Hold your legs: how to get rid of varicose veins

legs without signs of varicose veins

In the summer, when you really want to wear shorts and short skirts, draw attention to your legs, the picture can be spoiled by vascular network, stars and swelling-obvious signs of varicose veins. We learned from professional phlebologists how to solve this problem quickly and permanently.

"Every man is more interested in women who are interested in him than women who have beautiful legs, " Marlene Dietrich said. Still, you can’t forget about the health and beauty of your feet. Especially if you already have vascular network.

Expert opinion: vascular surgeons and phlebologists: "The most obvious signs of varicose veins on the lower leg (or, more simply, varicose veins) are not so many. Visible spider veins (telangiectasias), prominent veins, and nodules are the most obvious. It is impossible not to seesuch symptoms. But they appear when the disease is already underway. But heaviness in the legs, restless legs syndrome and swelling are not obvious symptoms of varicose veins. If you already have them, this is a good reason to sign up for a consultation with a phlebologist. In general, the disease is known to adult women, although, unfortunately, young girls as well as men know it firsthand.

Why do Varicose Veins Appear?

The older we get, the greater the risk of varicose veins: we sit a lot and walk a little, are overweight, blood becomes thickened, hormonal changes occur, collagen levels in blood vessel walls decrease, which means vein elasticity and density. As a result, blood stasis begins in the legs, the veins expand under pressure, and the valves no longer close as tightly as they should. Because of this, part of the blood flows downwards, becomes more stagnant and puts more pressure on the vein, stretching it. Blood flow slows, and lymph gradually penetrates the walls of the ducts. Edema occurred, and we felt heaviness in the legs. If you do not start treatment at this stage, the disease will progress.

Impaired venous valve function is not restored. First, a blue vascular network appears on the legs. Then nodules form on the veins - blood stagnates and thickens in them, from which blood clots then form. This is called thrombophlebitis. It is very dangerous: blood clots that come in and out of such nodules are at high risk for stroke or heart attack.

Often, varicose veins are inherited. It also happens to those who are subject to static loads, for example, when you are constantly "standing" (sales assistant in the store) or constantly sitting (all office workers). In addition, varicose veins can appear as a result of injury, chronic vitamin and mineral deficiency, hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause), obesity or overweight, diabetes, weight lifting, frequent walking in high heels.

How to get rid of varicose veins

In fact, to prevent varicose veins from appearing, it is sometimes enough to walk. According to WHO standards, this is about 10, 000 steps per day, which is not so much. If you are at risk (i. e. , you have this problem in your family), then you should see a phlebologist, use compression stockings, try not to gain excess weight, limit static load on your feet, wear comfortable shoes, take a venotonic course (only on the recommendation of a doctor), which will strengthen the walls of blood vessels and relieve inflammation.

The vascular network can be removed with the help of injections of sclerosants. They are injected into small vessels, causing their artificial inflammation and causing them to "stick together". The procedure is practically painless and takes no more than 10 minutes.

Large vein expansion is treated with endovasal laser coagulation (abbreviated as EVLT). This is a relatively new method that has been around for about 20 years. Thanks to him, vascular surgeons were almost completely able to abandon surgery in favor of minimally invasive intervention. A very thin laser is inserted into a vein under anesthesia and ultrasound control - as thick as a fishing line. The laser beam acts on the inner wall of the vein and freezes it throughout, after which it simply closes from time to time. The whole procedure is fully automated - the laser and ultrasound sensors move by themselves. The procedure lasts about 40 minutes. After that, special compression stockings are placed on the feet, which must be worn without removing them for three days. After the procedure, the patient is not restricted in movement and can return home on their own. The effect can be noticed in a few days.