Symptoms and treatment of varicose veins on the legs

Varicosis is a scourge of our time.According to clinical research, on the planet, about half of the entire population suffers from one or another form of pathological disorders of the circulatory-vascular system.Women, in their physiological characteristics, are more prone to disease.Their number is up to 40% of the total number of patients.Whereas men are only in 20% of cases subject to this pathology of blood vessels.

Most often, people of the middle age group (30–40 years) and elderly suffer from violation of venous blood circulation.The first disease affects the lower limbs.

Symptoms and treatment of varicose veins on the legs are closely interconnected and provide for a preventive examination of blood vessels for the selection of proper therapy.

Clinical picture

Dysfunction of venous blood flow develops due to damage to the valves of perforant (connecting) veins, their overload and deformation.When the work of deep (internal) arteries is disturbed, blood circulation becomes chaotic, which leads to its ingestion and the formation of characteristic nodes.Not intended for transporting such a powerful blood flow, thin veins are stretched, forming vascular balls and the notorious blue “snakes” (winding veins, which appears to the surface of the skin).Such defects are clearly visible to the naked eye or on palpation of the destruction site.

Varicose veins belongs to progressive pathologies, which without timely treatment are fraught with healthy complications and disability.Incorrect blood reflux has different manifestations, depending on the severity of the state of patients with blood vessels, and is expressed through an increase in intellectual pressure and the appearance of excessive fatigue of the legs, swelling, severity in the feet and ankles, regular convulsions.In advanced cases of varicose veins in places of vascular damage, the formation of wounds, ulcers and blood clots is possible.

Varicosis is primary and secondary.In addition to the lower extremities, the place of dislocation of the disease is also the stomach, esophagus, pelvic organs, testicles, seed cords, penis, colon.In case of violation of the blood flow of deep veins, the pathology proceeds quite difficult, leading to weakening the walls of blood vessels, expanding the internal cavity of the arteries and the transition of the disease into a chronic form (venous insufficiency).Therefore, the earlier the varicose veins are diagnosed, the higher the chances of recovery and less the risk of pathological complications.

Because of what is formed

The causes of venous expansion are different factors.Conventionally, they can be divided into basic and secondary.The main sources of varicose veins are:

• Constant heavy physical exertion;
• Long stay with a static position - sitting or standing;
• Adverse environmental conditions - for example, constantly high air temperature;
• Body weight fluctuations or chronic obesity;
• Hormonal imbalance - a period of pregnancy or menopause;
• Diseases of the endocrine system;
• Hereditary-genetic predisposition, manifested in the features of the structure of blood vessels, namely the congenital anatomical inferiority of the venous valves and the weakness of the connective tissue of the arterial walls;
• Neuroses.

In addition, indirectly causing dysfunction of the venous-vascular system can:

1. Systematically repeated stresses affecting the state of arteries and nerve endings, causing an increase in pressure and elasticity to increase;
2. Classes of professional sports with the main emphasis on the lower limbs - raising the bar, long -distance run, etc.;
3. Wearing uncomfortable clothes and shoes - a thing that tightly tight in the pelvis and legs, narrow and high -heeled shoes in the area;
4. Previously transferred injuries of the lower extremities (fractures);
5. An elderly age, as a result of which the functionality of epithelial cells frates, contributing to the weakening of the walls of the veins, impaired valves and an increase in the internal volume of arteries.

In the history, the development of varicose veins, as a rule, is stimulated not by one, but by a complex of factors.

Symptoms of the disease

Varicose veins can have a variety of manifestations that depend on the degree of complexity of the pathology and physiological characteristics of the patient's body.In accordance with the stages of varicose veins, the following symptoms of blood vessels are noted:

• Venous patterns or "stars" (telangioectasia) on the skin;

• Swelling of the limbs, especially at the end of the day;
• Pain in the legs or along the veins when they are felt;
• Periodically repeated convulsions;
• Fatigue, especially in hiking;
• Visual manifestation of veins on the surface of the skin;
• Feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• Burning in places of lesion of veins;
• Muscle itch;
• Pain of different nature and aches;
• The formation of wriggling veins in the area of the legs and feet;
• Dermatological changes in the skin - the appearance of dryness, pigmentation, darkening;
• Development of dermatitis, eczema and trophic disorders in the form of non -healing wounds and ulceration;
• Skin compaction in places of progression of varicose veins;
• The formation of hematomas.

Rarely, but sometimes it happens, the rupture of venous nodes and the occurrence of subcutaneous bleeding.In this case, the situation requires emergency medical care and surgical intervention.

Symptoms can manifest from adolescence.Developing imperceptibly, after a while the disease makes itself felt by a mass of unpleasant consequences for health.If at least one is present from the above signs, an examination should be immediately undergoing.Heals patients with a phlebologist or surgeon.

Classification

Based on the decision of the international scientist community, the pathological expansion of veins of the lower extremities is customary to systematize according to the special classifier of CEAP or Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathology.Based on this typology, varicose veins has 6 clinical stages:

1. Zero.Significant subjective complaints of the patient about some of the symptoms of varicose veins are noted, but with visual examination and medical examination, obvious signs of the disease are still absent.
2. I degree.On the surface of the skin, small vascular nets, rare edema, heaviness, burning, a feeling of “buzzing” in the legs appear.
3. II degree.It is considered the starting point of true varicose veins.It is characterized by an external distinct manifestation of enlarged vessels, the formation of venous nodes that exacerbate after a long stay in a static state or high -heeled walks.Starting from this stage, thrombosis is observed.
4. III degree.The symptoms of the second group are joined by regular swelling, most noticeable by the end of the day and pulling, aching pain in calves.
5. IV degree.Trophic changes in the skin are observed.Due to excessive accumulation in the epidermis of the pigment, the skin begins to change its color from dark brown to black.It is also possible to develop small local inflammations in the form of erythema or wet wounds, leading over time to atrophy of the dermis and ulcers.
6. V degree.It has the same course as the fifth stage, but with the acquired trophic ulceration.
7. VI degree.It is characterized by severe progression with the formation of non -healed wounds and ulcers.

Varicose veins are serious.Without timely treatment and constant prevention, it quickly progresses and leads to irreversible consequences and serious consequences, up to death.Only 10 years is enough from making a diagnosis of varicose veins, so that the pathology from the 1st stage develops in the VI-Yu.

Complications

The effect of varicose veins on the body is extremely negative.If at the very beginning, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, causing only rare discomfort and insignificant cosmetic defects, then in the later stages the pathology becomes a pronounced character and leads to serious health consequences in the long term.Changes occur at a deeper level, affecting the entire functional system of the body.

So, as a result of reflux disturbance and stagnation of venous blood in the arteries, the access of blood supply saturated with oxygen to tissues and organs slows down, causing oxygen starvation and, as a result, hypoxia.At the same time, the pressure inside the arteries grows, expanding and increasing the vessels of the venous channel in the volume.In the body, toxins, by -products of metabolism begin to accumulate in the body, causing everywhere skin inflammation (dermatitis) and the pathological condition of the subcutaneous tissue (cellulite).In the walls of small ones, irreversible changes occur.

The greatest danger of varicose veins is its complications manifested against its background.The most frequent and common consequences of impaired reflux are:

• The swelling of the lower extremities, which becomes constant and does not pass even after a long rest;
• Static pain in the legs of different intensity;
• Bouts of muscle cramps, increasing in their frequency;
• Constant fatigue and heaviness in the legs;
• Increased weakness and body temperature;
• The development of dermatitis, manifested in the form of an itching rash;
• Chronic skin inflammation (eczema);
• The formation of open trophic ulcers;
• Severe arterial bleeding during injury due to impaired blood coagulation;
• Thickening (accumulation) in places of stretching of blood veins and the formation of blood clots, clogging the internal space of a sick vessel;
• Phlebotrombosis;
• Thickening of subcutaneous fat fabric;
• Hyperpigmentation of the skin;
• Bleeding of varicose nodes;
• Thrombophlebitis - inflammation of the inner walls of the veins.

Without proper treatment, the pathology constantly progresses and goes into a permanent state, causing chronic venous insufficiency and pulmonary arterial thromboembolism. The latter refers to extremely severe complications and is fraught with sudden death.But even in a non -aggluted situation, varicose veins are enormous, significantly reducing the overall quality of the patient's life.

Pathology in men

The pathology of the veins has no gender.However, according to pathogenesis, the disease is conditionally divided into male and female varicose veins with their own specifics of formation and development inherent in each of them.Thus, the features of male physiology do not contribute to the formation of representatives of the strong half of humanity problems with the veins, but there are a number of factors favorable to this.Among them:

1. Hard physical work or professional sport associated with the wear or lift of the load;
2. Sedentary lifestyle;

3. Poor nutrition;
4. Genetic tendency;
5. Prolonged use of hormonal drugs;
6. Bad habits.

Varicosis develops in men more often at the age of 40 and is accompanied by increased fatness of the legs, lower legs, visible edema, venous pattern on the surface of the skin, frequent convulsions and skin itching by the type of allergic dermatitis.In some advanced cases, blood clots and vascular infection is possible.And if at first the disease is invisible, then over time its manifestations become obvious.But the main changes occur inside the veins, the walls of which are so weakening that any, even insignificant, on them, the effect of toxic substance or infection provokes their damage.The technique of treating varicose veins in men is the same as in women and does not have any specific features.

Pathology in women

The beautiful half of the population suffers from varicose veins several times more often than men.Favorable factors for this are:

• Wearing high -heeled shoes or selected not in accordance with the size and fullness of its leg;
• Pulling or overly tight -fitting clothes that prevent normal blood circulation;
• Work requiring the entire day on his feet is a seller, administrator at the reception, hairdresser, teacher, cook, etc.;
• Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth and age -related restructuring of the body (menopause);
• Experiments with weight - frequent fluctuations in body weight, extreme diets aimed at sharp weight loss, uncontrolled set of extra pounds.

It is women who are frequent patients of phlebologists and cosmetologists.In an effort to preserve the aesthetic look of the skin as long as possible, the ladies are more responsible for the treatment of varicose veins than men, and achieve visible improvements in the clinical state of the arterial system.

Given the increased natural tendency to varicose veins, the appearance of symptoms such as swelling of the legs, excessive legs, skin itching and burning sensation, manifestation of small vessels and venous pattern should seriously alert a woman and become a reason for an immediate visit to the doctor.

Diagnosis of the disease

To make an accurate diagnosis of varicose veins, as well as determining the degree of severity, special research methods are used.The standard examination scheme when accessing a phlebologist consists of the following procedures:

1. Collecting anamnesis of the disease, which establish possible risk factors and causes;
2. Visual examination of the patient by changing the last position, as well as palpation of places of lesion of veins;
3. Laboratory blood test;
4. Ultrasound colored duplex synography of the arteries of the lower extremities, which allows to correctly carry out a medical opinion, measure the speed and direction of the blood flow, draw up a map of its movement, get a characteristic and a clear image of blood vessels;
5. Vascular X -ray (phlebography) using a contrast matter to determine the appearance and shape of the veins, the functional capabilities of the valves and the direction of blood flow.

Often these research methods are quite enough to determine the exact clinic, however, in certain cases, they resort to the use of additional diagnostic methods:

• Three -dimensional CT (computed tomography) with phlebography;
• Photopletismography, which provides for the use of infrared and light radiation of a photoresistor or phototransistor;
• Phleboscintography based on the use of radionuclide isotopes, and phlebomanometry, dynamic examination of venous pressure of the lower extremities;
• Lymphoscintigraphy showing the condition and degree of change in lymph nodes.

The need to use a particular diagnostic method is established by the doctor based on the complexity of the situation and individual clinical indicators of the patient.

A timely conducted and competently selected method of research allows you to determine the position of surface and deep veins and form an accurate scheme of the therapeutic course in accordance with the indicators.

Conservative treatment

In the initial stages, varicose veins reversible and, with a responsible approach to treatment, is completely eliminated.In other cases, to combat expanded veins, they resort to conservative therapy using drugs, intravenous corrective drugs and special compression linen.Each of this type of treatment has its own indications for the appointment and specifics of exposure to the sick body.

1. Drug therapy.It implies oral use during a certain period of phlebotropic drugs - phlebotonics, anticoagulants and antioxidants - contributing to the strengthening of blood vessels and reducing their brittleness, better thinning of blood and normalization of blood flow, eliminating accumulated toxic substances from the body.For local treatment, tonic, painkillers, soothing and removing edema of gels and ointments are used.Also, B vitamins are introduced into the therapeutic complex, K, etc. The decision on the duration of treatment is made according to the results of the diagnosis and nature of the dynamics of the disease.
2. Sclerotherapy of arteries.The method involves the use of special medications acting by gluing the affected varicose veins from the inside.As a result, reflux is stabilized and is already carried out in healthy vessels.The procedure is carried out invasively, by intravenous administration of the solution.It is prescribed with a certain state of blood vessels and small sizes of venous nodes.
3. Ozonotherapy.It is part of cosmetic medicine and consists in the influence of a cold ozone vessel on the interior space of the vessel in order to glue the defect place.Also, the method is actively used to remove non -aesthetic vascular mesh from the surface of the skin.Effective at the initial stage of the disease.To achieve the desired result, only a few procedures are enough.
4. Compression therapy.It consists of wearing special medical linen that creates a pressure of various intensity on different parts of the legs, which in turn helps to reduce the load on the veins and restore blood circulation.The constant use of corrective underwear protects the vessels from stretching and developing thrombosis.As intended, compression underwear is preventive (minimal compression force), therapeutic (worn only during exacerbation of veinosis) and hospital (used in the postoperative period in the hospital).It is produced in the form of tights, stockings, golfs and an elastic bandage.The choice of compression linen is carried out only on the recommendation of a doctor.

These therapy methods have high effectiveness in uncomplicated forms of varicose veins of the lower extremities and help eliminate pain, reduce swelling, improve the valve system, increase blood flow tone, normalize blood flow and prevent the development of the negative consequences of the disease.

Surgical methods of exposure to expanded veins

Operation for varicose veins is carried out only in extreme cases when a deep lesion of veins is diagnosed with concomitant complications.Indications for the appointment of surgical intervention are:

• Noticeable aggravation of pathology;
• Development of thrombophlebitis;
• Visible expansion of subcutaneous veins;
• Strong swelling and fatigue of the lower extremities;
• Pathological violation of reflux.

Operation under general anesthesia is performed using modern surgical techniques, such as:

1. Radio -frequency span of blood vessels.Restoring the structure of veins from the inside using disposable catheter and automatic generators of radio waves.
2. Endidenous thermal occlusion with PAYPULES (SVS).The impact on the vessels of the abundant stream of heated steam.Allows you to penetrate into the most inaccessible areas of the venous channel and influence the deformed vessels directly.
3. Laser coagulation of veins.It involves the use of a laser beam directed to a sick vein.The procedure does not leave cuts, burns and scars.
4. The technique that consists in gluing the valves of blood vessels with special biological glue.
5. Varadi method.The most complex treatment method, involving the removal of the affected vessel.Thanks to 100% of efficiency, it is one of the priority methods of neurosurgery.

Despite the high effectiveness of surgical treatment, it often takes place in combination with conservative methods of therapy.This approach allows you to speed up the recovery process and securely fix the result.

Rehabilitation period

During the recovery period and in the future, a competent rehabilitation program helps in the fight against varicose veins of the lower extremities, including periodic drug therapy, as well as compliance with the rules of a healthy lifestyle and the implementation of therapeutic gymnastics.

In addition to sanatorium physical education, a patient with a diagnosis of varicose veins, regardless of the development stage and the rehabilitation period, to improve blood circulation and prevent blood stagnation in veins, is useful to wear corrective medical underwear.

Preventive recommendations

To reduce the risk of developing veins pathology, it is enough to adhere to simple, but effective tips:

• Try to lead an active imagelives even with static work - move more, periodically change your position, take short breaks for gymnastics or rest;
• Do not throw a leg on the leg during the seat;
• Do not wear strongly squeezing things;
• Refuse high -heeled shoes or put on it on occasion;
• Treat chronic circulatory disorders, especially hemorrhoids;
• As sports hobbies, choose bicycle walks and swimming;
• During the rest, place the legs above the level of the heart;
• Revise the power system and include useful products in the diet;
• Control your weight and try to keep it in constant size;
• Abandon bad habits - smoking, alcohol, abuse of fatty foods, etc.;
• Take a contrast shower;
• Use a large amount of liquid during the day - from 1.5 to 2 liters;
• Avoid long -term stay in the sun.

The application of these simple recommendations will help not only slow down already developing varicose veins and relieve unpleasant discomfort in the lower extremities, but also warn its appearance in the future.

Treatment of varicose veins has a variety of reviews depending on the complexity of the diagnosis and therapy method.

“I ran into varicose veins during pregnancy. I didn’t take anything to childbirth. But after I had to take emergency measures. I treated veins with ointments and pills, since the situation was not catastrophic. Now I am periodically examined by a phlebologist. There is no deterioration yet.”

"I learned about varicose veins thanks to sports. Regular loads did not go unnoticed and spilled into the progressive varicose veins of the left leg. The usual treatment did not help, I had to do the operation. I was terribly afraid, but now I was glad that I agreed. I removed the sick vein with a laser. For 2 years I have been living calmly - neither pain nor edema."