Varicose veins, or rather varicose veins, is a disease that only affects the venous system.Many consider it to be a selective foot disease.
But varicose veins not only occur in the lower extremities, but also in the pelvic area.At the same time, it manifests itself as hemorrhoids, varicocele (enlarged testicular veins) or disguises itself as various gynecological complaints.Varicose veins of the esophagus with cirrhosis of the liver cause great problems to patients.
Causes of varicose veins
The task of the venous system is to ensure the supply of blood to the heart after the utilization of useful substances by the tissues, so that the heart sends it to the lungs for oxygen absorption.The outflow is constant.The negative pressure created by the diaphragm and some parts of the heart helps the blood vessels.Since humans spend most of their time in an upright position, the veins must overcome gravity and prevent blood stagnation.They also have a muscular frame and valves on the inner shell.
Varicose veins are a result of venous insufficiency.Injury to the wall structure leads to loss of elasticity and reduced tone.Weak valves are unable to retain blood and excessive plaque (buildup) occurs in distant areas of the body.
By slowing blood flow, favorable conditions are created for platelets to stick together and blood clots to form.The situation becomes dangerous because a blood clot can break off at any time and enter an important blood vessel, causing tissue necrosis.
Another complication is the development of infection of a weakened vein wall (phlebitis).This leads to even more negative symptoms.
Signs of varicose veins can be found in one in five women and one in ten men.
The causes of the disease are usually divided into primary and secondary varicose veins.
- The primary lesion is accompanied by disturbances in the structure of the venous wall.
- In secondary cases, changes to the valve apparatus occur.
This happens when:
- hereditary predisposition associated with a lack of collagen in the body, which ensures the elasticity of the wall or components for its synthesis;
- endocrine disorders caused by long-term use of hormonal drugs (birth control pills, steroid drugs);
- heavy physical activity;
- forced long-term working position while standing;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Pregnancy;
- Smoke;
- Leg injuries.
Taking into account the listed factors that contribute to the disease, it is possible to determine the risk group to which future patients with varicose veins belong, regardless of age:
- Professions that require long periods of standing (salespeople, teachers, hairdressers);
- immobile posture (transport driver, sitting at the computer) - stagnation occurs in the legs and pelvis;
- the 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 who wear tight underwear, stockings with elastic bands, a girdle, a girdle - any constriction helps to delay the outflow of blood;
- The habit of sitting cross-legged for long periods of time blocks the superficial veins of the lower leg and promotes stagnation.
- Passion for alcoholic beverages and coffee leads to dehydration of the body, accordingly, the blood thickens and slows down the flow through the vessels.
Symptoms of the disease
With varicose veins, the “most unfavorable” blood circulation conditions arise in the peripheral tissue.Therefore, varicose veins of the legs are the most common manifestation of the disease.
- At the end of the working day, pain and fatigue appear in the legs.
- Burning feeling.
- Cramps when walking or at night.
- Swelling of the feet in the evening, patients notice that their usual shoes are too tight.
- The appearance of “vascular spiders” on the legs.
- Darkening and dryness of the skin on the feet and legs.
- Trophic ulcers on the feet.
The signs listed above develop gradually over the years.
The appearance of “visible” symptoms indicates progressive vascular damage.
Treatment
Therapy for varicose veins cannot relieve the patient of the disease, but it helps to prevent serious complications and slow down the further development of the disease.
What habits do you need to give up?
When treating varicose veins, ask yourself: “What should you change in your usual life?”The following tips will help you:
- Stop visiting the bathhouse and steam room.Hot baths are contraindicated for you.
- Limit consumption of strong alcoholic beverages and beer;
- stop smoking gradually;
- Control your posture when sitting, do not cross your legs;
- prevent any dressing with belts, belts and special underwear;
- get rid of excess weight;
- Do not wear tight shoes or high heels.
- Get into the habit of rinsing your feet with cold water after showering in the evening, and place your feet on a pillow while relaxing at home.
Motor mode
Taking into account the risk factors, it is necessary for people in “dangerous” professions to take breaks with foot massages: drivers get out of the car to walk around, hairdressers sit on a chair and massage their legs with light stroking movements from bottom to top.
It is necessary to walk as much as possible, the work of the leg muscles promotes blood outflow.
Morning exercises include lying on your back, lifting your legs, tucking your toes, and tensing your arches.
Recommended sports include swimming and cycling.
diet
The choice of foods for varicose veins is associated with the need to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and limit spicy and salty foods that retain fluid.
You should limit fatty meats in any form, hot spices, smoked foods, butter, cheese, mayonnaise, sweets and carbonated drinks.
Include vegetables and fruits, grains, dairy products, green tea or herbal tea, vegetable oil, onions and garlic in your daily diet.
Conservative means
To support venous blood flow, it is recommended to bandage the legs from the toes to the middle of the thigh.It is much more comfortable to wear special compression stockings.They are sold in the pharmacy chain and have sizes.A doctor will help you choose knee socks.
All advertised drugs or ointments work only in the initial stages of the disease, when a person notices increased fatigue in the legs.The doctor will recommend you the most modern and effective medications.In the “visual” stage, their use is practically useless.
Phlebologists treat varicose veins.They believe that about 95% of cases can be compensated with low-traumatic methods, only 5% require surgical intervention.
Less traumatic methods for treating varicose veins
These procedures require no skin incision at all or require a small incision.They are performed on an outpatient basis and are painless.The patient experiences no restrictions and can go about his usual work.
Laser ablation
Under local anesthesia, a light guide is carefully inserted into the varicose vein area and a circular laser is turned on as it moves backwards.The procedure takes up to two hours.The laser beam causes a burn of the inner shell with further sclerosis.For the treatment of veins of any diameter.
Sclerotherapy
The patient is injected into the affected vessel with a substance that leads to the collapse of the walls and subsequent sclerosis.Currently, clinics use foam preparations that are harmless to the body.It is used when the diameter is no more than one cm.After the procedure, it is recommended to walk for an hour.You will need to wear compression socks for another month.
Microphlebectomy
After local anesthesia, a small incision in the skin (no more than a few mm) is made, the diseased vein is grasped with a special hook, pulled out and removed.This allows you to take containers of any size.There will be visible bruising at the incision site several days after the procedure.A small scar is created.Wearing compression stockings is required for about 10 days.
Radiofrequency ablation
The method is similar to laser, but here a catheter with microwave radiofrequency irradiation is inserted into the varicose vein area.It is believed to not cause burns and is harmless to surrounding tissues.After half an hour of exposure, the lumen of the vessel is “sealed”.You can start exercising after just one week.
Surgical treatment
Surgery to remove an enlarged vein or an entire bundle is called a phlebectomy.It requires hospitalization.General anesthesia is used.Two incisions are made (in the groin and below the knee).Surface branches are tied.The entire vein is pulled out and excised.After the operation, the patient must be observed in the hospital for about a week.The condition of the postoperative stitches is monitored, drugs are prescribed that slow down blood clotting to prevent blood clots.The stitches are removed after 7 – 10 days.
Contraindications to phlebectomy:
- simultaneous damage to the superficial and deep veins;
- age over 75 years;
- various skin diseases at the surgical site;
- oncological diseases;
- Pregnancy;
- atherosclerosis of the blood vessels 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 (the use of leeches) is an old, proven method.The enzyme secreted into the blood by leeches relieves inflammation and tightens the walls of blood vessels.
It is recommended to use herbal decoctions and tinctures in the form of compresses in the varicose vein area.The following are used: chamomile flowers, marigold, St. John's wort, yarrow, wormwood leaves, horse chestnut, burdock.It is recommended to take walnuts and garlic internally.
The choice of treatment for varicose veins is the responsibility of an experienced surgeon.A timely visit to the doctor and following the recommendations will help prevent the serious consequences of the disease.