How to get rid of varicose veins on the legs? Varicose veins of the lower extremities are the scourge of modern people.
There are a large number of people in the world who have been suffering from this malignant disease for quite some time. What kind of disease is this and what is it "eaten" with.
varicose veins
This vascular pathology, varicose veins, has occupied one of the first "prize places" among all other types of vascular diseases, since it is most often diagnosed in dilated veins of the legs.
With this disease, the walls of the saccular veins expand. From this, the length of the veins increases, and we can see with the naked eye their serpentine tortuosity, as well as spherical extensions (knots) everywhere.
From 17 to 25% of all humanity suffers from this disease. And if in youth the frequency of detection of this disease is more or less the same between both sexes. Then, in adulthood, women become leaders compared to men, surpassing them practically twice.
There is a version that hormonal changes during menstruation and pregnancy lead to a weakening of the tone of the veins, which gives them significant expansion and disrupts venous circulation in women.
Causes of varicose veins
There are many reasons for the appearance of the symptoms of the disease. Below I will list the main ones, read carefully, maybe you have one of these diseases, then varicose veins can become concomitant.
The disease is genetically determined by the immaturity of the valvular function of the veins, which is aggravated by the underdevelopment of the connective tissue components within the vascular wall.
And now there is an increase in pressure in the vessels themselves and from early childhood, as soon as the first physical activity appears, varicose veins appear.
This group includes people with congenital hypercoagulability factors. Which leads to the formation of blood clots, which do not allow the free circulation of blood and lead to the expansion of the lumen of the vessels.
About the menstrual cycle and pregnancy in women, I have already outlined above. With age menopause is added, estrogens decrease, progesterone increases at the same time, and this is an additional reason, because, in general, blood coagulation factors increase.
And add to this also a decrease in the synthesis of collagen, elastic fibers, which lose their functions within the wall and reduce the tone of the walls of the venous vessels. The picture is such that the blood supply decreases, valvular insufficiency appears and blood clots form.
As one of the risks can not be ignored. Especially with the abdominal type, when it turns out that obesity has a mechanical effect on the venous walls due to increased pressure below the compression zones.
In connection with insulin deficiency, the metabolism as a whole in the body is distorted.
Hyperglycemia leads to a decrease in the elasticity of the walls of the blood vessels and an expansion of the lumen occurs.
Alcohol has the ability to remove fluids from the body. Dehydration, in turn, leads to increased blood clotting and disrupts blood flow.
If you are constantly exposed to increased physical activity, or if you have to constantly stand up. In such people, the risk of developing the disease is increased by blood stagnation in the lower extremities and very high intra-abdominal pressure, which does not allow blood to flow to the heart at a sufficient level.
With constipation, intra-abdominal pressure increases at the time a person pushes. So you can trace the logical development of varicose veins - the expansion of the lumen of the veins.
And in general, due to many factors: the use of high-heeled shoes, previous abdominal operations, serious cardiovascular diseases with circulatory insufficiency, chronic inflammatory processes of the pelvic cavity (prostatitis in men, inflammation of the appendages in women) and, of course, of course smoking.
- By inheritance. The disease is genetically determined by the immaturity of the valvular function of the veins, which is aggravated by the underdevelopment of the connective tissue components within the vascular wall.
- Due to the pathology of blood coagulation. This group includes people with congenital hypercoagulability factors.
- Due to hormonal changes. This group includes menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as menopause.
- due to increased body weight. Especially with the abdominal type, when it turns out that obesity mechanically affects the venous walls.
- Due to diabetes. In connection with insulin deficiency, metabolism in the body is distorted. Hyperglycemia leads to a decrease in the elasticity of the blood vessel walls and vasodilation occurs.
- For alcoholism. Alcohol has the ability to remove fluids from the body. Dehydration leads to increased blood clotting and affects blood flow.
Symptoms of varicose veins
There are the first harbingers of the symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities. They are worth paying close attention to. The main thing is not to lose them in order to start treatment on time.
- The appearance of spider veins and meshes, because the small blood vessels have already expanded and even become visible through the skin.
- In the second stage, we observe the formation of protruding nodules, which are twisted and arranged in clusters.
- Obvious swelling and fatigue of the legs begin, people begin to suffer from frequent leg cramps (more at night), feel itching, fever, "goosebumps"
All these symptoms appear depending on the classification of varicose veins.
About the classification of varicose veins
The international scientific community has introduced a systematization of pathological varicose veins using a special classifier CEAP (Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathology). This typology implies 6 clinical stages in varicose veins:
- Zero. The patient has subjective complaints of non-obvious etiology, suspected varicose veins, but according to the results of a visual examination and investigation, no obvious signs have yet been identified.
- I grade. A small vascular network is visible through the skin, slight and infrequent swelling, appearance of: heaviness, burning, "buzzing" sensation in the legs.
- II degree. This is already the starting point that shows the true varicose veins. He has symptoms of a different external manifestation of dilated vessels, the formation of venous nodules, which increase after a long stay on the legs, or a long static sitting. It is from this stage that the possibility of thrombosis can already be observed.
- III degree. Here, the symptoms of the second group are aggravated by regular swelling, more noticeable at the end of the day, and drawing and aching pain in the calves.
- 4th grade. Visible trophic changes in the skin. From a large accumulation of pigment in the epidermis, the skin changes from dark brown to black. Small local inflammations appear and develop in the form of erythema or suppuration, which over time will cause atrophy of the dermis and ulcers.
- V degree. A similar course of symptoms, as in the fifth stage, but with a healed trophic ulceration
- VI degree. Caused by already severe progression and the formation of non-healing wounds and ulcers
Mandatory treatment of varicose veins is required, otherwise you can have a complication in the form of acute thrombophlebitis and perforation of the nodes (when even the slightest mechanical effect can lead to a stretched and thinned vein wall up to a breakthrough); bleeding in this case occurs very strongly and will lead to large blood loss.
Diagnostics
You need to go to an appointment with a phlebologist. Who will be able to identify varicose veins at a glance, but nevertheless collect an anamnesis, listen to their complaints.
There are special functional tests that the doctor must prescribe.
In addition, there will be instrumental diagnostic methods, including X-ray contrast angiography and duplex Doppler scanning mode ultrasound.
All about the treatment of varicose veins
A few decades ago, there was still such a thing that turned to a phlebologist, there would be a 100% vascular surgical operation, otherwise the veins were not treated at that time.
But, during the last 10-15 years, high-tech minimal and micro-invasive techniques have been used, such as:
- Sclerotherapy (artificial obliteration, the vein walls are "glued" with a special solution, it is injected with microneedles)
- Application of laser therapy.
- Radiofrequency ablation treatment (the thinner tube is inserted into the vein and gradually withdrawn, "welding" the walls)
In these cases, you no longer have to endure a major traumatic operation.
In addition, powerful therapy with a complex character is also added, which involves the appointment of venotonic drugs, anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Good efficiency gives the use of:
- Elastic bandage and compression stockings.
- Hirudotherapy
- subsistence allowance
- therapeutic exercise
- water procedures
Attention: the use of an elastic bandage or compression stockings is possible only after consulting a doctor (in particular, he will explain in detail the bandaging technique - you need to start with the fingers, with the obligatory grip on the heel and gradually loosen the compression closer to the knee)
But we must not completely forget that varicose veins still belong to the category of surgical diseases. And if, according to the advanced state, according to the indications, a radical effect is needed, then it can only be achieved by surgery.
One of the basic operations is phlebectomy. The vein is removed, and the dry residual of the functional viability of the vein is only 10% of the norm.
Still, it is better to do it without taking it to the extreme, varicose veins of the lower extremities can be completely cured if, without delay (however, this applies to any disease), consult a phlebologist.
It is absolutely not necessary to take the matter to a "big" surgery - varicose veins of the lower extremities are completely cured today, but this disease does not go away "by itself".
conclusion
No wonder they say: "the salvation of man, in the hands of man himself. "And although varicose veins are not an easy disease, and they tend to progress rapidly, only 10 years will be enough - from the zero degree of varicose veins to the development of pathology in the 6th degree.
In total, that's what you need, carefully consider the first manifestations of symptoms and consult a doctor - a phlebologist.
Take care of yourself, pay attention to the first news that the body will show you about the appearance of pathological changes in the veins. It is always easier to prevent than to cure an advanced stage of any disease. All health.