Varicose veins in the lower extremities - appearance of spider sprouts (nets) and dilated saphenous veins on the legs. The disease, which is prevalent in the adult population, is more common in women than men.
The disease received this name when translated from Latin, literally meaning: bloating, expansion.
The first sensations with this disease are very different for each patient, but the feeling of heaviness in the legs, rapid fatigue, sore pain along the length of the vein unites everyone.
The treatment should be chosen by an experienced doctor who can objectively assess the stage of the disease and its development.
However, pathology, which is often only a cosmetic defect, can in some cases lead to serious complications and persistent disability.
What are varicose veins, the mechanisms of development of pathology
Some people after the age of 40 may be in a rather uncomfortable situation - the appearance of varicose veins on their legs. Small purple vessels that penetrate the skin, woven into cobwebs or resemble a densely branched tree are a serious cosmetic problem for many, especially for women. "Out of nowhere" vascular network (in medicine the term telangiectasia is used) is the dilation of tiny veins less than 1 millimeter in diameter located in the thickness of the skin. This is one of the signs that a person has varicose veins in the legs.
If nodules begin to protrude beyond the surface of the skin, soft to the touch, which become more noticeable when a person is standing, we can talk about another manifestation. This is already a more serious pathology - varicose vein enlargement of the large and small saphenous veins as well as their branches.
Veins in the legs are soft, thin-walled channels that return blood to the heart. To counteract gravity, nature has provided them with valves that prevent backflow (reflux) of blood. There are two venous systems on the lower extremities: superficial and deep. The first is represented by the vessels that are under the skin so that they can be seen. The other is the deep veins of the leg, which lie next to the bones in the muscle thickness. There is communication between these systems - perforation of veins.
The inability of the valves to perform their function leads to stagnation of blood in the lower parts, discharge of its "excess" through the perforation veins from deep to superficial. This in turn creates increased pressure in the venous system of the leg, which is located under the skin. What makes her vessels respond to this is "twisting and lengthening". And therefore varicose veins occur in the legs.
Reasons for development
There are many conditions that lead to valve damage and loss of elasticity in the vessel wall. There are crucial causes of varicose veins in the legs, which are most often associated with this disease:
- Age. Over the years, our veins lose their elasticity and begin to expand. The valves also "coarser", lose elasticity and cease to perform their function normally.
- Pregnancy is accompanied by an increase in the amount of blood in the body and also helps to slow down the movement in the lower extremities (the large uterus presses on the veins in the small pelvis). Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy also play a role. As a rule, the symptoms of varicose veins are resolved without treatment within 12 months after birth.
The resulting telangiectasia (or, as many doctors mistakenly call them, capillary varicose veins), the causes of the appearance of the face and legs are often associated with exposure to solar radiation. Therefore, women who want to avoid this cosmetic problem should choose - either a beautiful tan or a vascular net.
Risk factors
Varicose veins are a multifactorial pathology.
- Floor. Women are more likely to develop this disease. Hormonal imbalances that occur during pregnancy, premenstrual period and menopause can be considered a risk factor because it relaxes the vein wall for a long time. Hormone therapy or long-term use of birth control pills also increases the risk of "getting" varicose veins.
- Heredity.
- Obesity.
- Prolonged standing or sitting (office workers, surgeons, drivers).
- Alcohol abuse. Alcohol and varicose veins also have a specific connection.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Initially, the disease must not cause discomfort, it may be suspected when the following symptoms occur:
- the formation of spiders, nets on the legs (enlargement of the intradermal vessels with pink, blue, purple);
- veins become "twisted", protruding beyond the surface of the skin, like strings, interrupted by nodules.
Later, the following symptoms may join:
- tired legs;
- burning, throbbing, muscle cramps and swelling in the lower extremities;
- aggravation of the manifestations of the disease if a person is in a standing or sitting position for a long time;
- itching around "swollen" vessels;
- bleeding from varicose veins;
- painful, local hardening of the vessel site;
- changes in skin color or ulceration in the ankle area.
The disease is diagnosed on the basis of the data obtained during the examination and questioning of the patient. To assess the severity of the pathology (how the valves work, the presence of a blood clot in the veins), Doppler ultrasound is usually sufficient.
Pathology treatment
If a diagnosis is made of "varicose veins in the legs", it does not mean that a longer stay in the hospital is needed. Thanks to modern minimally invasive procedures, pathology is usually treated on an outpatient basis.
Change your lifestyle or help yourself
There are several self-help methods that reduce the discomfort of varicose veins and help prevent further varicose veins. Here are some of them:
- Regular exercise. Move as much as possible. Regular walking is a great physical activity that can improve blood circulation in your legs. How much load will be optimal - you can ask your doctor about this.
- Constant control over your weight if excess has a detrimental effect on the bench vessels. Do not forget salt, if excessive intake in the body causes fluid retention, which increases the load on the veins.
- Pay attention to what you are wearing. Shoes with low heels, unlike high heels, make the muscular venous pump on the legs work - the gastrocnemius muscle. Avoid wearing tight pants around the groin and waist, as this can impair blood flow.
- Keep your feet up as often as possible. To do this several times a day, take breaks and lift your legs above the level of the heart, for example, lie down and lay them on pillows.
- Avoid sitting or standing for a long time.
Compression therapy
Usually, the initial stages of varicose veins in the lower extremities are treated with compression stockings. External compression prevents the veins from swelling, which in turn improves blood movement through the vessels.
Additional treatments for a more serious situation
If lifestyle changes and the use of compression stockings do not improve the symptoms, and also if the stages of varicose veins (subcompensation and decompensation) do not allow to cope with the pathology on their own, the following treatment options come to the rescue:
- Sclerotherapy.The procedure, which does not require major anesthesia, is performed on an outpatient basis. The doctor injects a special substance (sclerosant) into the varicose veins, which glues the walls.
- Foam sclerotherapy.In contrast to the usual technique, the sclerosant in this technique is injected into a vein after mixing with a gas (normal air), which makes it possible to treat veins of larger diameter.
- Laser surgery. . . The new technology that removes small varicose veins and vascular networks is performed without skin incisions and carp piercing.
- Intravenous radiofrequency or laser ablation. . . A technique involving the insertion of a catheter into a lumen of a friend, at the tip of which a radio frequency or laser energy emitter is located.
- Safeno-femoral ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein. . . The first procedure involves bandaging and removing the upper part of the vein. During the second, a special probe is inserted into the lumen of the container (two incisions are made provisionally: one in the groin area, the other at the level of the upper third of the lower leg) and extends over its entire length. It is then removed along with the dilated vein.
- Outpatient phlebectomy. . . The doctor removes small dilated veins while making several micro-incisions in the skin. Scars are usually almost invisible.
- Endoscopic venous surgery. . . It is usually performed when the patient has an advanced stage of varicose veins in the lower extremities (ulcers occur) or previous treatment methods were ineffective.
Varicose veins that occur during pregnancy usually disappear without treatment within 12 months after birth.
Alternative medicine
There is a wide arsenal of alternative treatments for chronic venous insufficiency, a condition associated with varicose veins. The following agents are most commonly used for this pathology:
- butcher's broom;
- grapes (leaves, juice, seed extract);
- chestnut horses;
- sweet clover.
Before using herbs or supplements, make sure that these supplemental medicines are compatible with your doctor's prescribed medicine and are safe in your specific situation. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before taking them.
Prophylaxis
There is no universal, guaranteed way that could prevent the development of varicose veins on the legs. Nevertheless, there are preventative measures that help reduce the chances of getting new manifestations of the disease, improve its symptoms. Here are some of them:
- Physical activity (common sport where the legs are "involved", for example walking or running, improves blood circulation in the lower extremities, strengthens blood vessels).
- Weight control (extra kilos increase the load on the lower extremities (pressure in the veins).
- Do not cross your legs while sitting.
- During rest, raise them above the level of the heart.
- Try to avoid being in a motionless standing or sitting position.
- Diet (less salt and more fiber).
It is also worth rinsing your feet with cold water after a shower or a bath. Try to visit baths or saunas less often.
Varicose veins on the legs are a widespread problem, the incidence among men varies from 10 to 20%, and in women it reaches 33%. Unfortunately, it is impossible to fully recover from this disorder. However, 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.