How to get rid of varicose veins on 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 a long time. What kind of disease is this and what does it "eat" with?
Varicose veins
This vascular pathology, varicose veins, has been occupying one of the first "places of valorization", among all other types of vascular diseases, since it is most often diagnosed in dilated veins of the legs.
With this disease, the walls of the saccular veins expand. From this, the length of the veins increases, and we can see with the naked eye their serpentine tortuosity, as well as spherical extensions (knots) throughout.
17-25% of all humanity suffers from this disease. And if in youth the frequency of detection of this disease is more or less the same between both sexes. Then, in adulthood, women become leaders compared to men, practically surpassing them twice.
There is a version that hormonal changes during menstruation and during pregnancy lead to a weakening of the tone of the veins, which gives them a significant expansion and interrupts the 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 valve function of the veins, aggravated by the underdevelopment of the connective tissue components within 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 hypercoagulable factors. This leads to the formation of blood clots, which do not allow the free circulation of blood and lead to the expansion of the vessel lumen.
About the menstrual cycle and pregnancy in women, I have already described above. Menopause is added with age, estrogen goes down, progesterone goes up at the same time, and that's an additional reason because, in general, blood clotting factors go up.
And also add to that a decrease in the synthesis of collagen, elastic fibers, which lose their functions within the wall and reduce the tone of the walls of the venous vessels. The picture is such that blood flow decreases, valve insufficiency appears and blood clots form.
As one of the risks it cannot be ignored. Especially with the abdominal type, when obesity is found to have a mechanical effect on the venous walls due to increased pressure below the compression zones.
In connection with insulin deficiency, metabolism as a whole in the body is distorted.
Hyperglycemia leads to a decrease in the elasticity of the blood vessel walls and there is an expansion of the lumen.
Alcohol has the ability to remove fluid from the body. Dehydration, in turn, leads to increased blood clotting and stops blood flow.
If you are constantly exposed to increased physical activity, or have to be constantly on your feet. In these people, the risk of developing the disease increases due to stagnation of blood in the lower extremities and very high intra-abdominal pressure, which does not allow blood to flow to the heart at a sufficient level.
With constipation, intra-abdominal pressure increases the moment a person pushes. So you can trace 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 of the pelvic cavity (prostatitis in men, inflammation of the appendages in women) and, of course, smoking.
- Because of heredity. The disease is genetically determined by the immaturity of the valve function of the veins, aggravated by the underdevelopment of the connective tissue components within the vascular wall.
- Due to the pathology of blood clotting. This group includes people with congenital hypercoagulable factors.
- 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 obesity is found to mechanically affect the venous walls.
- Due to diabetes. In connection with insulin deficiency, metabolism in the body is distorted. Hyperglycemia leads to a decrease in the elasticity of blood vessel walls and vasodilation occurs.
- Because of alcoholism. Alcohol has the ability to remove fluid from the body. Dehydration leads to increased blood clotting and impairs blood flow.
varicose veins symptoms
There are early precursors to symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities. It is worth paying close attention to them. The main thing is not to lose them in order to start treatment on time.
- The appearance of spider veins and spots, because small blood vessels have already expanded and even become visible through the skin
- In the second stage, we observed the formation of protruding knots, which writhe and organize themselves into clusters.
- Obvious swelling and fatigue of the legs begins, people begin to experience frequent leg cramps (more at night), feel itchy, feverish, creeping chills
All these symptoms appear depending on 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 implies 6 clinical stages in varicose veins:
- Zero. The patient has subjective complaints with no obvious etiology, suspected varicose veins, but according to the results of a visual examination and survey, no obvious signs have yet been identified.
- i degree. A small vascular network is visible through the skin, minor and infrequent swelling, appearance of: heaviness, burning, "hum" sensation in the legs
- II degree. This is already the starting point showing the true varicose veins. It presents symptoms of a distinct external manifestation of enlarged vessels, the formation of venous nodules, which increase after a long stay in the legs or a long static session. It is from this stage that the possibility of thrombosis can already be observed.
- III degree. Here, the symptoms of the second group are exacerbated by regular swelling, most noticeable later in the day and pulling, aching pains in the calves.
- grade IV. Visible trophic changes in the skin. From a large accumulation of pigment in the epidermis, the skin changes from dark brown to black. Small local inflammations appear and develop in the form of erythema or exuding sores, which will cause atrophy of the dermis and ulcers over time.
- grade V. A similar course of symptoms as in stage five, but with a healed trophic ulceration
- grade VI. Caused by already severe progression and formation of wounds and ulcers that do not heal
Mandatory treatment of varicose veins is necessary, otherwise you can get a complication in the form of acute thrombophlebitis and perforation of the ganglia (when even the slightest mechanical effect can lead to a stretched and thinned vein wall to an advance); bleeding in this case occurs very heavily and will lead to a lot of blood loss.
Diagnosis
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 their 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 Doppler ultrasound.
All about varicose veins treatment
A few decades ago, there was still such a thing that he resorted to a phlebologist, there would be a 100% vascular surgical operation, otherwise the veins were not treated.
But in the last 10-15 years, low-tech and micro-invasive techniques have been used, such as:
- Sclerotherapy (artificial obliteration, the venous walls are "glued" with a special solution, it is injected with microneedles)
- Application of laser therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation treatment (the thinner probe is inserted into the vein and, gradually removing it, the walls are "welded")
In such cases, you no longer have to endure a large and traumatic operation.
In addition, a powerful therapy with a complex character is also added, it involves the appointment of venotonic drugs, anticoagulants, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory agents.
Good efficiency allows 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 explain in detail the bandage technique - you need to start with the toes, with the mandatory tightening of the heel and gradually loosen the compression more near the knee)
But, we must 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 without taking it to the extreme stage, varicose veins of the lower extremities can be cured completely if without delay (however, this applies to any disease) you consult a phlebologist.
It is not absolutely necessary to take the matter to "major" surgery: 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: "man's salvation, in man's own hands". And although varicose veins are not an easy disease, and they tend to progress quickly, only 10 years will suffice, from the zero degree of varicose veins to the development of the pathology in the 6th degree.
In total - this is what you need, carefully consider the first manifestations of symptoms and consult a doctor - a phlebologist.
Take care, 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.