Varicose veins are enlargements of the superficial veins of the lower extremities that result from valve insufficiency and impaired blood flow.Gravity plays a key role here.It has a positive effect on blood flow to the organs above the heart.When it comes to the vessels of the lower extremities, gravity has the opposite effect.Under its influence, normal blood flow is disrupted, as a result of which blood stagnates in the veins, thereby causing their deformation.Dilated vessels are usually found on the lower legs and in the backs of the knees.
Currently, around one in ten people in the world suffers from varicose veins.In addition, women aged 30 to 60 are most susceptible to this disease.In general, men suffer from varicose veins 4-6 times less often than women.
Factors affecting the appearance of varicose veins:
- hereditary predisposition;
- Injuries that lead to damage to the venous valves (this disrupts the outflow of blood);
- great physical activity;
- prolonged stay in an upright position (this is especially true for people with professions that require long standing on their feet: teachers, salespeople, surgeons, etc.);
- sedentary lifestyle (leads to blood stagnation);
- Obesity (excessive strain on blood vessels);
- increased intra-abdominal pressure (can occur as a result of chronic constipation, chronic cough, prostate adenoma, etc.).
In addition, varicose veins of the lower extremities can arise from wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on the vessels, frequent sitting cross-legged, and smoking.
Regardless, pregnancy is worth mentioning.During this period, varicose veins often appear in women, 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 total amount of blood in the body, as well as as a result of the influence of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on the condition of the venous walls.
Therefore, the people who most often suffer from varicose veins include pregnant women, the elderly, athletes, people with “standing” jobs, people with flat feet, overweight people, as well as those whose close relatives suffered (or suffer) from this disease.
Symptoms of varicose veins:
- the appearance of tortuous dark blue or purple veins, as well as spider veins on the legs;
- brownish spots on the ankles and shins;
- thickening and bulging of the veins;
- periodic cramps in the leg muscles;
- Formation of trophic ulcers on the skin of the lower extremities;
- pain, swelling and fatigue of the legs;
- Feeling of heaviness and burning in the lower extremities.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities occur in four stages:
- Coiled 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.
- Severe ankle swelling and heaviness in the legs occur periodically (most commonly in the late afternoon and after exercise).At night, the patient suffers from cramps in the calf muscles, coupled with goosebumps, numbness and tingling.
- The swelling of the legs becomes noticeable and remains permanent.Seals form on the skin and subcutaneous tissue.Pigmentation and dermatitis also occur at this stage of the disease.In addition, the patient begins to suffer from itching and bloating.
- Trophic ulcers appear on the skin of the legs.
Varicose veins in themselves are not a dangerous disease, but without timely effective treatment they can cause serious consequences, in some cases leading to death.
The most common complications of varicose veins:
- chronic venous insufficiency – impaired blood outflow resulting from poor functioning of vascular valves due to an increase in blood vessel diameter;
- Thrombophlebitis of varicose veins – the formation of blood clots in the veins as a result of inflammation of the venous wall;
- Pulmonary embolism – interruption of blood flow in the pulmonary artery due to its blockage by a dislodged blood clot;
- Trophic ulcers are skin defects (wounds) that arise when the flow of blood through the superficial and deep veins is severely disturbed.
Varicose veins always require qualified treatment.It does not go away on its own and gradually develops into various complications.You can only relieve pain and discomfort on your own.To prevent the disease and relieve its symptoms, you must:
- Avoid a sedentary (sitting or standing) lifestyle (move more often, change posture, do gymnastics, etc.);
- Wear special medical knitwear.
- bathe only in the evening;
- sleep in a position in which the feet are higher than the level of the heart (contraindicated for people with heart disease);
- limit the consumption of salty foods;
- Wear shoes with a heel no higher than 4 cm.
- Try not to sit cross-legged.
In addition to visual examination and palpation of the legs by a vascular surgeon, the diagnosis of varicose veins may also include other 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 the veins and 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 contours of the affected veins on an x-ray.Before the examination, a substance is injected into a vein that gives the blood a contrasting color.
Basic modern methods of treating varicose veins of the lower extremities
Miniphlebectomy
Miniphlebectomy is a gentle operation in which the affected veins are removed through small incisions and punctures with special hooks.It is often performed under local anesthesia, allowing the patient to return to their normal lifestyle within 2-3 hours after the procedure.In addition, thanks to minimal surgical interventions, after miniphlebectomy, practically no traces 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, and also strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations in order to prevent new relapses of the disease.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation enables complete outpatient treatment of varicose veins.This procedure is carried out as follows: Under local anesthesia, a high-frequency catheter is inserted into the affected vein through a puncture, which “closes” the vein using microwaves.
Thanks to precise and controlled effects, radiofrequency 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 trauma and high cosmetic effect.This procedure is performed under local or spinal anesthesia.A light guide connected to a laser device is inserted into the lumen of the diseased vein through small punctures.Under the influence of laser radiation, the affected area of the vein is reliably closed (adjacent tissue is not damaged).The advance of the light guide is controlled by a doctor using ultrasound, which ensures high accuracy of the procedure.
The EVLT takes approximately 30-40 minutes.The patient then goes home independently and returns to his normal lifestyle the next day.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the safest and most aesthetic methods of treating varicose veins (including “star”, “nets”, “snakes”), which can be completely removed
Eliminates the appearance of scars and spots on the skin.The technique of this procedure is as follows: an adhesive solution (sclerosant) is injected into the affected vein using very thin needles, and then compressed from the outside with a special latex cushion and an elastic bandage.Thanks to sclerotherapy, the walls of the blood vessels stick together, which excludes the varicose vein from the blood circulation, the blood circulation becomes healthy and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
The procedure in question lasts several sessions (about 3-5), each lasting 5 to 10 minutes.After each procedure, the patient must wear a special stocking that is worn for 1 to 3 days.
It is important to note that in some cases different methods of treating varicose veins are combined.
Treatment of trophic ulcers
Trophic ulcers often occur in the final stages of varicose veins as a result of venous stagnation.These are affected areas of the skin and underlying tissue that do not heal in the long term.
Treatment of this complication requires a comprehensive and multistage approach.This can include both surgical intervention and pharmacotherapy and wearing compression garments.In the initial stages, trophic ulcers are successfully treated using the laser method.In advanced cases, biopsy and radiopaque venography are used.
It is worth noting the importance of immediately contacting qualified specialists when the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities appear.In this way, you eliminate the risk of complications and get well again quickly.