Varicose veins of the lower extremities

Varicose veins are the dilation of the superficial veins of the lower extremities, caused by valvular insufficiency and impaired blood flow.In this case, gravity plays a key role here.It has a positive effect on the blood circulation of the organs located above the heart.If we talk about the veins of the lower extremities, gravity has the opposite effect.Under its influence, the normal blood flow is disturbed, as a result of which the blood stagnates in the vessels and thus causes their deformation.Varicose veins are usually found in the lower legs and behind the knees.

Currently, about every 10 people in the world suffer from varicose veins.Moreover, women between the ages of 30 and 60 are more susceptible to this disease.In general, men suffer from varicose veins 4-6 times less than women.

Factors affecting the formation of varicose veins:

• hereditary tendency;
• injuries causing damage to venous valves (as a result, blood outflow is impaired);
• great physical activity;
• standing for a long time (this applies especially to the category of people who have professions that require standing for a long time: teachers, salesmen, surgeons, etc.);
• sedentary lifestyle (leads to blood stagnation);
• overweight (excessive load on blood vessels);
• increased intra-abdominal pressure (may occur as a result of chronic constipation, chronic cough, prostate adenoma, etc.).

In addition, varicose veins of the lower limbs can occur as a result of wearing tight clothes that put pressure on the veins, often sitting cross-legged, and smoking.

Pregnancy should be mentioned separately.During this period, women often experience varicose veins, but they are often reversible and gradually disappear after childbirth.During pregnancy, varicose veins can occur as a result of fetal pressure on the vessels going to the legs;as a result of an increase in the total amount of blood in the body, as well as the effect of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on the condition of the vessel walls.

Thus, the category of people most affected by varicose veins includes pregnant women, the elderly, athletes, "standing" professionals, people with flat feet, overweight people, as well as people whose close relatives suffer (or suffer) from this disease.

Symptoms of varicose veins:

• the appearance of tortuous dark blue or purple veins on the legs, as well as spider veins;
• brown spots on ankles and calves;
• thickening and bulging of veins;
• periodic cramps in leg muscles;
• formation of trophic ulcers on the skin of the lower extremities;
• pain, swelling and fatigue in the legs;
• heaviness and burning in the lower extremities.

Varicose veins of the lower extremities occur in four stages:

1. Crooked veins, spider veins and spider veins appear on the skin.Sometimes there is slight swelling in the legs in the evening.There is no pain or discomfort at this stage.
2. Periodically, severe swelling of the ankle occurs and heaviness appears in the legs (mostly in the afternoon and after exercise).At night, the patient suffers from cramps in the calf muscles, accompanied by abdominal swelling, numbness and tingling.
3. Swelling of the legs becomes obvious and permanent.Seals are formed on the skin and subcutaneous tissue.Pigmentation and dermatitis also appear at this stage of the disease.In addition, the patient begins to worry about itching and swelling.
4. Trophic ulcers appear on the skin of the legs.

Varicose veins are not a dangerous disease in themselves, but in the absence of timely effective treatment, in some cases, they can lead to serious consequences that end in death.

The most common complications from varicose veins:

• chronic venous insufficiency - obstructed blood flow caused by poor functioning of vascular valves due to an increase in the diameter of blood vessels;
• thrombophlebitis of varicose veins - formation of blood clots in veins as a result of inflammation of the venous wall;
• pulmonary embolism - cessation of blood flow in the pulmonary artery due to blockage by a detached blood clot;
• trophic ulcers are skin defects (wounds) formed during acute disruption of blood flow through superficial and deep vessels.

Varicose veins always require qualified treatment.It does not pass by itself and gradually turns into various complications.Only you can reduce pain and discomfort.To prevent the disease and alleviate its symptoms, you should:

• avoid a sedentary (sitting or standing) lifestyle (move more often, change body position, do gymnastics, etc.);
• wear a special medical jersey;
• take a bath only in the evening;
• sleeping in a position where the legs are higher than the level of the heart (it is contraindicated for people with heart disease);
• limit the consumption of salty foods;
• wear shoes with a heel of no more than 4 cm;
• try not to sit on your feet.

In addition to the visual examination and palpation of the legs by a vascular surgeon, the diagnosis of varicose veins may include additional examinations:

• Ultrasound is one of the most informative methods for diagnosing varicose veins of the lower extremities.It allows to determine the degree of expansion of the vessels, their openness, as well as to determine the presence of blood clots and the direction of blood flow.
• Contrast venography is a method that allows you to see the contours of the affected veins on X-ray.For this, before the examination, a substance that colors the blood in a contrasting color is injected into the vein.

The main modern methods of treating varicose veins of the lower extremities

Miniphlebectomy

Miniphlebectomy is a gentle operation in which the affected veins are removed through small incisions and punctures using special hooks.It is often performed under local anesthesia, which allows the patient to return to a normal lifestyle within 2-3 hours after the procedure.In addition, due to the minimal surgical intervention after miniphlebectomy, practically no scars remain on the skin of the legs, and all bruises and pigments disappear after a few months.

After this operation, it is necessary to regularly wear a special therapeutic knitwear for a few weeks, as well as strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations to prevent new relapses of the disease.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation allows complete treatment of varicose veins in an outpatient setting.This procedure is performed as follows: under local anesthesia, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the affected vein through a puncture that "seals" the vein under the influence of microwaves.

Thanks to precise and controlled effects, radiofrequency ablation allows to achieve effective results.After this procedure, the patient returns to his normal lifestyle within 30 minutes, and active sports are allowed for a week.

Laser treatment (EVLT)

This method is also known for its minimal trauma level and high cosmetic effect.This procedure is performed under local or spinal anesthesia.Through small punctures, a light guide connected to a laser device is inserted into the lumen of the diseased vessel.Under the influence of laser radiation, the affected area of the vessel is reliably closed (adjacent tissues are not damaged).The process of advancing the light guide is guided by a doctor using ultrasound, which ensures high accuracy of the procedure.

EVLT lasts about 30-40 minutes, after which the patient goes home independently and returns to a normal lifestyle the next day.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is one of the safest and most aesthetic methods of treating varicose veins (including stars, nets, and snakes).eliminates the appearance of scars and marks on the skin.The technique of this procedure is as follows: using very thin needles, an adhesive solution (sclerosant) is injected into the affected vein, after which it is compressed from the outside with a special latex pad and an elastic bandage.Thanks to sclerotherapy, the walls of the veins adhere to each other, as a result of which the varicose vein is removed from the blood circulation and the blood circulation becomes healthy and the symptoms of the disease disappear.

The mentioned procedure lasts several sessions (about 3-5), each lasting 5 to 10 minutes.After each procedure, the patient must wear special socks that are worn for 1 to 3 days.

It should be noted that in some cases, different methods are combined for the treatment of varicose veins.

Treatment of trophic ulcers

Trophic ulcers often occur in the final stages of varicose veins as a result of venous stasis.They are long-term untreated affected areas of the skin and underlying tissues.

The treatment of this complication involves a comprehensive and multi-stage approach.This may include both surgical intervention and pharmacotherapy, wearing compression garments.In the initial stages, trophic ulcers are successfully treated with the laser method.In advanced cases, biopsy and radiopaque venography are used.

When the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities appear, it is important to immediately contact qualified specialists.In this way, you will eliminate the risk of complications and quickly recover your health.