Treatments for varicose veins, possible causes and symptoms of the disease

Varicose veins is a very common condition that significantly reduces quality of life and causes dangerous complications that require expensive and complex treatment.

What is varicose veins?

Varicose veins, or varicose veins, is a disease that involves the breakdown of the valve apparatus of a vein. As a result, their failure, the normal outflow of blood from the periphery is interrupted, and blood becomes stagnant in different parts of the vascular bed, causing them to expand.

The main subjects prone to this disease are people over the age of 40. This is because during this time ships are subjected to various negative impacts, reducing their adaptability.

Usually, varicose veins affect the lower extremities, but the pathological process can also be observed in the groin or internal organs.

It is necessary to take preventive measures, as the pathology tends to progress and the regimen of varicose veins is quite complex.

The Reason

The main causes of varicose veins are considered to be due to excessive and inadequate exercise. The mechanism of normal venous blood flow is closely related to muscle contraction. During muscle tension, blood is pushed through veins, and the valves present in the venous cavity block its backflow.

Lack of physical activity leads to a blockage in the periphery, so blood puts excessive pressure on the valve body.Excessive stress also has a negative effect on the vascular system. Frequent muscle contractions can damage the valves in your veins.

Also, there are a number of negative factors and illnesses that increase the risk of varicose veins:

• Bad habits. Alcohol and nicotine have vasomotor properties. They can enlarge and constrict the lumen, disrupting normal blood flow.
• Abuse of coffee.
• Not comfortable shoes.
• Genetic disposition.
• Systemic connective tissue disease.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes.
• Injury due to injury.
• Overweight.

The presence of these factors greatly increases the risk of disease. Regardless of the etiological factor, the symptoms of lower extremity varicose veins will not be different.

Clinical manifestations

Usually, symptoms of this disease appear when there have been irreversible structural changes in the veins of the lower extremities. That is, the patient needed surgical treatment at the time of examination.

In the early stages, varicose veins can be asymptomatic. Some patients complain of mild aches and pains that occur after long walks or runs. There are no specific symptoms that can help make a diagnosis. Initial forms of varicose veins can be detected only with the help of instrumental exams.

The symptoms of advanced varicose veins are as follows:

1. Cyanosis, localized along the veins.
2. These bumps on the surface of the skin and form nodules. These formations are painful and dense, and are associated with inflammation and connective tissue proliferation in these areas (sclerosis).
3. Persistent pain independent of exertion. If at the very beginning of the development of the pathology it occurs only after overpressure, then in later stages it can disturb the patient even in dreams. This is because one of the signs of inflammation is pain syndrome. The intensity of the pain can be quite pronounced, leading to lameness.
4. Increases the local temperature in the area of ​​the buttons.

When the first symptoms of the disease appear, it is necessary to immediately seek medical facilities for diagnosis and treatment.

Why varicose veins are dangerous

Without adequate treatment, it will lead to a number of dangerous complications that not only threaten health but also life. These include:

1. Thrombophlebitis. In areas of inflamed veins, blood flow is significantly slowed. Such conditions are very comfortable for the formation of blood clots. These clots can clog the lumen of the lower extremities, cause necrosis or get blood into the lungs, heart, brain and other organs, causing an acute violation of blood supply. These conditions are extremely difficult to treat and often lead to disability and death.
2. Nutritional ulcers. A violation of the flow of blood in the veins is always accompanied by microcirculation disorders in the tissues of the lower extremities. Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to ulcers. These sores are difficult to treat and often recur, so treatment is needed to address the root cause of their appearance.
3. Bleeding. If varicose veins are accompanied by hypertension, then this can lead to rupture of peripheral vessels and bleeding. This is due to the fact that dilated vessels become thinner and high blood pressure values ​​can cause them to rupture. In addition, bleeding can occur with small mechanical damage, in healthy people will not even lead to a hematoma formation.

Almost all complications can be exacerbated with the addition of an infectious factor, which worsens the condition and further complicates the treatment.

If there are complications, the treatment of varicose veins should be reconsidered.

Diagnosis

If varicose veins are suspected, the patient should undergo a series of examinations, the purpose of which is to confirm the diagnosis, as well as assess the condition of the tissues surrounding the pathological foci.

To do this, it is necessary to conduct the following surveys:

1. Complete blood count.
2. Blood chemistry.
3. Coagulation chart. This laboratory test helps to predict the development of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, based on clotting properties. High blood clotting is a threatening condition.
ultrasound
4. . With the help of an ultrasound, you can obtain a detailed picture of the vascular bed and identify non-appearing inflammatory foci.
5. Phlebography. Obtaining a graphic image of the lower limb vein system using a contrast agent allows you to study its structure in detail and identify even the slightest changes.

In addition to laboratory and instrumental studies, specific tests are performed to assess the condition of soft tissues and also to assess the degree of circulatory failure.

External examination is also important, in that the doctor can see specific outward manifestations, hypothetical localization, and trophic ulcers.

A phlebist doctor should be involved in the treatment and supervision of a patient with this disease. It is this doctor who specializes in the treatment of varicose veins.

Healing

It is possible to treat varicose veins of the lower extremities using drugs or performing surgical interventions. The choice of treatment method depends on the severity of the changes observed in the affected area.

Medical treatment of varicose veins of lower extremities is carried out according to a special program, taking into account the effect on the pathological process and the prevention of the development of complications.

Surgical treatment of varicose veins is most effective, as it allows you to get rid of the pathology permanently. However, it is not allowed for all patients and has a number of contraindications.

Conservative therapy

Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is allowed only in the early stage of progressive disease.

It should be remembered that conservative treatment only helps to eliminate the manifestations of the disease. Long-term effects cannot be achieved with the use of drugs alone. They only work for a certain time and are not able to prevent the progression of the disease.

Patients with varicose veins are indicated to use the following groups of drugs:

• NSAIDs. It is recommended to apply nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs topically, in the form of an ointment. In some cases, it is possible to prescribe these drugs in the form of tablets, but the long course of treatment can lead to the development of gastritis or gastric ulcers due to side effects.
• Antiplatelet agents. The action of such drugs is aimed at preventing blood clots. The primitive agent is considered to be the common aspirin, which is used in small doses. They thin the blood, allowing it to flow through the inflamed veins. The use of such drugs is unacceptable to patients with a tendency to bleeding.
• Hormone of the prednisolone group. In cases where the NSAID does not have the desired effect, the use of adrenocortical hormones is indicated. These are also used as ointments. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and also improve tissue microcirculation. It should be remembered that long-term use of hormones also has a detrimental effect on the state of the body.
• Phlebotonics. This class of drugs is used in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities. They normalize the tone of the vessel wall, ensuring normal blood flow.

Treatment for varicose veins should be systematic. Taking the pill at regular intervals allows you to maintain a steady concentration of the active ingredient, ensuring a constant effect on the damaged vessels.

The use of these drugs should be strictly adhered to as directed by the doctor. Their independent use is strictly forbidden, as they can cause side effects and also have specific contraindications. Failure to comply with such restrictions will exacerbate the general situation.

Conservative treatment is the most suitable support method to prepare for the planned surgery.

Surgical treatment

Many people are wondering how to cure varicose veins without surgery? In practice, this is not possible. The main type of surgical treatment is saphenectomy.

Safe surgical resection is a surgery to remove damaged large hemispherical veins. Thanks to that, the disease foci are completely eliminated. But the downside of such a treatment is the high rate of injury. More recently, such surgeries have been performed with a large number of skin incisions, needed to provide sugar into the veins.

Nowadays, modern varicose treatments allow safe surgical resection with a minimal number of incisions, as there are special probes to extract the veins. An incision can remove a piece of vein up to half a meter long.

This action has some contraindications that make it impossible for you to do so. These include:

1. Diabetes. This pathology is accompanied by the fact that wound healing is significantly reduced. In such situations, surgical intervention can cause purulent infectious processes and limb amputation may be required.
2. Intolerance to antibacterial agents. In the postoperative period, antibiotics are prescribed to destroy the pathogenic microbes that enter the wound during surgical treatment. Some patients have intolerance to these drugs. Surgical treatment without antibiotic therapy is strictly prohibited.
3. Serious diseases of the cardiovascular system. The conditions associated with heart failure may become contraindicated, since their use of certain anesthetics is prohibited.

Safe excision is performed for uncomplicated forms of varicose veins. Observed cases of trophic ulcers or necrotic changes due to acute disorders of blood supply are observed to need to expand the scope of surgery.

It is possible to remove ulcers during surgery. Hence, the suppression of tissue death is performed. In cases where venous thrombosis has resulted in gangrene, amputation is necessary. Such operation is performed only in extreme cases.

There are also modern minimally invasive treatments, among them:

• Treatment.
• Cut off radio frequencies.
• Laser excision.

These treatments are based on blockage of the lumen of the blood vessels and their further destruction with the help of chemicals or physical factors.

Should be used in the early stages of the disease. In such situations, the risk of relapse becomes minimal. Such treatment should not be used with advanced varicose veins, as this can require a fairly large number of treatment sessions.

Folk remedies

Several sources suggest the use of various traditional medicine drugs as a treatment for varicose leg veins. This practice is not recommended because the effect of the plant in this pathology has not been scientifically confirmed.

Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities should be planned individually by a certified medical professional. Non-surgical treatment for varicose veins only helps to prolong the time. You should not seek out many different folk remedies, as taking time before starting the right treatment can lead to amputation.

Concomitant treatment

To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take additional measures in conjunction with the use of the drug. These include:

• Diet. Patients with varicose veins should avoid fatty foods. It helps to increase cholesterol levels and blood viscosity. Such processes lead to an increase in the slowdown of peripheral blood circulation in the area of ​​varicose veins and provoke the formation of a thrombus. You also need to drink plenty of fluids to thin the blood. Drink water, not carbonated water or tea.
• Periodically raise the legs. Such procedures stimulate the flow of blood below its own weight, helping to prevent blockages.
• Wear tight socks. In the upright position of the body, such socks prevent the accumulation of blood in dilated veins. But it is important to apply the stockings properly, as long wearing can negatively affect the condition of the foot, as well as the skin in the lower legs.
• Walk. Patients need to maintain an active lifestyle. In the later stages of varicose veins, a short walk should not cause fatigue or pain in the legs.

In addition, it is necessary to treat comorbidities such as atherosclerosis, diabetes or obesity. The presence of such therapy allows in some cases to be limited to drug therapy, which guarantees a favorable outcome of the disease.

Precautions

To prevent the development of varicose veins, you need to follow some simple rules that will reduce the chance of it appearing. All of them are aimed at maintaining normal blood properties, as well as creating a normal lifestyle. Among them are:

1. Drink at least one and a half liters of fluids per day.
2. Proper nutrition. This term not only implies the provision of all substances needed in the diet and the elimination of harmful foods, but also common meals. Eating at the same time allows you to maximize the absorption of nutrients from the food, thereby forming a reflex and secreting enough gastric juice.
3. Get rid of bad habits.
4. Limit coffee and other energy drinks.
5. Maintain mobility even while sitting. For this, there are special exercises, the purpose of which is to contract the muscles of the leg.
6. Treat the disease promptly. Any pathology of the human body can cause long-term consequences. To avoid this, you should always seek the help of a medical professional for any symptoms and also get a preventive check.

Nowadays, there are many different ways to treat varicose veins. With timely diagnosis, they allow you to get rid of the problem once and for all. Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is recommended only in the early stages of the disease.