Varicose veins of the legs is a pathology of the subcutaneous veins, in which they expand, thin and become inflamed. Venous valves become ineffective, leading to swelling, pain and circulation problems. A dangerous complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the vessel wall with the formation of a blood clot), trophic ulcer, release of a blood clot, embolism of the lungs and other organs, bleeding.
Causes of the disease
- genetic predisposition;
- working on your feet or in a sitting position for a long time, heavy loads, lifting weights;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy, personal birth
- Overweight;
- advanced age and gender (30% in women, 10% in men)
Symptoms of varicose veins and mechanism of development
- Swelling of the legs in the evening;
- leg pain, heaviness;
- vascular network, blue skin color;
- increased fatigue from physical exertion;
- nodes in the veins, from soreness, inflammation;
- itching of the skin, cramps;
- darkening of the skin;
- thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcer.
Varicose veins in women often appear during childbirth, but with timely treatment, they pass. The situation is worse in cases where the woman does not go to the doctor and expects improvement after childbirth. However, we must remember that varicose veins do not disappear on their own.
There are two sectors of the venous bed: peripheral and deep. Normally, the blood should move from the periphery to the center, that is, up. But if the tone of the valves and blood vessels is reduced, then the blood begins to move to the superficial veins. As a result, they lengthen, stretch, form knots that are visible even without tools. If you do not change your lifestyle and start therapy, the disease will progress, because the blood tends to descend according to the law of gravity. At this stage, drugs and therapeutic exercises will no longer help.
Diagnosis
In most cases, a foot examination by a doctor and an ultrasound are sufficient. If there is a risk of recurrence of varicose veins, then it is necessary to examine the deep veins by X-ray and injection of a contrast substance (phlebography).
How to treat varicose veins of the legs?
In the initial period of the disease, when there are no visible veins and pain, but there is heaviness in the legs, it makes sense to visit a doctor and start prevention. Medicines for internal and external use, an active lifestyle, gymnastics, wearing therapeutic compression stockings are suitable here (the list of medicines can be found at the end).
Preventive measures bear fruit, especially if you change your job and do not stand for a long time. Sports activities recommended by a doctor will help improve blood flow, as the working muscles of the legs significantly tone the blood vessels. Unfortunately, many people ignore the early signs of varicose veins. In the future one has to resort to expensive methods.
Modern methods of treating varicose veins
Now there are effective methods of treating varicose veins without surgery. Their meaning boils down to the following - pathological veins are removed from the circulation. With the help of a laser or another method, the wall of the damaged vein is glued to the area of the valve, and blood no longer enters this segment of the channel. For laser access, one or more punctures are made, without anesthesia and without an incision, no long-term rehabilitation is required. As a result, proper blood flow is restored, nodes, swelling and pain disappear. The color of the skin normalizes, it becomes smooth.
Consider in more detail the methods of therapy without surgery
Laser treatment of patients has become widespread over the past decade. If a previously damaged vein had to be surgically removed, exposing a person to risk and prolonged hospitalization, then in our time these techniques are outdated. Internal venous laser coagulation is widely prescribed. A laser fiber is inserted into the vein through a thin puncture and guided to the damaged valve. Heating with a beam causes coagulation of vascular tissue, as a result of inflammation, the walls of the vein stick together. The method also works in the later stages of varicose veins, when there are trophic ulcers. Effectiveness was recorded in 98% of patients. Therapy using radio wave energy is carried out on the same principle.
If the varicose veins have not reached a dangerous stage, then the sclerotherapy method is used. This technique does not involve the use of heat. A substance is injected into the vein, which leads to an inflammatory reaction, followed by filling of the lumen of the vessel. Injections with sclerosants have their drawbacks - they have a high rate of recurrence. Sclerotherapy will not eliminate the severe blood flow imbalance in the large veins. In addition, there may be an allergy to such drugs, there is a risk of tissue necrosis of the vessels. Among the advantages, the low cost of the method should be mentioned. Doctors often combine laser therapy with injections.
In addition to laser treatment, miniphlebectomy is used - removal of a damaged vein through a thin puncture. After the operation, the patient goes home the same day, since there are no incisions. The skin acquires an aesthetic appearance, normal color, no scars remain.
Treatment of varicose veins with drugs
We note again that it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology only in a conservative way. Thus, the prescription of drugs is symptomatic and prophylactic. However, many patients taking the course note significant improvements: leg pain, swelling and fatigue decrease.
Venotonics
This group includes drugs based on diosmin: they increase the tone of veins and capillaries, as a result of which their distensibility and venous congestion are reduced. Improves blood circulation, microcirculation, reduces leg swelling, pain, heaviness. An additional indication for drugs is the symptomatic treatment of hemorrhoids.
External forms of venotonics are also produced.
A lot of positive things can be said about venotonics with diosmin, their effectiveness has been proven by clinical trials, and side effects are rare. Before their appearance, Troxevasin was used based on troxerutin. It has wide indications, has an anti-inflammatory effect, but more side effects. Drops based on horse chestnut seed extract tone the vein walls and improve the condition of the capillaries. Also indicated for varicose veins.
Anticoagulants for external use
This group includes all sodium heparin gels. The drug accelerates the resorption of blood clots, reduces tissue swelling, increases blood circulation in the capillaries and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Varicose veins are its main indication. The line of gels with heparin is very large, there are different concentrations.
Heparin is often part of the complex external forms of varicose veins.
Physiotherapy for varicose veins
electrophoresis
Under the action of an electric current on a special carrier, the drug is delivered directly to the altered vessels (venotonics, heparin). The procedure is painless, lasts less than an hour, the course is up to 20 sessions. Effective for strengthening the veins, reduces the severity of the disease, but does not completely remove the nodules.
Lymphatic drainage, pressotherapy
To perform this procedure, you will need equipment: a suit, a compressor. Air is supplied to the suit with distribution to the legs. Tissues and blood vessels are pressed, an imitation of a massage is obtained. Improves the outflow of lymph, excess water. The exposure time is determined by the doctor. However, an important contraindication is nodes, bulging veins, kidney disease. Pressotherapy is indicated only in the initial stage of varicose veins.
Magnetotherapy
Effect on veins with a low-frequency magnetic field. The method also reduces swelling, pain, heaviness in the legs. But of course it doesn't repair a damaged valve. In general, we can say that all types of physiotherapy are good only in the initial stage of varicose veins. We list the general contraindications:
- oncological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- hypertension;
- bleeding;
- tuberculosis;
- epilepsy;
- blood coagulation disorders, etc.
In addition to physiotherapy, regular cycling has a positive effect. The muscles of the legs in motion accelerate the reverse flow of blood, over time, varicose veins are relieved. Swimming brings benefits when the load on the veins is generally reduced and at the same time all the muscles are active. Even after one session, the swelling noticeably decreases, lightness appears in the legs.
At almost all stages of varicose veins, the doctor prescribes wearing compression underwear (socks, pantyhose, stockings). The elastic tissue supports the veins, increases their tone and prevents swelling. Such products are often worn after operations and not only on the legs to protect the veins. For employees who spend a lot of time standing, anti-varicose tights are a must. Their correct use prevents the development of the disease.
Conclusion
Early diagnosis of varicose veins helps to avoid the development of the disease. Doing appropriate sports, taking venotonics is a good prevention and treatment in the initial stage. However, in the presence of altered veins, only minimally invasive methods of therapy or rather laser exposure are suitable. The technique has a high price, but at the same time it is chosen by most patients. The laser copes with even the most neglected cases. It remains only to make inquiries about the most professional phlebologists in the region. After all, the tactics of therapy and the combination of methods cannot be read on the Internet, unique personal experience is important here.