Varicose veins in the lower legs are a problem that affects more than 60% of the world’s population. The term "varicose veins" from the Latin "varix" is interpreted as "development". Thus, the definition of a pathological condition - the expansion of the venous lumen in the lower legs and pelvic organs, which significantly interferes with blood flow in the ducts and, consequently, worsens the general condition of the patient. In the material below, we will consider the causes of varicose veins, possible complications of the disease and the main ways of dealing with the pathology.
Causes and risk factors: everyone is exposed to this
Important:if varicose veins affect young people under the age of 25, then here the gender distribution occurs 50: 50. That is, men and women are equally ill. At a more mature age, women are more likely to experience varicose veins due to pregnancy and age -related changes in hormone levels.
If we consider varicose veins from the inside, then anatomically, the expansion of the venous lumen occurs due to damage to the function of the venous valves that regulate blood flow. A malfunctioning valve does not completely close every heartbeat. As a result, the blood coming from the jerky heart moves to the lower end due to the force of gravity.
Normally, the valve should be closed and allow blood to flow to the legs separately. But, unfortunately, the blood flow enters the legs more intensively, and in the opposite direction moves less intensively because the function of the valve system is equally poor. Blood -filled leg veins lose elasticity and stretch over time.
The main predisposing factors for the development of pathological conditions of blood vessels are:
- genetic component (the disease can be transmitted through female or male lines in the family);
- overweight;
- delayed pregnancy;
- passive lifestyle;
- excessive physical activity;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- 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 quite different. More precisely, each representative of the various sexes is susceptible to certain habits, which can sooner or later provoke vascular pathology in the lower legs. So, for men, the risk factors are:
- strength training by lifting weights from a squat position;
- overweight and obesity;
- unbalanced diet, which provokes frequent constipation;
- renal pathological processes (tumors of various etiologies);
- inguinal hernia;
- inactive work;
- smoking and drinking alcohol.
Important:men are characterized not only by the development of varicose veins in the lower part of the legs, but also by varicose veins on the spermatic cord. This pathology is called varicocele. Such conditions are inherited, i. e. are exclusively genetic in nature and are not preventable even with better preventative measures. Only 2-4% of men suffer from varicocele. The pathological cause is the asymmetrical location and anatomical structure of the male genitalia.
Because men experience false vaginal discharge or do not have time to see a specialist at the onset of the disease, varicose veins are more difficult for them than women.
Female varicose veins have their own laws
For women, varicose veins are more "common" than men. More than 80% of women suffer from vascular pathology in the legs. In addition, risk groups include the fairer sex who prefer this lifestyle or suffer from the following conditions:
- wear tight high -heeled shoes;
- work not moving or standing;
- hereditary tendencies;
- changes in hormone levels during pregnancy or with autoimmune diseases;
- wearing overly tight underwear, jeans;
- smoking;
- low percentage of fruits and vegetables in the diet (continuous diet and starvation);
- likes tanning (frequent visits to the solarium or staying in direct sunlight);
- sharp weight gain;
- low mobility.
Pregnancy is where "dogs are buried"
Although the manifestation of varicose veins, its cause and treatment should be determined and prescribed only by a phlebologist, initially not observed in a woman, in 30% of cases it becomes apparent during pregnancy. Here, the main trap lies in the growing fetus and thus the uterus, which presses on the pelvic organs strongly. As a result, blood circulation in the lower part of the body is significantly disrupted. The backflow of blood from the legs upwards is difficult. This effect on the deep leg veins leads to the fact that the active vessel is stretched in width and length.
In addition to the growth of uterine organs and the pressure exerted on the pelvic organs, varicose veins in pregnant women also develop under the influence of factors such as:
- Increased blood clotting. Therefore, nature guarantees women against large blood loss during childbirth. Thicker blood moves harder through the veins.
- Increased levels of the hormone progesterone, which causes relaxation of the muscles and blood vessels of the uterus, so that it can increase freely and without tone as the fetus grows. But at the same time, the remaining walls of the ship also sagged. The veins become less elastic, and the thick blood increasingly stretches its walls which are already weakened by progesterone.
- Increased blood pressure for better oxygen supply to the fetus. As a result, the body tries to quickly drain thick blood through the relaxed channels. The volume in the legs increases because of this.
- Poor mobility of pregnant women with abdominal growth. This causes blood stasis in the legs and pelvic organs.
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated and observed, then over time, the patient may experience very serious complications that may require full surgical intervention. In the worst case, the patient may undergo amputation of the diseased limb. Below we will consider the most common and dangerous complications of varicose veins.
Chronic venous insufficiency
With the occurrence of such complications, there is active failure of the venous valve. In addition, the pathological process is divided into four stages:
- Zero. Patients feel a slight swelling and infrequent pain in the legs after a day of work.
- First. On the surface of the skin, an enlarged network of ductal veins is visually visible.
- Second. Swollen veins with blood clots and jugular veins in them are clearly visible. There is redness of the skin area in places of inflamed veins, itching, sores.
- Third. Trophic ulcers form on the legs with inflamed veins.
Important:Signs of chronic venous insufficiency are itching in the legs, pain, burning sensation in a prolonged sitting position, swelling, night cramps.
Superficial vein thrombophlebitis
In this case, the patient has a tendency to form blood clots. The clot actively blocks the venous lumen, making it difficult for blood flow. In most cases, blood clots and clots are localized in the third canal of the lower thigh or the upper third of the leg. Symptoms of venous thrombophlebitis are:
- redness of the skin of the feet at the site of the formation of clots;
- pain in the legs;
- on palpation - induration in the veins.
Important:with thrombophlebitis, it is necessary to wear compression socks. The compression formula should be chosen by an angiosurgeon or phlebologist.
Trophic ulcers
This complication has manifested itself in the degree of venous insufficiency. First, the patient experienced an increase in vascular permeability. A white seal with a varnish -like surface is formed on the surface of the skin. Ulcers form underneath. At the slightest injury to the inflamed area, the ulcer opens and exudate separation begins. Outgoing wounds can be secondary infection, which causes a purulent inflammatory process.
Important:in this case, complete wound healing is first required, and only after that surgical intervention is performed completely to remove the affected duct.
Pulmonary embolism
The same complication is dangerous, in which the thrombus detaches from the inflamed vein and moves towards the pulmonary artery. These arteries are directly involved in regulating blood flow in small circles, affecting the right ventricle of the heart. If the diameter of the missed thrombus is less than the lumen of the artery, then the clot moves to the branches of the pulmonary artery, which provokes pulmonary edema or infarction. In this case, the patient will feel significant chest pain. Wet cough mixed with blood, increased 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 blockage and momentary death for the patient.
The release of blood clots can be triggered by the following conditions:
- performing surgical interventions;
- oncology;
- heart failure;
- long bed rest.
Conservative treatment and surgery
Varicose veins can be treated conservatively and surgically, depending on the degree of pathology and condition of the patient. With conservative treatment, administration of phlebotonic drugs is indicated. Externally, venotonic gels and ointments based on horse chestnut are used. It should be understood that conservative treatment only works in the early stages of varicose veins.
As an additional step in the conservative treatment of varicose veins, physical activity (walking) and the wearing of compression stockings are indicated.
Minimal invasive and surgical treatment methods
If the process of varicose veins and venous insufficiency has gone a long way, then they require minimally invasive or full surgical intervention to improve the patient’s condition. Minimally invasive intervention methods include the following:
- Sclerotherapy. In this case, a special sclerosing drug is injected into the lumen of the patient’s varicose veins using a thin insulin needle. The injected material first causes inflammation, and then sclerosis of the diseased vein. The lumen of a diseased vessel grows only above. This technique has a cosmetic effect, but does not solve the problem (cause) of the pathology itself. Relapses may occur after sclerotherapy. Contraindications to such interventions are pregnancy, lactation and intolerance to drug components.
- Stripping. Using this method, the diseased vein is removed using the thinnest probe. The peculiarity of surgical intervention is that it is possible to remove only the diseased part of the vessel, leaving its healthy part. The operation is performed through two endoscopic punctures located on either side of the inflamed vessel site. That is, scars and scars after such an intervention will not be visible.
- Microflectectomy. Removal of diseased veins is also done through several small incisions in the skin.
- Laser freezing. Exposure to the lumen of a diseased vessel with a laser. As a result, the lumen of the vein grows completely.
A full surgical intervention (abdominal surgery) is called a phlebectomy. With this method, the surgeon makes a complete incision in the skin of the foot to remove the entire superficial vein. Instructions for the operation are:
- large number of varicose veins;
- large cavity (lumen) of diseased vessel (more than 10 mm);
- thrombophlebitis;
- the presence of large varicose veins;
- formation of trophic ulcers in patients;
- lack of effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery.
Traditional treatment methods
In the early stages of pathology, you can also use folk methods to treat varicose veins. In particular, in combination with drug treatment, you can use the following folk remedies:
- Tomatoes are green. Thin vegetable slices are placed on the inflamed vein area and fixed with a bandage. You need to change such applications every 2-3 hours. The course of treatment is until the improvement of the condition is obvious.
- Potatoes. A bandage soaked in freshly squeezed potato juice is rubbed on the feet. Cover the top with adhesive film. Such applications are best done at night until the patient's condition improves.
- Apple cider vinegar. Preferably homemade. Vinegar is diluted in water (1 glass of water and 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar). The bandage is soaked in the solution and applied to the diseased vein area. Bandages are applied at night. You can also lubricate the feet with this solution at night. It is proven to take vinegar water and into it. Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey to a glass of water so as not to burn the esophagus with vinegar (the esophageal wall is very susceptible to acid). Drink the mixture in the morning on an empty stomach. The course of treatment with vinegar is 30 days.
- Chestnut horse. Plant flowers in an amount 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 mesh and drunk three times during the day, one tablespoon at a time. The mixture was 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 over. Then it can be prepared again and the therapy regimen repeated.
- Burdock. In this case, fresh leaves of the plant are used to get rid of the disease. At night, the sore feet are smeared with Vishnevsky ointment and wrapped on top with burdock leaves. Everyone was wrapped in bandages and wore compression gowns. The bandage was worn for three days, and then removed and everything washed. It is possible to be treated in this way throughout the summer, while fresh burdock grows.
Important:such treatment is contraindicated in patients with high acidity of gastric juice.
conclusion
It should be noted that varicose veins are an irreversible pathology in most cases. Therefore, it is very important to take care of the health of your feet. Especially if there is a genetic predisposition to varicose veins. Enough to quit bad habits, make your daily diet balanced, walk more and drink enough clean water every day. At the manifestation of slight signs of varicose veins, it is recommended to immediately contact a competent phlebologist to prevent complications of the disease. Remember, the health and inner health of the feet is entirely up to you. And modern medicine and professional hands can work wonders.