Varicose veins on the legs (VBNK) are classified as a disease that not only causes a lot of discomfort to the patient, but can also spoil the aesthetic appearance of the lower extremities.But that's not all.
Varicose veins are very dangerous, and untimely or improper treatment leads to the appearance of pathologies leading to lesions of the circulatory organs.In most cases, the disease affects people aged 30 to 40 years, but these are only statistics, everyone has a risk of illness.
Description of the disease
Varicose veins are called peripheral veins under the skin.In most cases, this occurs on the surface of the muscles, the veins become very convex and are stained in blue.At the same time, nodules form on the legs, a violation of the valve apparatus occurs.
The functioning of the outflow of blood is disturbed.At the moment when the valve shutters are closed, the most difficult times may begin.Blood cannot move as necessary.In the veins, pressure rises, due to stagnation of blood.
After the pressure in the vessels increases, the blood is pushed out, the excess blood stretches the venous walls, their stretching can gradually begin.The edges of the vessels are in contact with the skin, so they become noticeable.
This is the reason for the formation of a certain “web” or a net of vessels.If the vessel is visible through the skin, this suggests that it is weak.The thicker the veins, the stronger they are stretched, the blue they will be.Pronounced knots begin to appear.
This disease has been diagnosed since ancient times.Archaeologists found notes in which the first mention of varicose veins were found.These were medical laws written in ancient Byzantium.
The healers used special elastic bandages that helped eliminate the symptoms of the disease.Many scientists tried to find a way to treat and eliminate the problem, among them were Hippocrates, Avicenna and many other people whose names we know.
The disease is very common.According to statistics, it affects every fourth person on our planet.Why does varicose veins appear?The main causes of the appearance in the poor development of connective tissues.
In order for varicose veins of the lower extremities to begin its distribution, it is necessary to have a special environment.
This is the answer to the question of why varicose veins of the lower extremities affects mainly women - the most active hormonal restructuring occurs in the female body.
Take care of the veins.When the disease goes into a serious advanced state, it is already difficult to cure it.Timely appeal to a phlebologist increases the likelihood that internal varicose veins on the legs will be cured without surgical interventions.Many are interested in whether varicose veins are taking place.We will answer right away - no.You can’t do without treatment.
The disease is very insidious, half of the patients does not even mean that they are owners of the first stage of varicose veins.Therefore, you should carefully familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the disease and know what to pay attention to in order to avoid complications.
The causes of varicose veins
As we said above, varicose veins of the lower extremities are very common.But there are people whom this disease bypasses.Why is this happening?Perhaps they observed some preventive measures or had no predisposition to the disease?Let's try to figure it out.
In fact, in order to start a violation of the structure of the venous wall and its structure, it is not much necessary.
Some individual characteristics of the human body that were obtained at birth or acquired in the process of life can easily cause varicose veins.
The risk group includes the following categories of people:
- Those who have a genetic predisposition.But it is worth clarifying that the disease is impossible to convey from father to son, but you can convey such a structure of the vascular system that involves the expansion of veins, leading to the onset of blood vessels.
- Women, since this is directly related to their natural purpose.
- People whose professional activity occurs mainly on their feet.
- Pregnant women suffer from varicose veins due to a strong load on their feet.
- People with obesity suffer from the disease for the same reasons, which very often prescribe a diet as therapy.
- Persons with a violation of the hormonal background.
- Everyone who does not comply with the rules of healthy nutrition, as products can also affect the condition of the walls of blood vessels.
- People with metabolism problems.
- Smokers.
Symptoms of the disease
In order to notice the initial stage of the disease in time, you should remember the main signs of varicose veins and take the necessary measures to eliminate them.The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- A aching pain in the legs appears, especially after hiking.
- A burning sensation in the veins.
- The severity of the legs.
- The appearance of edema, especially in the evening.
- Vienna expand markedly.
- Pigmentation.The legs become darker.
- You can feel the seals.
- Trophilic type sores appear.
In addition, there is a list of secondary symptoms, among which the following are distinguished:
- In some people, the disease makes itself felt only in the area of the popliteal fossa or on the back of the legs.In people with dense skin or abundant vegetation on their feet, symptoms appear weaker.
- Sick veins are easy to feel.
- If the patient is put on a flat surface and raise his legs up, then the venous web will disappear.If the patient rises to his feet, the net will appear.
- Sometimes convulsions occur.
All symptoms make itself felt mainly in the evening.If you do not start treating the disease in time, then the symptoms will become harder.
Trophic lesions will spread over the entire surface of the legs.The skin becomes dry, blue, swelling appears.Progression of the disease is accompanied by the following complications:
- Pigmentation.
- Strong seals.
- Ulcers.
- Skin nutrition problems.
If the disease is accompanied by extraneous symptoms in the form of an increase in temperature or general weakness, then the disease has passed into an acute stage.In rare cases, bleeding occurs due to rupture of nodules.
Stages of the disease
The international medical community has developed a classification of varicose veins.This classification includes six degrees of severity of the development of the disease.If you do not monitor the state of your veins, do not take care of them, do not carry out prevention, and expose your legs by the influence of unpleasant factors, then you can quite quickly go through all stages and find yourself in a hospital bed.
Consider each degree of development of the disease separately:
- Degree 0.It is also called the initial stage of the development of the disease.The zero degree is one of the most mysterious stages: the patient complains of the prerequisites typical of varicose veins, but neither examination of the doctor, nor medical tests and examinations reveal the presence of plaques and problems with the venous walls.Beginning varicose veins requires special attention.
- Degree 1.At this stage, vascular plaques or net appear, the symptoms remain the same.
- Degree 2.If the two previous stages are considered ambiguous, and the doctors to this day argue to attribute them to varicose veins, then this stage suggests that you definitely have varicose veins.In this stage, you yourself will notice that the veins on your legs have increased, bluish plaques appeared on them.Moreover, the veins become more distinct after a high -heeled walk or a long stay in the office chair.At this stage, varicose veins must be treated.What does varicose veins look like?It is simple enough to recognize it, the veins are formed in a net or a web and their color becomes blue.
- Degree 3.Symptoms remain the same, everyday swelling is added to it, which become unbearable in the evening.In the morning they may disappear.
- Degree 4.Changes in a trophic nature occur: problems with the pigmentation of the skin begin, it can even get black.The skin is inflamed, small redness appear on them, which over time can grow and become weeping.All these symptoms are the prerequisites for the formation of trophic ulcers.
- Degree 5.It includes the totality of all of the above symptoms to which a trophic -type ulcer is added.
- Degree 6.The ulcer becomes active, acting and non -healing.Immediate surgical intervention is required, as the ulcer poses a threat to life.
How is diagnosis
When the disease only begins its development, it manifests itself very imperceptibly, in fact, without making itself felt.People think that discomfort in the lower extremities is the result of fatigue after a long working day or write them off to age.
An appeal to a specialist often occurs already when the disease begins to manifest itself in an obvious way, usually this is done in the third stage and higher.
If the patient can see tangible fees of veins with swelling, then making a diagnosis will not be difficult.However, doctors are not limited to visual examination and use additional methods for research:
- Field with ultrasound.The examination allows you to determine the speed at which the blood moves through the veins and their occupancy.
- Pertes tests - are prescribed at the initial stages of the development of varicose veins.Such a technique is carried out by a thorough examination with a change in the patient's position.Thorough palpation is carried out.
- Flebomanometry - determines intravenous pressure.
- Screening veins is a procedure that determines the state and elasticity of the venous walls.
There are a lot of methods.The doctor will not prescribe all the research options for you.In the majority, the definition of the disease occurs after one or two measures.The diagnosis is made, its degree is determined and treatment begins.
Methods of treatment
Modern medicine has achieved great success in terms of treating varicose veins.In fact, all events are held on an outpatient basis.Hospitalization in the hospital is required in exceptional or advanced cases.
There are a number of methods for the treatment of varicose veins:
- sclerotherapy;
- laser coagulation;
- radio frequency ablation;
- Surgical intervention.
Let us consider in more detail some of them.
Sclerotherapy
This method allows you to remove painful veins without surgery.To do this, a special liquid agent is introduced into the venous vessel, which has a gluing effect.Over time, the fluid is excreted from the body.Gradually, blood begins not to enter this area, its uniform distribution through healthy parts occurs.
Such a technique has been used for a long time.Currently, doctors have achieved maximum safety of this procedure.The duration of treatment depends on the degree of development of the disease.
After the liquid was introduced, an elastic bandage is wound on the patient’s leg.The procedure allows you to improve blood circulation processes, relieves swelling.Scleotherapy eliminates pain in the legs with varicose veins.
The effectiveness of treatment is 75%.The category of people who make up the remaining 25% includes people with a disease of a neglected nature.
Laser treatment
Coagulation - laser treatment of varicose veins, in which the lumen of the veins is clogged.The technique is considered the latest and was invented by specialists from Germany.
With the help of a laser, a certain “spike” of veins takes place.The laser is inserted under the skin through a small puncture.Do not make cuts.Vienna ceases to participate in the blood circulation, gradually turning into a connecting epithelium.
Radio frequency therapy
This technique has been developed recently.The aim of such therapy is the most effective and perfect deliverance from varicose plaque.
The essence of the procedure is this:
- A catheter with radio frequencies is introduced into a small puncture.
- He clogs the vein with radio waves.
- The catheter has sensors that diagnose the state of exposure to temperature on the walls of the veins.
Radical therapy methods
If the patient has a plentiful presence of a trophic type, eczema and other disorders of the integrity of the skin, then you can not do without surgical intervention.
Most medical centers are equipped with equipment for blood vessel microsurgery.Such equipment allows you to remove sore veins without injury.After such a procedure, there are no traces of scars and scars.The procedure does not require long -term stay in the hospital, in many cases the patient goes home an hour after it.
Do not be afraid of the removal of veins.Doctors are convinced that unhealthy veins are very harmful to health, and all pests must be eliminated in a timely manner.
Useful tips
If, after a long day or after a walk, you feel unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities, severity and other symptoms.Then when you go to bed or rest, put your legs on a pillow or another stand.
If your work implies a long stay in a sitting position or you are constantly in a vertical position, then try to regularly change the position of the legs.If you work standing, then cross from one leg to another, trample in one place.If you are sitting in an office chair, then twist in feet.
After taking the bath, rinse the feet with ice water.
Make sports, fight varicose veins: help:
- swimming;
- walking;
- skiing;
- Bicycle sport.
Varicosis is considered a serious and serious disease.Symptoms of the disease are observed in every second inhabitant of the planet, varicose disease itself affects every fifth person.If you do not proceed to the timely immediate treatment of the disease, then you can become a disabled person, since it will be virtually impossible to walk.
It is important to impeccably observe all the doctor’s prescriptions and perform all preventive exercises.Only comprehensive surgical treatment will help you cope with the disease and avoid its appearance in the future.Now you know what varicose veins are and what to do with varicose veins.Take care of yourself!