Varicose veins of the lower extremities

About half of the adult population know about varicose veins of the lower extremities firsthand. Varicose veins often suffer from the fair sex, due to hormonal changes and love the uncomfortable, too tight clothes and shoes. The first signs of varicose veins usually go unnoticed, but over time, not just a cosmetic problem, but also serious complications that can greatly affect their way of life.

The causes of disease

varicose veins of the lower extremities

Blood circulating through the body throughout our lives, but it rose to the lower extremities of the heart, veins have valves that prevent backflow. Over time, they can lose tone, causing blood vessels to become fragile and stretched, more often affects the veins located in the legs and feet, but there are also lesions in the stomach and pelvic organs.

The main causes of the appearance of varicose veins of the lower limbs:

  • Lack of exercise, lack of exercise;
  • Long-term exposure to standing or sitting, often in a sitting position, legs;
  • Heavy physical exertion, especially for professional athletes;
  • Hereditary factors, abnormal blood vessels in the tissue;
  • Hormonal changes in the body: pregnancy, menopause, hormone therapy;
  • The wrong diet: the abuse of fatty and harmful foods, pastries and fast food;
  • Overweight;
  • Smoking and alcohol consumption;
  • Wearing tight-fitting clothes and uncomfortable shoes with high heels.

Signs of varicose veins

The first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower limbs, often go unnoticed. But at this stage of varicose veins is recommended to take measures to prevent the occurrence of complications. In the later stages it is easy to see a photo of varicose veins of the lower extremities.

See a vascular surgeon if you have the following symptoms:

  • Heaviness of the lower limbs;
  • Swelling;
  • The feeling of tired legs;
  • Burning and pain in the lower extremities;
  • Leg cramps at night;
  • Protruding spider veins, varicose veins manifestation of the capillary mesh;
  • Color changes in the skin, limbs, pigmentation.

Important!

Aggravation of varicose veins of the lower extremities is most often in the evening, in the heat and after exercise. Next started showing dilated veins on the skin, long eyes, weeping wounds, the growth of scar tissue in the subcutaneous fat.

The development stage of varicose veins

There are several stages in the development of varicose veins, each of which has certain characteristics:

  1. In the initial stage (compensation) of varicose veins is characterized by the appearance of only cosmetic defects of the skin, spider veins, any discomfort they bring;
  2. In the second stage varicose veins occur easy pain, mainly at night, slightly swollen in the evening and the veins become more visible;
  3. In the third stage, the symptoms are obvious, there is a heaviness in the legs, swelling, fatigue and burning in the muscles, night cramps in your calves are becoming more painful, change the color of the skin pigmentation;
  4. Failure – the fourth stage of the development of varicose veins can go unnoticed: it will significantly increase the size of the veins, swollen feet constantly in the feet and ankles, feet often ache, cramps and itching. The formation of trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.

Possible complications

symptoms of varicose veins

Many patients do not pay attention to varicose veins, because it is only a cosmetic fault, which does not bring any serious consequences. But this is a misconception, varicose veins are dangerous and can significantly spoil the life of the patient.

If left untreated, can develop into serious diseases, such as thrombophlebitis (inflammation of vein walls), thrombosis (blood clots), can cause bleeding varices. Because of this, the skin color may be bluish or reddish. If it looks like a clot breaks off,it may get to the lungs, where the full or partial blockage of the vessel it causes the development of serious disease – pulmonary embolism, which often ends in death.

Wounds on the skin heal longer, breaks down the process of regeneration of the epidermis of varicose veins which leads to venous ulcers. Often the inflammation associated with varicose veins dermatitis and eczema, may get a secondary infection, which can cause blood poisoning, sepsis, and can lead to amputation of limbs.

Treatment of varicose veins

Just like any disease, varicose veins easily solved at an early stage. Getting rid of varicose veins using conservative treatment, including drug therapy, a commitment to wearing support socks and traditional recipes. When running varicose veins baths to the lower extremities surgery is recommended, there are several ways to implement the activity, including the treatment of injuries.

The conservative way

Regardless of the stage of the disease are encouraged to review food, add to the diet of more fresh fruits and vegetables, reduce the consumption of junk food. You should also light exercises that strengthen the muscles of the lower extremities.

Excellent results for the treatment of varicose veins, complemented by a massage and contrast shower. They improve blood circulation and promote venous valves.

Popular recipes

Traditional methods work best when the original varicose veins or combined treatment. It is recommended to use as tools for internal use and locally.

  • Mix equal proportions of powdered classic soap, lard, onions and millet. The resulting mixture was spread over the entire lower limbs at night, and then wrap a cloth or tape to create a special effect;
  • Pour 10 chestnuts or 50 g of bark in 500 ml vodka and place the liquid in a glass bowl. Let stand in a tightly sealed container in a dark place, periodically shake the bottle. After 21 days, strain the infusion. You need to take it before meals to 30 drops, diluted in 2 tbsp water. This helps to strengthen the blood vessels and promote blood circulation.

Interesting!

One of the alternative ways to remove varicose veins is hirudotherapy – the use of leeches. This method of treatment is only possible thrombophlebitis. But there is a risk of infection and the development of venous bleeding, so this method is frowned upon by most doctors.

Surgery

diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins

In advanced cases, the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities can be only surgical. Bulging blood vessels do not return to its original place in the conservative way, therefore, it is necessary to perform the operation. Modern methods almost do not bring any negative consequences for the organism, is at least rehabilitation.

The indications for surgical treatment:

  • A significant increase in the veins under the skin;
  • Numerous wounds;
  • The risk of blood clots;
  • Thrombophlebitis;
  • Swelling, leg fatigue and sharp pain.

Contraindications to surgery are during pregnancy, infectious diseases, coronary heart disease, pyoderma and eczema.

Laser photocoagulation

Such activities, which do not need to use a knife: the affected vein is injected into the laser beam, which is sealed by the internal wall of the vessel. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and takes a maximum of 2 hours. It is recommended to use capillaries with a size up to 1 inch, but it can be considered and with a larger diameter. Recovery during, immediately after treatment patients can return to normal life.

Laser therapy is prescribed to patients with heart diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, high blood pressure and in cases where surgery is contraindicated.

Interesting!

Laser photocoagulation helps not only to get rid of varicose veins of the lower limbs, but also trophic ulcers.

Radio frequency ablation

Under the influence of microwave radio frequency closes the cavity in the patient's vein without any incisions and damage to the skin. Therefore, the method of radiofrequency ablation is minimally invasive, requires no recovery time, and is done under local anesthesia. This procedure does not leave any scars and signs of tampering to ensure that the ability to do the job.

The course lasts only 7 days, and the effect lasts up to 30 minutes one vein.

Sclerotherapy

This procedure can be performed at any stage of the disease, when the ship size is not larger than 1 cm in diameter. The method consists in the fact that the vein injected a small amount of sclerosant is a special substance, which binds to the venous cavity, after which the capillary is no longer involved in the process of blood flow.

The rehabilitation period is missing after the manipulation can directly walk. Months after the completion of the sclerotherapy, it is recommended to use shapewear.

The classic phlebectomy

With clear signs of venous insufficiency sometimes carried out to the classical surgery to remove the veins, but in recent years it has often been replaced by other, safer forms of support.

During surgery to remove the damaged superficial or deep and normalizes the blood circulation in the limbs. This method requires hospitalization and a prolonged recovery period – up to six months.

prevention of varicose veins

Varicose veins of the lower limbs affects both men and women of all ages. This disease spoils the appearance of the legs, brings discomfort, and if left untreated can lead to serious consequences, such as amputation and death. The initial stage of the development of the disease, many patients are confused with varicose veins of the normal leg fatigue, making the disease develops, has not yet turned up its distinctive symptoms. There are a variety of treatment methods are surgery and conservative methods.

05.03.2019