Varicose veins, or more accurately, varicose veins, are a condition that affects only the venous system.Many people believe this is a selective foot disease.
But varicose veins occur not only in the lower limbs, but also in the pelvis.At the same time, it manifests itself as hemorrhoids, varicocele (dilated testicular veins) or masquerades as various gynecological diseases.Cirrhosis and esophageal varices bring a lot of trouble to patients.
causes of varicose veins
The task of the venous system is to ensure that the tissues use useful substances and transport blood to the heart so that the heart can receive oxygen and transport it to the lungs.Outflow is constant.The negative pressure created by the diaphragm and certain parts of the heart helps blood vessels.Because people spend most of their time in a vertical position, veins must overcome gravity to prevent blood from stagnating.To do this, they have a muscular frame and valves on the inner shell.
Varicose veins are the result of venous insufficiency.Damaging the wall structure can result in a loss of elasticity and a decrease in tone.Slow valves cannot retain blood, and excessive deposition (accumulation) occurs in distant areas of the body.
As blood flow slows down, favorable conditions are created for platelets to stick together and form clots.This situation becomes dangerous because the blood clot can break off at any time and enter important blood vessels and cause tissue death.
Another complication is infection of the delicate vein walls (phlebitis).This can lead to more negative symptoms.
One in five women and one in ten men will have signs of varicose veins.
The causes of the disease are usually divided into primary varicose veins and secondary varicose veins.
- Primary lesions are associated with structural disorders of the vein wall.
- In minor cases, the valve gear changes.
When this happens:
- Genetic predisposition related to the lack of collagen in the body, which ensures the elasticity of the wall or its synthetic components;
- Endocrine disorders caused by long-term use of hormonal drugs (contraceptive pills, steroid drugs);
- strenuous physical activity;
- Forced to work standing for long periods of time;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Pregnant;
- smoking;
- Leg injury.
Taking into account the listed factors that contribute to the disease, it is possible to identify risk groups that include future patients with varicose veins, regardless of age:
- Occupations that require standing for long periods of time (salespeople, teachers, hairdressers);
- Immobility of body position (vehicle driver, sitting in front of computer) - legs and pelvis stagnant;
- The habit of wearing high heels - redistributes body weight and increases vascular load;
- Athletes - weightlifting, bodybuilding, wrestling, tennis can put a lot of pressure on the legs;
- People wearing tight underwear, stockings with elastic bands, girdles, belts - any constriction can help slow the flow of blood;
- The habit of sitting cross-legged for a long time will block the superficial veins of the calf and promote stasis.
- Passion for alcoholic beverages and coffee can cause dehydration in the body, so the blood thickens and slows the flow through the blood vessels.
disease symptoms
In the case of varicose veins, the most "unfavorable" blood circulation conditions are created in the peripheral tissues.Therefore, varicose veins in the legs are the most common manifestation of the disease.
- Leg pain and fatigue can occur at the end of the work day.
- Burning sensation.
- Cramps when walking or at night.
- The feet swell at night and the patient notices that the shoes they usually wear are too tight.
- "Vessel spiders" appear on legs.
- Darkening and dryness of the skin of feet and legs.
- Nutritional ulcers of the feet.
The above signs have developed gradually over the years.
The presence of "visible" symptoms indicates progressive vascular damage.
treat
Treatment of varicose veins cannot eliminate the patient's disease, but it can help prevent serious complications and slow the further progression of the disease.
What habits do you need to break?
When treating varicose veins, ask yourself this question: "What should you change in your daily life?" The following tips will help you:
- It is prohibited to go to bathhouses, steam rooms, and hot baths;
- Limit the consumption of hard alcoholic beverages and beer;
- gradually quit smoking;
- Control your posture when sitting and don't cross your legs;
- Stop constricting anything with belts, girdles, and special undergarments;
- Get rid of excess weight;
- Avoid tight shoes and high heels;
- Make a habit of rinsing your feet with cold water after your evening shower and resting your feet on a pillow while relaxing at home.
Motor mode
Taking into account the risk factors, it is necessary for people working in "dangerous" occupations to take a break with foot massage: the driver gets out of the car and walks around, the hairdresser sits on a chair and massages the legs from bottom to top with gentle stroking movements.
It is necessary to walk as much as possible, the work of the leg muscles promotes the outflow of blood.
Morning exercises should include lying on your back, raising your legs, pulling your toes toward you, and tightening your arches.
Recommended exercises include swimming and cycling.
diet
Food choices for treating varicose veins are related to the need to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and limit spicy and salty foods that retain fluid.
You should limit any form of fatty meats, spicy seasonings, smoked foods, butter, cheese, mayonnaise, candy, and carbonated drinks.
Incorporate vegetables and fruits, grains, dairy products, green or herbal tea, vegetable oils, onions and garlic into your daily diet.
Conservative means
To support venous blood flow, it is recommended to bandage the leg from the toes to mid-thigh.Wearing special compression socks is much more convenient.They are sold in chain pharmacies and come in sizes.Your doctor can help you choose knee socks.
Any advertised medication or ointment is effective only in the initial stages of the disease, when patients notice increased leg fatigue.Doctors will recommend the most modern and effective medications.During the "visual" stage, their use is effectively useless.
Phlebologists treat varicose veins.They believe that approximately 95% of cases can be compensated for by less invasive methods, with only 5% requiring surgical intervention.
A low-invasive approach to treating varicose veins
These surgeries require no skin incisions at all or involve small incisions.They are performed on an outpatient basis and are painless.Patients will not experience any restrictions and can carry out their daily tasks.
laser ablation
Under local anesthesia, the light guide is carefully inserted into the varicose vein area and the circular laser is turned on during the reverse movement.The process can take up to two hours.The laser beam causes burns and further hardening of the inner shell.For treating veins of any diameter.
Sclerotherapy
A substance is injected into the patient's affected blood vessels, causing the vessel walls to collapse and then harden.Currently, the clinic uses foam formulations that are safe for the body.Used when diameter does not exceed one centimeter.After surgery, it is recommended to walk for an hour.You will need to wear the compression stockings for another month.
microphlebectomy
After local anesthesia, a small incision (no more than a few millimeters) is made in the skin, and a special hook is used to grasp the diseased vein, remove it and remove it.You can remove any size blood vessel this way.There will be noticeable bruising at the incision site for a few days after surgery.A small scar will form.You need to wear compression stockings for about 10 days.
radiofrequency ablation
This method is similar to laser, but here a microwave radiofrequency-exposed catheter is inserted into the area of varicose veins.It is believed to not cause burns and is safe for surrounding tissue.After half an hour of exposure, the lumen of the blood vessel was "sealed".After a week, you can participate in sports.
surgical treatment
Surgery to remove an enlarged vein or an entire bundle of veins is called a phlebectomy.Hospitalization required.Use general anesthesia.Make two skin incisions (in the groin and below the knee).Surface branches are tied.The entire vein is removed and excised.After surgery, the patient must be observed in the hospital for about a week.Postoperative suturing is monitored, and medications that slow blood clotting are prescribed to prevent blood clots.The stitches are removed after 7-10 days.
Contraindications to phlebectomy:
- Damage to both superficial and deep veins simultaneously;
- Aged over 75 years old;
- Various skin diseases at the surgical site;
- neoplastic diseases;
- Pregnant;
- Atherosclerosis of blood vessels in the lower extremities;
- Severe diabetes.
traditional healing methods
Traditional methods are best used in conjunction with medications in the early stages of the disease.
Leech therapy (the use of leeches) is an ancient and proven method.The enzymes leeches secrete into the bloodstream help relieve inflammation and tighten blood vessel walls.
It is recommended to use herbal decoctions and tinctures in the form of compresses on the area of varicose veins.For this purpose, the following ingredients are used: chamomile flowers, calendula, St. John's wort, yarrow, wormwood leaves, horse chestnut, burdock.It is recommended to take walnuts and garlic internally.
The choice of treatment for varicose veins is a matter for the experienced surgeon.Seeing your doctor promptly and following recommendations will help prevent serious consequences of the disease.