Many people have encountered the problem of varicose veins in the lower extremities.Over the years, this disease is more common regardless of gender and age.This is due to the lifestyle of office workers who spend most of their time sitting behind a computer, as well as the part of the population who spend their working time standing - salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models, etc.can be
Symptoms of varicose veins are very diverse.It is rare for several patients to have the same symptoms.Often, this vascular disease occurs with individual characteristics.However, all sufferers of this disease are united by one condition - the symptom of "heavy legs" with swelling, heaviness in the legs, pain along the veins, at the beginning of the disease, the veins themselves may be of normal size and do not differ.Later, dilated veins visible to the naked eye appear on the legs.This is already an indisputable sign of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: brief information about the disease
Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease known to doctors for a long time;has its own history rich in interesting facts.In ancient Egypt, doctors were engaged in the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations, when mummies showed signs of varicose veins and traces of treatment for complications of this disease.The luminaries such as Ibn Sina, Galen and Hippocrates also mentioned the existence of varicose veins in their works.
Translated from Latin, the term "varicose veins" means "swelling", reflecting the clinical picture of this pathology.
At that time, the treatment of varicose veins was also interesting and at the same time scary.Doctors realized that the enlarged and thrombosed vein had to be removed to prevent complications.However, the technology at that time was not perfect.The operation on the veins was quite traumatic: wide incisions were made in the limbs extending in the form of strips or spiral incisions along the entire length of the leg to reach the altered vein.Not surprisingly, such patients often die not from the disease itself, but from complications related to surgery.
After phlebography began to be actively developed, a revolution took place in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities.After the introduction of X-rays and ultrasound into medical practice, it became easier to determine the degree of vascular damage, and operations were more targeted.The risk of postoperative complications decreased and the recovery rate increased significantly.
Over time, less traumatic methods appeared, because very large incisions caused complications in the postoperative period and often disabled the patient (in case of accidental damage to nerves and tendons).This is how "minimally invasive" treatment methods, which do not require the use of a scalpel, have been developed.
We are luckier than our ancestors, because now this pathology is successfully treated.Even surgical treatment methods do not pose a great threat to health.After surgery, patients easily return to normal life after a short period of time.And some interventions allow patients to forget about their problem immediately after leaving the hospital.The main thing is that, as with any disease, it is necessary to seek medical help in the early stages of the disease.
Dilated veins in the legs are not dangerous, they are thrombophlebitis!
Almost all the media shout at us about varicose veins, advertising new miracle drugs that promise to get rid of the disease in the shortest possible time.But 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, skin discoloration and the appearance of non-healing ulcers are very unpleasant and difficult.People suffering from this disease find it difficult to lead an active lifestyle, they have to look for a job with easier working conditions, etc.But that's not the worst.
Varicose veins in the legs are accompanied by the formation of blood clots in the veins.Once broken, such a blood clot can travel into a 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 have time to go to a medical facility - death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease with serious complications.Self-medication is life-threatening.Only experienced specialists and regular monitoring will protect your health and life!
Treatment of varicose veins: vascular surgery
Dilated veins in the legs are a reason to seek help from a surgeon.Varicose veins are the area of activity of surgical specialists.Every patient tries to avoid surgical intervention until the last moment, but you should know that varicose veins can be treated, and complications associated with the disease can only be treated radically.Of course, you should not completely abandon conservative therapy, but you really should not rely on it.Drug treatment works together with surgical methods.It is hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative therapy alleviates the course of the disease, minimizes unpleasant symptoms, allows 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.Such treatment only slows the progression of the disease without eliminating the cause.
Nowadays, vascular surgery is a very common procedure.Varicose veins are treated in several ways.The choice of one or another method of intervention is determined by the doctor based on the stage of the disease, medical history and examination results of the patient.
Types of operations:
- Phlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Laser coagulation.
In an operation called phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through small incisions in the limbs.Vascular surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of relapse after this treatment is low.The operation itself does not harm the patient's health much, and the recovery is quite fast.Patients usually only spend a few days in the hospital.After the intervention, drug treatment and compression garments are prescribed.
As a minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins, sclerotherapy has its roots in the distant past.Many doctors have tried to treat this pathology by introducing various chemical compounds into the lumen of dilated veins.Through trial and error, we were able to succeed in this direction.To date, a drug has been found that has been successfully used.This substance is given intravenously under ultrasound guidance.The procedure is painless.Under the influence of the drug, the walls of the damaged vessel stick together and then dissolve.The procedure should be performed by an experienced specialist, because an overdose of the drug or its introduction into soft tissues is fraught with serious complications.
Laser coagulation is a minimally invasive vein surgery performed without an incision.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and after that, the patient follows certain recommendations and immediately returns to a normal lifestyle.The essence of the method is that a laser light guide is inserted into the enlarged vein under ultrasound control.Under the influence of a laser beam, the walls of the vessel are welded together, blood flow becomes impossible.Perhaps this is the most effective and safe method of treatment in our time.Of course, laser coagulation cannot be performed on everyone without exception.Like any treatment method, it has its indications and contraindications.
A phlebologist is the best friend of patients with varicose veins
People who suffer from varicose veins, as well as people who have a hereditary tendency to this disease or are included in the risk group, should visit a phlebologist every year to monitor the condition of the veins of their legs.
A phlebologist is a doctor of a narrow specialty that deals with problems of venous vessels.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound examination of the vessels of the lower extremities, which can show the condition of the walls of the vessels, valves, check the patency of the blood vessels, rule out 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, avoid surgical intervention altogether or eliminate the pathology using a minimally invasive method.The sooner the disease is detected, the more successful the treatment will be.
Don't be afraid to ask for help from experts.Ultrasound examination of veins is a painless procedure;you just have to be patient as it takes quite a long time.