Treatment of leg diseases and varicose veins. Varicose veins in the legs: causes, treatment. Symptoms and photos

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins, or varicose veins, are pathological changes in the veins, accompanied by their saccular expansion, increase in length, formation of convolutions and knot-like tangles, which leads to valve incompetence and impaired blood flow. Varicose veins are one of the most common blood vessel problems.

Veins are blood vessels that return blood from body tissues to the heart. Arteries, on the other hand, carry blood from the heart to the body. Unlike arteries, veins have very little muscle tissue. To prevent blood from flowing back, veins have a series of one-way valves that keep blood from flowing in one direction towards the heart.

Typically, valves in veins cause a person's blood to flow up toward the heart, so the blood doesn't pool in one place. With varicose veins, the valves are damaged or absent altogether. This causes the veins to fill with blood - especially when the person is standing.

In other words, varicose veins occur when, due to various reasons, the valves in the veins become ineffective (incompetent) and allow blood to flow backwards. Blood accumulates in the area below the victim, causing the vein valve to enlarge and stretch. Varicose veins appear under the skin as bluish-green or blue lines that may bulge or appear twisted and distorted.

Varicose veins usually develop in the legs. Veins in the legs often protrude. The most common form of varicose veins progresses in one or both of the two large veins, low down, near the surface of the leg. This condition occurs several times more often in women than in men. Varicose veins usually develop between the ages of 30 and 60 and tend to get worse with age. It develops slowly, but then progresses quickly.

Pregnancy is not a cause of varicose veins, but varicose veins can develop or worsen during pregnancy. This is due to increased pressure from the uterus on the pelvic veins and veins of the lower extremities, increased blood volume and changes in hormones.

Causes

Weakened vein walls in older people may lose their elasticity. This weakening of the vein walls can cause them to dilate.

- Valve failure. When a person's veins become stretched, the valves in the veins become damaged. If the walls of the veins are weakened and stretched, the valves move apart and can no longer hold blood, which flows upward and as a result can stagnate in the veins.

- Damage to veins. Damage can occur due to injury, blood clots, or inflammation. If there are problems in the deep veins, then a person usually has pain and swelling in his legs. Swollen veins on the surface may be a sign of deep vein damage. Varicose veins on the surface of the legs are not associated with dangerous blood clots, which can travel to the heart or lungs and cause a blockage (embolism). Any clot that forms near the surface of the body will usually be small. It may be inflammation, but the clot does not seriously threaten a person's health.

A number of factors contribute to the development of varicose veins. These include:

Genetic predisposition to the development of varicose veins;
- hormonal factors;
- excess weight;
- pregnancy;
- cardiovascular problems - such as blood clots (thrombosis);
- injury or inflammation of the veins;
- Chronic constipation can contribute to the development of rectal varicose veins (hemorrhoids).

Lifestyle factors also play an important role, and people who work on their feet for long periods of time are at greater risk of developing varicose veins. These are, for example, nurses, flight attendants and teachers.

Symptoms varicose veins (varicose veins)

The signs and symptoms of varicose veins are easy to recognize. Typically these include:

- Pain. The leg may hurt, feel heavy and overloaded if a person sits or stands for long periods;

- Protrusion of veins. The veins may appear bulging or twisted in parts or along the entire length of the leg, or there may be only small outlines of bluish veins. If varicose veins are severe, the skin covering the patient's legs may become swollen, dry, and irritated. And within a few years it will become brownish in the lower leg;

- Itching. The skin over the vein becomes dry and irritated;

- Inflammation of the veins. After long periods of sitting and standing, the vein area may become engorged and the veins become swollen, hard, red and weak. This common condition is called "phlebitis";

- Bleeding. Rarely, varicose veins can occur as a result of injury, and when they are large, they are visible near the surface of the body and are often covered by thin skin;

- Ulcers. These are open sores that usually appear near the ankle, where swelling may also be obvious;

- Swelling in the legs.

Common symptoms may include:

Bulging or twisted veins;
- pain in the affected areas, especially after sitting or standing for a long period;
.- feeling of heaviness and fatigue of the muscles in the legs;
- itching around the affected vein;
- leg cramps at rest;
- Some women experience increased symptoms during menstruation.

Diagnostics varicose veins (varicose veins)

Doctors often diagnose varicose veins based solely on a physical examination of the patient. Sometimes tests or procedures are used to find out the extent of the problem or to rule out other conditions.
If a person has varicose veins, he can consult a vascular surgeon (angiosurgeon). These doctors specialize in blood vessels. You can also consult a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin diseases.

- Physical examination. To check for varicose veins in the legs, the doctor will look at the legs while the person is standing, or while the person is sitting and the legs are dangling. He may ask the patient about signs and symptoms, including pain.

Your doctor may recommend a Doppler ultrasound to check blood flow in the veins and look for blood clots. Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to create a structural picture of a patient's body. During this test, a handheld device is placed on the affected area of the patient's body. The device sends and receives sound waves. The computer converts the sound waves into pictures of blood flow in the arteries and veins.

- Angiogram. Your doctor may recommend an angiogram to get a more detailed look at the flow of blood in your veins. For this procedure, a dye is injected into the patient's veins, which makes the veins stand out on X-rays. Angiography can help a doctor confirm whether a patient actually has varicose veins or another disease.

Treatment varicose veins (varicose veins)

Treatment may not be a medical necessity unless symptoms are problematic. However, some people may want to be treated for varicose veins for cosmetic reasons because they are unhappy with their appearance.

- Non-surgical treatment. If the varicose veins are small and if they do not cause too much discomfort, then elastic compression stockings may be recommended. They are worn during daily activities. They help compress the veins, keeping them from stretching and limiting any discomfort or pain.

For people with mild varicose veins, the first step is to compress the veins in the legs using support stockings. This simple measure serves to compress the blood from the engorged vein, reducing the size of the vein. Some compression stockings provide more support around the ankles and shins (where varicose veins tend to be longest and most painful). These stockings can extend up to the top of the thigh and groin, but for many people the benefit of providing pressure over the entire leg will offset the discomfort of these elastic stockings.

- Therapeutic treatment. If the veins are crossed, and the area where the varicose vein originates, as shown on ultrasound, is incapacitated, then the most correct surgical treatment is to help bind the varicose vein at this intersection - most often in the upper thigh, under the knee or in the calf muscles . The surgery involves making a small incision in the leg above the location of the vein associated with the varicose vein. The vein remains in place, but excess blood flow into it is prevented.

Non-invasive treatments for varicose veins (varicose veins)

The following treatments for varicose veins can be done in a doctor's consultation (not operating room) office or even in a clinic. The patient will receive local anesthesia - his leg will be numbed. He will be awake, but will not feel pain.

- Laser treatment of varicose veins can be used on the surface of the skin. With the help of a small flash of laser light, a sclerosis process develops in the vein wall and the varicose vein disappears, as if it had been removed.

- Intravenous laser coagulation of veins. A small incision is made at one end of the affected vein and ultrasound is used to guide the laser catheter into the vein. The laser is activated and after approximately 60 seconds of exposure the veins are destroyed. Because the entire vein is destroyed and not just the lining (as happens with sclerotherapy), compression stockings are not required and the patient recovers very quickly (usually going to work the next day).

Like radiofrequency ablation, intravenous laser treatment involves having a catheter in the vein and using ultrasound scanning to guide it into the correct position. A tiny laser passes through a catheter located at the top of the varicose veins. The catheter will send intense heat into the vein. The heat will close and destroy the veins and the veins will eventually disappear completely.

The laser delivers short bursts of energy that heat the veins and tighten them until they close. The laser slowly connects the veins with ultrasound, allowing the entire length of the vein to be closed. Intravenous laser treatment is performed under local anesthesia. After the procedure, the patient may feel heaviness in the legs, and there may be bruising and pain in the affected areas. Nerve damage is also possible, but this is usually only temporary. This method is relatively new, but effective and has minimal side effects and complications.

- Ablation. One of the first treatment procedures, as a rule, is endothermic ablation. It involves the use of energy with high-frequency radio waves (radiofrequency ablation) or laser (intravenous laser treatment) to “seal” the affected veins.

Involves heating the wall of varicose veins using radiofrequency energy. It is performed through a small incision just above or just below the knee. A narrow catheter is guided into the vein using ultrasound scanning. A sensor is inserted into the catheter and sends a radiofrequency signal. The catheter heats the vein until its walls collapse and the vein closes and is completely sealed. Once the vein is “sealed” and closed, the blood is redirected to one of the healthy veins.

Radiofrequency ablation is performed under local anesthesia. The procedure may cause some short-term side effects, such as tingling (paresthesia). The patient may have to wear compression stockings for a week after radiofrequency ablation.

- Phlebectomy. If endothermic treatment methods - ablation and sclerotherapy (see below) - are not suitable for a particular patient, he is usually offered a surgical procedure - “phlebectomy” - that is, removal of the veins.
Varicose vein surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, which means the patient is unconscious during the procedure. After the operation, he is usually able to go home the same day. However, in some cases it may be necessary to keep the patient in hospital overnight, especially if they have had surgery on both legs.

- Crossectomy. Most surgeons use a technique called a crossectomy, which is ligation and division of the great saphenous vein, which involves tying off the vein in the affected leg and then removing it.
Two small incisions are made, about 5 cm in diameter. The first incision is near the groin, at the top of the varicose vein. The second incision is made lower down the leg - usually around the knee or ankle. The vein at the top (near the groin) is tied and “sealed.” A thin, flexible wire is passed through the bottom of the vein and then carefully removed and removed through a lower incision in the leg. Blood flow in the legs is not affected by surgery because the veins that are deep in the leg take over the role of the damaged veins.

A crossectomy may cause pain, bruising, and bleeding. More serious complications are rare but can lead to nerve damage or deep vein thrombosis, which occurs in one of the body's deep veins where a blood clot forms.

Very small incisions are made near the damaged vein. The vein is then removed. One method to work uses light under the skin. This may be done in conjunction with other procedures such as ablation. In this technique, a small incision is made in the skin at one end of the affected vein, and a thin tube with a bright light is inserted under the skin behind the vein, thereby highlighting the vein. Through another small incision at the other end of the damaged vein, a special instrument is inserted, attached to a suction unit under the skin. The instrument destroys and removes the damaged vein.

- Vein extraction. Another common surgical technique for treating superficial varicose veins is “vein extraction”: the affected vein is completely removed. A small cut in the skin is made at each end of the affected vein. A flexible wire is inserted into the varicose veins and short-circuited, and the veins are removed.
Both types of surgery can be performed under general or spinal anesthesia and may require a hospital stay.

Once the surgery is complete, the skin incisions are closed with fine stitches to minimize scarring. Then bandages or elastic stockings are applied. They gently compress and support the leg to reduce swelling on the leg.

- Miniphlebectomy. This method involves removing the vein through a series of tiny skin incisions, which is suitable for small varicose veins. Specialized surgical instruments are used to remove the damaged vein. The cuts are so small that they usually do not require stitches.

- Endoscopic vein surgery. This method can be used for more severe cases of varicose veins. It involves several small incisions in the leg. A thin tube containing a tiny camera (endoscope) is inserted through one of the incisions into the affected vein, and small surgical instruments are inserted through the other incision. The camera allows the surgeon to see the inside of the vein on a television monitor and perform the necessary operations.
The bandages must be worn for approximately 48 hours after the procedure. There is less discomfort, faster recovery, and less scarring than with other surgical methods.

These procedures are generally safe. We recommend that patients ask their doctor about specific problems that may arise. Risks with any anesthesia:

Allergic reactions to medications;
- breathing problems;
- bleeding;
- bruises;
- infection.

Risks of varicose vein therapy:

Blood clots;
- nerve damage;
- inability to close veins;
- opening of the treated vein;
- irritation of veins;
- bruises or scars;
- return (relapse) of varicose veins over time.

Before your procedure, always tell your doctor or nurse:

If you are pregnant;
- about any medications you are taking. This includes drugs, supplements or herbs you bought without a prescription;
- You may need to stop taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Warfarin (Coumadin) and other medications that interfere with blood clotting.

After minimally invasive procedures, the patient's legs are wrapped in bandages to control swelling and bleeding for 2-3 days after treatment.

The patient should be able to begin normal activities within 1-2 days after treatment. He needs to wear compression stockings continuously for one week after treatment.
The doctor may check the patient's leg with an ultrasound a few days after treatment to make sure the veins are OK.

Prospects (forecasts)

These procedures reduce pain and improve the appearance of the leg. They typically cause very little scarring, bruising, or swelling. Compression stockings will help prevent the problem of varicose veins from returning.

Sclerosing therapy(sclerotherapy)

When a conservative approach is not adequate, sclerotherapy (sclerotherapy) may be considered. This safe and effective treatment involves injecting chemicals into dilated veins, causing them to close. The procedure can be performed in a doctor's office and does not require hospitalization. One limitation of sclerotherapy is that it is most effective on one small vein, especially when varicose veins occur below the knee. Although this treatment is used to enlarge veins that arise in the thighs, recurrence is common in this location. For this reason, doctors tend to combine sclerotherapy with surgery or use multiple applications when varicose veins are more extensive.

Sclerotherapy is performed using a thin needle to inject a special solution into the affected veins. The solution (chemical) irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to harden (thicken) and close. This prevents blood from entering part of the vein. The blood is thus forced and inevitable to pass through other, healthier veins. Sclerotherapy has the advantage that it can be performed without the need for anesthesia.

Basically, 3 drugs are used in sclerotherapy: thrombovar, ethoxyclerol and fibro-vein. They are highly effective, but at the same time completely safe.

After the injection, compressive bandages with a sclerosing solution are applied. This prevents blood from flowing back into the treated vein. The doctor determines how long the bandages need to be worn and recommends a group of exercises to the patient. Within a week, varicose veins will disappear and will be barely noticeable. Sometimes varicose veins may require more than one sclerotherapy.

Deep varicose veins can be treated with ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. The doctor can use ultrasound to see the veins on a screen, allowing him to accurately guide a thin needle into the vein. This technique also often makes it possible to detect and treat the hidden origin of varicose veins. However, because ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a relatively new technique, its long-term effectiveness has not yet been established.

Sclerotherapy can also be used to treat spider veins - very small veins that become enlarged and appear as small red (purple) lines just under the surface of the skin.

Types of sclerotherapy

- Microsclerotherapy. The simplest procedure. The doctor simply injects sclerosing drugs into the vein using a thin needle. Microsclerotherapy is carried out if the size of pathological formations does not exceed 2 mm.

Echosclerotherapy. The drug is administered under the control of duplex ultrasound scanning, thanks to which the surgeon accurately finds the location of the pathologically altered veins and guides the needle.

Foam-form therapy is an operation also known as foam sclerotherapy. In this case, sclerosing drugs are detergents, that is, they are capable of turning into foam when mixed with air in a ratio of 1:3-1:4.

The use of an ultrasound scanner allows for targeted injection of sclerosing foam into the area of venous discharge. This eliminates not only visible veins, but also the main causes of the appearance and progression of varicose veins. Swelling, heaviness in the legs disappear, venous trophic ulcers are cured. In most cases, one session of such sclerotherapy is enough to eliminate varicose veins.

Foam sclerotherapy has some advantages over conventional methods: due to the foam-like state, it is possible to reduce the dose of sclerosing agents without loss of effectiveness, and the contact of the sclerosing agent with the inner surface of the venous wall is improved. Foam sclerotherapy is typically used to treat very large vessels.

Side effects of sclerotherapy

Blood clots in other veins of the legs;
- irritation and damage to the tissues surrounding the affected veins;
- headache;
- lower back pain;
- changes in skin color - for example, brown areas over the area where the veins were treated;
- fainting;
- temporary vision problems;
- light brown streaks or discoloration over the treated vein (this disappears within a month).

However, most people who undergo sclerotherapy have good results with minimal side effects.

Sclerotherapy is not suitable for all people. Factors such as pregnancy, pre-existing bleeding disorders and allergies are contraindications for sclerotherapy treatment.

Varicose veins should begin to disappear within a few weeks of sclerotherapy. Strong veins take over the role of the damaged vein and are no longer filled with blood. A person may need treatment more than once before their varicose veins completely disappear.

Immediately after sclerotherapy, the patient should be able to walk and be able to return to their work. He will need to wear compression stockings or bandages for a week. In rare cases, sclerotherapy is known to have a serious potential for complications such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Transillumination Shaffer phlebectomy

In a phlebectomy, one or two small incisions are made in the leg. The surgeon uses a special light - an endoscopic transilluminator - under the patient's skin so that he can see which veins need to be removed. The affected veins are cut out before being removed through incisions using a suction device. Transillumination phlebectomy can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. The patient may have some bruising or bleeding afterwards. Because this treatment is relatively new, there is some uncertainty about its effectiveness and safety, and it is not recommended as part of a regular treatment plan for varicose veins. However, if the doctor thinks it will help, the benefits and risks are explained to the patient.

Compression stockings, specifically designed to provide constant compression to the leg, improve blood circulation. More often, they compress the leg more tightly at the ankle, weakening further up the leg. This stimulates blood flow upward, towards the heart.

Compression stockings can help relieve pain, discomfort and swelling in the legs caused by varicose veins. However, it is not known whether stockings help prevent varicose veins from getting worse or prevent new varicose veins.

We recommend that patients with varicose veins use only compression stockings as a long-term treatment if all the procedures described above are not suitable for them. If this is a pregnant woman with this diagnosis, she may be offered compression stockings throughout the entire pregnancy.

Compression stockings and tights are available in a variety of sizes and compression levels. For most people with varicose veins, class 1 (light compression) or class 2 (medium compression) stockings are available.

The patient may have to wear compression stockings for the rest of his life if he has deep venous incompetence (vein inefficiency) - severe valve problems or blockages in the deep veins in the legs. Under these conditions, the patient must constantly wear compression stockings, even if he has undergone surgery during the treatment of varicose veins.

The patient needs to find out from the doctors how to wear compression stockings or tights correctly, so that they are comfortable and correct for him and so that he gets the maximum benefit from them. You also need to learn how to care for them so that they last for three to six months (after which they need to be replaced).

Complications varicose veins (varicose veins)

Complications due to varicose veins may include:

The skin over the affected veins may become thin and vulnerable to nicks, cuts, sores, and ulcers;
- inflammation of the affected veins (phlebitis) may occur;
- There is a slightly increased risk of developing blood clots in the deep veins associated with varicose veins.

Prevention of varicose veins(varicose veins)

Since varicose veins cannot be completely cured, the best course of treatment is prevention. Tips that can help prevent varicose veins:

Avoid crossing your legs and cross-legged positions when sitting;
- maintain a healthy body weight;
- avoid tight clothing that squeezes the legs, groin or waist;
- avoid uncomfortable shoes;
- avoid constipation;
- When you stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every 5-10 minutes.

When visiting a phlebologist, a specialist can diagnose varicose veins.

Sometimes this surprises patients, because typical signs of the disease are not observed.

Many are accustomed to the fact that with this pathology, the veins in the affected area become wide and nodules appear on them. Pathology can be deep and superficial, early and advanced stages.

At the beginning of the development of the process, most are concerned about the appearance of a cosmetic defect, but the constant progression of the disease can lead to the development of chronic vascular damage.

Varicose veins of the internal veins of the lower extremities, the symptoms of which are not visible at the beginning of the development of the pathology, are very difficult to diagnose. The first signs are fatigue in the limbs and swelling, which are regarded as a normal condition of daily overexertion. Often, pregnant women also miss the onset of the disease, arguing that their condition is the main provocateur of varicose veins.

If the disease is detected in a timely manner, treatment can be performed with folk remedies, which is no less effective than the medical method of eliminating the disease.

Doctors call early signs of varicose veins:

a feeling of heaviness in the legs that occurs after a long walk or wearing uncomfortable shoes;
the appearance of minor pain in the evening;
the body's tendency to tire quickly.

Symptoms occur equally in men and women, and they are similar to the manifestation of diseases such as flat feet, arterial and lumbar osteochondrosis. For differential diagnosis, you should consult a doctor who specializes in the treatment of pathologies of the vascular system, otherwise there is a risk that self-therapy will not give the desired effect.

note

If a person does not express the main symptom of varicose veins - dilated dark veins - this does not mean that the disease does not exist.

When the initial stage develops, swelling always appears in the area of the affected venous bed, especially in the evening or after physical activity. Subsequently, if treatment is not started, the person will experience cramps, in particular during night sleep or when lying down, and fatigue will appear in the calf area.

Doctors distinguish three stages of varicose veins; let’s look at the characteristic signs of each in more detail.

I call the first stage compensatory, when the initial symptoms of the pathology develop. The duration of this process can sometimes be up to several years, but in some cases the process develops rapidly and three months is enough. Severe symptoms are almost always absent, only occasionally you can notice that the veins have become tortuous and formed “stars”. The person feels slight discomfort and fatigue, slight swelling (mainly in the evening).

In the absence of treatment, the second one develops - subcompensatory stage of the disease. It can also last for several years, but severe deformation of the veins is already developing, which provokes disruption of normal blood circulation in the vessels, and blood clots can form. Signs of varicose veins are characterized by obvious pain, constant cramps in a horizontal position of the body (especially during night sleep), affecting the calf of the legs, swelling in the morning hours no longer goes away, and the skin of the damaged area becomes hyperemic (purple-brown).

At the final stage, the third stage begins - the decompensatory stage. At this time, pronounced clinical signs of the disease can be observed: constant swelling of the affected area, varicose veins are visible to the naked eye, itching and inflammation appear. All symptoms lead to the development of trophic conditions of the skin surface: the appearance of age spots, impregnation with subcutaneous fat, ulcers.

It is very important to start treatment at the first stage, this way you can protect yourself from the development of complications.

Everyone knows varicose veins of the lower extremities, but the disease can also spread to the veins of the small pelvis. Therefore, it is important to know what signs of development this varicose veins have. This pathology is often diagnosed in women during pregnancy and also during reproductive age. The cause of varicose veins in the pelvis is the malfunction of the venous valves, which leads to the outflow of blood back through the ovarian vein. All this occurs due to compression of the pelvic vessels, which is observed during pregnancy.

In exceptional cases, the disease is diagnosed in adolescence. At this time, it usually occurs without symptoms, but sometimes heavy vaginal discharge may begin, which will be the reason for contacting a specialist.

If you do not take pregnancy into account, pelvic varicose veins occur under the influence of such factors:

the presence of congenital pathologies;
genetics;
difficult, multiple births;
excessive physical activity and inactive lifestyle;
lack of regular sex life;
the presence of gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
excess estrogen levels in a woman’s blood.

Doctors identify the following signs of pelvic varicose veins:

feeling of severe pain in the lower abdomen (intensifies with the onset of evening, during sexual intercourse, the first days of the menstrual cycle);
untimely development of PMS;
pain in the vagina and perineum;
copious vaginal discharge;
swelling;
improper urination and disruptions in the menstrual cycle.

Doctors note that in each clinical case the degree and severity of symptoms will be different. Therefore, if even the slightest symptoms occur, it is recommended to immediately contact a qualified specialist.

The first signs of varicose veins on the legs and symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities in men

The first signs of varicose veins on the legs in men can be seen starting at the age of 30. Severe signs of venous disease are visible from the age of 45, while every third man has problems with the vascular system of varying severity. If in women the legs are mainly affected, then in the stronger sex the groin area is affected.

Varicose veins of the testicles or varicocele are also diagnosed in adolescence, which is due to changes in the hormonal levels of the body. Quite often, this pathology occurs without visible signs, so it is difficult to make a diagnosis at an early stage.

Signs of the disease are:

sensations of pain in the groin area;
discomfort during sexual intercourse;
heaviness in the scrotum;
groin pain that gets worse when walking.

Some men have varicose veins in the arms, in which case the first signs are a feeling of heaviness and swelling. If you perform active physical activity during the day, then at night you often experience cramps and your fingers go numb.

Varicose veins in the legs occur equally in both males and females. In most cases, the first signs of varicose veins on the legs are slight fatigue and mild tension. As the process progresses, fatigue, which previously quickly passed, does not disappear even after a night’s sleep, pronounced swelling, pain in the area of the vascular network and bulging of veins appear.

Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities are:

pain of various types (sharp or throbbing);
itching in the area of the veins;
the lower limbs become heavy, as if they are bursting;
the skin becomes dry, then brown pigmentation appears on it, dermatitis and eczema develop, wounds heal poorly and ulcers may form;
in the area of the legs and feet, the veins protrude and twist strongly;
a visible network of blood vessels appears.

If you detect any symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities or another area, you should contact a specialist who can select the correct method and medicine for therapy. The pathology must be treated, and only the doctor has the right to determine the method and prescribe medicine, which will make the therapy effective. Also, do not forget about prevention and taking care of your health.

During the normal movement of blood in the human body, both the arteries that supply blood downward and the veins that return it upward are active - these are two circles of blood circulation that are discussed in school when studying human anatomy. The process of venous circulation is “started” by the heart, like everything else in our body, and due to the combined work of the heart and muscles, the blood rises. The blood rises in spurts, with fixation in certain areas where valves are located in the vessels that do not allow the blood to fall down.

When a person actively moves, for example, when walking, the muscles regularly contract and relax, allowing blood to move from the lower valve to the valve located higher in the vein, etc. This is a description of the normal flow of blood through a vein, but if the valve does not contract completely, if the walls of the vein are elongated, if the lumen of the vein has become wider, then a reverse outflow of blood occurs, which causes disturbances in the functioning of the blood vessels. This vein disease is called varicose veins. Let's take a closer look at what its causes are and whether it is possible to prevent varicose veins.

Why do valves stop working correctly?

Valves are found only in the connecting (communicative) veins, where the superficial and deep veins connect. Fully functioning valves “pass” blood into the deep veins, but do not give it the opportunity to return back, pushing it up the blood vessels. When the vein expands, a small gap is formed between the closed valves, which allows blood to return to the deep or superficial vein.

The accumulation of blood leads to further stretching of the vessel wall, and the gap between the valves increases. Refluxes - pathological countercurrents into the superficial veins provoke the formation of asterisks, then a venous node is formed, which already protrudes from under the skin, and the vicious circle of the disease closes. It is impossible to break out of this circle on your own without the help of doctors, using only ointments and tablets.

The vein will never shrink to the required diameter because the elasticity of its walls is lost; the disease can either be slowed down or stopped with surgical intervention. Varicose veins, its symptoms, causes, treatment - you need to know more about this so that the correct lifestyle becomes your principle, and only then the disease will recede a little, and its development can be contained.

Inadequate functioning of the venous valves is provoked by the presence of unfavorable factors that affect a person, and an incorrect lifestyle is only one of the factors. The vein does not have its own compression-relaxation system to push blood upward; the muscles do this work for it.

If the muscles are not active due to sedentary work, lack of mobility of a person, lack of training or regular walking, sitting for many hours behind the wheel or in front of a computer monitor, then you can “earn” varicose veins without having a genetic predisposition to it. You should know and remember that with varicose veins, the causes of the disease are not only changes occurring in the vessels of the legs, it is a whole complex of changes that affects the entire human body.

The main causes of varicose veins, classification of degrees of the disease

If you do not treat varicose veins at all, then it will take very little time from the appearance of the first venous stars on the legs to the hospital bed, and between a person and painful death there will be only one option of salvation - a surgical scalpel.

Doctors distinguish 6 main stages of varicose veins:

Zero stage when symptoms similar to those of varicose veins gradually appear - heaviness in the legs, swelling, sometimes even cramps during night sleep or rest. It is not possible to determine the presence of the disease based on the results of a Doppler study or visually.
Stage 1- the symptoms remain, they are supplemented by venous stars, a pronounced venous network on the legs.
Stage 2 or the stage of the present disease, when a person himself can see bluish nodules or thickened veins under the skin. Sometimes this can be felt in the muscles when the body position changes. Since there are nodules, it means that there is stagnation of blood in the deep veins, which contributes to the formation of blood clots.
Stage 3– this is the appearance of severe swelling in the evening. In the morning there may be no swelling, but during the day it returns again, the legs hurt, and cramps are frequent.
Stage 4 characterized by the appearance of trophic nodules, which can quickly progress to the stage of ulcers. Any skin inflammation provokes the appearance of weeping areas. The color of the skin on the legs changes to dark brown, almost black. The development of skin atrophy and trophic ulcers is possible.
Stage 5– all of the above symptoms, healed and re-opening trophic ulcer.
Stage 6– this is the presence of a non-healing trophic ulcer, prone to expansion and deepening.

Surgical intervention can be carried out already at stage 1, when the walls of small vessels are glued together by introducing a special injection composition. Large vessels are glued together using laser coagulation. In both cases, rehabilitation after the operation is required: wearing special knitwear, avoiding high heels, and in addition, lifting heavy objects is absolutely forbidden. For more complex vein surgeries, surgeons make individual appointments for the rehabilitation period.

Indeed, the majority of patients with this diagnosis are women, and in those who have given birth or those who are obese, the risk of “getting” varicose veins of the lower extremities is much higher than in those who regularly play sports and walk a lot. Taking hormonal drugs during treatment for infertility or during menopause can also lead to the rapid development of varicose veins.

Women are 2-3 times more susceptible to the disease than men. Hormonal therapy is considered another factor that can provoke varicose veins, since the corpus luteum hormone relaxes the muscles, relieving muscle spasms, but this effect also extends to the venous walls. Inflammatory phenomena in the pelvic organs also provoke the appearance of the disease.

Women who wear high-heeled shoes are at risk. But to be honest, it is difficult to visually distinguish a 7-centimeter heel from an 11-centimeter one, so there is a reason to wear shoes with low heels or not all the time. Most women have either sedentary work or monotonous work associated with one body position. When working sedentarily, you need to take hour-long walks; when working while standing, take a comfortable rest at least once an hour. Light gymnastics and foot massage will also not be superfluous.

As a rule, truck drivers who are forced to spend many hours behind the wheel suffer from varicose veins. This also includes men involved in sports with high physical activity, builders, loaders and those who are forced to do work while maintaining one body position. High intra-abdominal pressure during heavy lifting causes disruption of the vascular valves, as does pressure in the veins during constant sitting. In addition, men are not inclined to pay as much attention to the appearance of their legs as women, so they consult a doctor in the later stages of the disease.

Not knowing that varicose veins can affect not only the legs, but also other organs, men can get varicose veins of the spermatic cord - varicocele, a disease that affects every tenth man in the country. Infertility is the result of this disease, although surgery can correct the situation.

Causes of varicose veins of the pelvis

Frequent constipation during pregnancy, prolonged coughing, and severe sneezing during colds create the preconditions for the development of varicose veins in the veins that run along the rectum. In essence, this type of disease is hemorrhoids, from which anyone can suffer. It is necessary to treat hemorrhoids in a timely manner, eat right, and move a lot to avoid vein pathology in this area. It is important to remember that no matter where it is located, treatment should be supplemented by a special lifestyle that takes into account the specifics of the disease.

Varicose veins in adolescents: causes

Anything that can cause varicose veins in adults also applies to teenagers. During puberty, in boys aged 14-15 years, varicocele manifests itself due to structural features of the body, increased hormonal levels, and nervous overload associated with physical or emotional stress. Arterial-venous fistulas or openings between vessels can cause the onset of varicose veins in the legs.

Before the onset of menstruation, girls may also experience swelling in the legs, heaviness and pain in the lower abdomen and legs, which quickly disappear after the discharge stops. Frequent constipation due to poor diet and desire to lose weight can also provoke the appearance of signs of varicose veins.

Traditional healers often say that all diseases have a root cause - the psychological state of a person. How to understand this and how true is it? You can’t really take seriously the fact that only those who are psychologically unstable get sick. Regarding the heavy...

Varicose veins , which is also called varicose veins, manifests itself as an expansion of the superficial veins of the legs, which accompanies a violation of blood flow and valve incompetence.

With varicose veins of the legs, dilations of the walls of the sac-like veins are formed. In this condition, there is an increase in the length of the veins, their serpentine tortuosity,
valve insufficiency. Currently, varicose veins are very common: they are observed in approximately 17-25% of people.

At a young age, before the onset of puberty, this disease develops in both sexes with equal frequency. However, in women in adulthood, varicose veins are observed twice as often as in men. This picture can be explained by significant hormonal changes during the onset of menstruation, during pregnancy. As a result, the tone of the veins is weakened, they expand, and venous circulation is disrupted.

Causes of varicose veins of the legs

Today, experts tend to support many theories that indicate why varicose veins develop in the legs. But, nevertheless, speaking about the main cause of this disease, it should be noted violation of the valvular apparatus of the veins . As a result, the valves make it difficult for blood to flow in the opposite direction. Consequently, only blood flow to the heart occurs fully. Insufficient function of the vein valves can occur due to congenital valve insufficiency, weakness of the vein walls and other reasons.

When the vein valves are insufficient in a person who has risen to his feet, blood flows downward under the influence of gravity. When walking, the muscles of the lower leg surrounding the deep veins contract. Accordingly, the veins are emptied, and an increase occurs venous pressure . As a result, blood enters the superficial veins, they stretch, and varicose veins .

There are also a number of factors that directly affect the progression of varicose veins. In women, varicose veins often develop as a consequence . During this period, the volume of blood in the female body increases significantly. The enlarging uterus puts a lot of pressure on the veins coming from the legs. In addition, during pregnancy, the condition of the vein wall is affected by hormonal changes in the body. In many cases, varicose veins during pregnancy are reversible, that is, after childbirth they gradually disappear.

Very often, varicose veins of the lower extremities appear in people who are forced to stand for a long time while working. Another risk factor for varicose veins is : in obese people there is increased intra-abdominal pressure and, as a result, dilation of the veins.

Often veins also dilate in people who are prone to regular straining. This happens when cough , prostate and other conditions. Varicose veins can sometimes be a consequence of leg surgery.

Another factor predisposing to varicose veins is a person’s age. Typically, valves and vein walls age over time. As a result, elasticity is lost and the veins stretch.

Varicose veins often occur in patients suffering from having congenital abnormalities of blood vessels .

Considering the factors that directly influenced the development of the disease, it is customary to distinguish primary And secondary phlebeurysm.

Symptoms of the development of varicose veins of the legs

First of all, the visible symptoms of varicose veins on the legs are the appearance of a network of thin veins on the surface of the skin of the legs. Such manifestations mainly occur in the thigh area. Such varicose veins are easiest to see in people who suffer from cellulite . Sometimes it is cellulite that becomes a kind of harbinger of varicose veins. Often, fat deposits due to cellulite compress the venous vessels, and as a result, blood flow is complicated and varicose veins occur.

Capillary networks on the legs that appear at the beginning of varicose veins are called telangiectasia . However, it should be taken into account that such external manifestations can be both signs of varicose veins and a manifestation of a temporary inflammatory process.

In some cases, swelling in the legs indicates the onset of varicose veins. However, such a sign can be a symptom of other diseases ( heart failure , urolithiasis ). Therefore, in this case, it is impossible to clearly speak about the development of varicose veins before making a diagnosis.

A symptom of varicose veins is often pain in the legs. The pain can be acute and also have nagging symptoms. The most common symptom of varicose veins is pain in the calves. It mainly occurs in the afternoon, after a certain load on the legs.

Thus, a person who observes the appearance of a capillary network, periodic manifestations of pain and swelling, should consult a doctor and undergo the necessary research.

Varicose veins often cause the patient some cosmetic discomfort. But besides this, he may experience a feeling of severe heaviness in his legs, and at night he may experience convulsions , gradually appear on the shins trophic changes .

Visually, varicose veins can manifest themselves either as not particularly noticeable “stars” of small vessels, or as very large nodes and plexuses, which are especially noticeable when the patient is in an upright position.

If the veins are palpated, their elastic consistency is determined; they are easily compressed. The area above the varicose veins may have a higher temperature than other areas. If a person takes a horizontal position, then the tension in the veins decreases, and the nodes become less pronounced.

If, as the disease develops, a person does not think about how to treat varicose veins, the disease progresses, and gradually the described symptoms are joined by a feeling of rapid fatigue, constant heaviness of the legs and a feeling of swelling in their tissues, and sometimes cramps may appear. If swelling appears, it disappears after a long rest at night.

Diagnosis of varicose veins of the legs

Diagnosing this disease is relatively easy. The specialist must examine and interview the patient and study the medical history. In the process of additional studies, the condition of the valves of the main and communicating veins is determined, and the level of patency of the deep veins is also assessed. There are a number of different tests that allow you to assess the condition of the veins and the degree of development of the disease.

If a patient has uncomplicated varicose veins, then in most cases instrumental diagnostic methods are not used.

Treatment of varicose veins of the legs

Conservative treatment of varicose veins is mainly prescribed to those people who have clear contraindications to surgical intervention.

Also, such treatment is indicated if the patient has slight varicose veins, which is purely a cosmetic defect. The goal of conservative therapy is also to prevent further progression of this disease. For this purpose, patients are recommended to bandage legs affected by varicose veins with an elastic bandage. In addition, compression knitwear is indicated for varicose veins. People who have a tendency to varicose veins or already suffer from this disease should regularly place their legs on an elevated surface throughout the day, resting in this way for several minutes. There are also special exercises for the lower leg and foot, aimed at activating the muscular-venous pump. This is periodic extension and flexion of the ankle and knee joints.

The patient should be careful not to allow the legs and thighs to be pulled together by various toilet items, as this can significantly impede the flow of venous blood.

Using elastic compression, you can activate blood flow in the deep veins, prevent swelling, reduce the amount of blood in the saphenous veins, promote the body's metabolic processes and blood microcirculation.

But in order to achieve positive results, it is important to bandage the leg correctly. This process must be done in the morning, before getting out of bed. Bandaging begins from the toes to the thigh, and a slight tension of the bandage should be felt. During the bandaging process, be sure to grab the heel and ankle joint. With each turn around the limb, the bandage should cover half the previous turn. You should only buy certified elastic bandages and compression stockings.

Treatment of varicose veins also involves wearing comfortable shoes, which should have low heels and hard soles. You should not stand for a long time, allow physical stress, or stay in rooms with high temperature and humidity for a long time. It is advisable to keep your legs in an elevated position while sleeping.

Patients should limit fluid and salt intake and try to get rid of . To treat varicose veins, it is periodically necessary to take diuretics, drugs that improve the tone of the veins. In addition, if indicated, the patient may be prescribed medications that stimulate microcirculation in the tissues. Treatment for varicose veins may also include taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If the patient has an uncomplicated form of the disease, physical therapy exercises are indicated. Swimming, other water treatments, foot baths with warm water, to which a 5-10% sodium chloride solution is added, are very useful.

Very often, local therapy methods are used in the treatment of varicose veins. But such treatment must be used in combination with other medicinal methods. Local remedies for varicose veins are produced in the form of gels, ointments, and creams. Most of these drugs contain or venoactive components. Ointments for varicose veins help normalize the tone of the vein walls and can correct disorders of lymphatic drainage and microcirculation. Some local preparations contain several different active ingredients. Some of them, in addition to heparin, include, .

If during the process of varicose veins a secondary infection occurs, then it is advisable to use external agents with or .

Has been used for treatment since ancient times with varicose veins. The use of leeches that secrete hirudin allows blood to thin and promotes resorption blood clots , getting rid of spider veins and varicose veins. In addition, hirudotherapy for varicose veins can reduce pain in the legs and overcome swelling. However, it is important to use hirudotherapy at the earliest stages of varicose veins. This treatment should not be used in people with hemophilia , anemia , hypotension ,pregnant women .

However, the radical method of treating varicose veins is surgery. It is carried out to eliminate venovenous reflux. This operation is not performed if the patient has concomitant diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidneys, or liver. This operation should not be performed on pregnant women, as well as people suffering from purulent diseases. Modern technologies make it possible to use endoscopic techniques for such an operation.

If a person has only small branches dilated, sclerotherapy can be used. This operation involves injecting a sclerosing solution into the vein to seal the vein walls. After this, repeated injections are made into other sections of the vein, achieving complete obliteration of the vein.

For varicose veins, combined surgical therapy is also used, in which large trunks of the altered veins are removed and sclerotherapy of small branches is performed. After surgery, patients are recommended to continue wearing an elastic bandage for 8-12 weeks.

The doctors

Medicines

Treatment of varicose veins of the legs with traditional methods

In addition to standard treatment methods, traditional medicine recipes, which have long been used to treat varicose veins, have a good effect. Treatment of varicose veins with folk remedies can be practiced in parallel with traditional therapy.

For varicose veins, the use of a massage shower brings good results. This massage can be performed during your daily shower. Jets of water should simply be directed to those areas where manifestations of varicose veins are visible. The massage begins with warm jets, but over time the water should become colder. You can also use contrast massage, alternating warm and cold water. It is important that such a massage ends with cold jets. If the massage is performed correctly, the areas of the skin that were massaged will turn red. After such a massage, you should rub your feet and apply medicinal ointment or gel to them.

For varicose veins, medicinal foot baths made from herbal decoctions are also recommended. Such baths should not be warm. A good effect is obtained by using a bath in the morning made from an infusion of burdock, birch leaves, and nettles. To prepare such an infusion, take a teaspoon of chopped herbs and pour one liter of boiling water. The infusion should stand for several hours. The bath lasts about 290 minutes. To increase vascular tone, using the same bath from an infusion of nettle, chamomile, lemon balm and oregano herbs is effective.

Prevention of varicose veins of the legs

Prevention of varicose veins includes a number of measures aimed at preventing signs of the disease. It is useful for every person to periodically keep their legs elevated, take breaks during sedentary work, and not wear underwear that stresses the body. A good method for preventing varicose veins would be a contrast shower, including foods that are good for the blood in your diet, and performing some physical exercises. At the first signs of varicose veins, you should consult a doctor to prevent the progression of the disease.

Complications of varicose veins of the legs

Very often, as a complication of varicose veins, it appears acute superficial veins . Sometimes, as a result of damage, varicose veins rupture and bleeding. When blood leaks from a node that has burst, very significant blood loss is possible.

In addition, due to increased pressure in the venous system, arterial blood flow slows down. Because of this, it may develop hypoxia and beyond oxygen starvation . As a result of the development of this condition, tissue cells may die, which is a dangerous process for the body. Due to severe stagnation of blood in the veins, toxins accumulate in the tissues.

Complications of this disease also include blockage of blood vessels by a blood clot, impaired nutrition of leg tissues, and the appearance of pigmentation and darkening of the skin.

The layer of subcutaneous fat gradually becomes denser, and dermatitis , venous trophic ulcers . In very rare cases, such ulcers degenerate into malignant formations.

If the disease continues over a long period, the person may subsequently develop.

But the most dangerous complication of varicose veins is . This disease can be fatal.

Diet, nutrition for varicose veins of the legs

List of sources

Savelyev V.S. Phlebology. - M.: Medicine, 2001;
E.V. Lutsevich, D.D. Bershadenko. Varicose veins. - M.: Medicine, 2004;
Gavrilov S.G. Diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins of the pelvis: abstract. ... doc. honey. Sci. - M., 2008;
Rymashevsky N.V., Markina V.V., Volkov A.E. and others. Varicose veins and recurrent phlebitis of the pelvis in women. - Rn/D., 2000;
Shevchenko Yu.L., Stoyko Yu.M., Lytkina M.I. Fundamentals of clinical phlebology. - M.: Medicine, 2005.

Modern treatment of varicose veins, with timely consultation with a doctor, brings positive results. Many people wonder: varicose veins - what is it? Varicose veins are the pathological expansion of the walls of peripheral veins, as a result of which varicose nodes become visible under the skin. The blood vessels themselves swell greatly and acquire a bluish tint. What causes varicose veins? As a result of the development of the disease, blood stops circulating normally; it is difficult to push upward, stagnating in the vessels of the legs. This leads to even greater stretching of the vein walls and a feeling of heaviness in the legs.

The initial stage of varicose veins manifests itself as follows: when the wall of the venous vessel begins to increase, it is pressed against the skin. The vascular network and spider veins first appear through it, then the first signs of varicose veins appear: blue nodes and tubercles. This indicates that the vessel is weakened and without adequate treatment is no longer able to return to normal.

In our age of physical inactivity and poor ecology, varicose veins are among the ten most common pathologies on the globe. Every 4 inhabitants of the planet suffer from it.

More than half of patients are not aware of the onset of varicose veins in the early (hidden) stages. Why, according to statistics, are women most often affected by varicose veins? This is explained by the fact that their connective tissue is underdeveloped due to the special course of the hormonal cycle.

How to remove varicose veins? Varicose veins cause a lot of trouble, ranging from a cosmetic problem to life-threatening conditions. The disease must be recognized promptly and treated promptly. This will help not only remove visible defects, but also eliminate complications of varicose veins.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Varicose veins are an exclusively human disease. Not a single living creature on the planet suffers from dilation of the peripheral veins of the extremities. Causes of varicose veins:

Vertical body position. When walking, not only the weight of the body presses on the limbs, but also the force of gravity. There is a special compression system in the veins, thanks to which the blood rises against the force of gravity. If it fails, varicose veins develop. At risk are those people who, due to their duties, are forced to stand or move a lot.
Varicose veins have a genetic predisposition. As a rule, if close relatives have it, the risk of the disease in the offspring increases to 70%. If hereditary varicose veins did not develop in childhood, then by following the recommendations of a specialist, you can avoid its development in adulthood.
Physical inactivity. More and more professions related to office work are appearing in the world. In a sitting position, the veins of the lower extremities are pinched, swelling occurs, and, as a result, the walls of the peripheral veins grow. Low physical activity also does not contribute to the health of the veins - intravenous valves cease to function in constant load mode.
Another cause of varicose veins is a disturbance in the functioning of the endocrine glands. This problem especially concerns women whose whole life is subject to monthly hormonal cycles. Any malfunction of the endocrine glands leads to stagnation of blood in the veins of the legs. The risk of developing varicose veins especially increases during puberty, childbearing, the postpartum period, and with the onset of menopause. If there is not enough estrogen in a woman’s body, and the hormones of the corpus luteum predominate, then the muscles relax, and the preconditions are created for stagnant processes in the veins. Varicose veins often accompany obesity.
The causes of varicose veins are mechanical obstacles. There is a category of diseases in which barriers to normal blood flow arise: oncological pathologies, inflammation of the uterus, and the formation of blood clots.
Stressful conditions, bad habits. Veins are surrounded by nerve endings that help maintain venous tone. Under the influence of nervous stimuli, nicotine, alcohol, and stimulants, the walls of the veins gradually lose their tone, which leads to the proliferation of connective tissue.
Pressure in the anastomosis. In the extremities there are arteriovenous junctions, which cause the development of varicose veins if the pressure in them is higher than the physiological norm.
There is a malfunction of the venous valves. The mechanism of blood movement in the vessels of the legs is designed in such a way that the blood, rising through the vein, cannot go down due to the closure of the vein valves. If they do not close enough, then some of the blood descends to the lower sections. Blood stagnation is created, due to which the vessel wall gradually expands.

Symptoms of varicose veins

In this disease, it is important not to miss the very initial moment, when pathological processes are reversible and treatment does not take much time. Main symptoms, how to identify varicose veins:

the appearance in the limbs of a spreading feeling of warmth, turning into a burning sensation;
a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which especially increases in the evening;
not immediately, but swelling may appear in the limbs, which is especially noticeable in the ankles and feet;
at night, the leg muscles begin to cramp;
the initial stage of varicose veins is characterized by the fact that the skin on the legs darkens, and when palpated, lumps are felt;
in places of compaction, the skin may ulcerate, and trophic ulcers may appear at the site of wounds.

As the disease of varicose veins develops, the symptoms increase:

nagging pain appears that covers the popliteal fossa and the back surface of the lower leg; Men have thicker skin with well-defined hairiness, so this symptom is less pronounced in them;
the vein along its length from the ankle to the knee begins to be clearly palpable, the affected vessels seem tortuous;
a vascular network may appear on the limbs, which has a purplish-blue tint, the intensity of the color decreases if you take a lying position and slightly raise your legs;
in the evening, the symptoms are joined by dull pain, a burning sensation and cramps, they become especially acute after standing for many hours;
Swelling of the limbs may occur, to the point where your favorite shoes can no longer be worn.

If the disease is not treated properly, the upper layer of the skin of the extremities becomes dry, dense and bluish, and pigmentation often appears on it. Further disruption of skin nutrition leads to the formation of trophic ulcers. If fever, weakness and chills are added to this group of symptoms, then the course of varicose veins is complicated.

Complications of varicose veins

Varicose veins can be complicated by more severe pathological processes in the veins of the lower extremities:

Acute thrombophlebitis. The saphenous veins become painful to the touch, the skin becomes red, and severe pain appears. The acute stage is due to the fact that a blood clot blocks the lumen of the vessel. If the vein becomes sclerotic, there is a risk of gangrene.
Trophic ulcer. Wounds appear on the skin, from which ichor constantly oozes. Often pathogenic microbes enter the wound, and the course of varicose veins is complicated by a secondary bacterial infection. Trophic ulcers practically do not scar due to impaired nutrition of cells in the upper layers of the epidermis.
Bleeding from varicose veins. The wall of the vein protrudes and becomes so thin that with minor damage it is perforated and begins to bleed.

Varicose veins are scary because inflammation of the upper veins can spread to the deep vein system. Small blood clots can break away from the walls of deep veins and cause pulmonary embolism.

Types of varicose veins

At the present stage of development of phlebology, experts have developed a classification of varicose veins. According to it, varicose veins are classified into the following types:

intradermal varicose veins, which manifests itself as spider veins on the skin;
varicose veins of the large and small external veins in the form of nodes and seals;
various subcutaneous types of varicose veins in the form of a spider vein.

This classification applies only to vessels that lie shallow from the surface of the body.

In the same way, the disease is determined depending on the stage of varicose veins:

Stage of varicose veins - compensation. The patient does not yet feel symptoms such as pain, heaviness, swelling. At this stage, he is concerned about cosmetic problems: spider veins and spider veins on the lower legs and thighs. There are no external skin changes. Damage to the deep veins at this stage of varicose veins can only be detected by instrumental diagnostics.
The stage of varicose veins is subcompensation. The phenomena of chronic venous insufficiency increase, pastosity and swelling of the ankle appear, which subsides during sleep. The legs quickly get tired, the color of the skin of the extremities changes, and the patient suffers from itching. The skin loses its elasticity, becomes dry and often injured.
The stage of varicose veins is decompensation. Trophic ulcers that take a long time to heal appear in the ankle area. They form rough scars that often ulcerate again. At this stage, varicose veins are complicated by bacterial infections. The dilated vein thickens along its entire length, varicose nodes increase in size.

Degree of disease development

Varicose veins at the stage of mild venous insufficiency can cause disability and death. Since the disease is quite common, you should know the degrees of varicose veins:

Manifestation of varicose veins

Varicose veins 1st degree. Pregnancy, excess weight, and incorrect body position for a long time can lead to the development of initial symptoms of damage to the veins of the lower extremities. Many patients ignore grade 1 varicose veins, attributing the heaviness and swelling of the legs to fatigue. At this time, varicose veins can be well treated with conservative methods, physical therapy and foot massage.
Varicose veins 2 degrees. Veins enlarge and become noticeable. Varicose veins in this degree are especially painful in the summer heat. There is a risk of thrombophlebitis. Treatment of 2nd degree is also conservative, but longer. Its goal is to stop the further development of varicose veins and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
Varicose veins 3 degrees. Symptoms of varicose veins increase and do not go away over time. The disease takes serious forms and is often complicated. Conservative treatment methods are often powerless, and it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention.
What are grade 4 varicose veins? Advanced stage with skin lesions and persistent trophic ulcers. Only surgical treatment is indicated.

Varicose veins last for years, and there comes a time when the disease becomes obvious. It is important to pay close attention to your own health and seek help from a phlebologist who will prescribe the correct treatment. This will not only protect the veins from further protrusion of the walls, but may also save your life.

Treatment of varicose veins

How to treat varicose veins? Depending on the type and degree of development of varicose veins, experts identify the following traditional methods of treating varicose veins:

compression jersey;
drug therapy;
hirudotherapy;
surgical treatments.

For grade 1 and 2 varicose veins, traditional medicine, physical therapy and massage help well.

Compression jersey

How to get rid of varicose veins using compression hosiery? In the complex treatment and prevention of varicose veins, great importance is attached to wearing compression garments. Knee socks, stockings and tights perform a number of functions:

Compression stockings

support and compress the wall of the dilated venous vessel, forcing the redistribution of blood flow between healthy and diseased veins, relieving excess load from them;
improve tissue trophism by eliminating stagnation;
contribute to strengthening the muscle pump - pushing blood upward during physical activity;
properly selected underwear minimizes the development of blood clots in the affected veins;
Long-term wearing allows you to return normal physiological functions of venous blood flow (at 1-2 degrees).

Compression garments are a more effective method than elastic bandages for treating varicose veins.

Putting on underwear does not take much time; it always correctly supports diseased veins, forcing them to function. The disadvantages of compression underwear include a number of contraindications in which wearing them is prohibited, as well as the fact that this method is prohibited for deep varicose veins.

There are 4 degrees of compression that the underwear provides when worn:

The first compression class is used more for the prevention of varicose veins. It is prescribed to patients at risk: pregnant women, those who have spider veins and spider veins, and people who, due to their duties, are forced to sit or stand a lot.
The second compression class is the most popular among doctors and patients. Lingerie is used at different stages of venous insufficiency, varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
The third class of compression is used for severe forms of venous insufficiency and varicose veins complicated by trophic ulcers.
The fourth and higher classes of compression are prescribed extremely rarely when there is a violation of lymphatic drainage.

Drug therapy

How to deal with varicose veins with the help of medications? Drug therapy for varicose veins is part of a comprehensive conservative treatment. It includes:

oral administration of tablets and capsules;
drug injections;
use of external agents: ointments, creams, gels.

The course of treatment and type of drug are selected for the patient by a phlebologist. He assesses the degree of development of the disease and the patient’s condition.

What to do with varicose veins? As a rule, the basis of drug treatment consists of several main groups of drugs.

Phlebotropic agents. Their main purpose is to restore the tone of the venous vessel wall. Treatment of varicose veins with phlebotonics in the early stages of the disease can reduce the process of vein deformation and remove spider veins and spider veins. In most cases, for varicose veins the following is prescribed:

Detralex is a drug that increases the tone of the venous wall, reduces the degree of vasodilatation, and relieves swelling.
Aescusan relieves swelling of the legs, prevents the development of atherosclerotic processes and the deposition of plaques in blood vessels.
Troxevasin relieves inflammation from the affected vessel, reduces the protrusion of its walls. It is used for chronic venous insufficiency, varicose dermatitis and pain symptoms. Indicated in the postoperative period for the speedy restoration of the conductive function of the veins.

Can varicose veins be cured with these medications? Venotonics cannot eliminate varicose veins, but they can effectively eliminate disturbing symptoms.

Blood thinners (anticoagulants). How to cure varicose veins using these remedies? The purpose of drugs in this group is to maintain normal blood counts, reduce the threat of blood clots, and improve peripheral circulation. The drugs are taken according to the schedule determined by the doctor. As the course of treatment progresses, he makes adjustments based on the patient’s condition and positive dynamics.

Aspirin helps thin the blood and several times reduces the risk of developing blood clots in diseased veins. In addition, drugs in this group relieve swelling and pain in the legs.
Treatment of varicose veins with Fenilin. An anticoagulant, which slows down blood clotting, prevents platelets from sticking together in places where the wall of a venous vessel is bent.
Lyoton 1000 is an external preparation that thins the blood and relieves inflammation and itching of the skin.
Warfarin is used for severe varicose veins complicated by the development of thrombophlebitis. Effective for pathologies of external and deep veins.

Anticoagulants can be taken strictly as prescribed by your doctor. Overdose may cause bleeding.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as a method of treating varicose veins, are used in the symptomatic treatment of varicose veins: they relieve pain, eliminate cramps, increase blood flow and reduce inflammation of damaged veins.

Diclofenac is used externally and in the form of intramuscular injections. Particularly effective for varicose veins in the early stages of development.
Ibuprofen relieves inflammation and pain.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs successfully treat varicose veins and are used to prevent complications of varicose veins.

Hirudotherapy in the treatment of varicose veins

Hirudotherapy

Currently, the fight against varicose veins using the method of hirudotherapy is recognized as traumatic, but the method is used in advanced stages, when signs of thrombophlebitis increase. Methods for treating varicose veins with leeches should be carried out exclusively in medical institutions where there are appropriate permits and conditions for aseptic placement of leeches.

It should be remembered that hirudotherapy for varicose veins can provoke allergic reactions and the development of trophic ulcers.

Surgical types of treatment

Varicose veins and surgical treatment are used in cases where:

the disease has reached an advanced stage;
there is a pathological growth of the vein walls;
a blood flow disorder has been identified, which leads to pain, changes in the structure of the skin, and the development of trophic ulcers;
the course of the disease was complicated by thrombophlebitis.

In the absence of contraindications, phlebologist surgeons perform operations on the affected veins. Currently, several methods have become widespread:

EVLC (endovasal laser coagulation). A revolutionary method of treating varicose veins, which is characterized by low trauma. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis within half an hour. Its essence is that the phlebologist seals the diseased veins with a laser beam, and the blood flow is allowed to flow through healthy vessels.
Sclerotherapy. Also refers to minimally invasive operations, when the result is achieved in a few minutes with simple manipulations. Treatment with radio frequencies also has a similar property for varicose veins. Using a special syringe with a very thin needle, a drug is injected into the wall of the affected vessel, which forms foam and closes the lumen. The blood flow is directed to a healthy vein. The medicine is absorbed and excreted from the body through the kidneys.
Phlebectomy. This is a surgical treatment by removing the affected veins, which is prescribed for grade 3 varicose veins, when trophic ulcers and other types of complications already appear. Without surgery, the consequences of varicose veins can be fatal.

A phlebologist prescribes surgical treatment when conservative treatment at the last stage of varicose veins no longer makes sense or will not be as effective.

Traditional methods of treating varicose veins

Traditional methods of treatment are effective as a preventive measure, but they can alleviate the course of the disease. If you have varicose veins, what should you do? It’s worth trying a few recipes to evaluate their effectiveness:

Nutmeg decoction. Several whole nutmegs need to be ground in a coffee grinder. Take 1 tsp. powder without a slide and pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. After this, add 1 tsp to the broth. honey and drink half an hour before breakfast. To enhance the effect, the decoction can be drunk again 2 hours after breakfast. You can be treated with nutmeg for a year. It heals wounds well after trophic ulcers, helps restore blood flow and damaged epithelial tissue. We must remember that nutmeg is poisonous, so you should not put more than 1 tsp. per glass.
Cut a green tomato into circles and tie them with a bandage to the diseased vein. This can be done all year round. Green tomatoes contain a powerful dose of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the walls of blood vessels, eliminates varicose veins and reduces the risk of blood clots.
Take a half-liter jar, add 50 g of horse chestnut flowers and fill with vodka. Let it brew for 14 days, strain and take 1 tbsp. l., washed down with water. After a week of taking it, take a break for 14 days. Several courses can be taught.
Take a stack of Datura seeds, grind them in a coffee grinder, pour a bottle of vodka and put them in a dark place for 14 days. The liquid should be shaken during infusion. After this, take 15 drops of tincture per 100 g of water, moisten gauze, apply to the affected vein, cover with cellophane and wrap with a bandage. Keep the compress for 30 minutes. Increase the dose of tincture by 1-2 drops per day and increase to 25 drops, then continue treatment for 30 days.

Mikulin exercise

What not to do for varicose veins? During this disease, it is advisable to give more rest to the legs and do various exercises. A simple exercise effectively cleanses blood vessels and restores blood flow. It is performed on a flat floor barefoot. You need to stand in a free position with support on your entire foot, lift your heels 1 cm from the floor and land sharply on them. Repeat the exercise 30-50 times slowly, in a calm mode. It is recommended to do another 3-4 approaches during the day. It is not recommended to do more than 60 heel strikes. Treatment of varicose veins with the help of such exercises is very effective.

The exercise forces the muscles of the lower leg to work and squeeze blood upward through the veins.