Varicose veins are a very common pathology that significantly reduces the quality of life and causes dangerous complications that require expensive and complex treatment.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins or varicose veins is a disease associated with a violation of the valvular apparatus of the veins.As a result of their damage, the normal blood flow from the periphery is disturbed and blood stagnates in different parts of the vascular bed, causing them to expand.
The main population susceptible to this disease is people over 40 years old.This is due to the fact that at this time ships are exposed to various negative effects, which leads to a decrease in their adaptive capacity.
Most often, varicose veins affect the lower extremities, but the pathological process can also be observed in the groin or internal organs.
This pathology tends to progress, and the treatment regimen for varicose veins is quite complex.
Reasons
The main causes of varicose veins are excessive and insufficient mobility.The mechanism of normal blood flow through vessels is closely related to muscle contraction.During muscle tension, blood is removed from the vessels, and the valves in the vascular cavity prevent backflow.
Lack of physical activity causes congestion in the periphery, resulting in blood, which puts excessive pressure on the valve apparatus of the blood.Excessive stress also has a harmful effect on the vascular system.Frequent muscle spasms can damage vascular valves.
In addition, there are a number of negative factors and diseases that increase the risk of developing varicose veins:
- Bad habits.Alcohol and nicotine have vasomotor properties.They expand and narrow the lumen of blood vessels, which causes disruption of normal blood flow.
- Abuse of coffee.
- Uncomfortable shoes.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Systemic connective tissue diseases.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Traumatic lesions.
- Excess weight.
The presence of such factors greatly increases the risk of developing the disease.Regardless of the etiological factor, the symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities will not be different.
Clinical manifestations
Typically, the symptoms of this disease appear when there are already irreversible structural changes in the veins of the lower extremities.That is, the patient requires surgical treatment when contacting the doctor.
In the early stages, varicose veins can be asymptomatic.Some patients complain of minor pains that occur after a long walk or run.There are no specific symptoms to diagnose.The initial forms of varicose veins can be detected only with the help of instrumental examinations.
Symptoms of developed varicose veins are as follows:
- The appearance of localized cyanosis along the veins.
- Vessels protrude above the surface of the skin and form nodules.These forms are painful and dense, associated with the process of inflammation and proliferation of connective tissue in these areas (sclerosis).
- Constant pain that does not depend on physical activity.At the beginning of the development of the pathology, if it happens excessively, in the later stages it can disturb the patient in his sleep.This is due to the fact that one of the signs of inflammation is pain.The intensity of the pain can be quite severe, it can cause confusion.
- A local increase in local temperature at the nodes.
The appearance of the first symptoms of the disease requires immediate contact with a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment.
Why are varicose veins dangerous?
The lack of proper treatment is fraught with the development of a number of dangerous complications that threaten not only health, but also life.These include:
- Thrombophlebitis.Blood flow in the inflamed areas of the vessels is significantly reduced.Such conditions are favorable for the formation of blood clots.These blood clots block the lumen of a vessel in the lower extremities, can cause gangrene, or can be carried by blood to the lungs, heart, brain and other organs, causing a sharp disruption of blood supply.These pathologies are extremely difficult to treat and often lead to disability and death.
- Trophic ulcers.Violation of venous flow is always accompanied by microcirculation disorders in the tissues of the lower extremities.Lack of oxygen and nutrients causes ulcers to form.These ulcers are difficult to treat and often recur, as it is necessary to conduct therapy aimed at the root cause of their appearance.
- Don't bleed.If varicose veins are accompanied by hypertension, it can cause rupture of peripheral vessels and bleeding.This is because the dilated vessels are thin and high blood pressure can cause them to collapse.In addition, bleeding can occur with minor mechanical damage that will not cause a hematoma in a healthy person.
Almost all complications can be aggravated by the addition of an infectious factor, which significantly worsens the condition and complicates treatment.
If complications develop, the treatment of varicose veins should be reconsidered.
Diagnostics
If varicose veins are suspected, the patient must confirm the diagnosis, as well as evaluate the condition of the tissues at the center of the pathology.
To do this, it is recommended to carry out the following tests:
- General blood test.
- Blood biochemistry.
- Coagulogram.This laboratory examination allows predicting the development of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis based on blood coagulation properties.High coagulation is a threatening condition.
- Ultrasound.Using ultrasound, you can get a detailed image of the vascular bed and determine the focus of inflammation that is not visible externally.
- Phlebography.Obtaining a graphic image of the venous system of the lower extremities using a contrast agent allows you to study its structures in detail and identify even the smallest changes.
In addition to instrumental and laboratory studies, special tests are performed that assess the condition of soft tissues and also assess the degree of circulatory failure.
External examination is also important, during which the doctor can see specific external manifestations, possible localization and trophic ulcers.
A phlebologist should be involved in the treatment and supervision of patients with such a disease.This is the doctor who specializes in how to treat varicose veins.
Treatment
Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is possible through the use of drugs or surgical interventions.The choice of treatment depends on how severe the effects are in the affected area.
Drug treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is carried out according to a special scheme that takes into account the effect on the pathological process and prevents the development of complications.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins is the most effective, because it allows you to get rid of the pathology forever.However, not all patients are allowed, and a number of contraindications are not allowed.
Conservative therapy
Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is allowed only in the first stages of pathological progression.
It is worth remembering that conservative treatment only helps to eliminate the manifestations of the disease.It is not possible to have a lasting effect using only medicines.They act only for a certain period of time and cannot prevent the progression of the disease.
It is recommended to use the following drug groups in patients with varicose veins:
- NSAIDs.It is recommended to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments. In some cases, it is possible to prescribe these drugs in tablet form, but a long course of treatment can lead to the development of gastritis or peptic ulcers caused by side effects.
- Antiplatelet agents.The action of such drugs is aimed at preventing blood clotting.The primary representative is regular aspirin used in small doses.His blood is thin, which helps facilitate blood flow through inflamed vessels.The use of such drugs is unacceptable for patients with a tendency to bleeding.
- Prednisolone group hormones.In cases where NSAIDs do not have the desired effect, the use of adrenal hormones is indicated.These substances are also used in the form of ointments.They have a declared anti-inflammatory effect and also improve tissue microcirculation.It is worth remembering that long-term use of hormones also has a harmful effect on the condition of the body.
- Phlebotonics.This group of drugs is used in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities.They normalize the tone of the vessel wall, which ensures normal blood flow.
Treatment of varicose veins should be systematic.Regular cyclic administration of drugs allows maintaining a constant concentration of active substances that constantly affect the damaged vessels.
The use of these drugs should be only as prescribed by a doctor.Their independent use is strictly prohibited, as they can cause side effects and have specific contraindications.Failure to comply with such restrictions is fraught with aggravation of the general situation.
Conservative therapy is best suited as a supportive method in preparation for planned surgery.
Surgery
Many people are interested in how to treat varicose veins without surgery?In fact, this is impossible.The main type of surgical treatment is saphenectomy.
Saphenectomy aims to remove the damaged large saphenous vein.Thanks to this, the focus of the disease is completely eliminated.However, the drawback of this treatment is that there is too much trauma.In recent times, such operations were carried out with a large number of incisions in the skin, with a large number of incisions necessary to provide access to the veins.
Today, modern methods of treating varicose veins allow saphenectomy to be performed with a minimal incision, because there are special probes for removing the veins.A vein up to half a meter can be removed with one incision.
There are a number of contraindications that make this operation impossible.These include:
- Diabetes mellitus.This pathology is accompanied by a significant reduction in wound healing.In such a situation, surgical intervention can provoke pyrent-septic processes that may require limb amputation.
- Intolerance to antibacterial agents.In the postoperative period, antibiotics are prescribed, an antibiotic that destroys the pathogenic flora that entered the wound during surgical treatment.Some patients experience intolerance to such drugs.Surgical treatment without a course of antibiotic therapy is strictly prohibited.
- Serious diseases of the cardiovascular system.Pathologies accompanied by heart failure can be the opposite, because the use of certain anesthetic agents is prohibited for them.
Saphenectomy is performed for uncorrected forms of varicose veins.Trophic ulcers or necrotic changes caused by acute disruption of blood supply are observed, requiring the expansion of the operation.
It is possible to excise the ulcers during the operation.In this way, it prevents tissue death.In cases where venous thrombosis causes gangrene, amputation is necessary.This operation is performed only in extreme cases.
There are also modern minimally invasive treatment methods, including:
- Sclerotherapy.
- Radiofrequency ablation.
- Laser sister.
These treatment methods are based on blocking the lumen of the blood vessels and further destroying them using chemicals or physical factors.
It is recommended to use in the early stages of the disease.In such a situation, the risk of relapse is minimal.It is not worth using this type of treatment for advanced varicose veins, as it may require quite a large number of sessions.
Folk treatment
Some sources suggest the use of various traditional medicines as a treatment for varicose veins of the legs.It is not recommended to do this because the effect of plants in this pathology has not been scientifically confirmed.
Treatment of varicose veins in the lower extremities should only be planned by a certified medical professional.Methods of treating varicose veins without surgery only help to delay their application.You should not resort to various traditional treatments, because time wasted before proper treatment can lead to amputation.
Numbness therapy
In order to achieve the maximum effect of treatment, it is necessary to take additional measures along with the use of drugs.These include:
- Diet.Patients with varicose veins should avoid fatty foods.Helps increase cholesterol levels and blood viscosity.Such processes slow down peripheral blood circulation in the area of enlarged vessels and provoke the formation of thrombus.In addition, you should drink plenty of fluids to thin your blood.It is recommended to drink plain water rather than carbonated drinks or tea.
- Elevate your legs from time to time.Such procedures stimulate blood flow under its own weight, which prevents stagnation.
- Wear compression stockings.Such stockings, in the upright position of the body, prevent the accumulation of blood in dilated veins.But such socks should be used correctly, because long-term wear can have a negative effect on the condition of the feet, as well as the skin in the lower leg area.
- He walks.Patients should lead an active lifestyle.In the later stages of varicose veins, walking should be short and should not cause fatigue or pain in the legs.
In addition, positive pathologies such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus or obesity should be treated.The presence of such therapy allows self-limitation for drug treatment, which in some cases provides a favorable outcome of the disease.
Prevention
To prevent the development of varicose veins, you should follow a number of simple rules that will reduce the risk of its occurrence.All are aimed at maintaining normal blood characteristics, as well as creating a normal lifestyle.Among them:
- Drink at least one and a half liters of fluid a day.
- Proper nutrition.This term implies not only the provision of all necessary substances in the diet and the exclusion of harmful foods, but also regular meals.At the same time, food allows you to get maximum nutrients from food, because a reflex is developed and enough gastric juice is released.
- Get rid of bad habits.
- Limit the amount of coffee and other energy drinks.
- Provide mobility even when not working.For this, there are special exercises aimed at contracting the leg muscles.
- Timely treatment of diseases.Any pathology in the human body can cause long-term consequences.To avoid this, if any symptoms appear and undergo preventive examinations, you should always seek help from medical professionals.
Today, there are various ways to treat varicose veins.With timely diagnosis, it allows to get rid of the problem once and for all.Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is recommended only at the beginning of the disease.