Varicose veins in the legs are a pathology of the subcutaneous veins, in which they dilate, thin and inflame. Venous valves become inefficient, leading to swelling, pain, and circulatory problems. A dangerous complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the vessel wall with the formation of a blood clot), trophic ulcer, separation of a blood clot, embolism of the lungs and other organs, bleeding.
Causes of the disease
- genetic predisposition;
- working standing or sitting for a long time, heavy loads, lifting weights;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy, private delivery
- overweight;
- advanced age and sex (30% in women, 10% in men)
Symptoms of varicose veins and the mechanism of development.
- Swelling in the legs in the evening;
- leg pain, heaviness;
- vascular network, skin color blue;
- increased fatigue from physical exertion;
- nodules in the veins, due to pain, inflammation;
- itchy skin, cramps;
- darkening of the skin;
- thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcer.
Varicose veins in women often occur during the period of bearing a child, but with timely treatment they pass. The situation is worse in cases where a woman does not go to the doctor and hopes for 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 must move from the periphery to the center, that is, upwards. But if the tone of the valves and blood vessels is reduced, then the blood begins to move into the superficial veins. As a result, they lengthen, stretch and form knots that are visible even without instruments. If you do not change your lifestyle and do not start therapy, the disease will progress, since the blood tends to go down according to the law of gravity. At this stage, drugs and therapeutic exercises will no longer help.
Diagnosis
In most cases, an examination of the legs by a doctor and an ultrasound scan are sufficient. If there is a risk of recurrence of varicose veins, then it is necessary to examine the deep veins using X-rays and injection of a contrast agent (phlebography).
How to treat varicose veins in 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. Medications for internal and external use, an active lifestyle, gymnastics, the use of therapeutic compression stockings are suitable here (the list of drugs can be found at the end).
Preventive measures pay off, especially if you change jobs and don't stay upright for long. Sports activities recommended by a doctor will help improve blood flow, since the working leg muscles significantly tone the blood vessels. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the primary signs of varicose veins. In the future, one has to resort to expensive methods.
Modern methods of treatment of varicose veins.
Now there are effective methods to treat varicose veins without surgery. Its meaning is reduced to the following: pathological veins are removed from the blood circulation. With the help of a laser or other method, the wall of the damaged vein is glued in the region of the valve, and blood no longer enters this segment of the channel. One or more punctures are performed for laser access, without anesthesia and without incision, no long-term rehabilitation is needed. As a result, the correct movement of blood is restored, knots, swelling and pain disappear. The skin color returns to normal, it becomes smooth.
Consider in more detail the methods of therapy without surgery.
Laser treatment of patients has become widespread in the last decade. If a previously damaged vein had to be removed surgically, exposing a person to risk and long 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 directed at the damaged valve. Heating with a beam causes coagulation of the tissue of the vessel, as a result of inflammation, the walls of the vein stick together. The method also works in the late stages of varicose veins, when there are trophic ulcers. Efficiency was recorded in 98% of patients. By the same principle, therapy is carried out with the help of radio wave energy.
If 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 causes an inflammatory reaction, followed by filling of the lumen of the vessel. Injections with sclerosants have their disadvantages: they have a high relapse rate. Sclerotherapy will not eliminate a strong imbalance of blood flow in the large veins. Also, there may be an allergy to such drugs, there is a risk of necrosis of the tissues of the vessels. Of 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, there are no scars.
Treatment of varicose veins with drugs.
We note again that it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology only conservatively. Thus, the prescription of drugs is symptomatic and prophylactic. However, many patients who take the course notice significant improvements: pain in the legs, swelling and fatigue are reduced.
venotonic
This group includes drugs based on diosmin - they increase the tone of veins and capillaries, as a result, their extensibility and venous congestion decrease. Improves blood circulation, microcirculation, reduces swelling of the legs, pain, heaviness. An additional indication of drugs is the symptomatic treatment of hemorrhoids.
External forms of venotonics are also produced.
Many positive things can be said about diosmin venotonics, their effectiveness has been proven by clinical trials and side effects are rare. Before its appearance, troxerutin-based Troxevasin was used. It has wide indications, there is an anti-inflammatory effect, but more side effects. Drops based on horse chestnut seed extract tone the walls of the veins and improve the condition of the capillaries. Also indicated for varicose veins.
Anticoagulants for external use
This group contains all gels with sodium heparin. The drug accelerates the resorption of blood clots, reduces swelling in the tissues, increases circulation in the capillaries, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Varicose veins are its main indication. The line of gels with heparin is very wide, it has different concentrations.
Often heparin is 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 disturbed vessels (venotonics, heparin). The procedure is painless, lasts less than an hour, the course is up to 20 sessions. Effective in strengthening veins, reduces the severity of the disease, but does not completely eliminate knots.
Lymphatic drainage, pressotherapy
To carry out 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 compressed, an imitation of massage occurs. Improves the outflow of lymph, excess water. The exposure time is determined by the doctor. However, an important contraindication is nodes, protruding veins, kidney disease. Pressotherapy is indicated only in the initial stage of varicose veins.
magnetotherapy
Impact on the veins with a low frequency magnetic field. The method also reduces swelling, pain, and heaviness in the legs. But, of course, it does not repair a damaged valve. In general, we can say that all types of physiotherapy are good only at the initial stage of varicose veins. We list the general contraindications:
- oncological diseases;
- the pregnancy;
- hypertension;
- bleeding;
- tuberculosis;
- epilepsy;
- blood coagulation disorders, etc.
In addition to physiotherapy, regular cycling has a positive effect. Moving leg muscles accelerate the reverse flow of blood, over time, relief from varicose veins occurs. Swimming brings benefits when, in general, the load on the veins decreases, and at the same time all the muscles are active. Even after one session, the swelling is noticeably reduced, lightness appears in the legs.
At almost all stages of varicose veins, the doctor prescribes the use of compression underwear (stockings, stockings, stockings). The elastic tissue supports the veins, improves their tone and prevents swelling. Such products are often used after operations and not only on the legs to protect the veins. For employees who spend a lot of time on their feet, varicose stockings are an urgent need. Proper use of them prevents the development of the disease.
conclusion
Early diagnosis of varicose veins helps prevent the development of the disease. Playing proper sports, taking venotonics is a good prevention and treatment at the initial stage. However, in the presence of disturbed veins, only minimally invasive methods of therapy, or rather laser exposure, are suitable. The technique has a high cost, but at the same time it is chosen by the majority of patients. The laser copes with even the most neglected cases. It only remains to make inquiries about the most professional phlebologists in the region. After all, the tactics of therapy and a combination of methods cannot be read on the Internet, a unique personal experience is important here.