With the article you will learn which signs can indicate varicose veins in the lower limbs, the causes of the pathology, treatment and prevention at home.
WHAT IS VARICOSE?
Varicose veins is a venous pathology, based on the malfunction of the vascular valve apparatus with formation of venous insufficiency, expansion of the lumen, congestion, which are accompanied by constant tissue pastyness.
MAIN CAUSES OF PATHOLOGY
Varicose veins in the legs have different causes and symptoms, which have minor gender characteristics.The main common cause of pathology is called congenital connective tissue weakness.Second are hormonal changes, so that women are diagnosed with varicose veins more often. A prolonged static position, sitting or standing, plays a role, while the longer the legs, the more serious the situation. The extra pounds also cause an increase in pressure in the veins of the lower extremities, as well as a lack of physical activity. Smoking, pregnancy, concomitant pathologies, tight underwear, shoes, high heels, everything that causes stagnation of blood circulation in the leg veins are risk factors for varicose veins.
SYMPTOMS AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
The signs of varicose veins in women and men do not differ fundamentally. This is a disease in stage, whose symptoms are related to the stage of development of the pathological process.
The first stage is characterized by small clinical manifestations: the veins barely protrude above the surface of the skin, the dermis is slightly hyperemic, the weight on the legs starts to bother, the legs are pasty at night, the ankles, seizures are possible. These symptoms of varicose veins in the legs are especially painful for women from an aesthetic point of view. Pain is usually preceded by visual cues.
In the second stage, the clinical picture takes on a typical appearance: the veins in the legs protrude prominently above the skin surface, are well palpated, resemble nodules. If the pathological process progresses, the veins of the lower extremities acquire sinuous shapes, with a bluish-purple hue, sometimes turning black.
The symptoms of varicose veins in the legs of the third stage are characterized by the development of complications: trophic disorders appear, the skin resembles parchment, edema and cramps become common, the legs are covered by rashes, they start to itch, junctions of secondary flora, layers of pyoderma, dermatitis, eczema.
The fourth stage of varicose veins in the lower extremities is the most severe in terms of symptoms: the skin over the protruding veins becomes inflamed, nearby tissues are involved in the process, trophic ulcers open, pain in the legs with varicose veins is permanent, the addition of a secondary infection causes thrombosis, urgent thrombophlebitis, hospitalization, complex treatment.
WHAT DOCTOR TO SEE?
A phlebologist suffers from pain in the legs with varicose veins, but a vascular surgeon can also conduct the initial consultation. It all depends on the severity of the pathology. The phlebologist prescribes conservative therapy or refers a vascular surgeon for consultation to resolve the issue of surgery.
Without a complete clinical and laboratory examination, it is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis. Instrumental diagnostic methods help to clarify the stage of the pathology, the duration of the tests takes 10 minutes, maximum - half an hour. The test result is announced by the doctor immediately, at the first consultation. The choice of appropriate therapy depends on the stage of the pathology.
TREATMENT RESOURCES
Varicose vein therapy is based on "three pillars": drug treatment, minimally invasive techniques, classic surgery.
CONSERVATIVE THERAPY
In addition to the mandatory general recommendations for varicose veins: dosed, regular physical activity, minimizing static load on the legs, exercise therapy, use of compression stockings, use of elastic bandages - conservative therapy involves the indication of phlebotonics based onflavonoids, horse chestnut extract. They are systemic medicines in tablets: synthetic and based on natural ingredients.
In most cases, oral administration is combined with external therapy of the same name for varicose veins. According to doctors and patients, the combination of capsules and gel is more effective.
It is clear that a complete cure cannot be expected with conservative methods, the drugs are not able to restore dilated veins, but as a preventive measure, in preparation for an operation, the impossibility of surgical treatment of varicose veins -these medications stop the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms.
COMPRESSION SCLEROTHERAPY
The essence of minimally invasive therapy for varicose veins is to inject a special sclerosing medication into the dilated vein. Using a syringe, the doctor injects a foamy solution into the vein, which fills the deformed vessel, causing a spasm.
The patient is placed in a compression stocking, which is designed to keep the vessel in this state. In three days, the walls of the veins stick together, the vessel is disconnected from the normal flow of blood and emptied. You need to wear compression stockings for at least a month, sometimes two. The criteria for the effectiveness of the treatment performed are the adhesions formed.
Compression sclerotherapy is performed if the varicose veins are not complicated by the reverse blood flow from the deep vessels to the superficial vessels through the communicating veins.If such a counterflow is present, the effectiveness of the procedure tends to zero.
OPERATIONAL INTERVENTION
Operation - has been and remains the most reliable and effective way to treat varicose veins, regardless of the presence of reverse blood flow in the veins. But even here it is important to see a doctor in a timely manner, as relapses often occur in the later stages. Varicose veins are operated with different techniques: microsurgery, radiofrequency and laser coagulation of deformed veins.
In the early stages, photocoagulation or laser removal of spider veins is effective. In the later stages, phlebectomy is indicated - complete removal of the affected veins. The operation is traumatic, there is a risk of complications, so today doctors are trying to use the less invasive miniflebectomy technique. If varicose veins are complicated by venous thrombosis, a secondary infection,crossectomyis performed.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH VARICOSIS OF THE LEGS AT HOME?
The essence of using folk remedies for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins comes down to the removal of toxins and toxins from the body with the restoration of normal blood flow. To do this, they balance the diet, including cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, citrus fruits, apples, peaches, cherries, cherries, strawberries, currants, currants in daily dishes. Make sure to calculate the correct proportion of drink: 40 ml per kilogram of weight.
In addition, they use the properties of green tomatoes, which are tied in slices to the area of varicose veins in the form of compresses. The effect is guaranteed by lycopene - an antioxidant in the pulp of the fruit, which improves the structure of the vascular wall, tones the veins. You can try the juice treatment: all vegetables eaten raw are adequate.
An extract of garlic and lemon is effective: phytonides dissolve cholesterol plaques, clearing the lumen of blood vessels, a natural antibiotic, which is garlic, kills pathogenic flora, and vitamin C strengthens the vein wall, prevents deposition of salts. The tincture is prepared in a simple way: chop 4 lemons with peel, 4 large ears of garlic, put the mixture in a jar, fill with warm boiled water, insist under the lid for three days, shake the container daily, filter, store incold, drink a third of the glass with meals three times / day. Course - drank 12 liters of the resulting solution.
Apple cider vinegar is popularly considered a source of minerals and vitamins; for varicose veins, it is taken orally in the morning and evening, dissolving two teaspoons of the product in a glass of water. Externally: rub the varicose veins with a tampon soaked in vinegar to relieve itching and pain.
The compresses are made with honey, applying a sterile napkin with the product to the varicose veins for a few hours under a film. Use broken cabbage leaves with vegetable oil under a bandage overnight. Course - month.
PREVENTION
The prevention of varicose veins has two objectives: to prevent the onset of the disease and to reduce the number of recurrences. For this: you cannot go to the sauna or take a very hot shower, lift weights. It is recommended to move around a lot, excluding strength sports, control weight and minimize consumption of very spicy and fatty foods.
There is no need to wear tight-fitting clothes, socks, to the knee, tight elasticated socks, cross your legs while sitting. Women are encouraged to give up high heels.
At night - take cold baths for your feet, you can wet your feet with cold water in the morning. It is necessary to abandon bad habits, master the point of self-massage: caress the skin of the lower limbs from the bottom up and in the opposite direction for 10 minutes, minimize stress, avoid overheating, colds, undergo a medical examination.
In varicose veins, it is reasonable to go to the swimming pool, walk on foot, take a contrast bath at home and constantly wear compression stockings.