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 a long time. What kind of disease is it and what is it "eating" with?
Varicose veins
This vascular pathology, varicose veins, has taken one of the first "prominent places" among all other types of vascular diseases, since it is most often diagnosed in the dilated veins of the legs.
With this disease, the walls of the saccular veins expand. From here, the length of the veins increases, and their serpentine tortuosity can be seen with the naked eye, as well as spherical extensions (knots) throughout.
From 17 to 25% of all mankind suffers from this disease. And if in young people the frequency of detection of this disease is more or less the same between the two sexes. Then in adulthood, women become leaders over men, almost twice ahead of them.
There is such a version that hormonal changes during menstruation and during pregnancy lead to a weakening of the tone of the veins, which gives them a large expansion and disrupts venous circulation in women.
Causes of varicose veins
There are many reasons for the appearance of 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 inside the vascular wall.
And now there is increased 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 factors of hypercoagulability. Which leads to the formation of blood clots, which do not allow the free flow of blood and lead to the expansion of the lumen of the vessels.
About the menstrual cycle and pregnancy in women, I have already described above. Menopause is added with age, estrogen decreases, progesterone increases at the same time, and this is an additional reason, because, in general, blood coagulation factors increase.
And also adds to this a decrease in the synthesis of collagen, elastic fibers, which lose their functions inside the wall and reduce the tone of the walls of the venous vessels. The picture is such that blood flow decreases, valvular insufficiency appears, and blood clots form.
As one of the risks cannot be ignored. Especially with the abdominal type, when it turns out that obesity has a mechanical effect on the venous walls due to an increase in 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 blood vessels and there is an expansion of the lumen.
Alcohol has the ability to remove fluids from the body. Dehydration, in turn, leads to increased blood clotting and disrupts blood circulation.
If you are constantly exposed to increased physical activity or constantly have to stand. In such people, the risk of developing the disease due to 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, increases.
With constipation, intra-abdominal pressure increases when a person pushes. Thus, you can follow the logical development of varicose veins - the expansion of the lumen of the veins.
And in general, due to many factors: wearing high-heeled shoes, previous abdominal operations, severe cardiovascular diseases with circulatory failure, chronic inflammatory processes in the pelvic cavity (prostatitis in men, inflammation of the appendages in women) and, of course, smoker.
- Because of heredity. 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 inside the vascular wall.
- Due to blood clotting pathology. This group includes people with congenital factors of hypercoagulability.
- 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 walls of the veins.
- Because of diabetes. In connection with insulin deficiency, the metabolism in the body is distorted. Hyperglycemia leads to a decrease in the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels and vasodilation occurs.
- Because of alcoholism. Alcohol has the ability to remove fluids from the body. Dehydration leads to increased blood clotting and impairs blood circulation.
Symptoms of varicose veins
There are the first warning signs of the symptoms of varicose veins of the lower limbs. It is worth paying special attention to them. The main thing is not to miss them in order to start treatment in time.
- The appearance of spider veins and stitches, as the small blood vessels have already expanded and even become visible through the skin
- The second stage, we observe the formation of protruding knots, which twist and are arranged in clusters
- Obvious leg swelling and fatigue begins, people begin to experience frequent leg cramps (more at night), experience itching, fever, creeping "goosebumps"
All these symptoms appear according to 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 involves 6 clinical stages in varicose veins:
- Zero. The patient has subjective complaints without obvious etiology, suspicion of varicose veins, but according to the results of a visual examination and research, no obvious signs have yet been identified
- I graduate. A small vascular network is visible through the skin, infrequent and infrequent swelling, appearance of: heaviness, burning, feeling of "buzzing" in the legs
- II degree. This is already the starting point showing real varicose veins. It has symptoms of a distinct external manifestation of enlarged vessels, the formation of venous nodes, which increase after a long stay on the legs or a long static sitting position. It is from this stage that we can already observe the possibility of thrombosis
- III degree. Here, the symptoms of the second group are aggravated by a regular swelling, more noticeable at the end of the day and pulling and aching pains in the calves.
- degree IV. Visible trophic changes in the skin. From a large accumulation of pigment in the epidermis, the skin turns from dark brown to black. Small local inflammations appear and develop in the form of erythema or oozing sores, which over time will cause atrophy of the dermis and ulcers
- Grade V. A similar course of symptoms, as in the fifth stage, but with healed trophic ulceration
- VI degree. Caused by already severe progression and formation of non-healing sores and ulcers
Mandatory treatment of varicose veins is necessary, otherwise you can get a complication in the form of acute thrombophlebitis and perforation of the nodes (when the slightest mechanical effect can lead to a stretched and thinned vein wall to a breakthrough); bleeding in this case occurs very strongly and will lead to large blood loss.
Diagnostic
You should go to an appointment with a phlebologist. Who will be able to identify varicose veins at a glance, but still collect an anamnesis, listen to your 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 scanning Doppler mode ultrasound.
Everything about the treatment of varicose veins
A few decades ago, there was still such a thing that he turned to a phlebologist, there would be a 100% vascular surgery operation, otherwise the veins were not treated at that time.
But, for 10-15 years, state-of-the-art minimally 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 micro-needles)
- Application of laser therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation treatment (the thinnest probe is inserted into the vein, and gradually withdrawn, the walls are "welded")
In these cases, you no longer have to undergo a major and traumatic operation.
In addition, powerful therapy of a complex character is also added, it 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
- Diets
- 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 tell you in detail about the technique of bandaging - it is necessary to start with the fingers, with the obligatory grip of the heel and gradually loosen the compression closer to the knee)
But, one should not completely forget that varicose veins still belong to the category of surgical diseases. And if, according to the advanced stage, 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 residue of the functional viability of the vein is only 10% of the norm.
Still, it is better to do this without bringing it to the extreme stage, varicose veins of the lower extremities can be completely cured if, without delay, (however, this applies to any disease) you consult a phlebologist.
There is absolutely no need to bring the matter to a "big" surgery: the varicose veins of the lower extremities are completely cured today, but this disease does not go away "on its own".
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 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 - this is what you need, carefully examine 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.