VARICOSE VEINS

Fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, mild swelling of the tissues, swelling of the veins, and the first visible "vascular networks" may indicate the development of varicose veins in the lower extremities.

Disease statistics are severe. For example, in a single country, about 37 million people suffer from this disease. All 6 of them are girls under 12 years of age. Such early onset of the disease significantly increases the risk of complications, the neglect of which threatens disability and even death.

What is so terrible about lower limb varicose veins? Why is it so important to stop development at an early stage? Read this article about treatment methods, preventative measures used by professionals, and many other useful information about lower limb varicose veins.

What is the lower extremity varicose veins?

All the veins in the human body are divided into deep, superficial and perforated. Deep vessels do almost all work (90%) by delivering blood to the heart, and perforated vessels form a kind of bridge between the deep and the superficial. The structure of the veins ensures the presence of valves that direct only in the right direction and promote blood flow. When the circulatory system fails, some of the blood accumulates at one point. This leads to local dilation (elongation) of the vessel. First the deep veins (called the internal varicose veins) suffer, later they are superficial in the form of "poker and nodes".

In order to fully recognize the severity of the disease, it is worth noting that its progression may include thrombophlebitis, pulmonary artery occlusion (or thromboembolism), and trophic leg ulcers, lymphostasis (resulting in edema of the lower extremities) and many other problems. they can lead to the patient.

Main causes of lower limb varicose veins

A number of factors can cause vascular dysfunction, usually blood flow, and then stimulate varicose veins in the lower extremities. Consider the most important:

1. Congenital malformations of the valves inside the venous vessels - the disease can be inherited. According to statistics, two-thirds of patients have a close relative with a similar illness.
2. Insufficient mobility reduces stress on soft tissues. As a result, it reduces the load and tone of the blood vessels.
3. In the "standing" position, the pressure inside the vessels of the legs increases tenfold. In the case of a long vertical arrangement, the valves are unable to cope with the increased load, which causes a malfunction of their operation.
4. Decreased vascular tone - may be due to age-related changes, loss of wall elasticity after certain diseases.
5. Pregnancy - this period is characterized by an increase in the blood in the woman's body as well as the hormone progesterone, an estrogen. Together, these changes stimulate the development of varicose veins in the lower extremities. True, normalization of processes is possible about 1 year after delivery if varicose complications did not occur.

Being overweight, having injuries, previous surgeries, hormonal abnormalities, and contraceptives complement the causes of the disease.

Determining Lower Limb Varicose Veins - Symptoms and Diagnosis

The effectiveness of the treatment and the speed of the positive result largely depend on the accuracy and timeliness of the diagnosis of the diseases.

Signs of lower limb varicose veins help determine the disease at an early stage:

• slight swelling of the legs;
• Swelling of superficial venous vessels, increase in diameter;
• itching of the lower extremities with varicose veins;
• feeling of overload, difficulty;
• burning, pain caused by straining the walls of the veins;
• limb cramps;
• noticeable blue skin along the vein, compaction (induration) of problem areas of tissues, development of varicose eczema of the lower extremities.

A slight violation of the integrity of the skin can lead to the appearance of a trophic ulcer at the site of eczema.

In varicose veins of the deep veins of the lower extremities, symptoms may appear at a later stage, which is undesirable. Therefore, if there is the slightest suspicion of the disease, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of lower limb varicose veins is performed using special equipment. Such an examination is safe, painless, and allows a comprehensive study of the severity of the disease.

There are several diagnostic options:

• visual inspection;
• color duplex test method - the blood flow map compiled during the test allows you to assess the direction and speed of blood flow through the veins. The procedure provides information about the condition of the blood vessels, which is important in predicting the development of varicose veins;
• Phlebography - very rarely used because it involves x-rays.

During the diagnosis, you can monitor the condition of the blood vessels, the valves, analyze their function and determine the direction of blood flow.

Usually, the first reason for a doctor's visit is aesthetic change. From the first type onwards, they are harmless and can progress to serious illnesses and complications. Therefore, their importance should not be underestimated.

Classification of lower limb varicose veins

Doctors usually distinguish 5 stages of varicose veins in the lower extremities, each with its own symptoms:

• Stage 1- reticular varicoses of the lower extremities that are easiest to treat. It distinguishes it by the presence of a "vascular network". Enlarged veins are visible through the thin skin (especially in the recess below the knee), the pain does not yet occur.
• Stage 2- segmental varicose veins of the lower extremities, with slight fatigue, feeling of heaviness in the legs, even with convulsive cramps in the calf muscle, slight swelling of the veins;
• Stage 3- venous blood vessels protrude significantly from the skin, especially inside the lower leg, thin skin with dark brown spots, itching, rashes, signs of dermatitis. Increased swelling causes discomfort when moving.
• Stage 4Varicose veins of the lower extremities - symptoms are pronounced, complications of the disease appear, such as thrombophlebitis, manifestation of trophic ulcers. Varicose veins are strongly visible through the thinned skin of the lower leg, leg and thigh.
• Stage 5- You have all the symptoms of Stage 4. In addition, the disease spreads to the lumbar region. The number of trophic ulcers is increasing rapidly, as is the frequency of thrombophlebitis crises. At this stage, the doctor will diagnose varicose veins in the lower extremities.

The main task of both the patient and their doctor is to prevent the disease from developing beyond the initial stages, and the sooner you contact your phlebologist, the easier it will be for him or her to stop the disease.

Treating lower limb varicose veins

Medicine does not stop, but develops the latest technologies to combat venous diseases. Treatment of varicose veins in the lower extremities in combination with conservative methods (medications, minimally invasive procedures), surgery, home remedies.

Deterioration in appearance is not a complete list of possible troubles. Complications and disability can increase it. Modern medicine offers a wide range of non-surgical effects in problem areas, and physiotherapy for lower limb varicose veins is often most effective in the early stages of the disease:

1. The use of creams, gels, ointments for varicose veins in the lower extremities, these drugs bring noticeable relief. They are easy to apply to the surface and do not cause pain or discomfort.
2. Venotonics - the use of drugs that normalize the function of the veins in the lower extremities.
3. Laser Exposure - The method of endovenous venous obliteration (ELOV) is widely used to combat varicose veins. The principle of the procedure is to stop the problem vein from working due to the heat jet. Laser manipulations are performed under local anesthesia, no restriction of actions and no further hospital stay is required. The patient has the right to go home immediately after the procedure.
4. Magnetotherapy for lower limb varicose veins is a modern adjunct method that helps to thin the blood, stimulate blood circulation, and as a result, helps remove toxins from tissues and saturates them with oxygen.
5. RF Exposure - RF acts like a laser. They exclude the problematic vessel from the bloodstream system, thus eliminating the risk of possible complications;
6. Sclerotherapy - involves the introduction of a special drug into the diseased vein, which helps to stick the blood vessel wall and self-displace it from the bloodstream after a while.

It should be noted that prior consultation with a physician is required and special examination is required.

Lower limb varicose veins operations

Late doctor visits, disregard for the disease lead to CVI (chronic venous insufficiency) and inadequacy of minimally invasive therapy. In such cases, surgery will help.

The following factors may be considered as surgical indications for lower limb varicose veins:

• the disease is in a severe stage when trophic ulcers gradually manifest;
development of
• thrombophlebitis;
• discomfort with excessive fatigue, swelling of the legs.

The principle of surgery, like conservative techniques, is based on removing the problematic vein from the circulatory system. The vessels are glued together using only minimally invasive methods and are tied and removed on both sides during the operation.

There are several main methods for surgical treatment of lower limb varicose veins:

1. phlebectomyis ​​a classic version of surgery. Small incisions (up to five millimeters) are made in the skin, through which a probe is inserted and the patient’s vein is removed. The procedure takes a maximum of two hours and does not involve lengthy hospital care.
2. Miniflebectomy- differs from a classic phlebectomy in the size of the skin hole. In this case, these are minimal punctures that minimize the rehabilitation period and leave no visible marks on the body.
3. Short striping- requires the exact location of the problem area. Only the affected segment is removed. There are no traces after the procedure.
4. Vein dissectionunder high optical endocopy guidance. It is injected directly into the patient's vein, and the operation is performed through a monitor. The surgeon’s experience and qualifications increase the chances of a successful surgery.

Surgery

solves the problem of sore veins, reduces the risk of developing the disease, and helps relieve symptoms in later stages. The main condition of the rehabilitation period is compression underwear, venotonic drugs. They contribute to early healing, normalization of blood circulation.

Treatment of lower limb varicose veins with folk remedies

Home remedies occupy a separate gap in the treatment of lower limb varicose veins. It is not necessary to assert their enormous importance, but there is nothing that would diminish their dignity. Cooked decoctions, infusions, compresses can reduce pain, relieve feelings of heaviness and fatigue after a hard day.

As a treatment option for reticular varicose veins, traditional medicine recommends calamus root tincture from red wine calves for internal use. There are also recipes for external rubbing.

Unopened birch buds are infused for 10 days in 0. 5 liters of vodka. When done, rub the product into the skin.

Useful compress for varicose veins of the lower extremities wrapped in yoghurt with garlic or fresh cabbage leaves.

You shouldn't expect super-fast results. The funds are suitable for prophylactic purposes and for the treatment of primary varicose veins in the lower extremities, along with medications prescribed individually by a physician. Do not use any treatment without talking to your doctor.

Massage and gymnastics at the lower extremities

The healing properties of massage have long been known to mankind. Varicose veins in the lower extremities also have a beneficial effect. It increases blood and lymph flow, normalizes venous pressure and initiates metabolic processes in tissues.

The massage technique is special. It is forbidden to touch the affected vein area in any way, only around it. Easy pinching, wide grip and stroking are the main techniques of the procedure. We recommend combining the massage with a series of exercises.

Lower limb varicose gymnastics involves a number of activities:

1. Warming up - you should lie down for two to three minutes with your feet raised. They have to rest on a wall or other hill, this situation guarantees their complete relaxation.
2. "Bike" practice - the movements are the same as cycling. Only the "supine" position of the body.
3. "Scissors" exercise - limbs raised up cross each other for at least one minute.
4. Exercise your calf muscles - bend your legs in a "lying" position so that your knees reach your chest. Make movements in the opposite direction while massaging the problem muscle. Repeat the procedure four times with both feet.
5. Get up. Rise on your toes for three to five minutes and lower yourself to the starting position.
6. Exercise of varicose veins of the lower limbs, which consists of gymnastic exercises, guarantees a preventive, therapeutic effect, the aim of which is to accelerate the outflow of venous blood into the heart and increase vascular tone.

It is important for the physician not only to approve a series of daily exercises, but also to ensure that the patient performs them properly without causing additional strength to the blood vessels.

Prevention of lower limb varicose veins

It is better to prevent the problem than to cure it later! Experts unanimously recommend the following measures to prevent the disease:

1. More movement - this reduces the risk of blood and lymphatic congestion.
2. Exercise regularly for varicose veins.
3. The shoe should be comfortable and the heel should not exceed four centimeters.
4. Prolonged sun exposure does not work well on the walls of blood vessels, limiting the time of hot bathing.

5. Prefer a contrast shower, it will increase blood circulation.
6. Focus on fresh vegetables, fruits and plant products. A special diet for lower limb varicose veins is the "best friend" of health.
7. Hydrate your body with 2 liters of fluid a day.
8. Eliminate fatigue, improper sitting or discomfort during rest is the best prevention of varicose veins in the lower limbs.

It should be borne in mind that varicose veins in the lower extremities are a progressive disease. Painless "stars" can develop thrombophlebitis and trophic ulcers. The lack of beauty, pain and heaviness in the legs can be preserved by following the simple recommendations of the professionals. If you have the slightest suspicion of the disease, rush to the phlebologist. Keep in mind that varicose veins cannot be completely cured, but their further development can be prevented and minimized. To be healthy!