severe disruption of blood flow in superficial and deep veins.
Varicose veins always require qualified treatment.It does not disappear on its own and gradually develops into various complications.You can only reduce pain and discomfort on your own.To prevent the disease and alleviate its symptoms, you must:
- avoid a sedentary (sedentary or standing) lifestyle (move more often, change body position, do gymnastics, etc.);
- wear special medical knitwear;
- take a bath only in the evening;
- sleeping in a position where the feet are higher than heart level (contraindicated 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 visual examination and palpation of the legs by a vascular surgeon, may include additional examinations such as:
- Ultrasound is one of the most informative methods for diagnosing varicose veins of the lower extremities.Allows you to determine the degree of dilation of veins, 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 outlines of affected veins on an x-ray.To do this, before the examination, a substance is injected into a vein to color the blood a contrasting color.
Basic modern methods for treating varicose veins of the lower extremities
Miniphlebectomy
Miniphlebectomy is a gentle operation during which affected veins are removed through small incisions and punctures using special hooks.It is often performed under local anesthesia, which allows the patient to return to their normal lifestyle within 2 to 3 hours following the procedure.In addition, thanks to minimal surgical intervention after miniphlebectomy, practically 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 regularly wear special therapeutic knitwear for several weeks, as well as scrupulously follow all the doctor's recommendations in order to prevent further relapses of the disease.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation allows complete treatment of varicose veins on an outpatient basis.This procedure takes place 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 precise and controlled effects, radiofrequency ablation allows effective results to be obtained.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.This procedure is performed under local or spinal anesthesia.Through small perforations, 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 area of the vein is reliably closed (adjacent tissues are not damaged).The process of advancing the light guide is controlled by a doctor using ultrasound, which ensures high precision of the procedure.
EVLT lasts approximately 30-40 minutes, after which the patient returns home independently and resumes their normal lifestyle the next day.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the safest and most aesthetic methods of treating varicose veins (including "stars", "mesh", "snakes"), which are completely
eliminates the appearance of scars and marks on the skin.The technique of this procedure is as follows: using very thin needles, a sticky (sclerosing) solution is injected into the affected vein, after which it is compressed from the outside with a special latex tampon and an elastic bandage.Thanks to sclerotherapy, the walls of blood vessels stick together, as a result of which varicose veins are removed from the bloodstream, blood circulation becomes healthy and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
The procedure in question lasts several sessions (approximately 3 to 5), each lasting 5 to 10 minutes.After each procedure, the patient must wear a special stocking, which is worn for 1-3 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 late stages of varicose veins due to venous stagnation.These are long-term affected areas of the skin and underlying tissues that do not heal.
Treatment of this complication involves a comprehensive, multi-stage approach.This may include both surgery and drug therapy, with the use of compression garments.In the early stages, trophic ulcers are successfully treated by the laser method.In advanced cases, biopsy and radiopaque venography are used.
It is worth mentioning the importance of immediately contacting qualified specialists when the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities appear.This way you will eliminate the risk of complications and quickly regain your health.