Many people have encountered the problem of varicose veins on the lower extremities.Over the years, this disease becomes more and more common, regardless of gender and age.The reason for this may be the way of life of office workers, who spend most of their time immobile, sitting at computers, as well as that part of the population who spends their working time standing on their feet - salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models, etc.
The symptoms of varicose veins are very diverse.It is rare for several patients to have the same symptoms.Most often, this vein disease occurs with individual characteristics.However, all sufferers of this disease are united by one condition - the symptom of "heavy legs", which includes swelling, heaviness in the legs, pain along the veins, while the veins themselves at the beginning of the disease may be of normal size and not stand out.Later, varicose veins appear on the legs, which can be seen with the naked eye.This is already an undeniable sign of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: brief information about the disease
Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease that has long been known to doctors;it has its own history, full of interesting facts.Doctors in ancient Egypt were involved in the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations where signs of varicose veins and traces of treatment for complications of this disease were found in mummies.And luminaries such as Avicenna, Galen and Hippocrates mention the existence of varicose veins in their works.
The very term "varicose veins" translated from Latin means "swelling", which reflects the clinical picture of this pathology.
The treatment of varicose veins at that time was also interesting and scary at the same time.Doctors realized that the enlarged and thrombosed vein must be removed to avoid complications.However, the technology was imperfect at the time.Vein surgery was quite traumatic: in order to get to the altered vein, extensive cuts were made on the limbs, which ran along the entire length of the leg in the form of stripes or spiral cuts.Not surprisingly, such patients often died not from the disease itself, but from complications associated with the operation.
A revolution in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities occurred after phlebography began to be actively developed.After the introduction of X-rays and ultrasound into medical practice, it became easier to diagnose the degree of vascular damage, and operations were performed more expediently.The risk of postoperative complications is reduced, and the recovery rate is significantly higher.
Over time, less traumatic techniques appeared, because too 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 the currently used "minimally invasive" treatment methods, which do not require the use of a scalpel, were developed.
We are luckier than our ancestors, because currently this pathology is successfully treated.Even surgical methods of treatment do not pose a great danger to health.After a short time, operated patients easily return to normal life.And some interventions allow patients to forget about their problem right after leaving the healthcare facility.The main thing, as with any disease, is to have time to seek medical help at an early stage of the disease's development.
Varicose veins on the legs are not dangerous, thrombophlebitis is!
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.So 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 the quality of our life.Symptoms such as pain and heaviness in the legs, swelling, skin discoloration and the appearance of non-healing ulcers are very unpleasant and severe.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 thing.
Varicose veins on the legs are accompanied by the formation of blood clots inside the veins.Once detached, such a blood clot can enter a pulmonary artery and cause a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism.It is very difficult to treat, and most often patients with thromboembolism do not even have time to get to a medical facility - death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a disease with serious complications.Self-medication is life-threatening.Only experienced experts and regular monitoring will save your health and life!
Treatment of varicose veins: vein surgery
Varicose veins on the legs are a reason to seek the help of a surgeon.Varicose veins are the field of activity of surgical specialists.Every patient tries to avoid surgical intervention until the last moment, but it should be known that varicose veins can be cured, and the complications associated with the disease can only be cured in a radical way.Of course, you shouldn't completely reject conservative therapy, but you shouldn't rely on it either.Drug treatment works in combination with surgical methods.It's hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative therapy alleviates the course of the disease, reduces unpleasant symptoms to a minimum, enables faster recovery after surgery and reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
Drug treatment, as an independent method, can be used if there are contraindications for surgery.This kind of treatment only slows down the development of the disease without removing the cause.
Today, vein surgery is a fairly 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, anamnesis and the results of the patient's examination.
Types of operations:
- Phlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Laser coagulation.
In an operation called phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through small incisions in the limb.Vein surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of recurrence after this method of treatment is low.The operation itself does not cause much harm to the patient's health, and the recovery is quite fast.Patients usually only spend a few days in the hospital.After the intervention, drug therapy and wearing compression garments are prescribed.
Sclerotherapy, as a minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins, has its roots in the distant past.Many doctors tried to cure this pathology by introducing various chemical compounds into the lumen of varicose veins.Through trial and error we managed to achieve success in this direction.A drug was found that is successfully used to this day.This substance is given intravenously under ultrasound guidance.The procedure is painless.Under the influence of the drug, the walls of the damaged vein stick together and then retract.The procedure should be performed by an experienced specialist, because an excessive dose of the drug or its introduction into soft tissues is fraught with serious complications.
Laser coagulation is a minimally invasive vein operation that is performed without incisions.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and after it the patient immediately returns to his usual way of life, following certain recommendations.The essence of the method is that the laser light guide is inserted into the varicose vein under ultrasound control.Under the influence of the laser beam, the walls of the vein are welded, blood flow becomes impossible.Perhaps this is the most effective and safest method of treatment in our time.Of course, laser coagulation cannot be performed on everyone without exception.Like any method of therapy, 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 predisposition to this disease or are at risk, should visit a phlebologist once a year to monitor the condition of the veins on their legs.
A phlebologist is a specialist doctor who deals with problems of venous vessels.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities, which can show the condition of the vein walls, valves, check the patency of 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, completely avoid surgical intervention or allow you to eliminate the pathology using a minimally invasive method.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful the treatment outcome.
Don't be afraid to seek help from an expert.Ultrasound examination of veins is a painless procedure;you just have to be patient, because it takes a lot of time.