If you want to learn more about varicose veins, check out this article. This will help you understand the main causes of the disease, as well as recognize the first signs of varicose veins yourself.
Few people know that varicose veins are a fairly common disease that affects almost 30% of women and 20% of men. This is due to the fact that the first symptoms can be almost invisible. This article will help you understand how to independently recognize varicose veins when they are still amenable to conservative and safe treatment.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are a common disease that can cause a lot of discomfort and significantly impair the quality of life. Varicose veins occur when the walls of the veins lose their elasticity and cannot effectively return blood to the heart. Standing or sitting for a long time, genetic predisposition, overweight, pregnancy, heart and vascular diseases - all these can cause varicose veins. There are various methods that can relieve the symptoms and even get rid of the disease.
Varicose veins is a vascular disease that occurs when venous valves weaken and blood circulation is disturbed. That's why it happens.
Our veins pump blood from the legs to the heart thanks to the operation of special valves that prevent blood from flowing to the legs under the influence of gravity. But it happens that the valves weaken. And then part of the blood begins to remain in the veins, and as a result, the pressure on them increases. Venous walls are enlarged and damaged. Over time, the veins get bigger and bigger. People with varicose veins may have legs that look like giant ropes under the skin.
Varicose veins are not only an aesthetic problem. This disease can cause serious complications such as thrombosis, ulcers and even tissue necrosis. Therefore, it is extremely important to recognize varicose veins independently and consult a doctor at the first signs. The milder the course of the disease, the easier the treatment. The main reasons for the development of varicose veins.
The causes of the development of varicose veins can be different. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
- One of the main factors is heredity. Varicose veins occur in people with weakened venous walls due to a genetic mutation. Do not forget if your family members have varicose veins. If so, then you are also at risk of contracting this disease. However, don't panic. If you lead a healthy lifestyle and take care of your health, then there is every chance to prevent the appearance of varicose veins. However, it is always important to monitor your diet and lifestyle and take care of your health.
- Work on the legs. If you are in a profession where you have to spend a lot of time on your feet, be especially careful about the condition of your feet. The risk of developing varicose veins is high. First of all, people who work on their feet suffer from leg muscle inactivity. If a person walks a lot, the muscles contract and squeeze the blood vessels, which helps blood to be lost to the heart. But if you stand in one place throughout the day, your arteries are left without support. Therefore, while standing, the probability of varicose veins increases. Representatives of the following professions should be especially careful about their health: teachers, cooks, surgeons, operating nurses, hairdressers, waiters, salesmen, bartenders, turners, massage therapists.
- Sedentary work can also negatively affect vascular health and the appearance of varicose veins. These are office workers, drivers, programmers, accountants, librarians, cashiers, seamstresses, bank employees, jewelers and telephone operators. A sedentary lifestyle also increases the risk of developing varicose veins and is dangerous. After all, the muscles of the lower leg do not work and the blood stagnates. The veins expand and become varicose veins. It is especially bad to have the habit of crossing your legs. By putting pressure on the veins, you can cause thrombosis. Do not forget to take breaks while working and at least occasionally do warm-up exercises or at least walk around the office.
- Heavy physical labor and heavy lifting can also cause varicose veins. This is because lifting heavy weights causes a spike in intra-abdominal pressure, which is naturally transmitted to the legs, causing blood vessels to dilate and valves to collapse. If you are a porter, weightlifter, builder, warehouseman, miner, or if you have to lift weights as part of your profession, remember that it is dangerous and can lead to varicose veins.
- Long and frequent flights are also dangerous for blood vessels. Changes in atmospheric pressure occur during flight, which negatively affects blood vessels. You can't stretch your legs on the plane and it's hard to find a comfortable position. Due to the dry air on board the plane, the body suffers from thirst. Blood viscosity increases, which causes venous stasis and slow blood flow.
- Pregnancy. It often happens that the first symptoms of varicose veins can be clearly seen during pregnancy, because a woman's body is under a large load and swelling appears in the legs. Doctors can often prescribe compression garments that can improve the course of the disease.
- Being overweight can also cause varicose veins. Moreover, you need to know that because of excess weight, a person may not notice a varicose vein for years. Varicose veins can be hidden under a significant layer of subcutaneous fat. Their visualization is not only difficult, but also impossible without instrumental methods. Therefore, if you are overweight and feel fatigue or swelling in your legs in the evening, you should consult a phlebologist as soon as possible.
- Bad lifestyle, alcohol abuse, smoking and other bad habits and addictions. In general, varicose veins and bad habits are not compatible. Along with smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, this will have serious consequences. Without treatment and control, varicose veins can lead to other vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis of the lower extremities.
- Heels are the enemy of your blood vessels. Don't be in a hurry to chase beauty. Remember that high heels put a lot of weight on your feet. Shoes should be comfortable first, then beautiful. Heels are of course acceptable to wear, but sometimes don't overdo it.
Symptoms of varicose veins at different stages of the disease.
The initial stage of varicose veins. Compensation stage. The initial stage of varicose veins is also called the compensation stage. It got this name because when the activity of blood vessels in the body is disturbed, special mechanisms are activated that compensate for these disturbances. That is why it is dangerous. A person can ignore the symptoms of varicose veins for several months, maybe even years, and miss valuable time for effective treatment.
External signs may be completely absent or appear in the form of spider veins. They should not be underestimated. These are true precursors of varicose veins.
At the initial stage of varicose veins, all a person can feel is a feeling of heaviness, fullness and swelling in the legs. Most patients associate these symptoms with fatigue, especially if the work involves strain on the legs.
But if you are sensitive to your health, you can rest assured if you notice these symptoms and consult a phlebologist in time. In this case, when varicose veins are diagnosed at the initial stage, conservative non-surgical treatment is prescribed. For example, different types of sclerotherapy.
Classification of varicose veins. What is important to know?
The classification of varicose veins depends on the level at which the affected vein is located. It is important to know about this classification in order to recognize the symptoms in time and immediately consult a phlebologist.
The classification of varicose veins begins with the identification of the main forms of the disease: primary (idiopathic) varicose veins, secondary varicose veins (results of traumatic vessel damage), age-related varicose veins (old age), congenital varicose veins (intrauterine formation). varicose veins) etc.
Primary varicose veins are one of the most common forms of the disease. Although it can be found in people of any age, this type of varicose veins is more common in women. One of the causes of this disease is the hereditary factor.
Secondary varicose veins are a form of the disease that develops after traumatic damage to the veins. Venous thrombosis, surgery, trauma and other factors can cause secondary varicose veins. Typically, this type of disease occurs at the site of injury.
Varicose veins are most common in elderly people. The aging of the body leads to the weakening of the walls of the blood vessels, which significantly affects their etymology.
Congenital varicose veins are characterized by the occurrence of the disease during fetal development. Anomaly in the development of blood vessels leads to a violation of their vital functions, that is, reversible expansion of veins.
The second stage of varicose veins. Subcompensation.
This is the most common stage when patients already consult a doctor. Subcompensation is the stage when the body can no longer cope with the disease on its own. At this time, a person not only complains of pain and swelling at the end of the day, but also experiences constant discomfort. It is difficult for the patient to lead a normal life. In this case, a visit to a phlebologist should be scheduled immediately.
Main symptoms: the veins are clearly visible, the skin may turn blue. Swelling, pain, burning sensation and light cramps in the legs are noted not only in the evening, but also at night.
At this stage, easy treatment is no longer enough. EVLT and minimally invasive surgery are usually used in this situation.
The third stage. Severe varicose veins. Decompensation.
In this case, the disruption of blood vessels has a negative effect on the work of other organs and systems of the body. Tissue nutrition suffers, fluid accumulates in them, and trophic ulcers may form. Veins are severely deformed and serious complications in the form of thrombophlebitis are possible.
At this stage, urgent surgical treatment is necessary. Otherwise, varicose veins begin to pose a threat to life.
It is important to understand that the disease can be either a form of development or different combinations. And the classification of varicose veins is not unambiguous, on the contrary, it implies the possibility of various combinations of factors. However, regardless of the form, varicose veins require treatment. Correct treatment can lead to full recovery, prevent serious complications and improve the quality of life of patients.
Diagnosis of varicose veins.
A modern clinic has the most accurate and effective methods for diagnosing varicose veins. The main methods of diagnosing varicose veins are:
- Examination by a specialist. The first thing you should do is make an appointment with a phlebologist.
- Ultrasound. This is the main diagnostic method used to detect varicose veins. An ultrasound scan of the veins allows you to see any changes in the structure of the veins, determine if there are any obstructions to the blood flow, and identify other problems related to the veins.
- Phlebography. This is a diagnostic method that allows obtaining a more detailed image of the veins of the lower extremities while injecting a contrast agent. This method makes it possible to diagnose disorders in the structure of vessels and other problems of the lymphatic system.
- CT scan. This method allows obtaining a three-dimensional image of the vessels, which significantly improves the scale of the vessels.
- MRI examination. This method is mainly used when it is not possible to conduct an ultrasound examination, because its effectiveness in the diagnosis of varicose veins decreases.
- Thermography. This method is based on taking into account the thermal radiation of the extremities and allows determining the presence of diseases in the structure of the vessels.
As a rule, it does not take much time to make a diagnosis based on research data. Most procedures take 10 to 40 minutes. The treatment will be very different at different stages, so you should never self-medicate. Any health manipulation can be prescribed only after receiving the research results.
Varicose veins treatment methods
Varicose veins are a serious disease, but it can be treated. There are ways to help prevent anxiety and reduce the risk of complications. It is important not to delay visiting a doctor and follow his recommendations, because early treatment significantly increases the chances of recovery. There are various methods that can relieve the symptoms and even get rid of the disease.
The first important way to treat varicose veins is to change your lifestyle. People suffering from varicose veins should pay special attention to physical activity. Regular exercise aims to strengthen the muscles of the lower body and stimulate blood circulation. Walking, swimming, gymnastics for leg muscles - all this can be a good help in the treatment of varicose veins.
The second way is to change your diet. There are many products that can worsen the condition with varicose veins: strong coffee, hot spices, alcohol, fatty and heavy foods. It is better to choose foods rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. For example, vegetables, fruits, herbs, non-fermented dairy products, nuts, fish.
The first two methods are mandatory conditions at any stage of the disease.
The next step, if indicated by a doctor, may be drug treatment. The use of ointments, creams and gels that improve blood circulation can help reduce swelling and pain. You can also use drug therapy, your doctor will prescribe pills;
Modern methods of treating varicose veins are:
- Obliteration and coagulation. The emitter is inserted into the vein through micropuncture. The laser precisely heats the blood, which burns the walls of the blood vessels and seals the vessel (this is called sclerosis). After the procedure is completed, the emitter is removed. Over time, the vein turns into connective tissue and then dissolves completely. The duration of the procedure is about half an hour. Immediately after the end of the treatment, the patient can return to normal life. In order to consolidate the obtained results, it is necessary to wear compression garments for several days.
- Sclerotherapy. A special substance that glues its walls together is injected into the affected vein. The sticky vein is removed from the bloodstream and dissolves over time.
- Radiofrequency ablation. The mechanism of action is similar to laser therapy. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into the vein, which heats its walls and at the same time causes them to stick together. After some time, the vein dissolves.
- Miniphlebectomy. This is a minimally invasive surgical operation performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Through a puncture, the affected vein is carefully removed without incisions and stitches.
- In severe stages of the disease, surgical treatment is indicated, which deprives the distorted vessels of their ability to drain blood.
Treatment of varicose veins in modern kinetics
They know how to effectively help patients in a modern clinic. Doctors have already performed thousands of operations and helped millions of patients get rid of varicose veins. If you suffer from varicose veins, then know that it is never too late to go to the clinic and get treatment.
The modern clinic employs only highly qualified doctors specializing in the treatment of varicose veins and other vascular diseases. Patients are offered a variety of treatment options, including laser therapy, sclerotherapy, radiofrequency therapy, and surgery. Only the most modern equipment and technologies are used. This guarantees maximum results and minimum risk of complications. In addition, the professional clinic is one of the most advanced clinics in the field of venous surgery in the country.
Another advantage of a professional clinic is that patients are provided with an individual approach. Each patient is unique, and all his characteristics are taken into account when choosing a method during treatment. The main goal of the clinic is to enable the patient to return to normal life and forget about the problems related to veins.
Do not think that varicose veins will go away on their own. In fact, in rare cases, symptoms may improve with lifestyle changes or certain medications. But it is important to understand that this is only a temporary improvement and treatment is still required. By postponing a visit to the doctor, you can only worsen the course of the disease.