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, which are covered with many tubercles and a vascular network that is visible through the skin. Many of us think of varicose veins as an exclusively cosmetic pathology that does not require treatment There is an opinion that you can live with varicose veins for many years, that this disease does not progress and does not have serious consequences, being only an external defect. . . 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 should be treated if it has already appeared, and most importantly, how to do it, we turn to a phlebologist for advice. We talked about the mechanisms of the appearance of the disease, ways to prevent it, features of lifestyle in the presence of 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 pathology among the contemporaries of the pharaohs and the builders of the famous pyramids. Hippocrates and Avicenna, people recognized as the best doctors of ancient times, were looking for ways to successfully treat varicose veins. What happens with 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 the contractions of our muscles help in this. But due to the force of gravity, which affects all aspects of human existence, the liquid logically tends to go down. The special valves that are in our veins do not allow it to do this. They open in the direction of blood flow and close to prevent blood from entering. Thus, under the "sensitive guidance" of the valves that exist in the veins, the blood is directed to where it is needed.

But very often, for some reason, the operation of the valves is disrupted, they do not close completely, and blood still flows through the veins. The vessels cannot contain all the blood, they stretch and protrude above the skin with tubercles. In most cases, the outer thin veins of the legs are affected in this way and the disease "varicose veins" occurs.

Causes of the disease

There are quite a few causes of varicose veins, and all of them 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 "varicose vein gene", which is responsible for their appearance. Therefore, if your relatives had any problems with the veins, you need to be examined by a phlebologist as soon as possible. After all, the disease can manifest itself at any age, even at a very young age. Varicose veins are insidious because the 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 lifestyles, physical inactivity, lower extremity injuries, 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, salespeople, carpenters, carpenters and many others are at risk of varicose veins.
4. The pregnancy. Even if there are no hereditary causes of the disease in the anamnesis of the future mother, during pregnancy the risk of "winning" varicose veins increases significantly. Why it happens? Synthesized "pregnancy hormones" affect the muscles of smooth muscle, 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. Overweight.With excess weight, deformation of the vascular wall occurs due to a large load, vascular pressure and pressure on surrounding tissues increase. With excess weight, blood pressure increases, the movement of blood to the heart is hindered, 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, a consultation with a phlebologist is necessary, regardless of the patient's gender and age.

disease symptoms

As we said earlier, the disease in the early stages is either asymptomatic or disguised as ordinary fatigue: after a day's work, the legs buzz and swell, but in the morning or after a long rest, everything disappears. There may also be nocturnal seizures, itching and burning in the lower extremities, a feeling of heaviness in them. Such symptoms, as a rule, do not cause concern and are dismissed as banal overwork. The early stage of varicose veins does not reduce the physical activity of a person, 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 occurs 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, consequently, to the aggravation 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 due to their complications.

• Venous bleeding.It occurs due to the fact that the normal connective tissue of the vascular walls gradually changes its properties, becomes brittle and inelastic. Even the slightest physical exertion (for example, coughing or sneezing) can lead to rupture of the vessel and serious consequences in the form of bleeding.
• Eczema and dermatitis.It occurs due to impaired blood supply, prolonged lack of oxygen. On the skin of the limb affected by varicose veins, small bubbles, scales, 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 appears as a consequence of varicose veins. The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature up to 38-39°C, acute arch pain 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, due to an inflamed varicose vessel, the metabolism is disturbed, and the tissues experience a prolonged lack of oxygen. 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 period 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 dangerous, first of all, because in the process of the most banal household activities, a blood clot can break, which can lead to blockage of the pulmonary artery or another vital vessel and lead to death. The presence of deep vein thrombosis supposes a lifelong restriction of the patient's motor activity.

It should be noted that all serious consequences of varicose veins occur against the background 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 therapy, because the deformed vessels will not be able to take their former form under any circumstances. But you need to treat varicose veins! Since 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 several ways to treat the disease.

1. compression therapy.It is carried out with the help of special compression underwear. The basis of therapy is the creation of pressure on 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, the joints become more mobile, and the rate of blood flow increases. . Compression therapy can be used as a stand-alone 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 the elasticity and regeneration of blood vessels, increase metabolism and prevent the formation of blood clots.
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 ways to combat varicose veins and related functional disorders. The procedure involves the introduction of special solutions with a syringe with a fine needle into the damaged vein. The injected drug binds the vessel, thereby stopping blood circulation in it. This is the main goal of the 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 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 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 additional examination and treatment.