Varicose veins of the lower extremities-spider veins (web-like) and dilated saphenous veins appear on the legs. This disease is common among adults, and women are more common than men.
This disease is translated from Latin and literally means: abdominal distension, dilation.
Each patient's first feeling of this disease is very different, but the feeling of heavy legs, rapid fatigue, and pain along the length of the vein unites everyone.
Treatment should be chosen by an experienced doctor who can objectively assess the stage and development of the disease.
Pathology is usually just a cosmetic defect, but in some cases, it can lead to serious complications and persistent disability.
What is varicose veins and the mechanism of pathological development
Some people may face a more unpleasant situation after the age of 40-varicose veins on their legs. The small purple blood vessels that penetrate the skin, woven into spider webs or similar to dense branches, are a serious beauty problem for many people, especially women. The "ubiquitous" vascular network (in medicine, the term telangiectasia is used) is the expansion of tiny veins less than 1 mm in diameter located in the thickness of the skin. This is one of the signs of varicose veins in a person's legs.
If the nodes start to protrude above the surface of the skin, are soft to the touch, and become more obvious when a person is standing, then we can talk about another performance. This is already a more serious pathology-the expansion of the varicose veins of the great saphenous vein and its branches.
The veins in the legs are soft, thin-walled channels that return blood to the heart. To counteract gravity, nature provides them with valves to prevent the backflow (backflow) of blood. There are two venous systems in the lower extremities: superficial veins and deep veins. The first is represented by blood vessels under the skin, so they can be seen. The second is the deep veins of the legs, next to the muscle-thick bones. There is communication between these systems-perforating veins.
The inability of the valve to perform its function causes the blood to stagnate in the lower part, and its "excess" is drained from the deep to the superficial through the perforating vein. In turn, this increases the pressure on the venous system of the legs that is located under the skin. What makes her blood vessels respond to this is "peristalsis and elongation. "This is why varicose veins appear on the legs.
Reasons for development
There are many conditions that can cause damage to the valve and loss of elasticity of the blood vessel wall. The decisive cause of varicose veins in the legs is most often related to this disease:
- age. Over the years, our veins have lost their elasticity and started to expand. The valve will also be "rough", lose its elasticity, and stop performing its normal function.
- Pregnancy is accompanied by an increase in the amount of blood in the body, which also helps to slow down the movement of the lower limbs (the large uterus compresses the veins of the small pelvis). Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy also play a role. Usually, untreated varicose veins will disappear within 12 months after delivery.
The resulting telangiectasia (or, as many doctors mistakenly call it varicose capillaries), the cause of the face and legs is usually related to exposure to solar radiation. Therefore, women who want to avoid this beauty problem need to choose-beautiful tan or vascular network.
Risk factors
Varicose veins is a multifactorial pathology.
- ground. Women are more susceptible to this disease. Hormonal imbalances that occur during pregnancy, premenstruation, and menopause can be considered a risk factor because it relaxes the vein walls for a long time. Hormone replacement therapy or long-term use of birth control pills can also increase the risk of "suffering" varicose veins.
- Genetic.
- obesity.
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time (office workers, surgeons, drivers).
- Abuse of alcohol. Alcohol is also related to varicose veins.
Symptoms and diagnosis
At first, this disease may not cause any discomfort, but it can be suspected when the following symptoms appear:
- The formation of spider veins, the webs on the legs (pink, blue, purple intradermal blood vessels dilate);
- The vein becomes "twisted", protruding above the surface of the skin, like a rope, being interrupted by knots.
After that, the following symptoms may appear:
- Tired legs
- Burning, throbbing, muscle cramps and swelling of the lower limbs;
- If a person stands or sits for a long time, the manifestation of the disease will worsen;
- Itching around "swollen" blood vessels;
- Bleeding from varicose veins;
- Pain in the blood vessel and local hardening;
- Changes in skin color or ulcers in the ankle area.
The disease is diagnosed based on the data obtained during the examination and questioning of the patient. In order to assess the severity of the pathology (how the valve functions, whether there are blood clots in the veins), Doppler ultrasound is usually sufficient.
Pathological treatment
If the diagnosis is "varices of the legs", this does not mean that a long-term hospitalization is required. Due to modern minimally invasive surgery, pathology is usually treated in an outpatient clinic.
Change lifestyle or help yourself
There are several self-help methods to reduce the discomfort of varicose veins and help prevent varicose veins from getting worse. Here are some of them:
- Exercise regularly. Move as much as possible. Regular walking is a good physical activity that can improve blood circulation in the legs. How much load will be optimal-you can ask your doctor about this.
- Continue to control your weight. Excessive weight will adversely affect the blood vessels in your legs. Don't forget about salt. Excessive intake of salt can cause fluid retention and increase intravenous load.
- Pay attention to what you wear. Compared with high-heeled shoes, low-heeled shoes make the muscles of the legs-the vein pump-gastrocnemius muscle work. Avoid wearing tight pants on the groin and waist, as this will affect blood flow.
- Keep your feet up as much as possible. To do this, several times a day, you need to take a break, raise your legs above the level of your heart, for example, lie down and put them on a pillow.
- Avoid sitting or standing for a long time.
Compression therapy
Usually, the initial stage of varicose veins of the lower extremities is treated with compression stockings. External compression prevents swelling of the veins, thereby improving the flow of blood in the blood vessels.
Additional treatment for more serious conditions
If lifestyle changes and compression stockings do not improve symptoms, and if the stage of varicose veins (compensation and decompensation) does not allow self-coping with the pathology, the following treatment options can solve the problem:
- Sclerotherapy.This operation does not require extensive anesthesia and is performed in an outpatient clinic. The doctor injects a special substance (sclerosing agent) into the varicose veins to stick to the vein wall.
- Foam sclerotherapy.Unlike the usual technique, in this technique, the sclerosing agent is injected into the vein after being mixed with gas (usually air), which makes it possible to treat larger diameter veins.
- Laser surgery. . . The new technology to remove small varicose veins and vascular networks does not require skin incisions and vascular perforations.
- Intravenous radiofrequency or laser ablationA technique involving the introduction of a catheter into a venous cavity, with a radio frequency or laser energy transmitter at its tip.
- Safeno-femoral ligation and saphenous vein stripping. . . The first procedure involves bandaging and removing the upper part of the vein. In the second procedure, a special probe is inserted into the vessel lumen (two incisions are initially formed: one in the groin area and the second at the level of the upper third of the calf) and extend it along its entire length. Then it is removed along with the dilated vein.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy. . . The doctor removes the dilated venules and makes several micro incisions in the skin at the same time. Scars are usually almost invisible.
- Endoscopic vein surgery. . . usually when the patient has late varicose veins (ulcers) or when the previous treatments are ineffective.
Varicose veins during pregnancy usually disappear without any treatment within 12 months after delivery.
Alternative medicine
There are many alternative treatments for chronic venous insufficiency (a condition related to varicose veins). The following remedies are most commonly used for this pathology:
- Butcher's broom
- Grapes (leaf, juice, seed extract);
- Horse chestnut
- Sweet clover.
Before using any herbal or dietary supplements, you need to make sure that these supplements are compatible with your doctor's prescription drugs and are safe for your particular situation. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before taking them.
prevention
There is no universal and guaranteed method to prevent the development of varicose veins in the legs. Nevertheless, there are some preventive measures that can help reduce the chance of new manifestations of the disease and improve its symptoms. Here are some of them:
- Physical activity (regular exercise, "participation" of the legs, such as walking or running, improving blood circulation in the lower limbs, strengthening blood vessels).
- Weight control (extra weight increases the load on the lower limbs (venous pressure).
- Do not cross your legs when sitting.
- During the rest period, raise them above the level of the heart.
- Try to avoid standing or sitting motionless.
- Diet (less salt and more fiber).
It is also worthwhile to rinse your feet with cold water after showering or bathing. Try to go to the bathroom or sauna as little as possible.
Varicose veins in the legs are a common problem. The incidence rate is between 10% and 20% in men and 33% in women. Unfortunately, a complete recovery from this disease is impossible. But new minimally invasive techniques used in medicine can improve symptoms. Early treatment in the early stages of the disease can prevent the development of serious complications.