Varicose veins of the legs, or varicose veins of the legs (from the Latin varicis - "swollen") is a disease of the blood vessels of the lower extremities in which the outflow of blood is disturbed due to malfunctioning venous valves: thedilated veins. , elongated, begins to bulge from under the skin, forming nodules. Varicose veins bring great discomfort due to edema, pain and danger of formation of blood clots and trophic ulcers. This disease in severe cases, alas, can lead to disability.
The disease is extremely common - more than 60% of the world population suffers from it). It has haunted mankind, apparently since its appearance: varicose veins mentioned in the Old Testament, archaeologists found during excavations in Egypt a mummy with trophic ulcersIn legs with treatment marks, signs of varicose veins can be seen on the legs of ancient statues, and according to written evidence, the ancient healers Avicenna and Hippocrates were searching formethod of treatment of varicose veins. That's the price humanity has paid for going straight, scientists say, as the disease is less common in other species.
Although women experience varicose veins more often than men - due to childbirth and hormonal problems during menopause - varicose veins in men often progress more quickly and have serious consequences. much heavier. This is due to the fact that so-called "male" jobs often involve heavy lifting and traditional stereotypes that urge men to ignore mild pains.
Cause of disease
Since varicose veins in the legs are caused by too high blood pressure in the vessels, the following factors, along with congenital weakness of the connective tissue, can cause:
- standing for long time, standing work. Varicose veins of the legs are considered an occupational disease of service staff, because they have to walk with heavy trays, hairdressers and surgeons have to perform standing work for many hours continuously;
- Sitting for a long time on the chair and lying down for a long time with the legs bent, the blood vessels are compressed and blood circulation is impaired;
- overweight,
- pregnancy - the weight of a woman grows quite quickly, at the same time the pressure on the legs increases, hormonal changes during pregnancy also affect the vein walls;
- wear tights, socks with elastic bands and similar elements;
- lower motivation;
- overloading the body when playing sports, when doing work that involves frequent lifting of weights;
- malfunctions of the endocrine system, as well as various hormonal disorders, are common causes of varicose veins in the legs in women;
- foot injury, foot deformity.
Varicose veins leg
Varicose veins occur:
- Natural.The probability of inheriting this disease from parents is more than 70%. Congenital varicose veins can manifest themselves at any age, but as a rule it manifests itself in childhood, and in rare cases it even occurs in newborns. This form of the disease has additional unpleasant symptoms: a noticeable increase in the leg, sometimes hemangiomas (tumors of blood vessels) appear throughout the body. Hereditary varicose veins can also appear on the veins of internal organs;
- Primary venous insufficiency.This type of disease develops as a result of the reasons listed above;
- Secondary varicose veinsoften begins as a complication of venous thrombosis or trauma.
The disease is usually divided into the following stages:
- 0- asymptomatic, when the disorders begin to occur at the cellular level, but have not yet manifested themselves as symptoms have already formed;
- first- the appearance of noticeable symptoms, however, has little effect on the ability to work;
- 2At this stage, severe edema becomes permanent, nodules and trophic ulcers appear. The patient cannot do without special assistive equipment during the day;
- 3- serious complications, disability.
As you have seen, varicose veins of the legs is a rather dangerous disease, the treatment of the disease should be carried out from the moment the first signs appear to prevent unpredictable consequences.
Symptom
Although the symptoms vary from case to case, it is not difficult to recognize varicose veins of the legs. Its main manifestation, hence the name of the disease, is dilation of the veins in the legs. There may be "spider webs" or "asterisks" from the vessels under the skin - they will be more noticeable on women's legs, by the way. This is due to the fact that men have more "vegetation" on their legs, so the thin blood vessel fibers can go unnoticed.
The disease progresses slowly over many years, even decades. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms are few and generally non-specific: there is a feeling of heaviness, bloating, pain in the legs, sometimes burning, and nocturnal cramps. Swollen feet and ankles, and painful veins are particularly common symptoms with varicose veins in the legs. Initially, edema appears infrequently, is mild and disappears after horizontal rest, but if treatment and prevention measures are not taken, venous insufficiency will become chronic and edema occurs frequently. for no particular reason. These manifestations often increase in the evening, after a working day and even when it is hot.
Are varicose veins dangerous?
Often, the first signs of varicose veins of the legs are ignored, the disease is on the rise and irreversible processes begin, which lead to extremely unpleasant consequences: trophic ulcers and inflammationvenous occlusion.
A trophic ulcer is a painful, non-healing wound in the foot or lower leg caused by poor blood supply to the tissues. This rather painful disease manifests itself more often in older age and its treatment can last for the rest of your life.
Thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of the vein wall in which blood clots form a clot that blocks the vein lumen.
Signs of thrombophlebitis, which develop against the background of varicose veins, are as follows:
- fever, chills;
- lumps along the veins, quite painful
- Swollen limbs
Thrombophlebitis may develop chronically with periodic exacerbations, which may be referred to as purulent fusion of already formed thrombus (infectious thrombophlebitis) - followed by rapid spread of the infection throughout the bodybody with blood.
Important!A torn blood clot or part of it can enter the pulmonary artery, leading to a pulmonary embolism and often death. Do not let the disease go away on its own and do not ignore the supervision of a specialist!
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins is made by a vascular physician, who should be consulted if symptoms of this condition are present. Modern diagnostic methods (ultrasound angiography, Doppler ultrasound, . . . ) will determine the degree of influence of the veins and prescribe the correct treatment.
In the treatment of varicose veins, drug therapy and compression therapy are used in combination, as well as surgical methods that are considered the most effective.
There are many drugs that increase the tone of the venous walls, reduce their permeability, improve microcirculation and lymphatic drainage. It can be ointments, gels, tablets with different active ingredients - natural or synthetic origin.
Gels, ointments and creams are used in home therapy, which are applied to the affected areas of the vascular network. These drugs are divided into groups:
- Heparin ointment. Heparin has the effect of restoring and preventing blood stasis.
- Ointments and gels made on the basis of natural ingredients help to relieve fatigue, pain, strengthen blood vessels, they are recommended for use during pregnancy.
- In the treatment of thrombophlebitis, drugs based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
- Ointments and gels based on hormonal drugs also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Along with topical medications, for the best effect, venotonic tonics, serum thinners, blood thinners are prescribed, and if necessary, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed orally or as an injection. .
Compression therapy has been used for varicose veins of the legs since ancient times: Roman legionnaires bound their calves with bands of skin to prevent swelling and pain during long troop movements, andEgyptian pharaohs are sometimes depicted with elastic bandages on their hands. This simple method works by reducing the diameter of the superficial veins, which stimulates an acceleration of blood flow and reduces the amount of "ballast" blood in the legs.
Today, they not only use elastic bandages, but also use more comfortable compression knitwear. The bandage is applied from the toes to the mid-thigh. Both bandages and compression hosiery are worn in the morning in a horizontal position and worn all day, and removed at night.
Can be treated with folk remedies in combination with these herbs. Popular and to some extent effective remedies are horse chestnut infusion, garlic and lemon infusion, green tomato compress.
Green tomato paste is very good for the treatment of varicose veins in the legs.
However, when treating with folk remedies, you should be careful and approach the process with healthy criticism. If you go to any forum dedicated to this topic, then in addition to really good, tried and tested recipes you can find a lot of great ideas - from word compression tohorse manure comes to drink a decoction of poisonous plants, which can be equally useless and harmless, and can lead to serious harm to the body, for not only a therapist, but even ordinary people"troll Internet" or just someone with an unhealthy mentality can also write on the forum.
Important!After finding a new prescription on the Internet, before using the suggested remedy, be sure to consult your doctor.
It should be borne in mind that conservative treatment, like treatment with folk remedies, cannot cure varicose veins, but only slows its development and relieves symptoms.
Surgery
It is a very effective and minimally invasive surgery, using either laser therapy or endoscopic coagulation - it requires no incision and no inpatient hospitalisation. Under the action of the laser beam, a diseased vessel is "glued together", and the load is transferred to healthy vessels. Laser coagulation can be performed in the early stages of the disease. Produced under local anesthetic.
Also, in addition to laser therapy, coagulation (gluing) of diseased vessels is done using radiofrequency waves (radiofrequency coagulation) and by injecting a special substance (sclerotherapy). ).
Venous ablation is usually a simple surgery to remove varicose veins.
With varicose veins, a salt-free diet is indicated, and a suitable diet is also needed if the cause of varicose veins is overweight or diseases of the endocrine system.
Sports with varicose veins are undesirable, therapeutic and preventive physical education is recommended, cycling, swimming. There are special exercises for varicose veins.
Contraindicated to take a bath, sauna, long soak in hot water.
Varicose veins massage should not be used.
Preventive
The prevention of varicose veins of the legs is extremely important for every person, because to completely cure varicose veins of the legs is extremely difficult, fighting it takes a lot of time and effort. Treatment costs are also quite high.
First of all, you need to try, if possible, to prevent or eliminate the reasons that affect its development:
- avoid standing or sitting for long periods, if not possible - warm your feet as often as possible;
- refuse to wear tight clothing, tights or tight pants;
- choose shoes carefully;
- no excess weight is allowed;
- For pregnant women, it is important not to let the legs work too hard, lying horizontally during the day;
Encourage:
- an active lifestyle, moderate physical activity, cardiovascular training, "inversion" exercises (eg, "birch" is a simple but very effective method for preventing varicose veins);
- hard, opaque shower;
- good nutrition;
- rest in a horizontal position during the day.
Advice!A good way to prevent it is to raise your legs slightly above your head while resting in a horizontal position, place pillows or rollers under your feet, and stay in this position for 3-5 minutes, but not longer.