In a non-professional environment, varicose veins of the lower extremities are considered "female".This is wrong.Men also suffer from varicose veins of the superficial veins of the lower limbs.Data from large statistical studies confirm this.The preponderance of a good half of the population in public hospitals only indicates that women focus on varicose veins, while men do not.Most women who seek help from a general surgeon or phlebologist do so for cosmetic purposes in addition to medical purposes.They are generally not interesting to men.
Thus, in our country as a whole, the "male" form of chronic venous diseases is characterized by late onset.As they say: "Until it thunders, one does not plant the cross"...
"Male" risk factors for varicose veins
It is generally accepted that the true cause of varicose veins is still unknown.Risk factors include genetic predisposition and lifestyle.These risk factors are the same for men and women.
The main ones:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- work related to long forced standing and sitting;
- the discrepancy between eating habits and real energy expenditure, which leads to obesity;
- smoking;
- heavy physical work involving lifting and carrying heavy objects.
- Sports involving weightlifting
Causes of severe forms of varicose veins in men
In the initial stage, the development of varicose veins is the same in men and women.The disease proceeds according to the same principles and in the same stages.The reason for the more serious forms of varicose veins in men is precisely the late appearance at the time of contacting the phlebologist.Men generally do not care about aesthetic components.In the initial stage of the disease, varicose veins are not painful, so most men do not consider it necessary to ask for advice or help.When pain and swelling appear, men just as steadfastly ignore these symptoms and display miracles of unconsciousness.The reason for this behavior is lack of information.The collapse of the doctor's office system and the lack of medical information of the population lead to the low level of education of the male population regarding the possible harm of varicose veins.
Another factor that prevents the male population from seeing a phlebologist in time is the reluctance to wear "feminine" compression stockings.This is also the result of medical illiteracy and is largely the fault of health workers, not the public.
Long-term lack of treatment leads to the fact that when a man turns to a phlebologist or general surgeon, he already has:
- Advanced main varicose veins with signs of severe chronic venous insufficiency,
- thrombophlebitis or venous thrombosis
- trophic ulcer of venous origin
- bleeding from varicose veins
In order to avoid such complications, an up-to-date diagnosis is necessary.
Diagnosis of varicose veins in men
For men with symptoms of varicose veins, the optimal solution is to contact a competent phlebologist.Ultrasound examination of blood vessels during the treatment is a mandatory part of the phlebologist consultation!We recommend that the ultrasound examination of the veins is not performed by an external doctor (no matter how highly qualified), but by the phlebologist you contact personally.The doctor who undertakes to advise you is responsible for both the correct diagnosis and the development of a treatment strategy.
Ultrasound angioscanning in duplex and triplex mode (ultrasound of veins) is the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of venous diseases.Therefore, this test should be carried out by the doctor who advises, treats or operates on you.Ultrasound of the veins should be performed in a standing position.For patients whose health does not allow the ultrasound to be performed in a vertical position, the test can also be performed lying down, with exertion, but its diagnostic value will be lower.Especially when it comes to diagnosing deep vein thrombosis.After interviewing the patient, examining, palpating and ultrasounding the veins, the phlebologist must write a report containing a brief history of the disease, diagnosis and recommendations.A record of the ultrasound angioscanning must be prepared, indicating the date of the examination.If necessary (complex cases, congenital abnormalities, consequences of massive deep vein thrombosis), the doctor recommends further clarifying tests (magnetic resonance venography, X-ray angiography or others).
Only this approach meets modern European standards. The expert examination takes no more than half an hour and provides sufficient information about the venous system of your lower limbs.
Consultation with a phlebologist is completely safe and does not involve any traumatic examination or procedure.No special preparation is required. Timely diagnosis is extremely important for the selection of modern and effective treatment, which avoids complications and disease progression.
Symptoms of varicose veins in men
All patients should watch for the following signs:
- The appearance of varicose veins standing above the skin.
- Heaviness in the legs, especially at the end of the working day.
- Unpleasant sensations during varicose veins.
- Pain during varicose veins, especially at the end of the working day.
- Swelling in the legs and feet.The first symptoms are that the rubber of the socks leaves a visible mark and the usual shoes become tight.
- Change in skin color (appearance of brown or bluish pigmentation).
- Trophic ulcer in the lower third of the leg along the inner surface.
Treatment of varicose veins in men
Modern, high-quality treatment for varicose veins is now available to most people.Professionals only work according to the protocols recommended by the Association of Phlebologists and European recommendations.Clinics and medical centers use modern equipment for ultrasound angioscanning and laser treatment of varicose veins.
The main methods of treating varicose veins by specialists:
- Thermoobliteration (laser and radio frequency).
- Miniphlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- A combination of these techniques.
Treatment at health centers is completely outpatient, without anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, or hospitalization.All necessary medical documentation is issued (phlebologist surgeon consultation, ultrasound angioscanning protocol, discharge summary with recommendations, temporary disability certificate, tax deduction documents).
Many patients have already appreciated the benefits of innovative methods in the treatment of varicose veins.Note that they are all operator dependent.In other words, the success of the treatment depends not only on the modernity and high cost of the equipment, but also on the operator, i.e. the doctor working on it.The specialists have a lot of experience in the ultrasound diagnosis of diseases of the lower limbs (all specialists have a valid ultrasound diagnosis certificate), as well as vast experience in operations on the veins of the lower limbs and in the thermal (laser, radio frequency) removal of varicose veins.