This is the deformation and disruption of the leg veins.In a normal state, blood flows in the veins from the bottom up;this is due to the contractions of the heart, the elastic walls of the vessel, the muscles around the vessel and the coordinated work of the valve in the vein.This valve allows blood to flow upwards and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction.In the event of a violation, the vessel walls expand, the valve gap moves away, and the blood can partially move in the opposite direction, creating a counterflow, further expanding the vessel walls and weakening the valve.Varicose veins appear.The disease is extremely common among people over the age of 30, and it most often affects women.
Causes and prevention of varicose veins of the lower limbs
In most cases, the causes of varicose veins lie in a sedentary lifestyle: we spend a long time in a static position (mainly sitting) and do not give our muscles enough stress.The following risk factors can also influence:
- clothing that is too tight (pants, socks),
- uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels),
- disorders of hormonal balance,
- frequent hot baths, sauna visits,
- prolonged heavy physical activity, heavy lifting,
- obesity.
The main prevention of varicose veins is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.Even if you do sedentary work, try not to sit without movement for several hours in a row: stand up, stretch your legs, walk more;and don't forget a balanced diet, which, along with moderate physical activity, protects against many diseases.
Pregnancy is also a serious risk factor for varicose veins.But the genetic predisposition is still being investigated and even refuted by many studies.
Symptoms
The disease can develop very slowly: over years or even decades.The symptoms of the initial stage are diverse, but for the sake of convenience they are combined into a certain complex with the general heaviness of the legs:
- fatigue in the legs without serious training,
- painful veins,
- nocturnal cramps in the calves,
- pulling sensation in the legs.
If you do not monitor the symptoms of varicose veins at the initial stage, the vein will become more and more deformed.Swelling of the feet and ankles appears in the evening and disappears in the morning;Spider veins will become visible, and then swollen veins and nodules on them will be felt.If you do not consult a specialist at this stage, there is a risk of skin pigmentation and the development of trophic ulcers, in addition to an obvious decrease in the quality of life and obvious pain.The further course of varicose veins leads to complications such as bleeding from venous nodes and the risk of developing a serious disease such as thrombosis, which can be fatal without consulting a specialist.
Diagnostics
Diagnosing varicose veins is quite simple - it's a survey, an examination of the patient and an ultrasound that shows the affected area of the vein and the degree of damage in order to choose the optimal treatment.If for some reason (for example, if the damaged veins are located deep) the ultrasound does not provide all the necessary information, then the specialist performs an additional examination - phlebography - injection of contrast material into the vein, which under X-rays shows the smallest changes in the vein along the blood flow.
Treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs
Treatment of varicose veins without surgery (special physical exercises, massage, wearing compression clothes, taking medicines that strengthen the walls of blood vessels) only helps in the initial stage.Unfortunately, very few patients turn to a specialist in this case.Perhaps due to such a widespread prevalence of the disease, many people either trust traditional treatment methods that have not been proven effective and lose valuable time, or put up with the expansion of the veins to the point of unbearable pain syndrome, which indicates an advanced stage.
The surgical treatment of varicose veins, like any other surgical intervention, requires a highly trained medical team to treat the patient.After all, there are serious contraindications to the operation, so you entrust your health only to the experienced professionals of well-equipped medical centers.
We are ready to provide our patients with all known, clinically proven treatment methods: from conservative (non-surgical) treatment to surgery.Among the most effective are:
- laser coagulation (removal with a laser, i.e. thermal exposure of areas of dilated blood vessels) - this method is suitable for small blood vessels and the removal of spider veins located near the surface of the skin;
- sclerosis (injection of a special substance into the vein, which safely clogs it) - this method is only suitable for peripheral, small vessels;
- phlebectomy is the surgical removal of the affected area of the vein, which is used in advanced stages of the disease in large veins;
- radiofrequency coagulation.
The choice of treatment method depends on many factors (the degree of varicose veins, the patient's condition, contraindications to manipulation).The specialists try to give the patient as much detailed information as possible about their condition, listen to their wishes, and choose the appropriate treatment method for the given situation.