In a non-professional environment, varicose veins on the lower legs are considered "female".This is wrong.Men also experience varicose veins on the superficial veins of the lower legs.Data from large statistical studies confirm this.The dominance of the fair half of the population in public hospitals only shows that women are focused on varicose veins, while men are not.Most women who seek help from general surgeons or phlebologists have, in addition to medical purposes, cosmetic ones.As for men, they, as a rule, are not interested.
Therefore, in our country as a whole, the "male" form of chronic venous disease is characterized by late presentation.As they say, "until the thunder strikes, a man will not cross himself"...
"Male" risk factors for varicose veins
It is generally accepted that the true cause of varicose veins is still unknown.Risk factors include genetic predisposition and lifestyle.These risk factors are the same for men and women.
The main ones:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- work involving long periods of forced standing and sitting;
- discrepancy between food habits and actual energy costs, leading to obesity;
- smoking;
- heavy physical work related to lifting and carrying heavy objects.
- Sports that involve weight lifting
Causes of severe varicose veins in men
In the early stages, the development of varicose veins in men and women is the same.This disease occurs according to the same principle and with the same stage.The reason for the more severe form of varicose veins at the time of contacting a phlebologist in men is late presentation.Men, as a rule, do not care about the aesthetic component.There is no pain in varicose veins in the early stages of the disease, so most men do not consider it necessary to seek advice and help.When pain and swelling appear, men just as steadfastly ignore these symptoms, showing the magic of unconsciousness.The reason for this behavior is a lack of information.The collapse of the dispensary system and the lack of medical information for the population led to low literacy among the male population about the possible dangers of varicose veins.
Another factor that prevents the male population from turning to a phlebologist in time is the reluctance to wear "female" compression stockings.This is also the result of medical illiteracy and is largely the fault of medical workers rather than the population.
The lack of long-term treatment leads to the fact that when a man turns to a phlebologist or general surgeon, he already has:
- Advanced primary varicose veins with signs of severe chronic venous insufficiency,
- thrombophlebitis or vein thrombosis
- trophic ulcers of venous origin
- bleeding from varicose veins
To avoid these complications, timely modern diagnosis is necessary.
Diagnosis of varicose veins in men
The optimal solution for men with symptoms of varicose veins is to contact a competent phlebologist.Ultrasound examination of blood vessels at the time of treatment is a mandatory component of consultation with a phlebologist!It is advisable that the ultrasound of the vein is performed not by a third-party doctor (no matter how qualified he may be), but personally by the phlebologist you contact.The doctor who undertakes to advise you is responsible for both the correct diagnosis and the development of treatment strategies.
Ultrasound angioscanning in duplex and triplex mode (vein ultrasound) is the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of venous diseases.Therefore, this test should be carried out by the doctor who will advise, treat or operate on you.Vein ultrasound should be done in a standing position.For patients whose health conditions do not allow ultrasound to be performed in an upright position, the examination can be performed in a supine position with strain, but the diagnostic value will be lower.Especially when it comes to diagnosing deep vein thrombosis.After interviewing the patient, examination, palpation and ultrasound of the veins, the phlebologist must write his report, which includes a brief history of the disease, diagnosis and recommendations.It is mandatory to write a protocol for ultrasound angioscanning that indicates the date of the study.If necessary (complex cases, congenital defects, due to large deep vein thrombosis), the doctor recommends additional explanatory studies (magnetic resonance venography, X-ray angiography or others).
Only this approach meets modern European standards. The specialist's examination will take no more than half an hour, and you will receive sufficient information about the venous system on the lower part of your legs.
Consultation with a phlebologist is completely safe and does not involve any traumatic examination or procedure.No special preparation is required. Timely diagnosis is very important to choose modern and effective treatment, which will avoid complications and progression of the disease.
Symptoms of varicose veins in men
Every patient should pay attention to these signs:
- The appearance of varicose veins that protrude above the skin when standing.
- Feeling heavy in the legs, especially at the end of the workday.
- Unpleasant sensations along the course of varicose veins.
- Pain along the way of varicose veins, especially at the end of the working day.
- Swelling in the legs and feet.The first symptom is that the elastic from the socks leaves a clearly visible mark, and regular shoes become tight.
- Changes in skin color (appearance of brown or bluish pigmentation).
- Trophic ulcer in the lower third of the leg along the inner surface.
Treatment of varicose veins in men
For most people, modern and high-quality treatment for varicose veins is now available.Professionals only work according to the protocols recommended by the Association of Phlebologists and according to European recommendations.Clinics and medical centers use modern equipment for ultrasound angioscanning and laser treatment of varicose veins.
The main methods of treating varicose veins used by specialists:
- Thermoablation (laser and radiofrequency).
- Miniphlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- A combination of these techniques.
Treatment at the medical center is completely outpatient, without anesthesia, spinal anesthesia or hospitalization.All necessary medical documentation is issued (consultation with a phlebologist surgeon, ultrasound angioscanning protocol, discharge summary with recommendations, temporary disability certificate, documents for tax deductions).
Many patients have appreciated the benefits of innovative methods for treating varicose veins.It should be noted that they all depend on the operator.That is, the success of the treatment depends not only on the modernity and high cost of the equipment, but also on the operator, that is, the doctor who works on it.Specialists have extensive experience in ultrasound diagnostics of lower leg diseases (all specialists have a valid ultrasound diagnostic certificate), as well as extensive experience in operations on lower leg veins and thermal destruction (laser, radio frequency) of varicose veins.