Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a problem that affects more than 60% of the world's population. The term "varicose veins" from the Latin "varix" is interpreted as "enlargement". Hence the definition of pathological condition - dilation of the lumen of the veins of the lower extremities and pelvic organs, which significantly impairs blood flow to the vessels and, accordingly, worsens the general condition of the patient. In the material below, we will examine the causes of varicose veins, possible complications of the disease, and the main ways of treating the pathology.
Causes and risk factors: everyone is sensitive to this
Important:if varicose veins affect young people under the age of 25, then here the gender distribution occurs 50: 50. That is, both boys and girls are equally ill. At a more mature age, women are more likely to have varicose veins due to pregnancy and significant age-related changes in hormonal levels.
If we consider varicose veins from the inside, then anatomically, the dilation of the venous lumen occurs due to a malfunction of the venous valves that regulate blood flow. Malfunctioning valves do not close completely with every heartbeat. As a result, blood flowing from the heart to the jerk moves to the lower extremities due to the force of gravity.
Normally, the valves should close and allow blood to flow to the feet in parts. But, unfortunately, blood flow enters the foot more intensely, and in the opposite direction moves less intensely due to the same poor functioning of the valve system. The blood vessels of the legs overflow with blood lose their elasticity and stretch over time.
The main predisposing factors for the development of a pathological condition of blood vessels are:
- genetic component (the disease can be transmitted through the female or male line within the family);
- mbipesha;
- delayed pregnancies;
- passive lifestyle;
- excessive physical activity;
- smoking and alcohol consumption;
- hormonal disorders.
Men's problems
If we consider the causes of varicose veins, depending on the sex of the patient, then in men and women they are somewhat different. More precisely, each of the representatives of different genders is prone to certain habits, which sooner or later may provoke pathology of the vessels of the lower extremities. So for men, the risk factors are:
- strength training with lifting weights from the squat position;
- overweight and obese;
- unbalanced diet, which provokes frequent constipation;
- pathological processes of the kidneys (tumors of various etiologies);
- inguinal hernia;
- sedentary work;
- smoking and alcohol consumption.
Important:men are characterized not only by the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities, but also by varicose veins of the spermatic cord. This pathology is called varicocele. Such a condition is inherited, that is, it is exclusively genetic in nature and is not prevented even with extended preventive measures. Only 2-4% of men suffer from varicocele. The cause of the pathology is the asymmetric anatomical location and structure of the male genitals.
Due to the fact that men suffer from false confusion or do not have time to visit a specialist at the beginning of the disease, varicose veins are more difficult for them than for women.
Women with varicose veins have their own laws
For women, varicose veins are more "popular" than for men. More than 80% of women suffer from vascular pathology of the legs. Furthermore, the risk group includes the fair sex who prefer this lifestyle or experience the following conditions:
- wearing tight shoes with high heels;
- sitting or standing work;
- hereditary predisposition;
- changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy or with autoimmune diseases;
- wearing very tight underwear, jeans;
- smoking;
- low percentage of fruits and vegetables in the diet (continuous diet and starvation);
- love of tanning (frequent visits to the solarium or staying in the sun);
- sharp weight gain;
- low mobility
Pregnancy is where the "dog is buried"
Even if the manifestations of varicose veins, the causes and treatment of which should be determined and described only by a phlebologist, are not initially observed in a woman, in 30% of cases it becomes apparent during pregnancy. Here, the main trap lies in the growing fetus and with it the uterus, which intensively squeezes the pelvic organs. As a result, blood circulation in the lower part of the body is significantly impaired. The flow of blood back from the legs up is difficult. This effect on the deep veins of the legs leads to the fact that the vessels actively stretch both in width and length.
In addition to the growth of the uterine organ and the pressure exerted on the vessels of the pelvic organs, varicose veins in pregnant women also develop under the influence of such factors:
- Increased blood clotting. Thus, nature provides a woman with great blood loss during childbirth. The thicker the blood moves harder through the veins.
- An increase in the level of the hormone progesterone, which leads to relaxation of the muscles and blood vessels of the uterus, in order to grow freely and without tone as the fetus grows. But at the same time, the walls of the remaining vessels also relax. The veins become less elastic, and the thick blood further stretches their walls already weakened by progesterone.
- Increased blood pressure for better oxygen supply to the fetus. As a result, the body tries to quickly pump thick blood through relaxed vessels. His standing volume increases because of this.
- Low mobility of a pregnant woman with abdominal growth. This leads to stagnation of blood in the legs and pelvic organs.
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated and not paid attention to, then over time, the patient may develop very serious complications that may even require a full surgical intervention. In the worst case, the patient may undergo amputation of the diseased limb. Below we will examine the most common and dangerous complications of varicose veins.
Chronic venous insufficiency
With the development of such a complication, an active failure of the venous valves occurs. Moreover, the pathological process is divided into four stages:
- Zero. The patient feels slight swelling and rare soreness in the legs after a hard day.
- First, on the surface of the skin, the venous network of enlarged vessels is visualized.
- Second The swollen veins with blood clots and the joints in them are clearly visible. There is redness of the skin areas in places of inflamed veins, itching, sores.
- The third. Trophic ulcers form on the legs with inflamed veins.
Important:signs of chronic venous insufficiency are itching of the legs, soreness, burning sensation in a prolonged sitting position, swelling, night cramps.
Superficial venous thrombophlebitis
In this case, the patient develops a tendency to form blood clots. Clots actively block the lumen of the veins, making blood flow difficult. In most cases, blood clots and clots are located in the vessels of the lower third of the thigh or the upper third of the leg. The symptoms of venous thrombophlebitis are:
- redness of the skin of the feet at the sites of clot formation;
- leg pain;
- on palpation - induction in the veins.
Important:with thrombophlebitis, it is necessary to wear compression stockings. The compression formula should be chosen by a specialist - angiosurgeon or phlebologist.
Trophic ulcer
This complication is already manifested in the later stages of venous insufficiency. First, the patient develops increased vascular permeability. A white seal with a varnish-like surface forms on the surface of the skin. An ulcer forms under it. At the slightest damage to the inflamed area, the ulcer opens and the exudate begins to divide. The resulting wound can become secondarily infected, leading to purulent inflammatory processes.
Important:in this condition, complete healing of the wound is required first, and only after that a complete surgical intervention is performed to remove the affected vessels.
Pulmonary emboli
An equally dangerous complication, in which a thrombus detaches from the inflamed vein and moves toward the pulmonary artery. This artery is directly involved in organizing blood flow in a small circle, affecting the right ventricle of the heart. If the diameter of the detached thrombus is smaller than the lumen of the artery, then the clot moves to the branches of the pulmonary artery, provoking pulmonary edema or infarction. In this case, the patient will feel significant chest pain. A wet cough mixed with blood, an increase in body temperature and weakness will also appear. If the diameter of the clot is equal to the diameter of the lumen of the pulmonary artery, then there is a blockage and immediate death for the patient.
The rupture of a blood clot can be caused by the following conditions:
- performing surgical interventions;
- oncology;
- infrakt;
- long bed rest.
Conservative and surgical treatment
Varicose veins can be treated both conservatively and operatively, depending on the stage of the pathology and the patient's condition. With conservative treatment, the administration of phlebotonic drugs is indicated. Outside, horse chestnut-based venotonic gels and oils are used. It should be understood that conservative treatment works only in the initial stages of varicose veins.
As additional measures in the conservative treatment of varicose veins, physical activity (walking) and wearing compression stockings have been shown.
Minimally invasive and surgical methods of treatment
If the process of varicose veins and venous insufficiency has gone too far, then they resort to minimally invasive or complete surgical intervention to improve the patient's condition. Minimally invasive methods of intervention include the following:
- Scleotherapy. In this case, a special sclerosing drug is injected into the lumen of the patient's varicose vein using a thin insulin needle. The injected substance first causes inflammation, and then sclerosis of the diseased vein. The lumen of the diseased vessel simply increases. The technique has more of a cosmetic effect, but does not solve the problem (cause) of the pathology itself. Recurrences are possible after sclerotherapy. Contraindications to such an intervention are pregnancy, lactation and intolerance to the components of the drug.
- Undressing. Using this method, the diseased vein is removed using the thinnest probe. The peculiarity of the surgical intervention is that it is possible to remove only the diseased part of the vessel, leaving its healthy parts. The operation is performed through two endoscopic punctures placed on either side of the site of the inflamed vessel. That is, scars and wounds after such an intervention will not be visible.
- Microflebectomy. Removal of the diseased vein is also performed through several small incisions in the skin.
- Laser coagulation. Exposure to the lumen of a diseased laser vessel. As a result, the venous lumen is fully enlarged.
A complete surgical intervention (abdominal surgery) is called a phlebectomy. With this method, the surgeon makes a complete incision of the skin of the foot in order to remove the entire superficial vein. The indications for such an operation are:
- a large volume of varicose veins;
- large cavity (lumen) of diseased vessels (more than 10 mm);
- thrombophlebitis;
- the presence of large varicose veins;
- formation of trophic ulcers in the patient;
- lack of effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery.
Traditional methods of treatment
In the early stages of pathology, you can also use popular methods of treating varicose veins. In particular, in combination with medication treatment, you can use the following folk remedies:
- Tomato is green. Thin slices of vegetables are placed in the area of inflamed veins and fixed with a bandage. You need to change such applications every 2-3 hours. The course of treatment is until a clear improvement of the condition.
- Potatoes. A bandage moistened with squeezed potato juice has just been applied to the feet. Cover the top with cling film. Such applications are best done at night until the patient's condition improves.
- Apple cider vinegar. Preferably home made. Vinegar is diluted in water (1 glass of water and 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar). A bandage is soaked in a solution and applied to the area of diseased veins. The bandage is fixed at night. You can also simply paint your feet with this solution overnight. It is shown to take water with vinegar and inside. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey to a glass of water so as not to burn the esophagus with vinegar (the walls of the esophagus are very sensitive to acids). Drink the mixture in the morning on an empty stomach. The course of treatment with vinegar is 30 days.
- Horse chestnut. Plant flowers in quantities of 50 gr. pour 0. 5 liters of alcohol and insist for two weeks in a dark place, periodically shaking the mixture. The finished product is filtered through a sieve and drunk three times a day, one tablespoon each time. The mixture is washed with water. The course of treatment is 7 days. Then a 14-day break and again a seven-day course. Treatment according to this scheme is carried out until the infusion is completed. It can then be prepared again and the therapy regimen repeated.
- Rodhe. In this case, the fresh leaves of the plant are used to eliminate the disease. At night, sore feet are smeared with Vishnevsky oil and wrapped in a burdock leaf. All adjust with a bandage and put on compression stockings. The bandage is worn for three days, and then it is removed and everything is washed. It is possible to be treated this way throughout the summer as the fresh rhubarb grows.
Important:such treatment is contraindicated in patients with high acidity of gastric juice.
conclusions
It is worth noting that varicose veins are an irreversible pathology in most cases. That is why it is so important to take care of the health of your feet. Especially if there is a genetic predisposition to varicose veins. It is enough to give up bad habits, make your daily diet balanced, walk more and drink plenty of clean water a day. In the manifestation of the smallest signs of varicose veins, it is advisable to immediately contact a competent phlebologist to prevent complications of the disease. Remember, your health and the inner health of your feet depend entirely on you. And modern medicine and the hands of a professional can do wonders.