Varicose veins in the legs are a pathology of the subcutaneous veins, in which they expand, thin and become inflamed. The 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;
- work on your feet 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 on the veins, from soreness, inflammation;
- itching on the 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, it passes. The situation is worse in cases where a woman does not go to the doctor and expects 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 is reduced, then the blood begins to move to the superficial veins. As a result, they lengthen, stretch, form knots that are visible even without instruments. If you do not change your lifestyle and do not start therapy, the disease will progress, as the blood tends to go down according to the law of gravity. At this stage, drugs and therapeutic exercises will no longer help.
Diagnostics
In most cases, an examination of the legs 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 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. 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 end).
Preventive measures bear fruit, especially if you change jobs and do not stay upright for a long time. Sports activities recommended by a doctor will help improve blood flow, since the working muscles of the legs significantly tone up the blood vessels. Unfortunately, many people ignore 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 of treating varicose veins without surgery. Their meaning boils down to the following - pathological veins are removed from the blood circulation. 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, long-term rehabilitation is not needed. As a result, the correct movement of blood is restored, knots, swelling, and pain disappear. Skin color returns to normal, it becomes smooth.
Consider in more detail the methods of therapy without surgery
Treatment of patients with a laser has become widespread in the last decade. If a previously damaged vein had to be removed surgically, exposing a person to risk and prolonged hospitalization, then in our time these techniques are outdated. Internal venous coagulation with a laser is widely prescribed. A laser fiber is inserted into the vein through a thin puncture and led to the damaged valve. Heating with a beam causes coagulation of the vessel tissue, as a result of inflammation, the walls of the vein stick together. The method also works in the later stages of varicose veins, when there are trophic ulcers. Efficiency was recorded in 98% of patients. By the same principle, therapy with the help of radio wave energy is carried out.
If varicose veins have not reached a dangerous stage, then the method of sclerotherapy 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 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 large veins. In addition, there may be an allergy to such drugs, there is a risk of necrosis of the vessel tissues. 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, as there are no incisions. The skin acquires 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. Nevertheless, 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 the 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.
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 based on troxerutin. It has wide indications, there is an anti-inflammatory effect, but more side effects. Drops based on horse chestnut seed extract tone up the vein walls and improve the condition of capillaries. Also indicated for varicose veins.
Anticoagulants for external use
This group contains all gels with sodium heparin. The medicine 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 large, 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 altered vessels (venotonics, heparin). The procedure is painless, lasts less than one hour, the course is up to 20 sessions. Effective for strengthening veins, reduces the severity of the disease, but does not completely eliminate the 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, heaviness in the legs. But, of course, 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 the general contraindications:
- oncological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- hypertension;
- bleeding;
- tuberculosis;
- epilepsy;
- blood clotting disorders, etc.
In addition to physiotherapy, regular cycling has a positive effect. The muscles of the legs in motion accelerate the reverse flow of blood, over time, relief of varicose veins occurs. Swimming brings benefits when, in general, the load on the veins decreases and at the same time all muscles are active. Even after one session, swelling is noticeably reduced, lightness in the legs appears.
At almost all stages of varicose veins, the doctor prescribes the wearing of compression underwear (stockings, tights, stockings). Elastic tissue supports the veins, enhances their tone, and prevents swelling. Such products are often worn after operations and not only on the legs to protect the veins. For employees who spend a lot of time standing, anti-varicose tights are in dire need. Proper use of them 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 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.