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 shows through the skin. Many of us consider varicose veins to be an exclusively cosmetic pathology that does not require special treatment. There is an opinion that you can live with varicose veins for many years, that this disease does not progress and does not lead to serious consequences, remaining only an external defect. Unfortunately, this opinion is not only erroneous, but also dangerous.

To understand why varicose veins are dangerous, are there ways to avoid it, why the disease must be treated if it has already appeared, and, most importantly, how to do it, we turned to a phlebologist for advice. We talk about the mechanisms of the onset of the disease, ways to prevent it, lifestyle features in the presence of this diagnosis and modern methods of correction.

What is varicose veins

Varicose veins are a disease known to mankind since ancient Egypt. Archaeological excavations confirm the presence of pathology among contemporaries of the pharaohs and the builders of the famous pyramids. Hippocrates and Avicenna, people who were recognized as the best doctors of antiquity, 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 it 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 her to do this. They open in the direction of blood flow and close to keep it out. Thus, under the "sensitive guidance" of the valves that exist in the veins, the blood is directed to where it is needed.

But quite often, for some reason, the operation of the valves is disrupted, they do not close completely, and the blood still flows down through the veins. The vessels cannot contain all the blood, they stretch and protrude above the skin with tubercles. Most often, the external thin veins on 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 veins gene", which is responsible for its appearance. Therefore, if your relatives had any problems with the veins, it is necessary to be examined by a phlebologist as soon as possible. After all, the disease can manifest itself at any, even a very young age. Varicose veins are insidious in that visible symptoms appear much later than the disease itself.
2. Weakness of the vascular walls and valve apparatus.Many chronic diseases (pyelonephritis, rheumatism, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, etc. ), hormonal changes and metabolic disorders, unhealthy lifestyles, physical inactivity, injuries of the lower extremities, 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, salesmen, joiners, carpenters and many others are at risk for varicose veins.
4. Pregnancy. Even if there are no hereditary causes of the disease in the anamnesis of the expectant mother, during pregnancy the risk of "earning" varicose veins increases significantly. Why it happens? Synthesized "pregnancy hormones" affect smooth muscle muscles, relaxing the tone of the venous walls. The volume of circulating blood increases, thereby increasing pressure on the vascular walls and valvular apparatus. The rapid weight gain of a woman during pregnancy puts unusually strong pressure on the legs and, accordingly, on the veins.
5. Excess weight.With excess weight, deformation of the vascular wall occurs due to a large load, vascular pressure and pressure in the surrounding tissues increase. With excess weight, blood pressure rises, the movement of blood to the heart becomes difficult, 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 gender and age of the patient.

Symptoms of the disease

As we said above, the disease in the early stages is asymptomatic or disguised as ordinary fatigue: after a working day, the legs buzz and swell, but by morning or after a long rest, everything goes away. There may also be convulsions at night, itching and burning in the lower extremities, a feeling of heaviness in them. Such symptoms, as a rule, do not cause concern and are written off as banal overwork. The early stage of varicose veins does not reduce a person's physical activity, 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, whichleads to even more serious stagnation of blood and, accordingly, aggravation of the disease.

Why is 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 for their complications.

• Venous bleeding.It occurs due to the fact that the normal connective tissue of the vascular walls gradually changes its properties, becomes fragile and inelastic. Even the slightest physical effort (for example, coughing or sneezing) can lead to rupture of the vessel and serious consequences in the form of bleeding.
• Eczema and dermatitis.Occur due to impaired blood supply, prolonged oxygen starvation. 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 severe 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 result of varicose veins. The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature up to 38-39°C, acute arching pain in the affected area, persistent edema, and complete limitation of motor activity.
• Necrosis and trophic ulcers.One of the most severe complications of varicose veins. Such a pathological process occurs against the background of thrombophlebitis, when, due to an inflamed varicose vessel, metabolism is disturbed and tissues experience prolonged oxygen starvation. 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 off, which can lead to blockage of the pulmonary artery or other vital vessel and cause death. The presence of deep vein thrombosis means a lifelong restriction of the patient's motor activity.

It should be noted that all the severe consequences of varicose veins occur in the absence 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 returns even with careful and adequate therapy, because the deformed vessels will not be able to take their former shape under any circumstances. But you need to treat varicose veins! Since the advanced stages of the disease can lead to severe 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 appearance of serious complications. Modern medicine offers several ways to deal with 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 in 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, joints become more mobile, and the rate of blood outflow increases. Compression therapy can be used as an independent method of treatment, and as an addition to other methods of dealing with varicose veins. Compression underwear is prescribed only by a doctor!
2. Medical therapy.It is prescribed by a doctor in order to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, reduce blood viscosity, improve 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 consists in the introduction of special solutions using a syringe with a thin needle into the damaged vein. The injected drug sticks together the vessel, thereby stopping the 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 impairs the quality of life and threatens the development of dangerous complications. Surgical intervention in most cases includes several different methods at once, the main goal of which is to reduce the symptoms of the disease, improve the quality of life of the patient, and prevent the development of complications.

There are quite a lot of effective ways to deal with varicose veins in modern medicine. The main thing that doctors call for 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 an additional examination and treatment.