Varicose veins of the lower extremities, also called varicose veins, manifest as a dilation of the superficial veins of the legs, which accompanies impaired blood flow and valve insufficiency.Currently, varicose veins are very common: they are seen in approximately 17-25% of people.At a young age, before the onset of puberty, this disease develops in both sexes with equal frequency.However, in adult women varicose veins are seen twice as often as in men.This condition can be explained by important hormonal changes during the beginning of menstruation, during pregnancy.As a result, the tone of the veins weakens, they expand, and venous circulation is disturbed.
Factors that predispose to varicose veins
Today, experts tend to support many theories as to why varicose veins develop in the legs.But, nevertheless, speaking about the main cause of this disease, it should be noted a violation of the valvular apparatus of the veins.When the venous valves are insufficient in a person who has stood up, blood flows downward under the influence of gravity.When you walk, the muscles in the lower leg that surround the deep veins contract.As a result, the veins empty and there is an increase in venous pressure.As a result, blood enters the superficial veins, they stretch and varicose veins appear.
There are a number of factors that directly affect the progression of varicose veins.In women, varicose veins usually appear as a result of pregnancy.During this period, the volume of blood in the female body increases significantly.The increase in size of the uterus puts a lot of pressure on the veins that come out of the legs.Also, during pregnancy, the state of the venous wall is affected by hormonal changes in the body.In many cases, varicose veins during pregnancy are reversible, that is, after childbirth they gradually disappear.
Most often, varicose veins of the lower extremities appear in people who are forced to stand for a long time while working.Another risk factor for varicose veins is obesity: obese people have increased intra-abdominal pressure and, as a consequence, dilation of the veins.Veins are also often dilated in people prone to regular exertion.This happens with chronic constipation, cough, prostate adenoma and other conditions.Varicose veins can sometimes result from surgery on the legs.
Another factor that predisposes to varicose veins is the person's age.Normally, the valves and walls of veins age over time.As a result, elasticity is lost and the veins stretch.Varicose veins usually appear in patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis and congenital blood vessel anomalies.
Symptoms of the development of varicose veins in the legs.
First of all, the visible symptoms of varicose veins in the legs are the appearance of a network of fine veins on the surface of the skin of the legs.These manifestations occur mainly in the thigh area.These varicose veins are easier to see in people who suffer from cellulite.Sometimes it is cellulite that becomes a kind of harbinger of varicose veins.Often, fat deposits due to cellulite compress venous vessels and, as a result, blood flow becomes complicated and varicose veins appear.
In some cases, swelling of the legs indicates the appearance of varicose veins.However, this sign can be a symptom of other diseases (heart failure, renal urolithiasis).Therefore, in this case, it is impossible to speak clearly about the development of varicose veins before making a diagnosis.A symptom of varicose veins is usually pain in the legs.The pain can be sharp and also have bothersome symptoms.The most common symptom of varicose veins is pain in the calves.It occurs mainly in the afternoon, after a certain load on the legs.There may be a feeling of intense heaviness in the legs, cramps may appear at night, and trophic changes gradually appear in the legs.
Therefore, a person who observes the appearance of a capillary network, periodic manifestations of pain and swelling, should consult a doctor and undergo the necessary studies.There are several different tests that allow you to evaluate the condition of the veins and the degree of development of the disease.If a patient has uncomplicated varicose veins, in most cases instrumental diagnostic methods are not used.
Principles of treatment of varicose veins.
Conservative treatment of varicose veins is prescribed mainly to those people who have clear contraindications to surgical intervention.In addition, such treatment is indicated if the patient has mild varicose veins, which is a purely cosmetic defect.
The goal of conservative therapy is also to prevent further progression of this disease.To do this, patients are recommended to bandage the legs affected by varicose veins with an elastic bandage.In addition, compression knitwear is indicated for varicose veins.
People who are prone to varicose veins or who already suffer from this disease should periodically place their legs on an elevated surface throughout the day, resting for several minutes.There are also special exercises for the calf and foot, aimed at activating the musculovenous pump.This is a periodic extension and flexion of the ankle and knee joints.
Treatment of varicose veins also involves wearing comfortable shoes, which should have low heels and hard soles.You should not stand for a long time, allow physical stress or stay in rooms with high temperature and humidity for a long time.It is advisable to keep your legs elevated while sleeping.
Patients should limit fluid and salt intake and try to lose excess weight.To treat varicose veins, it is necessary to periodically take diuretics, drugs that improve the tone of the veins.Additionally, if indicated, the patient can be prescribed medications that stimulate microcirculation in the tissues.Treatment for varicose veins may also include taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.If the patient has an uncomplicated form of the disease, physiotherapy exercises are indicated.Swimming, other water treatments, foot baths with warm water, to which a 5-10% sodium chloride solution is added, are very useful.
However, the radical method to treat varicose veins is surgery.This operation is not performed if the patient has concomitant diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidneys or liver.This operation should not be performed on pregnant women or people suffering from purulent diseases.Modern technologies make it possible to use endoscopic techniques for this operation.If a person only has small dilated branches, sclerotherapy can be used.This operation involves injecting a sclerosing solution into the vein to seal the walls of the vein.After this, repeated injections are performed in other sections of the vein, achieving complete obliteration of the vein.
For varicose veins, combined surgical therapy is also used, in which large trunks are removed from the altered veins and sclerotherapy of small branches is performed.After surgery, it is recommended that patients continue wearing an elastic bandage for 8 to 12 weeks.
Prevention of varicose veins of the legs.
Prevention of varicose veins includes a series of measures aimed at preventing signs of the disease.It is useful for everyone to periodically keep their legs elevated, take breaks during sedentary work, and not wear underwear that stresses the body.A good method to prevent varicose veins would be a contrast shower, including foods good for the blood in the diet and doing some physical exercises.At the first signs of varicose veins, a doctor should be consulted to prevent the progression of the disease.