Varicose veins or varicose veins is a chronic disease. One of the signs of varicose veins – varicose veins with simultaneous violation of the exit of the blood and its stagnation in the venous system.
Varicose veins has symptoms that may develop under the influence of a number of reasons. This can be a feature out of thick, tortuous, and the large veins. Very often there is varicose veins of the lower extremities.
In the initial stages of varicose veins is possible to do so without surgical intervention, and use other methods of treatment. This will allow the patient to significantly improve the state of conservation and to stop the progression of the disease. Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is used in case of surgical intervention for any reason contraindicated.
Varicose veins – an abnormal local expansion of the light of the veins. Most common in the vessels of the lower extremities. In general, varicose veins occur because of genetic predisposition, a sedentary lifestyle, abnormalities anatomical location of the valve apparatus veins.
With varicose veins is significantly reduced elasticity of the veins and the veins begin to expand. In the veins there is a so-called flap constant flow of blood. If everything works correctly, there is no problem. When there is a malfunctioning of the varicose veins. The valves are no longer normal to shut down and retard the movement of blood to the heart. The pressure builds and pushes the blood out of the veins thick in thinner blood vessels. A system of fine veins not adapted to this kind of pressure you are stretching and destruction.
Be highly visible in the legs of spider veins, which is a serious aesthetic problem. Varicose veins progresses, a thin weakened veins are becoming more pronounced, distinctive blue color, thicken, and soon appeared nodules.
Causes of varicose veins
There are many causes of varicose veins that increase the probability that the patient suffers from varicose veins:
- Genetic legacy family, faced with varicose veins, a descendant could "do" in Vienna with a special structure (weakness of connective tissue, imperfect valves, etc.); and then, without the continuity of the observance of the preventive measures that have probably sooner or later become a patient with the diagnosis "varicose veins in the legs".
- The hormonal fluctuations – more often than it affects women (menopause, menstruation, pregnancy, etc.), what explains the apparent gender of the selectivity of the disease; in addition, the risk of varicose veins increases and treatment – it is scientifically proven that contained female sex hormones and their balance sheets to reduce the elasticity of the venous walls.
- Disorders of the nervous system, stress, depression – all this leads to a decrease in tone of veins in the lower extremities;
- Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs – these processes can lead to a hormonal imbalance, but can also damage the small veins;
- Low physical activity – over time, the vein is compressed, it interferes with the circulation of the blood decreases the tone of venous walls, and, finally, the blood begins to stagnate, and there are varicose veins (today, doctors have even a special term – computer veins, by the great number of patients, the cause of the disease that was sedentary work in front of a flickering monitor);
- High physical activity – these include weight lifting, excess weight, pregnancy, work, associated with time of standing; as a result, a significant increase of the pressure in the veins that lead to the appearance of varicose veins;
- Flat feet;
- Habit always and everywhere to go to the wrong high heels;
- Constipation, which increases pressure in the abdomen;
- Several injuries and diseases;
- Paul. The risk of varicose veins in women is much higher.
- The structure of the body. Varicose veins often affects people of above average growth.
The symptoms of varicose veins in the legs
Not to miss the moment of appearance of varicose veins in the legs, you will need to know the symptoms and take appropriate corrective measures.
The main symptoms of varicose veins in the legs:
- The appearance of pain in the legs, burning through his veins, the feeling of heat;
- Remarkable heaviness in the legs (do not confuse with fatigue);
- The appearance of edema in the legs. Usually swelling appear at night;
- Leg cramps in the night;
- Noticeable varicose veins;
- The skin on the Shin is a prominent dark-colored. There are seals and possibly venous ulcers.
There are other symptoms of varicose veins:
- It can be a manifestation of the region of the popliteal fossa or the whole of the posterior part of the surface of the legs. If the legs are thick or there is excessive hairiness, the appearance of varicose veins less noticeable;
- The veins can be heard. With the defeat of the varicose veins can be curved;
- Mesh of varicose veins may disappear if the patient is laid horizontally and lift the leg. The vertical position of the body of the vein become thicker;
- There is a curious heaviness in the legs, pain, dull in nature, intermittent seizures. The patient may complain of a slight burning sensation in the legs;
- Feet often swell, mainly in the soft tissues.
These are the main symptoms of varicose veins. Varicose veins progress without proper treatment of varicose veins.
If the disease progresses, you may show the symptoms of varicose veins, such as:
- Indurate (label);
- An alteration in the nutrition of the skin;
- Pigmentation of the skin of the legs;
- Trophic ulcers.
If there are third-party symptoms of varicose veins, such as high body temperature, weakness – it is said that varicose veins have moved into a stage of complications.
The effects of varicose veins
Varicose veins is not just a cosmetic problem feet. This disease is able to "hit" the heart. Varicose veins gives serious problems and reduces the quality of life. If there is no quality of the medical care, the varicose veins will give serious complications, including death.
Consequences of varicose veins:
- The formation of blood clots, as a result of the stagnation of the blood in the veins;
- Detachment of thrombus and occlusion of the vessel coincides with its diameter;
- Thrombophlebitis;
- Pulmonary embolism (detached blood clot in the blood enters the pulmonary artery, which participates in the circulation of the blood in a small circle. If the clot diameter coincides with the diameter of the trunk of this artery, which can cause sudden death.
- Sores or eczema of the legs caused eating disorders (poor blood circulation leads to lack of oxygen in the tissues, which is the main food of the tissues of the body);
- Swelling different areas of the body as a result of the stagnation in the veins (which are soft, elastic, bluish in color, his education, does not depend on the time of day, often form on the affected area);
- Dermatitis (skin inflammation of the affected area) because of the malnutrition of the web;
- Change the color of the skin of the affected area;
- Sealing subcutaneous fatty tissue in the affected area due to swelling.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
- Functional tests (determination of the patency of the veins and their valves): Troyanova – Trendelenburg, Pratt, Shania and others. One of the most common test Troyanova – Trendelenburg with which the patient is in a horizontal position, lifts the leg 450, the doctor makes a delicate, from the foot up (as a result, the veins superficial are emptied), then establishes a tourniquet to the upper part of the thigh and asks the patient to stand normally, the filling of the veins of the leg have to spend more than 15 seconds;
- Duplex ultrasound examination of the veins is the most informative method to evaluate the blood flow in the vessels and see the boat;
- Ultrasound, Doppler – a method to assess the flow of blood in the vessels;
- Venography is the injection of a contrast agent intravenously, and the study of the x-ray image;
- Intravenous administration of the radiopharmaceutical and observation in a special device.
Treatment of varicose veins
A specific treatment of varicose veins in the legs may depend on the degree of development of the disease. If this is only the first step, it is possible to use conservative therapies.
Conservative treatments for varicose veins:
- The treatment of varicose veins of medications. Is tablets, creams, ointments;
- The compresses. Wearing special compression garments (stockings, bandages);
- Pneumo massage. Uses a special device, capable to intensify blood circulation, improve tissue trophism and remove significantly negative symptoms of varicose veins;
- Sclerotherapy. It is used when the removal of the damaged veins is not enough. Injected into a vein medication is able to reduce the patients ' vessels that then disappear;
- Laser coagulation. Treatment of varicose veins with laser is one of the modern methods, which is done under local anesthesia. The results of laser treatment are visible after a month;
- The physical therapy, that is to say, the treatment of varicose veins with leeches. This method is not conventional, but it is very popular.
Prevention of varicose veins
Prevention of varicose veins will be necessary for those who have close relatives (older generation) with this disease. In addition, it is recommended that the treatment and prophylactic of varicose veins in people with excess weight, pregnant women and certain professions where you always have to stand on his feet.
Maintain an active lifestyle and do more exercise. Especially helpful Hiking to strengthen his legs, making them more resistant.
There are some recommendations that will help to prevent the development of varicose veins:
- If long standing on the feet, it is desirable periodically to the cross and stretch your toes;
- Office workers (sedentary work) is recommended to periodically put your feet on the table. This makes it possible to improve the output of blood from the veins of the lower extremities;
- If you use a small footrest, can reduce the pressure on the feet while sitting;
- Periodically lift the toes. You can relieve the tension of the muscles of the legs and improve the blood flow up;
- Several times in a day training of the whole body.
In addition, the use of a compression garment, which helps in the prevention of varicose veins.
If there is still a slight degree of varicose veins, then you should avoid the following:
- the use of shoes with high heels;
- oral contraceptives that can worsen the situation;
- obesity and excess weight;
- spicy food, salty and fatty foods;
- carrying heavy suitcases and bags;
- hair removal wax;
- long hot baths;
- baths and saunas;
- The smoking, the drugs, the alcohol;
- to self-medicate.