The circulatory system consists of two types of blood vessels: arteries and veins that carry blood from the heart to the organs. The venous system in the human body performs the function of returning blood from tissues and organs to the heart.
Each vein, large or small, consists of a wall and a blood-filled lumen, and is equipped with a venous valve that prevents blood from flowing down (the blood flow through the veins of the lower limbs usually moves from bottom to top). Venous diseases are usually caused by abnormalities in the vein wall and valve structure. One of the most common venous diseases is varicose veins.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins is a disease accompanied by weakness of vein walls and venous valves. As a result, blood flow slows down and blood stays in the veins, causing them to expand, forming a network of veins and venous nodes. Women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men (due to the effect of estrogen on the vein wall and the increased pressure in the venous system during pregnancy). The risk of varicose veins increases with age (due to the loss of elasticity of the veins), so varicose veins are extremely rare in children and adolescents.
Because the load of the veins of the lower body is greater than the load of the veins of the upper body, varicose veins will appear in the leg and pelvic organ area. Varicose veins of the lower extremities usually affect the superficial (external) veins of the legs. There are several types of varicose veins in the superficial veins of the legs:
- Spider veins (dilation of small intradermal veins);
- Reticular varicose veins (the small saphenous vein and the great saphenous vein of the great saphenous vein system are damaged, forming venous knots);
- Non-saphenous varicose veins (varices that do not belong to the vessels of the small saphenous vein and the great saphenous vein).
Small pelvic varicose veins are a kind of internal varicose veins, represented by inguinal varicose veins, uterine varicose veins, and penile varicose veins. One of the common types of varicocele in men is varicocele (varices of the testicles), which manifests as scrotal pain, sexual dysfunction, and premature ejaculation.
Signs of varicose veins
In the initial stage, varicose veins are asymptomatic. Signs of varicose veins appear when the affected blood vessels can no longer cope with the function of blood flow.
Varicose veins can cause blood to stagnate in the dilated area. Symptoms of varicose veins include:
- A visually distinct network of blood vessels and raised veins appear (in contrast to atherosclerosis, which is a chronic arterial disease in which blood flow to the lower limbs is impaired);
- A feeling of heaviness in the legs and swollen veins;
- Swelling of the legs;
- Itchy and dark skin on the legs above the varicose veins.
Varicose veins are a chronic, ongoing disease that can lead to the formation of venous insufficiency (dysfunction of the venous system). The progression of varicose veins proceeds in stages:
- First-degree varicose veins (increased veins are asymptomatic);
- Second-degree varicose veins (edema, heaviness of the legs, itching);
- Third-degree varicose veins (continuous interference with edema and severity, skin ulcers, pain in the affected vein area).
Symptoms of varicose veins usually worsen at night and worsen after strenuous exercise. In summer, the signs of varicose veins are more obvious than in winter (because in hot weather, there is a tendency for blood vessels to dilate and blood viscosity to increase).
Why do varicose veins appear?
There is no single cause for the appearance of varicose veins. Overweight, intense physical exertion, work related to sitting for long periods of time, genetic susceptibility to venous valve weakness, and venous inflammation promote the development of varicose veins. Varicose veins in women usually occur during pregnancy and after childbirth, because the enlarged uterus and the tension during childbirth increase the load on the female venous system.
Complications of varicose veins
Due to the long-term progression of varicose veins, varicose veins can have unpleasant consequences. One of the complications of varicose veins is the appearance of blood clots (blood clots) in the dilated venous lumen. The blood clots fall off and follow the blood flow to the smaller blood vessels and block them, causing thrombosis. Due to chronic venous insufficiency, skin dystrophies can develop: ulcers appear on enlarged veins, heal poorly and are susceptible to infection.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
Phlebologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins. During the consultation, the phlebologist examines the veins and palpates (feel them), and measures the circumference of the left and right legs to reveal hidden edema.
For the diagnosis of varicose veins, Doppler ultrasound (blood flow measurement) is also prescribed for ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the blood vessels. Ultrasound can not only show the vein wall, but also determine whether there is a blood clot in the lumen of a varicose vein.
Varicose veins treatment method
In phlebology, the methods of treating varicose veins include conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Conservative (non-surgical) treatment of varicose veins includes the use of drugs and the wearing of medical compression underwear. The correct choice of therapy can reduce the symptoms of varicose veins and prevent the emergence of new varicose veins. However, the existing venous diseases can only be eliminated by surgery.
The surgical treatment of varicose veins is to remove the dilated veins (phlebectomy). An alternative to phlebectomy is a minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins. Minimally invasive surgical methods for the treatment of varicose veins include sclerotherapy and laser treatment of varicose veins.
Laser treatment of varicose veins
Laser treatment of varicose veins is performed by intravenous laser coagulation: under ultrasound control, electrodes are inserted into the venous lumen, and the inner surface of the vein wall is burnt with the laser. Due to laser burning, the vein wall coagulates, and then the vein shrinks on its own. Minimally invasive laser treatment of varicose veins is performed under local anesthesia. The advantage of laser treatment of varicose veins is that there are no scars and the operation is relatively (compared to removing the vein) painless.
Minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins is performed in an outpatient clinic (no hospitalization required). Recovery after laser treatment of varicose veins is usually no more than one month. During this period, a compression bandage must be worn and movement restricted.
To prevent varicose veins, you should lose weight, avoid lifting heavy objects and sitting for a long time, and wear loose clothes. In order to prevent varicose veins in the early stage of the disease, it is helpful to wear special medical pressure underwear and moderate physical activities (walking, swimming, exercise).
Top Questions
What can't varicose veins do?
Varicose veins is a disease, and its development is closely related to lifestyle. In the case of varicose veins, you cannot lift weights and engage in exercises that increase the load on the blood vessels of the lower body (heavy weight exercises). Prolonged sitting posture must be ruled out (if you work in an office, you have to sit for a long time-take a five-minute walk or exercise every hour), and try not to wear tight clothes.
How to treat varicose veins on women's legs?
Because of varicose veins in the legs, women should consult a phlebologist. If you have varicose veins on your legs or thighs, your doctor will help you choose the necessary pressure underwear. In the case of indications (signs of venous insufficiency, prominent venous nodules, aesthetic discomfort), surgical removal of varicose veins may be recommended. The doctor will decide which type of intervention to recommend for women based on the results of the examination and examination.
How to treat varicose veins at home?
Varicose veins is a vein disease and should be treated by a phlebologist. Most phlebologist appointments can be done at home: do a special exercise to improve blood flow from the lower limbs and pelvis, wear pressure underwear and take medication prescribed by the doctor. It is ineffective to self-treat varicose veins with folk remedies. Contacting veins with herbal dressings can cause skin ulcers.