Varicose veins of the lower extremities, also called varicose veins, manifest as an expansion of the superficial veins of the legs, which is accompanied by blood flow disorders and incompetence of the valves.Currently, varicose veins are very common: they are observed in approximately 17-25% of people.At a young age, before the onset of puberty, this disease develops equally often in both sexes.However, in adult women, varicose veins are observed twice as often as in men.This picture can be explained by significant hormonal changes during the onset of menstruation, during pregnancy.As a result, the tone of the veins is weakened, they expand, and the venous circulation is disturbed.
Predisposing factors for varicose veins
Today, experts support many theories that indicate why varicose veins develop on the legs.But, nevertheless, speaking about the main cause of this disease, it should be noted the violation of the valvular apparatus of the veins.When the venous valves are insufficient in a standing person, blood flows downward under the influence of gravity.When walking, the calf muscles surrounding the deep veins contract.Consequently, the veins become empty and the venous pressure increases.As a result, blood enters the superficial veins, they stretch and varicose veins appear.
There are a number of factors that directly affect the progression of varicose veins.In women, varicose veins often develop as a result of pregnancy.During this period, the volume of blood in the female body increases significantly.The enlarged uterus puts a lot of pressure on the veins coming from the legs.In addition, during pregnancy, the condition of the vein wall is affected by hormonal changes in the body.In many cases, varicose veins during pregnancy are reversible, that is, they gradually disappear after childbirth.
Very often, varicose veins of the lower extremities appear in people who are forced to stand for a long time while working.Another risk factor for varicose veins is obesity: obese people have increased intra-abdominal pressure and, as a result, varicose veins.Often, veins expand in people who are prone to regular stress.This happens with chronic constipation, cough, prostate adenoma and other conditions.Varicose veins can sometimes be the result of leg surgery.
Another predisposing factor for varicose veins is a person's age.Normally, the valves and walls of the veins age over time.As a result, elasticity is lost and veins stretch.Varicose veins often occur in patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis and congenital vascular anomalies.
Symptoms of the development of varicose veins in the legs
First of all, the visible symptoms of varicose veins on the legs are the appearance of a network of thin veins on the surface of the skin of the legs.Such manifestations mainly occur in the thigh area.Varicose veins like this are the easiest to spot in people who suffer from cellulite.Sometimes it is cellulite that becomes a precursor to varicose veins.Often, fatty deposits due to cellulite compress the veins, and as a result, blood flow becomes difficult and varicose veins occur.
In some cases, leg swelling indicates varicose veins.However, such a sign can be a symptom of other diseases (heart failure, kidney urolithiasis).Therefore, in this case, it is impossible to speak clearly about the occurrence of varicose veins before the diagnosis is made.A symptom of varicose veins is often pain in the legs.The pain can be acute, and it can have excruciating symptoms.The most common symptom of varicose veins is pain in the calves.It mostly occurs in the afternoon, after a certain load on the legs.There may be a feeling of heavy weight in the legs, cramps may occur at night, and trophic changes gradually appear on the legs.
Therefore, a person who observes the appearance of a capillary network, periodic manifestations of pain and swelling, should consult a doctor and undergo the necessary investigations.There are a number of different tests that allow you to assess the condition of the veins and the degree of development of the disease.If the patient has uncomplicated varicose veins, then in most cases instrumental diagnostic methods are not used.
Principles of treatment of varicose veins
Conservative treatment of varicose veins is mainly prescribed for those people who have clear contraindications for surgical intervention.Also, such treatment is indicated if the patient has slightly enlarged veins, which is a purely cosmetic defect.
The goal of conservative therapy is to prevent further progression of this disease.For this purpose, patients are recommended to wrap their legs affected by varicose veins with an elastic bandage.In addition, compression knitwear is indicated for varicose veins.
People who are prone to varicose veins or already suffer from this disease should regularly put their feet on an elevated surface during the day, resting in this way for a few minutes.There are also special exercises for the lower leg and foot, which aim to activate the muscular-venous pump.This is periodic extension and flexion of the ankle and knee joints.
Treatment of varicose veins also includes wearing comfortable shoes, which should have low heels and hard soles.You should not stand for a long time, allow physical stress, or stay for a long time in rooms with high temperature and humidity.It is recommended to keep your legs elevated while sleeping.
Patients should limit fluid and salt intake and try to lose excess weight.For the treatment of varicose veins, it is occasionally necessary to take diuretics, drugs that improve the tone of the veins.In addition, if indicated, the patient can be prescribed drugs that stimulate microcirculation in the tissues.Treatment of varicose veins may also include taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.If the patient has an uncomplicated form of the disease, physical therapy exercises are indicated.Swimming, other water treatments, foot baths with warm water, to which 5-10% sodium chloride solution is added, are very useful.
However, the radical method of treating varicose veins is surgery.This operation is not performed if the patient has accompanying diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidneys or liver.This operation should not be performed on pregnant women, nor on people suffering from purulent diseases.Modern technologies allow the use of endoscopic techniques for such an operation.If a person has only small branches enlarged, sclerotherapy can be used.This operation involves injecting a sclerosing solution into the vein to seal the vein walls.After that, injections are repeated in other parts of the vein, which achieves complete obliteration of the vein.
In the case of varicose veins, combined surgical therapy is used, in which the large trunks of the changed veins are removed and sclerotherapy of small branches is performed.After surgery, patients are recommended to continue wearing an elastic bandage for 8-12 weeks.
Prevention of varicose veins on the legs
Prevention of varicose veins includes a series of measures aimed at preventing signs of the disease.It is beneficial for everyone to occasionally keep their legs elevated, take breaks during sedentary work and not wear underwear that burdens the body.A good way to prevent varicose veins would be a contrast shower, including foods that are good for blood in your diet and doing some physical exercise.At the first signs of varicose veins, you should consult a doctor in order to prevent the progression of the disease.