Varicose veins of the lower extremities

varicose veins of the lower extremities

Fatigue, a feeling of heavyfalling in the legs, slight swelling of the tissues, the swelling of the veins and the first visible “vascular nets” can indicate the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities.

The statistics on this disease are very sad.For example, in a single country there are about 37 million people suffering from this ailment.Of these, every 6th patient is a girl under 12 years old.Such an early appearance of the disease significantly increases the risk of complications, which in an advanced form threaten with disabilities and even death.

What is terrible in varicose veins of the lower extremities?Why is it so important to stop its development in the early stages?About the methods of its treatment, preventive measures from the point of view of specialists, as well as a lot of other useful information about varicose veins of the lower extremities, read this article.

What is varicose veins of the veins of the lower extremities?

All veins in the human body are divided into deep, superficial and perforated.Deep vessels perform almost all the work (90%) to transport blood to the heart, and perforated are a kind of bridge between deep and superficial.The structure of the veins provides for the presence of valves that direct and contribute to the outflow of blood only in the right direction.When malfunctioning in the circulatory system, part of the blood accumulates at one point.This leads to local expansion (elongation) of the vessel.Deep veins (the so -called internal varicose veins), later superficial in the form of "vascular stars and nodes" suffer.

For the complete perception of the seriousness of the disease, it is worth noting that its progression threatens the development of thrombophlebitis, blockage of the pulmonary artery thrombus (or thromboembolism), as well as trophic ulcers of the lower leg, lymphostasis (edema of the lower extremities) and many other problems that can lead to the death of the patient.

The main causes of varicose veins of the lower extremities

Prove the functioning of blood vessels, blood flow as a whole, and then stimulate the appearance of varicose veins of the surface veins of the lower extremities.Consider the main ones:

The reasons for the development of varicose veins on the legs
  1. The congenital pathology of the valves that are located inside the venous vessels - the disease can be inherited.According to statistics, two -thirds of patients have close relatives with a similar disease.
  2. Insufficient mobility reduces the load on soft tissues.As a result, a decrease in the load on the blood vessels, their tones.
  3. During the “standing” position, the pressure inside the vessels of the legs increases ten times.With a prolonged vertical location, the valves cannot cope with the increased load, which provokes a violation of their functioning.
  4. Reducing the tone of blood vessels - can be caused by age -related changes, the loss of elasticity of the walls after individual diseases.
  5. Pregnancy - this period is characterized by an increase in blood in the body of a woman, as well as hormones of progesterone, estrogen.Together, such changes stimulate the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities.True, normalization of processes is possible about 1 year after childbirth, if varicose complications did not occur.

The list of reasons for the development of the disease is complemented by overweight, the presence of injuries, operations, hormonal disorders and the adoption of contraceptive drugs.

Determine the varicose veins of the lower extremities - symptoms and diagnostics

The effectiveness of treatment, the speed of a positive outcome largely depend on the accuracy, timeliness of the diagnosis of diseases.

Signs of varicose veins of the lower extremities will help to determine the ailment in the early stages:

  • the appearance of mild swelling of the legs;
  • the swelling of the surface venous vessels, their increase in diameter;
  • itching of the lower extremities for varicose veins;
  • a sense of overwork, severity;
  • burning, pain caused by overstraining of the walls of the veins;
  • Faculty convulsions;
  • noticeable blue skin along the vein, the seal (indusion) of problem areas of tissues, the formation of varicose eczema of the lower extremities.
how varicose veins are manifested on the legs

Even a slight violation of the integrity of the skin in the place of eczema can lead to the appearance of a trophic ulcer.

In the varicose veins of the deep veins of the lower extremities, symptoms can manifest itself in later stages, which is undesirable.Therefore, in the presence of the slightest suspicion of the disease, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of varicose veins of the lower extremities is performed on special equipment.Such a study is safe, painless and allows you to comprehensively study the severity of the disease.

There are several diagnostic options:

  • visual inspection;
  • The technique of color duplex examination - a blood flow map drawn up during the study allows us to judge the direction, velocity of blood on the veins.The procedure informs about the state of blood vessels, which is important for the prediction of the development of varicose veins;
  • Phlebography - is used very rarely, because it provides for an X -ray study.

During the diagnosis, you can observe the condition of blood vessels, valves, analyze their functional capabilities and determine the direction of blood flow.

As a rule, the priority of visiting a doctor is a change in a non -aesthetic nature.From the first species, harmless, they can further develop into serious ailments and complications.Therefore, it is not worth neglecting their significance.

Classification of varicose veins of the lower extremities

Doctors usually distinguish 5 stages of varicose veins of the lower extremities, each of which has its own symptoms:

  • 1st stage- reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities, which is easiest to treat.It differs in the presence of a "vascular mesh".Enlarged veins are visible through thin skin (especially in a hole under the knee), there is no pain yet.
  • Stage 2- segmental varicose veins of the lower extremities, accompanied by slight overwork, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, even convulsive cramps in the calf muscle, and small swelling of the veins are possible;
  • Stage 3-Venous vessels are significantly distinguished from the skin especially inside the lower leg, thin skin with dark brown spots, itching, rashes, signs of dermatitis.Increased swelling causes discomfort when moving.
  • 4th stageVaricose veins of the lower extremities - the symptoms are clearly expressed, complications of the disease, such as thrombophlebitis, manifestations of trophic ulcers are manifested.Varicous swollen nodes are greatly manifested through the sophisticated skin of the lower leg, stop and femoral.
  • 5th stage-It has all the symptoms of the 4th stage.In addition, the disease progresses in the inguinal zone.The number of trophic ulcers is rapidly increasing, as the actual frequency of thrombophlebitis crises.The doctor establishes disability for varicose veins at this stage.

The main task of both the patient and his doctor is to prevent the development of the disease further than the initial stages and the sooner you turn to a phlebologist, the easier it will be for him to stop the disease.

Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities

Methods for the treatment of varicose veins

Medicine does not stand still, but is developing the latest technologies to combat a venous ailment.Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities can be performed by conservative methods (drugs, minimally invasive procedures), surgical intervention, and home remedies in combination with massage.

The deterioration of the attractiveness of the appearance is far from the entire list of possible troubles.Complications and disability can be added to it.Modern medicine offers a large range of non -surgical effects on problem areas, and often it is physiotherapy for varicose veins of the lower extremities that is most effective at the initial stages of the disease:

  1. The use of creamy preparations, gels, ointments for varicose veins of the lower extremities, these drugs bring noticeable relief.They are easily applied to the surface, do not cause pain and discomfort.
  2. The use of venotonics - drugs that with varicose veins that normalize the functioning of the veins.
  3. The impact of the laser is the method of endhenosis of laser prison of the veins (beams) is massively used in the fight against varicose veins.The principle of the procedure is to stop the functioning of the problem vein, due to the impact of the heat ray on it.Laser manipulations are performed under local anesthesia, restrictions in actions and additional stay in the clinic are not required.Immediately after the procedure, the patient has the right to go home.
  4. Magnetotherapy for varicose veins of the lower extremities is a modern auxiliary method that promotes blood liquefaction, stimulation of blood circulation and, as a result, promotes the removal of toxins from tissues and saturates them with oxygen.
  5. Radio frequency effects - radio frequencies work similarly to a laser.They exclude a problematic vessel from the blood flow system, thereby eliminating the risk of possible complications;
  6. Sclerotherapy - involves the introduction of a special drug into the sick vein, which favors gluing the walls of the vessel and self -removal from blood flow after a while.

It is worth noting that the preliminary consultation of the doctor and a special study are required.

Operations for varicose veins of the lower extremities

Later, seeking a doctor, the neglect of the disease leads to HVN (chronic venous insufficiency) and the inappropriateness of minimally invasive therapy.In such cases, surgical intervention comes to the rescue.

Operation for varicose veins

Indications for surgery for varicose veins of the lower extremities are the factors:

  • The disease is in severe stages when trophic ulcers progressively manifest;
  • development of thrombophlebitis;
  • discomfort associated with excessive overwork, swelling of the legs.

The principle of surgical intervention is based, like conservative methods, to eliminate a problematic vein from the circulatory system.Only in minimally invasive methods do the vessels glue, and during surgery they are bandaged on both sides and removed.

There are several basic methods of surgical treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities:

  1. Flebectomy- The classic version of surgical intervention.Small cuts (up to five millimeters) are performed on the skin through which the probe is introduced and the sore vein is removed.The procedure takes no more than two hours, does not imply long hospitalization.
  2. Miniflebectomy- It differs from the classic phlebectomy the size of the hole in the skin.In this case, these are the minimum punctures that minimize the rehabilitation period, do not leave visible traces on the body.
  3. Short stripping- It requires an accurate determination of the location of the problem area.Only the affected segment is removed.There are no traces after the procedure.
  4. The dissection of the veinsUnder the control of the high optics endocop.It is introduced directly into the sore vein, the operation is performed through the monitor.Experience, qualification of a surgeon increases the chances of the success of the operation.

Surgical intervention will solve the problem of patients with veins, reduce the risk of developing the disease, will help alleviate the symptoms in the later stages.Compression underwear that venotonizing drugs is the main condition for the rehabilitation period.They contribute to the speedy restoration, normalization of blood circulation.

Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities with folk remedies

Folk remedies for varicose veins on the legs

A separate niche in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is occupied by home remedies.It is not necessary to affirm their enormous significance, but there is also nothing to diminish dignity.Cooked decoctions, infusions, compresses can reduce pain, alleviate the feeling of severity and fatigue after a hard day.

As an option for treatment for reticular varicose veins, traditional medicine recommends tincture of calamus root on red wine for internal use.There are also recipes for external rubbing.

Unsuccessed birch buds insist for 10 days per 0.5 liters of vodka.By readiness, the product is rubbed into the skin.

Compresses are useful for varicose veins of the lower extremities from yogurt with garlic or wrapping with fresh cabbage leaves.

Hoping for a super -sore result is not worth it.Funds are suitable for preventive purposes and for the treatment of primary varicose veins of the lower extremities along with drug treatment prescribed by the doctor individually.Do not use any treatment method without consulting your doctor.

Massage and gymnastics for varicose veins of the lower extremities

The healing qualities of massage are known to humanity since ancient times.Massage of the lower extremities for varicose veins also has a useful effect.It enhances blood and lymph flow, normalizes venous pressure, triggers metabolic processes inside the tissues.

The massage technique is peculiar.It is forbidden to affect the area of the affected vein in every way, only around it.Light tingling, wide capture and stroking are the main techniques of the procedure.It is recommended to combine massage with a set of classes.

Gymnastics for varicose veins of the lower extremities involves the implementation of a whole set of actions:

Gymnastics for varicose veins
  1. Warming - two - three minutes must be lie down with your feet raised up.They should rely on the wall or other hill, this position guarantees their complete relaxation.
  2. Exercise "Bicycle" - movements are identical as when driving a bicycle.Only the location of the body "lying on the back".
  3. Exercise "scissors" - to cross the limbs upwards with each other for at least one minute.
  4. Exercise for the calf muscles - in the "lying on the back", bend one leg so that it is reached with a knee to the chest.Perform movements in the opposite direction, simultaneously massaging the problem muscle.Repeat the procedure four times with each foot.
  5. Stand up.Within three to five minutes, go up to your socks and fall into the starting position.
  6. The gymnastic complex of exercises or exercise therapy for varicose veins of the lower extremities guarantees a preventive, therapeutic effect aimed at accelerating the outflow of venous blood to the heart, increasing the tone of blood vessels.

It is important that the doctor not only approves a set of exercises for daily classes, but also convinced that the patient performs them correctly, without creating an additional load on the vessels.

Prevention of varicose veins of the lower extremities

It is better to warn the problem than to treat later!Specialists unanimously recommend that the following measures be carried out as a prevention of the disease:

  1. Move more - this reduces the risk of blood stagnation and lymph.
  2. Regularly perform exercises against varicose veins.
  3. Shoes should be comfortable, the heel should not exceed four centimeters.
  4. Long -term stay in the sun does not act on the walls of blood vessels in the best way, limit the time on hot baths.
  5. measures for the prevention of varicose veins on the legs
  6. Give preference to a contrasting soul, it enhances blood circulation.
  7. Stop on fresh vegetables, fruits, plant products.A special diet for varicose veins of the lower extremities is “the best friend” of health.
  8. Fill the body's water balance by taking fluid at the rate of 2 liters per day.
  9. The exclusion of overwork, incorrect sitting or uncomfortable position during rest is the best prevention of varicose veins of the lower extremities.

It must be remembered that varicose veins of the lower extremities is a progressive disease.From painless "stars" it can develop into thrombophlebitis and trophic ulcers.Beauty, the lack of pain and severity in the legs can be preserved by observing simple recommendations of specialists.If there is the slightest suspicion of illness, hurry to a phlebologist.Remember, it is finally impossible to cure varicose disease, but it is realistic to prevent the risk of its further development as possible.Be healthy!