Varicose veins are a very common pathology that significantly reduces the quality of life and causes dangerous complications that require expensive and complex treatment.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins, or varicose veins, is a disease that is associated with disruption of the valvular apparatus of the veins.As a result of their damage, the normal outflow of blood from the periphery is disrupted, and blood stagnates in various parts of the vascular bed, causing them to expand.
The main population susceptible to this disease is people over 40 years of age.This is due to the fact that by this time the vessels are exposed to various negative influences, which causes a decrease in their adaptive ability.
Most often, varicose veins affect the lower extremities, but the pathological process can also be observed in the groin area or internal organs.
It is necessary to carry out preventive measures, since this pathology tends to progress, and the treatment regimen for varicose veins is quite complex.
Reasons
The main causes of varicose veins are considered to be excessive and insufficient mobility.The mechanism of normal blood flow through the veins is closely related to muscle contractions.During muscle tension, blood is pushed through the veins, and the valves that are present in the vein cavity prevent its backflow.
Lack of physical activity leads to congestion in the periphery, as a result of which the blood puts excess pressure on the valve apparatus.Excessive stress also has a detrimental effect on the vascular system.Frequent muscle contractions can cause damage to the vein valves.
In addition, there are a number of negative factors and diseases that increase the risk of developing varicose veins:
- Bad habits.Alcohol and nicotine have vasomotor properties.They can expand and narrow the lumen of blood vessels, which causes disruption of normal blood flow.
- Abuse of coffee.
- Uncomfortable shoes.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Systemic connective tissue diseases.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Traumatic lesions.
- Excess weight.
The presence of such factors greatly increases the risk of developing the disease.Regardless of the etiological factor, the symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities will not differ.
Clinical manifestations
Typically, the symptoms of this disease appear when there are already irreversible structural changes in the veins of the lower extremities.That is, the patient already requires surgical treatment at the time of contacting the doctor.
In the early stages, varicose veins may be asymptomatic.Some patients complain of minor soreness that occurs after long periods of walking or running.There are no specific symptoms that make it possible to make a diagnosis.Initial forms of varicose veins can be detected exclusively with the help of instrumental examinations.
Symptoms of developed varicose veins are as follows:
- The appearance of cyanosis, which is localized along the veins.
- The vessels protrude above the surface of the skin and form nodules.These formations are painful and dense, which is associated with inflammation and the process of proliferation of connective tissue in these areas (sclerosis).
- Constant pain that does not depend on physical activity.If at the very beginning of the development of the pathology it occurs exclusively after overexertion, then in the later stages it can bother the patient even in his sleep.This is due to the fact that one of the signs of inflammation is pain.The intensity of the pain can be quite severe, leading to lameness.
- Local increase in temperature in the area of nodes.
The appearance of the first symptoms of the disease requires immediate contact with a medical facility for diagnosis and treatment.
Why are varicose veins dangerous?
The lack of proper treatment is fraught with the development of a number of dangerous complications that pose a threat not only to health, but also to life.These include:
- Thrombophlebitis.In inflamed areas of the veins, blood flow slows down significantly.Such conditions are favorable for the formation of blood clots.These blood clots can block the lumen of a vessel in the lower extremities, causing gangrene, or they can be carried with the blood to the lungs, heart, brain and other organs, causing an acute disruption of blood supply.These pathologies are extremely difficult to treat and often lead to disability and death.
- Trophic ulcers.Violation of the venous outflow of blood is always accompanied by disturbances of microcirculation in the tissues of the lower extremities.Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to the formation of ulcerations.These ulcers are difficult to treat and often recur, since it is necessary to carry out therapy aimed at the root cause of their appearance.
- Bleeding.If varicose veins are accompanied by hypertension, this can lead to rupture of peripheral vessels and bleeding.This is due to the fact that dilated vessels become thinner, and high blood pressure can cause them to rupture.In addition, hemorrhages can occur with minor mechanical damage, which in a healthy person will not even lead to the formation of a hematoma.
Almost all complications can be aggravated by the addition of an infectious factor, which significantly worsens the condition and complicates treatment.
If complications develop, treatment of varicose veins should be reconsidered.
Diagnostics
If varicose veins are suspected, the patient must undergo a series of examinations, the purpose of which is to confirm the diagnosis, as well as assess the condition of the tissues surrounding the foci of pathology.
To do this, it is recommended to carry out the following examinations:
- General blood test.
- Biochemistry of blood.
- Coagulogram.This laboratory examination makes it possible to predict the development of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, based on the clotting properties of the blood.High coagulability is a threatening condition.
- Ultrasound.Using ultrasound, you can obtain a detailed image of the vascular bed and identify foci of inflammation that do not appear externally.
- Phlebography.Obtaining a graphic image of the venous system of the lower extremities using a contrast agent allows you to study its structures in detail and identify even the smallest changes.
In addition to instrumental and laboratory studies, specific tests are carried out that assess the condition of soft tissues, and also assess the degree of circulatory failure.
An external examination is also important, during which the doctor can see external specific manifestations, probable localization and trophic ulcers.
A phlebologist should be involved in the treatment and supervision of patients with such a disease.It is this doctor who specializes in how to treat varicose veins.
Treatment
Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is possible with the use of medications or through surgical interventions.The choice of treatment depends on how severe the changes are in the affected area.
Drug treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is carried out according to a special scheme, which takes into account the effect on the pathological process and prevents the development of complications.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins is the most effective, as it allows you to get rid of the pathology forever.However, it is not allowed for all patients and has a number of contraindications.
Conservative therapy
Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is allowed only in the early stages of pathology progression.
It is worth remembering that conservative treatment only helps to eliminate the manifestations of the disease.It is impossible to achieve a lasting effect using only medications.They act only for a certain time and are not able to prevent the progression of the disease.
Patients with varicose veins are advised to use the following groups of medications:
- NSAIDs.It is advisable to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs topically, in the form of ointments. In some cases, it is possible to prescribe these drugs in tablet forms, but a long course of treatment can lead to the development of gastritis or peptic ulcers, which is caused by side effects.
- Antiplatelet agents.The action of such drugs is aimed at preventing blood clots.A primitive representative is considered to be regular aspirin, which is used in small dosages.They thin the blood, which helps facilitate blood flow through inflamed veins.The use of such drugs is unacceptable for patients who have a tendency to bleed.
- Hormones of the prednisolone group.In cases where NSAIDs do not have the desired effect, the use of adrenal hormones is indicated.These substances are also used in the form of ointments.They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and also improve tissue microcirculation.It is worth remembering that long-term use of hormones also has a detrimental effect on the condition of the body.
- Phlebotonics.This group of drugs is used in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities.They normalize the tone of the vascular wall, which ensures normal blood flow.
Treatment of varicose veins should be systematic.Regular cyclic administration of medications allows you to maintain a constant concentration of active substances, which ensures a constant effect on damaged vessels.
The use of these drugs should only be as prescribed by a doctor.Their independent use is strictly prohibited, as they can cause side effects and also have specific contraindications.Failure to comply with such restrictions is fraught with aggravation of the general condition.
Conservative therapy is most appropriate as a supportive method during preparation for planned surgery.
Surgical treatment
Many people are interested in how to cure varicose veins without surgery?In fact, this is impossible.The main type of surgical treatment is safenectomy.
Safenectomy is an operation whose purpose is to remove damaged large saphenous veins.Thanks to this, foci of the disease are completely eliminated.But the disadvantage of this treatment is quite a lot of trauma.In recent times, such operations were performed with a large number of incisions in the skin, which was necessary to provide access to the veins.
Today, modern methods of treating varicose veins allow safenectomy to be performed with a minimum number of incisions, since there are special probes for extracting veins.A vein up to half a meter long can be removed with one incision.
This operation has a number of contraindications that make it impossible to carry out.These include:
- Diabetes mellitus.This pathology is accompanied by a significant decrease in wound healing.In such a situation, surgical intervention can provoke purulent-septic processes, which may require amputation of the limbs.
- Intolerance to antibacterial agents.In the postoperative period, antibiotics are prescribed that destroy pathogenic flora that entered the wound during surgical treatment.Some patients experience intolerance to such drugs.Conducting surgical treatment without a course of antibiotic therapy is strictly prohibited.
- Severe diseases of the cardiovascular system.Those pathologies that are accompanied by heart failure may become a contraindication, since the use of certain anesthetic agents is prohibited for them.
Safenectomy is performed for uncomplicated forms of varicose veins.Those cases in which trophic ulcers or necrotic changes caused by acute disruption of the blood supply are observed require expanding the scope of the operation.
It is possible to excise the ulcers during surgery.In this way, tissue death is prevented.In cases where vein thrombosis has led to gangrene, amputation is necessary.This operation is performed only in extreme cases.
There are also modern minimally invasive treatment methods, including:
- Sclerotherapy.
- Radiofrequency ablation.
- Laser ablation.
These treatment methods are based on the occlusion of the lumen of blood vessels and their further destruction using chemicals or physical factors.
It is advisable to use them in the early stages of the disease.In such a situation, the risk of relapse becomes minimal.It is not worth using such treatment for advanced varicose veins, as it may require a fairly large number of sessions.
Folk remedies
Some sources suggest using various traditional medicines as a treatment for varicose veins of the legs.It is strictly not recommended to do this, since the effect of plants in this pathology has not been scientifically confirmed.
Treatment of varicose veins on the lower extremities should be planned exclusively by a certified medical specialist.Methods for treating varicose veins without surgery only help to delay its implementation.You should not turn to various traditional healers, because wasted time before proper treatment can lead to amputation.
Concomitant therapy
In order to achieve the maximum effect of treatment, it is necessary to carry out additional measures along with the use of medications.These include:
- Dieting.Patients with varicose veins should avoid fatty foods.It helps increase cholesterol levels and blood viscosity.Such processes lead to increased slowing of peripheral blood circulation in the area of dilated veins and provoke thrombus formation.In addition, you need to drink plenty of fluids to thin your blood.It is recommended to drink plain water rather than carbonated drinks or tea.
- Periodically provide your legs with an elevated position.Such procedures stimulate the outflow of blood under its own weight, which prevents stagnation.
- Wearing compression stockings.In an upright position of the body, such stockings prevent the accumulation of blood in dilated veins.But such stockings must be used correctly, since long-term wearing can negatively affect the condition of the foot, as well as the skin in the lower leg area.
- Walks.Patients need to maintain an active lifestyle.In the later stages of varicose veins, walks should be short and not cause fatigue or pain in the legs.
In addition, concomitant pathologies such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus or obesity should be treated.The presence of such therapy allows in some cases to limit oneself to only drug treatment, which ensures a favorable outcome of the disease.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of varicose veins, you need to follow a number of simple rules that will reduce the risk of its occurrence.All of them are aimed at maintaining normal blood properties, as well as creating a normal lifestyle.Among them are:
- Drink at least one and a half liters of fluid per day.
- Proper nutrition.This term implies not only the provision of all necessary substances in the diet and the exclusion of harmful foods, but also regular meals.Eating at the same time allows you to take the maximum of nutrients from food, since a reflex is developed and a sufficient amount of gastric juice is released.
- Quitting bad habits.
- Limit the amount of coffee and other energy drinks.
- Ensure mobility even when working sedentary.For this, there are special exercises, the purpose of which is to contract the leg muscles.
- Timely treatment of diseases.Any pathology in the human body can cause long-term consequences.In order to avoid this, you should always seek help from medical professionals if any symptoms appear, and also undergo preventive examinations.
Today, there are various ways to treat varicose veins.With timely diagnosis, they allow you to get rid of the problem once and for all.Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is advisable only at the very beginning of the disease.