Varicose veins on the legs are a pathology of the subcutaneous veins, in which they expand, thin and become inflamed. The venous valves become inefficient, leading to swelling, pain and circulatory problems. A dangerous complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the vessel wall with the formation of a blood clot), trophic ulcer, separation of a blood clot, embolism of the lungs and other organs, bleeding.
Causes of the disease
- genetic predisposition;
- working standing or sitting for a long time, heavy loads, lifting weights;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy, private childbirth
- overweight;
- advanced age and sex (30% in women, 10% in men)
Symptoms of varicose veins and the mechanism of development
- Swelling in the legs at night;
- leg pain, heaviness;
- vascular network, skin color blue;
- increased fatigue from physical exertion;
- nodules in the veins, from pain, inflammation;
- itchy skin, cramps;
- skin darkening;
- thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcer.
Varicose veins in women often occur during the period of pregnancy, but with timely treatment they pass. The situation is worse in cases where the woman does not go to the doctor and expects improvement after childbirth. However, we must remember that varicose veins do not disappear by themselves.
There are two sectors of the venous bed: peripheral and deep. Normally, blood should move from the periphery to the center, i. e. upwards. But if the tone of the valves and blood vessels is reduced, then the blood begins to move into the superficial veins. As a result, they lengthen, stretch, form knots that are visible even without instruments. If you do not change your lifestyle and do not start therapy, the disease will progress, as the blood tends to go down according to the law of gravity. At this stage, drugs and therapeutic exercises will no longer help.
Diagnosis
In most cases, an examination of the legs by a doctor and an ultrasound are enough. If there is a risk of recurrence of varicose veins, it is necessary to examine the deep veins by X-ray and injection of contrast medium (phlebography).
How to treat varicose veins on legs?
In the initial period of the disease, when there are no visible veins and pain, but there is heaviness in the legs, it makes sense to consult a doctor and start prevention. Medicines for internal and external use, active lifestyle, gymnastics, wearing therapeutic compression stockings are suitable here (the list of medicines can be found at the end).
Preventive measures bear fruit, especially if you change jobs and are not on your feet for a long time. Sports activities recommended by a doctor will help improve blood flow, as active leg muscles significantly tone blood vessels. Unfortunately, many people ignore the main signs of varicose veins. In the future, you have to resort to expensive methods.
Modern methods of treating varicose veins
Now there are effective methods of treating varicose veins without surgery. Its meaning boils down to the following - pathological veins are removed from blood circulation. With the help of a laser or another method, the wall of the damaged vein is glued to the region of the valve, and blood no longer enters this segment of the channel. One or more punctures are made for laser access, without anesthesia and without incision, not requiring long-term rehabilitation. As a result, the correct movement of blood is restored, nodes, swelling and pain disappear. The skin color returns to normal, it becomes smooth.
Consider in more detail the methods of therapy without surgery
The treatment of patients with laser has become widespread in the last decade. If a previously damaged vein had to be surgically removed, exposing a person to risks and prolonged hospitalization, then in our time these techniques are outdated. Internal venous laser coagulation is widely prescribed. A laser fiber is inserted into the vein through a fine puncture and guided to the damaged valve. Beam heating causes coagulation of the vessel tissue, as a result of inflammation, the walls of the vein stick together. The method also works in the late stages of varicose veins, when there are trophic ulcers. Efficiency was recorded in 98% of patients. By the same principle, therapy is carried out using the energy of radio waves.
If varicose veins have not reached a dangerous stage, the sclerotherapy method is used. This technique does not involve the use of heat. A substance is injected into the vein, which leads to an inflammatory reaction, followed by filling of the lumen of the vessel. Injections with sclerosants have their drawbacks - they have a high rate of relapse. Sclerotherapy will not eliminate a severe imbalance of blood flow in large veins. Also, there may be allergies to these drugs, there is a risk of necrosis of the tissues of the vessels. Of the advantages, one should mention the low cost of the method. Doctors often combine laser therapy with injections.
In addition to laser treatment, miniphlebectomy is used - removal of a damaged vein using a fine puncture. After the operation, the patient goes home the same day as there are no incisions. The skin acquires an aesthetic appearance, normal color, without leaving scars.
Treatment of varicose veins with drugs
We note again that it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology only conservatively. Thus, drug prescription is symptomatic and prophylactic. However, many patients, when taking the course, note significant improvements: pain in the legs, swelling and fatigue are reduced.
venotonics
This group includes drugs based on diosmin: they increase the tone of veins and capillaries, as a result, their extensibility and decrease in venous congestion. Improves blood circulation, microcirculation, reduces leg swelling, pain, heaviness. An additional indication of drugs is the symptomatic treatment of hemorrhoids.
External forms of venotonics are also produced.
A lot of positive things can be said about venotonics with diosmin, their effectiveness has been proven by clinical trials, and side effects are rare. Before its appearance, Troxevasin was used based on troxerutin. It has wide indications, has an anti-inflammatory effect, but more side effects. Drops based on horse chestnut seed extract tone the walls of the veins and improve the condition of the capillaries. Also indicated for varicose veins.
Anticoagulants for external use
This group contains all gels with sodium heparin. The drug accelerates the reabsorption of blood clots, reduces swelling in tissues, increases circulation in the capillaries, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Varicose veins are its main indication. The line of gels with heparin is very large, with different concentrations.
Often, heparin is part of the complex external forms of varicose veins.
physiotherapy for varicose veins
electrophoresis
Under the action of an electric current on a special transporter, the drug is delivered directly to the altered vessels (venotonics, heparin). The procedure is painless, lasts less than an hour, the course is up to 20 sessions. Effective for strengthening the veins, it reduces the severity of the disease, but does not completely eliminate the nodes.
Lymphatic Drainage, Pressotherapy
To carry out this procedure, you will need equipment: a suit, a compressor. Air is supplied to the suit with distribution to the legs. Tissues and blood vessels are compressed, an imitation of massage occurs. Improves the output of lymph, excess water. The exposure time is determined by the doctor. However, an important contraindication is nodes, bulging veins, kidney disease. Pressotherapy is indicated only at the initial stage of varicose veins.
magnet therapy
Impact on the veins with a low-frequency magnetic field. The method also reduces swelling, pain and heaviness in the legs. But, of course, it doesn't fix a damaged valve. In general, we can say that all types of physiotherapy are good only at the initial stage of varicose veins. We list the general contraindications:
- oncological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- hypertension;
- bleeding;
- tuberculosis;
- epilepsy;
- blood clotting disorders, etc.
In addition to physical therapy, regular cycling has a positive effect. The muscles of the legs in motion accelerate the reverse flow of blood, over time, relief from varicose veins occurs. Swimming is beneficial when, in general, the load on the veins decreases and at the same time all muscles are active. Even after one session, the swelling is noticeably reduced, lightness appears in the legs.
At almost all stages of varicose veins, the doctor prescribes the use of compression underwear (stockings, tights, stockings). The elastic tissue supports the veins, increases their tone and prevents swelling. These products are often used after operations and not just on the legs to protect the veins. For employees who spend a lot of time on their feet, anti-varicose stockings are extremely necessary. Proper use of them prevents the development of the disease.
Conclusion
Early diagnosis of varicose veins helps to prevent the development of the disease. Practicing adequate sports, taking venotonics is good prevention and treatment in the initial phase. However, in the presence of altered veins, only minimally invasive methods of therapy, or rather laser exposure, are suitable. The technique has a high cost, but at the same time it is chosen by most patients. The laser copes with even the most neglected cases. It remains only to ask questions about the most professional phlebologists in the region. After all, therapy tactics and a combination of methods cannot be read on the Internet, a unique personal experience is important here.