Varicose veins of the lower limbs

Varicose veins are a condition characterized by veins protruding through the skin, as well as thinning of the veins and the formation of subcutaneous nodes. The disease is often seen on the legs.

Varicose veins are a disease of the veins of the lower extremities, when specific dilations of the subcutaneous veins appear and develop in people who have never suffered from deep vein thrombosis.

This name first appeared in 1966 in an article by P. P. Alekseev and V. S. Bagdasaryan, then in 1972 in the book by V. S. Savelyev, E. P. Dumpe, P. G. Yablokov "Diseases of the Main Veins", and in 1983 the monograph by A. N. Vedensky "Varicose Disease" was published. Before that, there was the concept of "varicose veins", which was divided into primary, which arose independently, without apparent reasons, and secondary, which developed after a thrombosis of the deep venous trunks. This term is still used abroad, but only for the "primary" variant. If varicose veins appeared as a result of deep thrombosis, then foreign phlebologists refer it to post-thrombophlebitic syndrome.

What causes varicose veins in the lower extremities?

The true causes of varicose veins are still unknown. There are several theories that try to explain why the venous wall is rebuilt, causing the veins to unevenly expand, lengthen and twist, forming vascular knots - varices. In practice, all theories receive partial support and are not used in full. Therefore, today, as a hundred years ago, doctors treat not the disease itself, but its manifestations.

The main factors causing varicose veins are excessively fragile vessels and a weak venous valve. Such a valve is unable to cope with the pressure of the reverse blood flow, as a result of which the pressure on the vascular walls increases and the veins expand and bulge through the skin.

The risk factors for this unpleasant disease are as follows:

• standing for a long time. Varicose veins are often observed in people of such professions as surgeons, teachers, salespeople, hairdressers - that is, those who have to spend a lot of time standing;
• pregnancy. Pregnant women often notice varicose veins. This insidious disease appears due to the increase in the amount of blood in the body. In addition, the uterus with the fetus in it exerts mechanical pressure on the veins coming from the legs and being very susceptible to various external influences. In addition, the veins of a pregnant woman are significantly affected by estrogen and progesterone - sex hormones. As a rule, varicose veins, inherent in pregnant women, quickly disappear after the birth of the child;
• excess body weight, which increases the load on the legs when walking, also has a negative effect on the veins and provokes the development of varicose veins;
• deep vein thrombosis. This disease is characterized by intravenous pressure that increases so much that blood leaks through the communicating veins into the superficial veins, resulting in varicose veins;
• high intra-abdominal pressure. As is known, when you inhale, the veins expand, and when you exhale, on the contrary, they narrow. During straining, the intra-abdominal pressure increases, and the veins, as a result, also expand - this is due to the outflow of blood. Ailments that require straining include chronic cough, frequent constipation, as well as prostate adenoma, etc. These factors provoke the expansion of not only the leg veins, but also some other veins, for example, the rectal veins, which leads to hemorrhoids, and the veins of the spermatic cord, leading to varicocele;
• age. This is also an important factor, the result of which is varicose veins. With age, the vascular walls and venous valve lose elasticity, weaken, hence varicose veins appear;
• congenital pathologies of blood vessels can lead to the appearance of varicose veins;
• Previous surgeries and leg injuries are another cause of the disease.

How do varicose veins of the lower extremities manifest themselves?

According to statistics, today varicose veins affect about 40% of the entire population of planet Earth. Almost every person who has been affected by the disease, notes the appearance of small vascular "stars" from the first signs. Women, seeing this skin defect, fall into despair, hide their legs under dark tights, try to hide the stars with the help of cosmetics, thereby missing the moment of treating the disease.

Varicose veins in advanced form are fraught with severe swelling, trophic ulcers and discolored skin. Spider veins are the first symptom that alerts the patient that his health is threatened by a serious disease.

In addition to "stars", varicose veins manifest themselves as swelling in the ankles and lower leg. Varicose veins also give themselves away through pain in the calf muscles, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, and fatigue. At night, the calves often cramp.

How to recognize varicose veins?

Today, instrumental diagnostics of varicose veins is experiencing its second rise in half a century. X-ray contrast studies have made a huge contribution to understanding the pathogenesis of this disease. Phlebography still has its niche in the diagnostics of a number of phlebological pathologies, but not in varicose veins, where ultrasound duplex scanning has held the first place for over 10 years. With the help of ultrasound angioscanning, it is possible to “see” any vessel, its walls, intravasal formations, measure its diameter, determine the function of its valves in any place. The non-invasive nature of the study allows it to be continued indefinitely, performed in different positions of the patient and repeated any number of times.

The advantages of duplex scanning have made it the “gold standard” in modern phlebology.

The main place in modern diagnostics of varicose veins is occupied by surgical tasks:

1. indications for surgical intervention,
2. volume of operation,
3. intervention technology,
4. accuracy of accesses and their minimization.

How are varicose veins treated?

Many decades ago, varicose veins were treated only by surgery. Modern treatment methods are more humane and less dangerous to health. These include sclerotherapy, laser therapy, intravenous laser, surgery, hirudotherapy, and drug treatment.

Each method is good in its own way and has its pros and cons. The treatment method is selected individually by the attending physician. Based on the degree of development, age, financial situation, general condition and other aspects of the patient, the phlebologist decides on the method of treatment.

Varicose veins are a very dangerous disease that requires urgent medical intervention at the first signs of the disease. Do not self-medicate - you can lose precious time, and the treatment of the disease will be complicated many times over.

How to prevent varicose veins?

Varicose veins can ruin the life and mood of any person. However, you can avoid the disease if you follow some rules.

First of all, people who are overweight should bring their weight down to normal, because extra pounds put a lot of pressure on the veins and legs in general.

The process of losing weight should include not only special physical exercise, but also diet.

It is necessary to limit the consumption of foods rich in sodium - thanks to this, excess fluid will stop accumulating in the body.

It is necessary to include foods rich in fiber in your diet as often as possible - this will help get rid of constipation, which causes straining and, as a consequence, varicose veins.

People who are forced to sit or stand for long periods of time should change the position of their legs more often to avoid blood stagnation in the veins. You should not cross your legs while sitting on a chair, as this will disrupt blood flow, which can lead to unpleasant consequences.

After sitting or walking for a long time, it is recommended to lie down on the bed and put your feet on the wall - blood circulation in this situation will improve, and you will feel relief in your legs.

The next rule concerns women - it states that representatives of the fair half of humanity who are predisposed to such a disease as varicose veins are not recommended to wear shoes and other footwear with high heels.

Varicose veins signal their appearance at the initial stage of their development, so a person has every chance to immediately contact a doctor and begin an effective fight against this disease.