Varicose veins in the legs is a pathology of subcutaneous veins, where they grow, thin and become inflamed. Venous valves become inefficient, leading to swelling, pain, and circulatory problems. Dangerous complications of varicose veins are thrombophlebitis (inflammation of vessel walls with the formation of blood clots), trophic ulcers, separation of blood clots, embolism of lungs and other organs, bleeding.
Cause of disease
- genetic predisposition;
- working on your feet or in a sitting position for a long time, heavy loads, heavy lifting;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy, private childbirth
- overweight;
- advanced age and gender (30% in women, 10% in men)
Symptoms of varicose veins and mechanisms of development
- Swelling in the legs in the evening;
- leg pain, heavy;
- vascular network, blue skin color;
- increased fatigue from physical exertion;
- nodes on veins, from pain, inflammation;
- itching on the skin, cramps;
- skin darkening;
- thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.
Varicose veins in women often occur during the period of childbirth, 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 by themselves.
There are two sectors of the venous bed: peripheral and deep. Normally, blood should move from the periphery to the center, ie upwards. But if the tone of the valves and blood vessels decreases, then the blood begins to move to the superficial veins. As a result, they lengthen, stretch, form knots that can be seen even without an instrument. If you do not change your lifestyle and do not start therapy, the disease will develop, because the blood tends to fall according to the law of gravity. At this stage, drugs and therapeutic exercises will not help anymore.
Diagnostics
In most cases, a foot examination 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 with X-ray and contrast agent injection (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 a feeling of heaviness in the legs, it makes sense to visit the doctor and start prevention. Medicines for internal and external use, active lifestyle, gymnastics, wearing therapeutic compression stockings are suitable here (the list of medicines can be found at the end).
Preventative measures pay off, especially if you change jobs and don't stand upright for a long time. Sports activities recommended by the doctor will help increase blood flow, because the leg muscles that work significantly strengthen the blood vessels. Unfortunately, many people ignore the main signs of varicose veins. In the future, one will have to use expensive methods.
Modern methods of varicose vein treatment
Now there are effective methods to treat varicose veins without surgery. The meaning boils down to the following - pathological veins are removed from the blood circulation. With the help of a laser or other methods, the damaged vein walls are glued together in the valve area, and blood no longer enters this segment of the vessel. One or more punctures are made for laser access, without anesthesia and without incisions, long-term recovery is not required. As a result, proper blood circulation is restored, knots, swelling, and pain disappear. The skin color returns to normal, it becomes smooth.
Consider in more detail non-surgical methods of therapy
Treatment of patients with lasers has become widespread in the past decade. If previously damaged veins had to be surgically removed, exposing a person to risk and prolonged hospitalization, then in our time this technique is outdated. Laser coagulation of internal veins is widely prescribed. The laser fiber is inserted into the vein through a thin puncture and leads to the damaged valve. Heating with the beam causes coagulation of vessel tissue, as a result of inflammation, the walls of the veins stick together. This method also works in the final stages of varicose veins, when there are trophic ulcers. Efficiency was recorded in 98% of patients. With the same principle, therapy with the help of radio wave energy is carried out.
If the varicose veins have not reached a dangerous level, then the sclerotherapy method is used. This technique does not involve the use of heat. The substance is injected into the vein, which leads to an inflammatory reaction, followed by filling the lumen of the vessel. Injections with sclerosants have their drawbacks - they have a high relapse rate. Sclerotherapy will not eliminate the strong imbalance of blood flow in the large veins. In addition, there may be an allergy to the drugs, there is a risk of tissue necrosis of 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 the damaged vein through a thin puncture. After the operation, the patient goes home the same day, because there is no incision. The skin acquires an aesthetic appearance, normal color, no permanent scars.
Treatment of varicose veins with drugs
We note again that it is impossible to completely get rid of pathology only by conservative means. Therefore, drug prescription is symptomatic and prophylactic. However, many patients, taking the course, notice a significant improvement: pain in the legs, swelling, and fatigue are reduced.
Venotonic
This group includes drugs based on diosmin: they increase the tone of the veins and capillaries, as a result, the elongation and congestion of the veins decreases. Improves blood circulation, microcirculation, reduces leg swelling, pain, weight. An additional indication of the drug is the symptomatic treatment of hemorrhoids.
A venotonic external form is also produced.
Many positive things can be said about venotonic with diosmin, its effectiveness has been proven by clinical trials, and side effects are rare. Before their appearance, Troxevasin was used based on troxerutin. It has a wide range of indications, there are anti-inflammatory effects, but more side effects. Drops based on horse chestnut seed extract refresh the vein walls and improve the capillary condition. Also indicated for varicose veins.
Anticoagulant for external use
This group contains all gels with sodium heparin. This drug accelerates the absorption of blood clots, reduces tissue swelling, improves circulation in capillaries, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Varicose veins are the main indication. The line of gels with heparin is very large, having different concentrations.
Often heparin is part of the external form of the varicose vein complex.
Physiotherapy for varicose veins
electrophoresis
Under the action of electric current on a special carrier, the drug is delivered directly to the altered vessel (venotonic, heparin). The procedure is painless, lasts less than an hour, the course is up to 20 sessions. Effective to strengthen the veins, reduce the severity of the disease, but not completely remove the knots.
Lymph drainage, pressotherapy
To carry out this procedure, you need equipment: a suit, a compressor. Air is supplied to the suit by distribution to the legs. Tissues and blood vessels are compressed, an imitation of massage occurs. Improves outflow of lymph, excess water. The exposure time is determined by the doctor. However, important contraindications are nodes, protruding veins, kidney disease. Pressotherapy is only indicated in the early stages of varicose veins.
Magnetotherapy
Effects on veins with low frequency magnetic fields. This method also reduces swelling, pain, heaviness in the legs. But, of course, does not repair a broken valve. In general, we can say that all types of physiotherapy are good only in the early stages of varicose veins. We list general contraindications:
- oncological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- hypertension;
- bleeding;
- dry cough;
- epilepsy;
- blood clotting disorders, etc.
In addition to physiotherapy, cycling still has a positive effect. Leg muscles in motion accelerate the return of blood, over time, varicose veins relief 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, lightness in the legs appears.
At almost all stages of varicose veins, doctors prescribe the use of compression underwear (stockings, tights, stockings). Elastic tissue supports the veins, increases their tone, and prevents swelling. Such products are often used after surgery and not only on the legs to protect the veins. For workers who spend a lot of time standing, anti-varicose tights are indispensable. The correct use of them prevents the development of the disease.
Conclusion
Early diagnosis of varicose veins helps prevent the progression of the disease. Engaging in appropriate sports, taking venotonics is a good prevention and treatment in the early stages. However, in the presence of altered veins, only minimally invasive therapy methods, or rather laser exposure, are suitable. This technique has a high cost, but at the same time it is chosen by most patients. Laser overcomes even the most neglected cases. It remains only to make inquiries about the most professional phlebologist in the region. After all, therapy tactics and combination of methods cannot be read on the Internet; unique personal experiences are important here.