Treatment methods for varicose veins, possible causes and symptoms of the disease.

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

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins, or varicose veins, is a disease that is associated with a malfunction of the valve apparatus of the veins. As a result of their defeat, the normal flow of blood from the periphery is disrupted, and the blood stagnates in various parts of the vascular bed, causing them to expand.

The main contingent susceptible to the appearance of this disease are people over 40 years of age. This is due to the fact that at this time the vessels are exposed to various negative influences, which causes a decrease in their adaptive capacity.

Most often, varicose veins affect the lower extremities, but the disease process can also be seen in the groin or internal organs.

It is necessary to carry out preventive measures, since this pathology tends to progress and the treatment regimen for varicose veins is quite complicated.

Reasons

The main causes of varicose veins are considered excessive and insufficient mobility. The mechanism of normal blood flow through the veins is closely related to muscle contractions. During muscle tension, blood is pushed through the veins and the valves that are present in the vein cavity prevent its reverse flow.

Lack of physical activity causes congestion in the periphery, as a result of which the blood exerts excessive pressure on the valve apparatus.Excessive exercise also has a detrimental effect on the vascular system. Frequent muscle contractions can damage the valves in your veins.

In addition, there are a number of negative factors and diseases that increase the risk of developing varicose veins:

• Bad habits. Alcohol and nicotine have vasomotor properties. They can widen and contract the lumen of the blood vessels, disrupting normal blood flow.
• Coffee abuse.
• Uncomfortable shoes.
• genetic predisposition.
• Systemic connective tissue diseases.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Traumatic injuries.
• Overweight.

The presence of such factors significantly increases the risk of disease. Regardless of the etiological factor, the symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities will not be different.

Clinical manifestations

In general, the symptoms of this disease appear when there are already irreversible structural changes in the veins of the lower extremities. That is, the patient already requires surgical treatment at the time of going to the doctor.

In the early stages, varicose veins can be asymptomatic. Some patients complain of slight pain that occurs after walking or running for a long time. There are no specific symptoms to make a diagnosis. The initial forms of varicose veins can be detected exclusively with the help of instrumental examinations.

The symptoms of advanced varicose veins are as follows:

1. The appearance of cyanosis, which is localized along the veins.
2. The vessels protrude from the surface of the skin and form nodules. These formations are painful and dense, which is associated with inflammation and the process of proliferation of connective tissue in these areas (sclerosis).
3. Constant pain that does not depend on physical effort. If at the beginning of the development of pathology it occurs exclusively after a surge, then in later periods it can disturb the patient even in a dream. This is due to the fact that one of the signs of inflammation is pain syndrome. The intensity of the pain can be quite pronounced, leading to the appearance of lameness.
4. Increase in local temperature in the node area.

The appearance of the first symptoms of the disease requires an immediate visit to a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment.

Why Varicose Veins Are Dangerous

The lack of proper treatment is fraught with the development of a number of dangerous complications that threaten not only health, but also life. These include:

1. Thrombophlebitis. In the inflamed areas of the veins, blood flow slows down significantly. Such conditions are comfortable for the formation of blood clots. These blood clots can block the lumen of the vessel in the lower extremities, causing gangrene, or are carried with blood to the lungs, heart, brain, and other organs, causing an acute disturbance of the blood supply. These conditions are extremely difficult to treat and often cause disability and death.
2. Trophic ulcers. Violation of the venous flow of blood is always accompanied by disorders of microcirculation in the tissues of the lower extremities. Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to ulceration. These ulcers are difficult to treat and often recur, as therapy aimed at the root cause of their appearance is necessary.
3. Bleed. If varicose veins are accompanied by hypertension, this can lead to rupture of the peripheral vessels and bleeding. This is due to the fact that the dilated vessels become thinner and the high blood pressure values ​​can cause them to rupture. Also, hemorrhages can occur with minor mechanical damage, which in a healthy person will not even lead to the formation of a bruise.

Almost all complications can be aggravated by the addition of an infectious factor, which significantly worsens the condition and complicates treatment.

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

Diagnosis

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

For this, it is shown that the following surveys are carried out:

1. Complete blood count.
2. Blood biochemistry.
3. Coagulogram. This laboratory test can predict the development of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, based on the clotting properties of the blood. High clotting is a dangerous condition.
4. ultrasound. With the help of ultrasound, you can obtain a detailed image of the vascular bed and identify foci of inflammation that do not appear externally.
5. Phlebography. Obtaining a graphic image of the venous system of the lower extremities using a contrast agent allows you to study its structures in detail and reveal even the smallest changes.

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

An external examination is also important, during which the physician can see specific external manifestations, presumptive location, and trophic ulcers.

A phlebologist should be involved in the treatment and supervision of patients with this disease. It is this doctor who specializes in how to treat varicose veins.

Treatment

The treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is possible with the use of medications 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 the lower extremities is carried out according to a special scheme, which takes into account the effect on the pathological process and prevents the development of complications.

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

Conservative therapy

Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is only allowed in the early stages of disease progression.

It is worth remembering that conservative treatment only helps to eliminate the manifestations of the disease. It is impossible to achieve a long-lasting effect using only drugs. They work only for a certain time and cannot prevent the progression of the disease.

Varicose vein patients are shown to use the following groups of drugs:

• NSAIDs. It is advisable to apply non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs topically, in the form of ointments. In some cases, it is possible to prescribe these drugs in the form of tablets, but prolonged treatment can lead to the development of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease, which is caused by side effects.
• Antiplatelet Agents. The action of such drugs is aimed at preventing the formation of blood clots. The primitive representative is considered to be ordinary aspirin, which is used in small doses. They thin the blood, which facilitates the flow of blood through the inflamed veins. The use of such drugs is unacceptable for patients who have a tendency to bleed.
• Hormones of the prednisolone group. In cases where NSAIDs do not have the desired effect, the use of hormones from the adrenal cortex is indicated. These substances are also used as ointments. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and also improve the microcirculation of tissues. It is worth remembering that prolonged use of hormones also negatively affects the state of the body.
• Phlebotonic. This group of drugs is used in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities. They normalize the tone of the vascular wall, which ensures normal blood flow.

The treatment of varicose veins must be systematic. Regular cyclical intake of drugs allows you to maintain a constant concentration of active substances, which ensures a constant effect on damaged vessels.

The use of these medications should be done strictly as directed by a physician. Their independent use is strictly prohibited, as they can cause side effects, and they also have specific contraindications. Failure to comply with such restrictions is fraught with aggravation of the general condition.

Conservative therapy is most appropriate as a supportive method in preparation for planned surgery.

Surgical treatment

Many people wonder how to cure varicose veins without surgery. In fact, this is impossible. The main type of surgical treatment is saphenactomy.

A saphenectomy is an operation to remove large, damaged saphenous veins. Thanks to this, the foci of the disease are completely eliminated. But the downside of such treatment is a fairly large injury rate. More recently, such operations have been performed with a large number of incisions in the skin, which were necessary to provide access to the veins.

Today, modern methods of varicose vein treatment allow safe nectomy with a minimum number of incisions, as there are special probes to remove the veins. An incision can remove a vein up to half a meter long.

This operation has a series of contraindications that make it impossible to perform. These include:

1. Diabetes mellitus. This pathology is accompanied by the fact that wound healing is significantly reduced. In such a situation, surgical intervention can provoke purulent-septic processes that may require the amputation of the limbs.
2. Intolerance to antibacterial agents. Postoperatively, antibiotics are prescribed, which destroy the pathogenic flora that entered the wound during surgical treatment. Some patients are intolerant to these drugs. Surgical treatment without a course of antibiotic therapy is strictly prohibited.
3. Serious diseases of the cardiovascular system. Those pathologies that are accompanied by heart failure can become a contraindication, since with them the use of some anesthetic agents is prohibited.

Safenectomy is performed for uncomplicated forms of varicose veins. Those cases in which trophic ulcers or necrotic changes caused by an acute disturbance of the blood supply require an extension of the scope of the operation.

Possibly removal of ulcers during surgery. Therefore, prevention of tissue death is carried out. In cases where venous thrombosis has resulted in gangrene, amputation is necessary. Such an operation is carried out only in extreme cases.

There are also modern minimally invasive treatment methods, including:

• Sclerotherapy.
• Radiofrequency ablation.
• Laser ablation.

These treatment methods are based on the obstruction of the lumen of the blood vessels and its subsequent destruction with the help of chemical or physical factors.

It is advisable to use them in the early stages of the disease. In such a situation, the risk of relapse becomes minimal. It is not worth using such a treatment with advanced varicose veins, as this may require a fairly large number of sessions.

Folk remedies

Some sources suggest the use of various traditional medicines as a treatment for varicose veins in the legs. Doing this is strongly discouraged, as the effect of plants on this pathology has not been scientifically confirmed.

Treatment of varicose veins in the lower extremities should be planned exclusively by a licensed medical specialist. Methods to treat varicose veins without surgery only help to delay their implementation. You should not turn to several folk healers, because the time lost before the start of proper treatment can lead to amputation.

Concomitant therapy

To achieve the maximum effect of the treatment, additional measures should be taken in conjunction with the use of medications. These include:

• Dieting. Patients with varicose veins should avoid fatty foods. Helps 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 thrombi. You also need to drink plenty of fluids to thin your blood. It is recommended to drink plain water, not carbonated drinks or tea.
• Keep your legs elevated periodically. These procedures stimulate the blood flow under its own weight, which prevents congestion.
• Wear tight socks. In the upright position of the body, these stockings prevent the accumulation of blood in the dilated veins. But it is necessary to apply such stockings correctly, since prolonged use can adversely affect the condition of the foot, as well as the skin in the lower leg area.
• Walking. Patients must maintain an active lifestyle. In the later stages of varicose veins, walks should be short-lived and not cause leg pain or fatigue.

In addition, comorbid conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, or obesity should be treated. The presence of such therapy allows in some cases to be limited only to drug treatment, which guarantees a favorable outcome of the disease.

Prevention

To prevent the development of varicose veins, you must follow a series of simple rules that will reduce the risk of their occurrence. All of them aim to maintain normal blood properties as well as create a normal lifestyle. Among them are:

1. Drink at least one and a half liters a day.
2. Proper nutrition. This term implies not only the provision of all necessary substances in the diet and the exclusion of harmful foods, but also regular meals. Eating at the same time allows you to take in the maximum of nutrients from food, as a reflex develops and a sufficient amount of gastric juice is released.
3. Give up bad habits.
4. Limit the amount of coffee and other energy drinks.
5. Stay mobile even when sitting. For this, there are special exercises, the purpose of which is to contract the muscles of the legs.
6. Timely treatment of diseases. Any pathology in the human body can have long-term consequences. To avoid this, you should always seek the help of medical professionals if any symptoms appear, and also undergo preventive examinations.

Today, there are several 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 at the beginning of the disease.