This is a deformation and disruption of the normal function of the veins in the legs.Under normal circumstances, blood in the veins moves from the bottom up;This is achieved due to the contraction of the heart, the coordinated work of the elastic walls of the vessels, the muscles around the vessels and the valves in the veins.This valve allows blood to flow upwards and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction.When there is a violation, the vessel wall expands, the valve gap deviates, and the blood can partially move in the opposite direction, creating counterflow, expanding the vessel wall more and weakening the valve.Varicose veins appear.The disease is most common in people over the age of 30, with women most often affected.
Causes and prevention of varicose veins of the lower leg
The cause of varicose veins in most cases lies in a sedentary lifestyle: we spend a long time in a static position (especially sitting), and do not put the necessary pressure on our muscles.The following risk factors can also affect:
- clothes that are too tight (pants, socks),
- uncomfortable shoes (especially high heels),
- disturbances in hormonal balance,
- Frequent hot baths, sauna visits,
- serious physical activity, heavy lifting,
- obesity.
The main prevention of varicose veins is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.Even if you have a sedentary job, try not to sit still for several hours in a row: get up, stretch your legs, walk more;And do not forget about a balanced diet, which, together with moderate physical activity, will protect you from many diseases.
Pregnancy is also one of the serious risk factors for varicose veins.But genetic predisposition is still being studied, and there are some studies that contradict it.
Symptoms
The disease can develop slowly: years or even decades.Symptoms of the initial stage vary, but for convenience they are combined into a certain complex under the general feeling of heaviness in the legs:
- fatigue in the legs without serious exercise,
- vein pain,
- night cramps in the calves,
- pulling sensations in the legs.
If you do not track the symptoms of varicose veins in the early stages, the veins will become more deformed.At night, swelling in the legs and ankles will begin to appear, disappear in the morning;Spider veins will become visible, and then swollen veins and nodules on them will be felt.If you do not consult a specialist at this stage, then in addition to a clear decrease in the quality of life and obvious pain, the person is at risk of skin pigmentation and trophic ulcers.The further course of varicose veins brings complications such as bleeding from the venous nodes and the risk of developing serious diseases such as thrombosis, which can be fatal without contacting a specialist.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of varicose veins is quite simple - it is a survey, examination of the patient and ultrasound, which will show the affected areas of the veins and the extent of the damage to choose the optimal treatment.If for some reason (for example, when the damaged vein is located deep), the ultrasound does not provide all the necessary information, then the specialist will conduct an additional examination - phlebography - the injection of a contrast agent into the vein, which under the X-ray will show the smallest changes in the vein along the blood flow.
Treatment of varicose veins from the lower leg
Non-surgical treatment of varicose veins (special physical exercises, massage, wearing compression garments, taking drugs to strengthen the walls of blood vessels) will only help in the initial stages.But, unfortunately, very few patients turn to specialists at this time.Perhaps due to the prevalence of this disease, many believe in traditional treatment methods, which have not proven their effectiveness, and waste valuable time, or put themselves to the expansion of veins until unbearable pain syndrome, indicating an advanced stage.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins, like any other surgical intervention, requires a team of qualified doctors who treat the patient.After all, serious contraindications can be found for the operation, so trust your health only to experienced specialists in well-equipped medical centers.
For our patients, we are ready to provide all clinically proven treatment methods: from conservative (non-surgical) to surgical.Among the most effective are:
- Laser freezing (removal by laser, that is, by heat exposure of the expanded vessel area) - this method is suitable for small vessels and to remove spider veins located near the surface of the skin;
- sclerosis (injection of a special substance into the vein that safely blocks it) - This method is only suitable for peripheral, small vessels;
- Phlebectomy is the surgical removal of the affected area from the vein, which is used in advanced stages of disease in the large veins;
- Radiofrequency freezing.
The choice of treatment method depends on many factors (extent of varicose veins, patient's condition, contraindications to manipulation).Specialists try to provide the patient with the most detailed information about his condition, listen to his wishes and decide on the treatment method that suits his particular condition.