Varicose veins (VV) are one of the most common diseases.The peculiarity of this disease lies in the fact that for many years all pathological changes in the vessels practically do not make themselves felt, but then can quickly lead to the development of venous insufficiency, thrombophlebitis or the formation of trophic ulcers.To avoid this, you need to take care of your veins without waiting for serious disease symptoms to appear.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are larger-than-expected expansion of the venous lumen in a certain area.As a result, it stretches and becomes tortuous.Blood flow in such vessels becomes turbulent, which leads to stagnation, inflammation and the formation of blood clots.
Varicose veins can appear in almost any part of the body where these vessels have valves that prevent the backflow of blood.
Varicose veins on the legs: stages of the disease
The first stage of varicose veins (compensation).Veins in the legs are practically unchanged in appearance;only spider veins may be observed or tortuous features of individual vessels may appear.At the end of the day, sometimes you worry about slight swelling in the legs, tiredness, fatigue and discomfort.
The duration of this stage is many years.If you start treatment at this time, you can delay or completely prevent the development of this disease.This stage is best suited for conservative treatment.
The second stage of varicose veins (subcompensation).At this stage, cramps in the calf muscles may appear at night, the veins stand out more prominently, and the legs periodically ache.Swelling in the ankle joint is observed almost constantly, but disappears in the morning.The skin in the shin area takes on a brownish purple color.
This stage also lasts for many years.Conservative treatment measures are no longer as effective as in the first stage, so doctors here are increasingly recommending various surgical interventions.Preventive measures are aimed at ensuring that the disease does not enter the decompensation stage as long as possible.
The third stage of varicose veins (decompensation).Veins bulge more, swelling may not disappear in the morning, the skin in the shin area becomes thinner, and wounds that do not heal for a long time appear.As a rule, at this stage the most dangerous complications develop:
- thrombophlebitis (thrombosis and inflammation of veins);
- tropic dermatitis, ulcers;
- pulmonary embolism (the most dangerous complication, when a blood clot breaks off in the lower leg and is carried into the lungs by the bloodstream, and then leads to respiratory arrest and death in 5-8 out of 10 people);
- chronic venous insufficiency (swelling and fatigue of the legs even when the varicose vein problem has been resolved).
At this stage, all therapeutic and preventive measures are aimed at preventing the development of complications, and if they have appeared, then minimizing their consequences.
Which doctor treats varicose veins?
Phlebologist.These are vascular surgeons who have received a narrow specialization in the treatment of vein diseases.He is the one who treats varicose veins.
However, if there is no phlebologist in your area or it is very difficult to get a consultation with him, then you can contact a vascular surgeon for help, or, if there is none, only to a general surgeon who provides outpatient visits.This is better than letting the disease pass.
How to treat varicose veins?
Treatment of varicose veins largely depends on the stage of the disease, the presence of complications and the clinical picture of the specific disease.
In the first stage, the main emphasis is on changing lifestyle, giving up bad habits that worsen varicose veins, and normalizing body weight.In this case, the patient, as a rule, is allowed to use folk remedies, undergo treatment with leeches, and take herbal medicines.If the disease continues to develop, then drugs are prescribed that increase the tone of the veins and improve the rheological properties of the blood, as well as wearing compression garments.
In the second stage, drug therapy and compression garments become mandatory, and surgical intervention is performed if necessary.To avoid complications, an annual course of planned therapy in the hospital is recommended.
In the third stage, the choice of method is determined by the presence of complications and the general clinical picture of the disease.If serious complications occur, the patient must be hospitalized in the surgical department.
Varicose vein treatment: what to change in your lifestyle?
Exercising.More than anything, our veins love it when we walk a lot.Standing or sedentary work contributes to the development of varicose veins.Therefore, if you have to stand or sit for a long time, you need to do special exercises every 40-50 minutes.
Habits.As you know, blood flows through the veins from the heel to the heart.Anything that squeezes or pinches the vessels and surrounding tissue impedes the natural flow of blood and contributes to the development of varicose veins.Therefore, already at the first stage of the disease, you should say goodbye to habits such as:
- sitting in the "legs on legs" position (blood flow is affected at the level of the popliteal fossa, so it is better to change it to the American "legs on legs" pose or "legs on the back of the chair");
- wearing tight belts, stockings, stockings, belts, jeans that are too tight, tight underwear (partially pinching the veins in the groin, knees, or due to the tight waist, they do not allow breathing from the "stomach", which almost excludes the diaphragm from the act of breathing, that is, it facilitates the movement of blood to the heart);
- overeating (overeating is always fraught with extra pounds, and any excess weight in itself can cause varicose veins);
- Walking in high heels for a long time (in this case, the load on the legs increases, and the knee area, which facilitates the upward movement of blood, is almost paralyzed).