Varicose veins of the lower extremities: symptoms and treatment

What do we think when we hear the wordvaricose veins"First of all, ugly feet have a purple-blue color, which are covered with many tubercles and a vascular network that is visible through the skin. Many of us consider varicose veins as a purely aesthetic pathology that does not require special treatment. There is a view that you can live with varicose veins for many years, that this disease does not progress and does not lead to serious consequences, remaining only an external defect. Unfortunately, this view is not only wrong, but also dangerous.

To understand why varicose veins are dangerous, there are ways to avoid it, why the disease should be treated if it has already occurred and, most importantly, how to do it, we turned to a venologist for advice. We talk about the mechanisms of occurrence of the disease, the ways of prevention, the characteristics of the lifestyle in the presence of this diagnosis and the 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 pathology between the contemporaries of the Pharaohs and the builders of the famous pyramids. Hippocrates and Avicenna, people who were recognized as the best doctors of antiquity, were looking for ways to successfully treat varicose veins. What about varicose veins? Why does the disease occur?

Normally, in the human body, blood moves through the veins from the bottom up - from the tissues to the heart and lungs, and our muscle contractions help with that. But due to the force of gravity, which affects all aspects of human existence, the liquid logically tends to descend. The special valves in our veins do not allow it. They open in the direction of blood flow and close to keep it out. Thus, under the "sensitive guidance" of the valves in the veins, the blood is directed where it is needed.

But quite often, for some reason, the function of the valves is stopped, they do not close completely and the blood continues to flow down through the veins. The vessels can not contain all the blood, they stretch and protrude above the skin with tuberculosis. Most often, the outer thin veins of the legs are affected in this way and the disease "varicose veins" appears.

Causes of the disease

There are several causes of varicose veins and all of them are known in medicine.

1. hereditary predisposition.Heredity is one of the most common causes of the disease. Scientists have identified the so-called "varicose vein gene", which is responsible for its appearance. Therefore, if your relatives have problems with veins, it is necessary to be examined by a venologist as soon as possible. After all, the disease can occur at any time, even at a very young age. Varicose veins are insidious in that the visible symptoms appear much later than the disease itself.
2. Weakness of the vascular walls and the valve device.Many chronic diseases (pyelonephritis, rheumatism, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, etc. ), hormonal changes and metabolic disorders, unhealthy lifestyle, physical inactivity, lower extremity injuries, women taking hormonal contraceptives.
3. Occupations associated with long stay in a static position(standing or sitting). Developers, drivers, hairdressers, salespeople, carpenters, carpenters and many more are at risk for varicose veins.
4. Pregnancy. Even if there are no inherited causes of the disease in the history of the expectant mother, during pregnancy the risk of "profitability" of varicose veins increases significantly. Why does it happen? The synthesized "pregnancy hormones" affect the smooth muscles, relaxing the tone of the venous walls. The volume of circulating blood increases, thus increasing the pressure on the vascular walls and the valvular apparatus. The rapid weight gain of a woman during pregnancy puts unusually strong pressure on the legs and, consequently, on the veins.
5. Excess weight.With overweight, deformation of the vascular wall occurs due to heavy load, increased vascular pressure and pressure on the surrounding tissues. Being overweight raises blood pressure, makes it harder for blood to flow to the heart, and causes venous congestion.
6. Gender and age.According to statistics, more than 70% of varicose veins occur in women of reproductive age. But cases of the disease are not uncommon in men, children and adolescents. Therefore, if annoying symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a venologist, regardless of the sex and age of the patient.

Symptoms of the disease

As mentioned above, the disease in the early stages is asymptomatic or disguised as ordinary fatigue: after a working day, the legs are swollen and swollen, but by morning or after a long rest, everything subsides. There may also be convulsions at night, itching and burning in the lower extremities, a feeling of heaviness in them. Such symptoms, as a rule, do not cause concern and are deleted as common overwork. The early stage of varicose veins does not reduce the physical activity of the person, it 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 tuberculosis appear in the lower extremities, the swelling does not subside even after a long rest, the intense pain appears after a short walk, forcing a personto change the usual way of life, to reduce physical activity to a minimum, which leads to even more severe stagnation of blood and, consequently, to worsening of the disease.

Why is varicose veins dangerous?

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

• Venous bleeding.It occurs due to the fact that the normal connective tissue of the vascular walls gradually changes its properties, becoming brittle and inelastic. Even the slightest physical effort (for example, coughing or sneezing) can lead to blood vessel rupture and serious consequences in the form of bleeding.
• Eczema and dermatitis.They occur due to reduced blood supply, prolonged oxygen starvation. Small blisters, scales, crusts appear on the skin of the affected limb, accompanied by intense itching.
• Thrombophlebitis.It 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 arch pain in the affected area, persistent swelling and complete restriction of motor activity.
• Necrosis and food ulcers.One of the most serious complications of varicose veins. Such a pathological process occurs in the background of thrombophlebitis, when, due to inflammation of the varicose veins, the metabolism is disturbed and the tissues experience prolonged oxygen starvation. As a result, areas of dead cells appear on the surface of the skin, which eventually turn into a large ulcer. Food ulcers are difficult to treat, the average treatment period 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 dangerous, first of all, because in the process of the most common household activities, a blood clot can break, which can lead to blockage of a pulmonary artery or other vital vessel and cause death. The presence of deep vein thrombosis means a lifelong restriction of the patient's motor activity.

It should be noted that all the serious consequences of varicose veins occur in the context of lack of treatment or as a result of incorrect treatment of the disease.

How to treat varicose veins?

The disease is difficult to treat and in 80% of cases it returns even with careful and adequate treatment, because the deformed vessels will not be able to take their previous shape under any circumstances. But you need to cure varicose veins! As the advanced stages of the disease can lead to serious consequences and even 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 various ways to treat the disease.

1. Compression therapy.It is done with the help of special compression underwear. The basis of treatment is the creation of pressure on the lower extremities. As a result of such treatment, venous circulation is improved, valve function is restored, excess fluid is removed, venous pressure in the legs is reduced several times, joints become more mobile and blood flow rate increases. Compression therapy can be used as an independent treatment and as an adjunct to other varicose vein treatments. Compression underwear is only prescribed by a doctor!
2. Medical treatment.It is prescribed by a doctor to relieve the symptoms of the disease, reduce blood viscosity, improve elasticity and regenerate blood vessels, increase metabolism and prevent the formation of blood clots.
3. Sclerotherapy.It is an innovative and minimally invasive technique, the undoubted advantage of which is not only the very good cosmetic result, but also the noticeable reduction of the symptoms of the disease. To date, sclerotherapy is one of the most effective ways to fight varicose veins and related functional disorders. The procedure consists of inserting special solutions with a syringe with a fine needle into the damaged vein. The injectable drug clogs the blood vessel, thus stopping blood flow to it. This is the main goal of the manipulation - to remove the problem area from the general traffic.
4. Surgery.It is indicated in stages where the disease significantly degrades the quality of life and threatens the development of dangerous complications. Surgery in most cases involves many different methods at the same time, the main purpose of which is to reduce the symptoms of the disease, improve the patient's quality of life and prevent the development of complications.

There are many effective ways to treat varicose veins in modern medicine. The main thing that doctors ask is: do not self-medicate! When the first unpleasant symptoms appear, such as weight and pain in the legs, night cramps, formation of a vascular network, etc. , consult a venologist (vascular surgeon). The doctor will perform an examination, if necessary, will prescribe an additional examination and treatment.