Varicose veins of the lower extremities: symptoms and treatment

What do we think of when we hear the wordvaricose veins"? First of all, the ugly legs are purple-blue in color, covered with many tubercles and a vascular network visible through the skin. Many of us consider varicose veins to be an exclusively cosmetic pathology that does not require special treatment. There is an opinion thatYou can live with varicose veins for many years, that this disease does not progress and does not have serious consequences, and only an external defect remains. . . Unfortunately, this opinion is not only wrong, but also dangerous.

To understand why varicose veins are dangerous, there are ways to avoid them, why the disease needs treatment if it has already appeared, and most importantly, how to do it, we turned to a phlebologist. We talk about the mechanisms of the onset of the disease, ways to prevent it, lifestyle features with this diagnosis and modern methods of correction.

What are varicose veins

Varicose veins are a disease known to mankind since ancient Egypt. Archaeological excavations confirm the presence of pathologies in contemporaries of the pharaohs and the builders of the famous pyramids. Hippocrates and Avicenna, considered the finest physicians of antiquity, sought ways to successfully treat varicose veins. What happens with varicose veins? Why does the disease appear?

Normally, blood in the human body flows through the veins from the bottom up - from the tissues to the heart and lungs, and the contractions of our muscles help in this. But due to gravity affecting all aspects of human existence, the liquid logically tends to go down. The special valves that are in our veins don't allow it. They open in the direction of blood flow and close to keep it out. In this way, the blood is guided to where it is needed under the "sensitive guidance" of the valves in the veins.

But often, for some reason, the functioning of the valves is disrupted, they do not close completely, and blood still flows through the veins. The vessels cannot absorb all the blood, they stretch and protrude above the skin with tubercles. Most often, the external thin veins on the legs are affected in this way, and the disease "varicose veins" appears.

causes of the disease

The causes of varicose veins are varied and all are well known to medicine.

1. hereditary predisposition.Heredity is one of the most common causes of the disease. Scientists have identified the so-called "gene of varicose veins", which is responsible for its appearance. Therefore, if your loved ones had problems with the veins, then it is necessary to be examined by a phlebologist as soon as possible. After all, the disease can spread inmanifest at any age, even at a very young age. Varic veins are insidious in that visible symptoms appear much later than the disease itself.
2. Weakness of the vascular walls and the valvular apparatus.Many chronic diseases (pyelonephritis, rheumatism, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, etc. ), hormonal changes and metabolic disorders, unhealthy lifestyle, lack of exercise, injuries of the lower extremities, women taking hormonal contraceptives lead to this condition.
3. Professions associated with a long stay in a static position(standing or sitting). Programmers, drivers, hairdressers, shop assistants, carpenters, carpenters and many others are at risk of varicose veins.
4. pregnancy. Even if there are no hereditary causes of diseases in the anamnesis of the expectant mother, during pregnancy the risk of "earning" varicose veins increases significantly. Why does it happen? Synthesized "pregnancy hormones" act on smooth muscles and relax the tone of the vein wallsThe volume of circulating blood increases, which puts pressure on the walls of the vessels and the valvular apparatus. The rapid weight gain of a woman during pregnancy puts unusually strong pressure on the legs and, accordingly, on the veins.
5. overweight.With obesity, due to a large load, there is a deformation of the vascular wall, the vascular pressure and the pressure in the surrounding tissues increase. If you are overweight, blood pressure increases, blood flow to the heart becomes more difficult and venous congestion occurs.
6. gender and age.According to statistics, more than 70% of cases of varicose veins occur in women of childbearing age. But cases of the disease are not uncommon in men, children, and adolescents. Therefore, if any disturbing symptoms appear, regardless of the sex and age of the patient, a consultation with a phlebologist is necessary.

symptoms of the disease

As we said above, in the early stages the disease is asymptomatic or disguised as ordinary fatigue: after a day's work, the legs hum and swell, but in the morning or after a long rest everything goes away. There may also be cramps at night, itching and burning in the lower extremities, a feeling of heaviness in them. As a rule, such symptoms are harmless and are written off as banal overwork. The early stage of varicose veins does not reduce a person's physical activity and does not force him to change his lifestyle.

In the future, with the development of the disease, the symptoms become more pronounced: a vascular network and tubercles appear on the lower extremities, swelling does not go away even after a long rest, severe pain appears after a short walk, forcing a person to change the usual rhythm of life, reduce physical activity to a minimum, which leads to even more serious blood stagnation and, accordingly, an exacerbation of the disease.

Why are varicose veins dangerous?

In addition to the obvious negative consequences in the form of a cosmetic defect and the inability to continue the usual way of life, varicose veins are dangerous for their complications.

• Venous bleeding.It occurs because the normal connective tissue of the vascular walls gradually changes its properties, becomes fragile and inelastic. Even the slightest physical exertion (e. g. coughing or sneezing) can cause the vessel to burst and serious consequences in the form of bleeding.
• eczema and dermatitis.Occur due to impaired blood supply, prolonged oxygen starvation. On the skin of the limb affected by varicose veins, small blisters, scales and crusts appear, which are accompanied by severe itching.
• thrombophlebitis.This is a serious chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the veins of the lower extremities, accompanied by the appearance of blood clots in their lumen. In most cases, thrombophlebitis occurs as a result of varicose veins. The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature to 38-39°C, acute arching pains in the affected area, persistent edema and complete limitation of motor activity.
• Necrosis and trophic ulcers.One of the most serious complications of varicose veins. Such a pathological process occurs against the background of thrombophlebitis, when the metabolism is disturbed due to an inflamed varicose vein, and the tissues are exposed to prolonged oxygen starvation. As a result, areas of dead cells appear on the surface of the skin, which eventually turn into a large ulcer. Trophic ulcers are difficult to treat, the average duration of treatment for such ulcers and necrosis is 3-4 months.
• Thrombosis.The most dangerous complication of varicose veins. This pathological condition is characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the deep veins, which disrupts blood flow. Deep vein thrombosis is particularly dangerous because even the most mundane household chores can rupture a blood clot, which can block the pulmonary artery or other vital vessel and lead to death. The presence of deep vein thrombosis means a lifelong limitation of the patient's motor activity.

It should be borne in mind that all the serious consequences of varicose veins occur against the background of a lack of treatment or as a result of improper treatment of the disease.

How do you treat varicose veins?

The disease is difficult to treat and in 80% of cases it returns even with careful and adequate therapy, since under no circumstances can the deformed vessels return to their former form. But you need to treat varicose veins! In advanced stages, the disease can have serious consequences, including death. The combination of modern methods of treatment and prevention of varicose veins can prevent the development of the disease and the occurrence of serious complications. Modern medicine offers several ways to deal with the disease.

1. compression therapy.It is performed with the help of special compression underwear. The basis of the therapy is the generation of pressure in the lower extremities. As a result of such treatment, venous circulation improves, valve functions are restored, excess fluid is removed, venous pressure in the legs decreases several times, joints become more mobile, and the rate of blood outflow increases. Compression therapy can be used as an independent treatment method and as an adjunct to other methods of treating varicose veins. Compression underwear is only prescribed by a doctor!
2. Medical therapy.It is prescribed by a doctor to relieve the symptoms of the disease, reduce blood viscosity, improve blood vessel elasticity and regeneration, increase metabolism and prevent blood clots from forming.
3. sclerotherapy.This is an innovative and minimally invasive technique, the undoubted advantage of which is not only a very good cosmetic effect, but also a noticeable reduction in the symptoms of the disease. To date, sclerotherapy is one of the most effective methods of combating varicose veins and related dysfunctions. The procedure consists in introducing special solutions into the damaged vein using a syringe with a thin needle. The injected drug clogs the vessel and thereby stops blood circulation in it. This is the main goal of manipulation - to remove the problem area from the general circulation.
4. Surgical intervention.It is indicated at stages when the disease significantly affects the quality of life and threatens the development of dangerous complications. Surgical intervention in most cases includes several different methods at once, the main goal of which is to reduce the symptoms of the disease, improve the patient's quality of life and prevent the development of complications.

In modern medicine, there are quite a number of effective methods of treating varicose veins. The most important thing that doctors demand is: No self-medication! When the first unpleasant symptoms appear, such as heaviness and pain in the legs, night cramps, the formation of a vascular network and others, consult a phlebologist (vascular surgeon). The doctor will conduct an examination, if necessary, prescribe an additional examination and treatment.