Varicose veins in the legs are a pathology of the subcutaneous veins, in which they expand, thin and become inflamed. Venous valves become inefficient, leading to swelling, pain and circulatory problems. A dangerous complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the blood vessel wall with the formation of a blood clot), trophic ulcers, separation of a blood clot, embolism of the lungs and other organs, bleeding.
Causes of the disease
- genetic predisposition;
- work standing or in a sitting position for a long time, heavy loads, lifting weights;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy, private childbirth
- excess weight;
- 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, blue skin color;
- increased fatigue from physical exertion;
- nodes in the veins, from pain, inflammation;
- itchy skin, cramps;
- darkening of the skin;
- thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.
Varicose veins in women often occur during the period of childbirth, but with timely treatment, it passes. The situation is worse in cases where a woman does not go to the doctor and waits 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, blood should move from the periphery to the center, that is, up. But if the tone of the valves and blood vessels decreases, then the blood begins to move in the superficial veins. As a result, they stretch, stretch, form joints that are visible even without instruments. If you do not change your lifestyle and start therapy, the disease will progress, as the blood tends to descend according to the law of gravity. At this stage, drugs and therapeutic exercises will no longer help.
Diagnosing
In most cases, an examination of the feet by a doctor and ultrasound is sufficient. If there is a risk of recurrence of varicose veins, then it is necessary to examine the deep veins by X-ray and inject 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. 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 bottom).
Preventive measures bear fruit, especially if you change jobs 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 main signs of varicose veins. In the future, you have to resort to expensive methods.
Modern methods of treating varicose veins
Now there are effective methods for treating varicose veins without surgery. Their meaning boils down to the following - pathological veins are removed from the bloodstream. With the help of a laser or another method, the wall of the damaged vein is glued together in the region of the valve, and blood no longer enters this segment of the channel. One or more punctures are made for laser access, without anesthesia and without incision, no long-term rehabilitation is needed. As a result, the correct movement of blood is restored, joints, swelling and pain disappear. Skin color returns to normal, becomes smooth.
Consider in more detail methods of therapy without surgery
Laser treatment of patients has become widespread in the last decade. If earlier a damaged vein had to be surgically removed, exposing a person to danger and prolonged hospitalization, then in our time these techniques are outdated. Internal venous laser coagulation is widely described. A laser fiber is inserted into the vein through a thin hole and guided to the damaged valve. Radiant heating causes coagulation of blood vessel tissue, as a result of inflammation, the vein walls stick together. The method also works in the later stages of varicose veins, when there are trophic ulcers. Efficacy was recorded in 98% of patients. With the same principle, therapy is carried out with the help of radio wave energy.
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 disadvantages - they have a high relapse rate. Sclerotherapy will not eliminate a severe imbalance of blood flow in the large veins. In addition, there may be an allergy to such drugs, there is a risk of tissue necrosis of blood 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 - the removal of a damaged vein through a thin needle. After the operation, the patient goes home the same day, since there is no incision. The skin takes on 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: pain in the legs, swelling and fatigue are reduced.
Venotonics
This group includes drugs based on diosmin: they increase the tone of veins and capillaries, as a result, their extension and venous congestion are reduced. Improves blood circulation, microcirculation, reduces leg swelling, pain, heaviness. An additional indication of 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 on the basis of troxerutin. It has wide indications, has 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. It is also indicated for varicose veins.
Anticoagulants for external use
This group contains all sodium heparin gels. The drug accelerates the resorption of blood clots, reduces tissue swelling, increases capillary circulation and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Varicose veins are its main indicator. The line of gels with heparin is very large, there are different concentrations.
Often heparin is part of complex external forms of varicose veins.
Physiotherapy for varicose veins
electrophoresis
Under the action of an electric current in a special carrier, the drug is distributed directly in the changed vessels (venotonics, heparin). The procedure is painless, takes 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 eliminate the nodes.
Lymphatic drainage, pressotherapy
To perform this procedure, you will need equipment: a suit, a compressor. Air is supplied to the suit by distribution on the legs. Tissues and blood vessels are compressed, an imitation of massage occurs. Improves the flow of lymph, excess water. The exposure time is determined by the doctor. However, an important contraindication is joints, varicose 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, 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 in the initial stage of varicose veins. We list general contraindications:
- oncological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- hypertension;
- bleeding;
- tuberculosis;
- epilepsy;
- blood coagulation disorders etc.
In addition to physiotherapy, regular cycling also has a positive effect. The muscles of the moving legs accelerate the opposite flow of blood, over time, the relief of varicose veins occurs. Swimming brings benefits when, in general, the load on the veins is reduced and at the same time all the muscles are active. Even after one session, the swelling is significantly reduced, the legs feel lighter.
In almost all stages of varicose veins, the doctor prescribes wearing compression underwear (socks, sweaters, stockings). Elastic tissue supports the veins, increases their tone and prevents swelling. Such products are often worn after operations and not just on the legs to protect the veins. For employees who spend a lot of time on their feet, anti-varicose tights are very necessary. Their proper use prevents the development of the disease.
Conclusion
Early diagnosis of varicose veins helps to avoid the development of the disease. Engaging in suitable 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 cost, but at the same time it is chosen by most patients. The laser copes with even the most neglected cases. It remains only to ask questions about the most professional phlebologists in the region. After all, therapy tactics and a combination of methods cannot be read on the Internet; a unique personal experience is important here.