Many people have encountered the problem of varicose veins in the lower extremities.As the years go by, this disease is becoming more common, regardless of gender and age.The reason may be the lifestyle of office workers, who spend most of their time motionless, sitting in front of computers, as well as the part of the population that spends their working time standing: salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models, etc.
The symptoms of varicose veins are very diverse.It is rare for several patients to present with the same symptoms.Most often, this disease of the veins occurs with individual characteristics.However, all those suffering from this disease are united by one condition - the symptom of "heavy legs", which includes swelling, heaviness in the legs, pain along the veins, while the veins at the beginning of the disease may be of normal size and not protrude.Later, dilated veins appear in the legs, which can be seen with the naked eye.This is already an indisputable sign of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: brief information about the disease.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a disease that doctors have known about for a long time;It has its own history, full of interesting facts.Doctors in Ancient Egypt were dedicated to the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations in which signs of varicose veins and traces of treatment for the complications of this disease were found in mummies.Luminaries such as Avicenna, Galen, and Hippocrates also mentioned the existence of varicose veins in their works.
The very term "varicose veins" translated from Latin means "swelling", which reflects the clinical picture of this pathology.
The treatment of varicose veins at that time was also interesting and at the same time terrifying.Doctors realized that the dilated and thrombosed vein needed to be removed to avoid complications.However, the technology was imperfect at the time.The operation on the veins was quite traumatic: to reach the altered vein, extensive incisions were made in the extremities, which ran along the entire leg in the form of stripes or spiral incisions.Not surprisingly, these patients often die not from the disease itself, but from complications associated with the surgery.
After phlebography began to actively develop, a revolution occurred in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities.After the introduction of X-rays and ultrasound in medical practice, it became easier to diagnose the degree of vascular damage, and operations were carried out with greater determination.The risk of postoperative complications has decreased and the recovery rate has increased significantly.
Over time, less traumatic techniques appeared, since too large incisions caused complications in the postoperative period and often left the patient disabled (in case of accidental damage to nerves and tendons).This is how the “minimally invasive” treatment methods that are currently used and do not require the use of a scalpel were developed.
We are luckier than our ancestors, because this pathology is currently being treated successfully.Even surgical treatment methods do not pose a great danger to health.Operated patients easily return to normal life after a short time.And some interventions allow patients to forget about their problem immediately after leaving the medical center.The main thing, as with any disease, is to have time to seek medical help at an early stage of the development of the disease.
Dilated leg veins are not dangerous, thrombophlebitis is!
Almost all the media shout at us about varicose veins, announcing new miracle drugs that promise to rid us of the disease in the shortest possible time.So why is this disease dangerous?Why are we encouraged to spend a lot of money on expensive ointments and creams to get rid of this disease?
Varicose veins reduce our quality of life.Symptoms such as pain and heaviness in the legs, swelling, changes in skin color and the appearance of non-healing ulcers are all very unpleasant and difficult.People suffering from this disease find it difficult to lead an active lifestyle, they have to look for work with easier working conditions, etc.But this is not the worst.
Varicose veins in the legs are accompanied by the formation of blood clots inside the veins.When dislodged, such a blood clot can enter the pulmonary artery and cause a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism.It is very difficult to treat, and in most cases, patients with thromboembolism do not even have time to get to a medical facility;Death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a disease with serious complications.Self-medication endangers life.Only experienced specialists and regular monitoring will preserve your health and life!
Treatment of varicose veins: vein surgery
Enlarged veins in the legs are a reason to seek help from a surgeon.Varicose veins are the field of activity of surgical specialists.Each patient tries to avoid surgical intervention until the last moment, but you should know that varicose veins can be cured and the complications associated with the disease can only be cured radically.Of course, conservative therapy should not be completely discarded, but it should not be relied on either.Drug treatment works in conjunction with surgical methods.It's hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative therapy alleviates the course of the disease, minimizes unpleasant symptoms, allows for faster recovery after surgery and reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
Drug treatment, as an independent method, can be used if there are contraindications to surgery.This treatment only slows down the development of the disease without eliminating the cause.
Nowadays, vein surgery is a fairly common procedure.Varicose veins are treated in several ways.The choice of one or another method of intervention is determined by the doctor, depending on the stage of the disease, medical history and the results of the patient's examination.
Types of operations:
- Phlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Laser coagulation.
In a surgery called phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through small incisions in the extremities.Vein surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of relapse after this treatment method is low.The operation itself does not cause much harm to the patient's health and recovery is quite quick.Patients usually spend only a few days in the hospital.After the intervention, pharmacotherapy and the use of compression garments are prescribed.
Sclerotherapy, as a minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins, has its roots in the distant past.Many doctors tried to cure this pathology by introducing various chemical compounds into the lumen of the dilated veins.Through trial and error, we managed to achieve success in this direction.A drug was found that is used successfully to this day.This substance is administered intravenously under ultrasound guidance.The procedure is painless.Under the influence of the drug, the walls of the damaged vein stick together and then dissolve.The procedure must be performed by an experienced specialist, since an excessive dose of the drug or its introduction into soft tissues leads to serious complications.
Laser coagulation is a minimally invasive vein surgery that is performed without incisions.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and then the patient immediately returns to his normal lifestyle, following certain recommendations.The essence of the method is that a laser light guide is inserted into the dilated vein under ultrasound control.Under the influence of a laser beam, the walls of the vein are welded and blood flow becomes impossible.Perhaps this is the most effective and safest treatment method of our time.Of course, laser coagulation cannot be performed on everyone without exception.Like any therapeutic method, it has its indications and contraindications.
The phlebologist is the best friend of patients with varicose veins.
People suffering from varicose veins, as well as people who have a hereditary predisposition to this disease or are at risk, should consult a phlebologist annually to monitor the condition of the veins in their legs.
A phlebologist is a limited specialty doctor who deals with problems of the venous vessels.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities, which can show the condition of the walls of the veins, valves, check the patency of blood vessels, exclude the presence of blood clots and assess the severity of the disease.This information will help prevent the development of varicose veins in the early stages, completely avoid surgical intervention, or allow you to eliminate the pathology using a minimally invasive method.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful the treatment result will be.
Don't be afraid to seek help from specialists.Ultrasonic examination of veins is a painless procedure;You just have to be patient because it takes a long time.