Methods for treating varicose veins, possible causes and symptoms of the disease

Varicose veins are a very common pathology that significantly reduces quality of life and causes dangerous complications that require expensive and complex treatment.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins, or varicose veins, are a disease associated with impaired function of the venous valve apparatus. As a result of their defeat, normal blood flow from the periphery is disrupted, and blood stagnates in various parts of the vascular bed, causing them to expand.

The main contingent exposed to the onset of the disease is people over 40 years of age. This is due to the fact that at present ships are prone to various negative influences, which leads to a decrease in their adaptability.

Often, varicose veins affect the lower part of the leg, but pathological processes can also be observed in the groin or internal organs.

Precautions should be taken, as this pathology tends to develop, and the treatment regimen for varicose veins is quite complicated.

Reason

The main cause of varicose veins is considered to be excessive and inadequate movement. The mechanism of normal blood flow through the veins is closely related to muscle contraction. During muscle tension, blood is pushed through the veins, and valves found in the venous cavity block its return.

Lack of physical activity causes congestion in the periphery, as a result of which the blood puts excessive pressure on the valve apparatus.Excessive exercise also has a detrimental effect on the vascular system. Frequent muscle contraction can damage the valves in the veins.

In addition, there are a number of negative factors and diseases that increase the risk of getting varicose veins:

• Bad habits. Alcohol and nicotine have vasomotor properties. They can dilate and narrow the lumen of blood vessels, which interferes with normal blood flow.
• Coffee abuse.
• Uncomfortable shoes.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Systemic connective tissue disease.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Traumatic injury.
• Overweight.

The presence of these factors significantly increases the risk of disease. Regardless of the etiological factor, the symptoms of varicose veins on the lower part of the leg will not be different.

Clinical manifestations

Usually the symptoms of this disease appear when there is an irreversible structural change in the veins in the lower leg. That is, the patient already needs surgical treatment while seeing a doctor.

In the early stages, varicose veins can become asymptomatic. Some patients complain of slight pain that occurs after long walks or runs. There are no specific symptoms that make it possible to make a diagnosis. Early forms of varicose veins can be detected exclusively with the help of instrumental examination.

The symptoms of further varicose veins are as follows:

1. The appearance of cyanosis, which is localized along the vein.
2. Vessels soar over the surface of the skin and form nodules. This formation is painful and dense, associated with inflammation and the process of proliferation of connective tissue in this area (sclerosis).
3. Persistent pain that does not depend on physical exertion. If at the beginning of the pathological development, it occurs exclusively after excessive tension, then at later times it can bother the patient even in a dream. This is due to the fact that one of the signs of inflammation is pain syndrome. The intensity of the pain can be clearly seen, which causes the appearance of lameness.
4. An increase in local temperature in the node area.

The appearance of the first symptoms of the disease requires an immediate visit to a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment.

Why are varicose veins dangerous

Lack of adequate treatment is compounded by the development of a number of dangerous complications that not only threaten health, but also life. This includes:

1. Thrombophlebitis. In inflamed venous areas, blood flow slows down. Such conditions are comfortable for the formation of blood clots. These blood clots can block the vessel lumen in the lower part of the foot, which can cause gangrene, or be carried with the blood to the lungs, heart, brain and other organs, causing acute disruption of blood supply. This pathology is very difficult to treat and often causes disability and death.
2. Trophic ulcer. Violation of venous blood flow is often accompanied by disruption of microcirculation in the tissues in the lower leg. Lack of oxygen and nutrients causes ulcers. These ulcers are difficult to treat and often recur, as it is necessary to carry out therapy aimed at the root cause of its appearance.
3. Bleeding. If varicose veins are accompanied by hypertension, then this can lead to rupture of the peripheral ducts and bleeding. This is due to the fact that the dilated canal becomes thinner, and the value of high blood pressure can cause it to rupture. In addition, bleeding can occur with minor mechanical damage, which in healthy people will not even cause the formation of hematomas.

Almost all complications can be exacerbated by the addition of infectious factors, which exacerbate the condition and complicate treatment.

If complications arise, treatment of varicose veins should be reconsidered.

Diagnostics

If you suspect varicose veins, the patient should undergo a series of examinations, the purpose of which is to confirm the diagnosis, as well as to assess the condition of the tissues surrounding the pathological focus.

To do this, it is indicated to perform the following survey:

1. Complete blood count.
2. Blood biochemistry.
3. Coagulogram. This laboratory examination makes it possible to predict the development of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, based on the nature of blood clotting. High freezing is a threatening condition.
4. ultrasound. With the help of ultrasound, you can get a detailed picture of the vascular bed and identify the focus of inflammation that does not appear externally.
5. Flebography. Getting a graphical representation of the lower extremity venous system using a contrast agent allows you to study its structure in detail and reveal even the smallest changes.

In addition to instrumental and laboratory studies, specialized tests are performed to assess the condition of soft tissues, as well as to assess the degree of circulatory failure.

External examination is also important, where doctors can see specific external manifestations, suspected localization and trophic ulcers.

A phlebologist should be involved in the treatment and supervision of patients with this disease. This doctor specializes in how to treat varicose veins.

Treatment

Treatment of varicose veins in the lower leg can be done with the use of medications or by performing surgical interventions. The choice of treatment method depends on how severe changes are observed in the affected area.

Medical treatment of varicose veins in the lower part of the leg is performed according to a special scheme, which takes into account the effects on pathological processes and prevents the development of complications.

Surgical treatment of varicose veins is the most effective, as it allows you to get rid of the pathology forever. However, it is not allowed for all patients and has a number of contraindications.

Conservative therapy

Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is only allowed in the early stages of disease development.

Keep in mind that conservative treatment only helps eliminate the manifestations of the disease. It is not possible to achieve lasting effects just by using medications. They act only for a short time and can not prevent the development of the disease.

Patients with varicose veins are indicated using the following groups of drugs:

• NSAID. It is best to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs topically, in the form of ointments. In some cases, it is possible to prescribe this drug in tablet form, but prolonged treatment can lead to the development of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease, caused by side effects.
• Antiplatelet agent. The action of these drugs is aimed at preventing blood clots. Primitive representatives are considered regular aspirin, which is used in small doses. They thin the blood, which facilitates blood flow through the inflamed veins. The use of such drugs is unacceptable for patients with bleeding tendencies.
• Hormone prednisolone group. In cases where NSAIDs do not provide the desired effect, the use of adrenal cortex hormones is indicated. This ingredient is also used as an ointment. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, and also improve tissue microcirculation. Keep in mind that long-term use of hormones also adversely affects the condition of the body.
• Phlebotonics. This group of drugs is used in the treatment of varicose veins in the lower legs. They normalize the tone of the vascular wall, which ensures normal blood flow.

Treatment of varicose veins should be systematic. Taking medication regularly allows you to maintain a constant concentration of active ingredients, which ensures a lasting effect on damaged vessels.

The use of these medications should be done strictly as directed by the doctor. Their free use is strictly prohibited, as it can cause side effects, and also has specific contraindications. Failure to comply with such restrictions is fraught with severe circumstances.

Conservative therapy is most appropriate as a supportive method in preparation for planned surgery.

Surgical treatment

Many people wonder how to cure varicose veins without surgery? Actually, this is impossible. The main type of surgical treatment is saphenectomy.

Safenectomy is an operation to remove a large damaged saphenous vein. Thanks to this, the focus of the disease is completely eliminated. But the disadvantage of such treatment is the relatively large rate of injury. Recently, such an operation was performed with a large number of incisions on the skin, which were needed to give way to the veins.

Today, modern methods of treating varicose veins allow safenectomy with a minimum number of incisions, as there are special probes for removing veins. A half-meter-long vein can be removed from an incision.

This operation has a number of contraindications that make it impossible to perform. These include:

1. Diabetes mellitus. This pathology is accompanied by the fact that wound healing is significantly reduced. In such cases, surgical intervention may provoke a purulent-septic process that may require amputation of the limb.
2. Intolerance to antibacterial agents. In the postoperative period, antibiotics are prescribed, which destroy the pathogenic flora that enters the wound during surgical treatment. Some patients have intolerance to this drug. Surgical treatment without antibiotic therapy is strictly prohibited.
3. Severe disease of the cardiovascular system. Pathology accompanied by heart failure can be contraindicated, as the use of certain anesthetic agents is prohibited with them.

Safenectomy is performed for the uncomplicated form of varicose veins. Cases where trophic ulcers or necrotic changes caused by acute blood supply disorders are observed require expansion of the scope of surgery.

Possible removal of boils during surgery. Therefore, tissue death prevention is performed. If venous thrombosis causes gangrene, amputation is required. Such operations are performed only in extreme cases.

There are also modern minimally invasive treatment methods, among which are:

• Sclerotherapy.
• Radio frequency blur.
• Laser removal.

This method of treatment is based on the blockage of the blood vessel lumen and its further destruction with the help of chemicals or physical factors.

It is best to use it in the early stages of the disease. In such cases, the risk of relapse is minimal. It is not advisable to use such treatment with advanced varicose veins, as this requires considerable sessions.

People's solution

Some sources suggest the use of various traditional remedies as a treatment for varicose veins in the legs. It is strongly discouraged to do this, as the effects of plants in this pathology have not yet been scientifically confirmed.

Treatment of varicose veins in the lower part of the leg should be planned exclusively by a licensed physician. The method of treating varicose veins without surgery only helps to delay its implementation. You should not turn to various folk healers, as the time lost before the start of proper treatment can lead to amputation.

Simultaneous therapy

To achieve maximum effect of treatment, additional steps should be taken along with the use of medications. These include:

• Diet. Patients with varicose veins should avoid fatty foods. It helps increase cholesterol levels and blood viscosity. Such a process leads to a slow increase in peripheral blood circulation in the area of ​​varicose veins and provokes the formation of thrombus. You also need to drink plenty of fluids to thin your blood. It is best to drink plain water, not carbonated drinks or tea.
• Legs are always raised. Such a procedure stimulates the outflow of blood under its own weight, which prevents congestion.
• Wear tight stockings. In the upright position of the body, such stockings prevent the accumulation of blood in the dilated veins. But it is necessary to wear such stockings properly, as prolonged wearing can have a negative impact on the condition of the feet, as well as the skin in the lower leg area.
• Walking. Patients need to maintain an active lifestyle. In the final stages of varicose veins, walking should be short and not cause fatigue or pain in the legs.

In addition, co-morbid conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes or obesity should be treated. The presence of such therapies makes it possible in some cases to be limited to drug treatment, which ensures good disease outcome.

Prevention

To prevent the development of varicose veins, you need to follow some simple rules that will reduce the risk of its occurrence. They all aim to maintain the normal blood nature, as well as create a normal lifestyle. Among them are:

1. Drink at least one and a half liters of fluid a day.
2. Proper nutrition. The term not only means the preparation of all the necessary ingredients in the diet and the exclusion of harmful foods, but also common foods. Eating at the same time allows you to take maximum nutrients from food, as the reflexes develop, and large amounts of gastric juice are released.
3. Stop bad habits.
4. Limit the amount of coffee and other energy drinks.
5. Maintain movement while sitting. For this, there is a special exercise, the purpose of which is to contract the leg muscles.
6. Timely treatment of disease. Any pathology in the human body can cause long-term consequences. To avoid this, you should always seek the help of a medical professional when any symptoms arise, as well as undergo a preventive examination.

Today, there are many ways to treat varicose veins. With timely diagnosis, they allow you to get rid of this problem once. Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is recommended only at the beginning of the disease.