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 are a disease associated with malfunction of the venous valve apparatus. As a result of their defeat, the normal outflow of blood from the periphery is stopped and the blood stops in various parts of the vascular bed, causing the expansion.

The main body that is susceptible to this disease is people over 40 years old. This is due to the fact that so far the boats are exposed to various negative effects, which causes a reduction in their adaptability.

Most often, 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 precautionary measures, as this pathology tends to evolve and the treatment regimen for varicose veins is rather complicated.

Reasons

The main causes of varicose veins are considered to be 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 in the vein cavity block its reverse flow.

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

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

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

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

Clinical manifestations

Usually 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 needs surgical treatment the moment he goes to the doctor.

In the early stages, varicose veins may be asymptomatic. Some patients complain of slight pain that occurs after a long walk or run. There are no specific symptoms that make the diagnosis possible. The original forms of varicose veins can be detected exclusively with the help of instruments.

The symptoms of advanced varicose veins are as follows:

1. The appearance of cyanosis, which is located along the veins.
2. The vessels swell above the surface of the skin and form nodules. These formations are painful and dense, associated with inflammation and the process of connective tissue proliferation in these areas (sclerosis)
3. Constant pain that does not depend on physical exercise. If at the beginning of the development of the pathology it appears exclusively after hypertension, then in later periods it can bother the patient even in a dream. This is because one of the signs of inflammation is pain. The intensity of the pain can be quite intense, which leads to the appearance of lameness.
4. Local temperature increase in the area of ​​the nodes.

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

Lack of adequate treatment is fraught with the development of certain dangerous complications that threaten not only health but also life. These include:

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

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

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

Diagnostics

If you suspect varicose veins, the patient should undergo a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis, as well as to assess the condition of the tissues surrounding the foci of pathology.

To do this, it seems to be doing the following research:

1. Complete blood count.
2. Blood biochemistry.
3. Coagulation program. This laboratory test makes it possible to predict the development of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, based on the blood clotting properties. High coagulation is a threatening condition.
4. ultrasound. With the help of ultrasound, you can get a detailed picture of the vascular bed and locate foci of inflammation that do not appear externally.
5. Venography. Taking 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 organic and laboratory studies, special tests are performed to assess the condition of the soft tissues and also to assess the degree of circulatory failure.

An external examination is also important, during which the doctor can see external special manifestations, possible localization and food ulcers.

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

Treatment

Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is possible with the use of drugs or surgery. The choice of treatment method depends on how serious changes are observed in the affected area.

The 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.

Varicose vein surgery is the most effective, as it allows you to get rid of the pathology forever. However, it is not allowed for all patients and has several contraindications.

Conservative treatment

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

It is worth remembering that conservative treatment only helps to eliminate the manifestations of the disease. It is impossible to achieve a lasting result using only drugs. They act only for a certain period of time and can not prevent the progression of the disease.

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

• NSAIDs. It is recommended to apply topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments. In some cases, these drugs may be prescribed in tablet form, but a long course of treatment can lead to the development of gastritis or peptic ulcer, which is caused by side effects.
• Antiplatelet agents. The action of such drugs is aimed at preventing blood clots. The primitive agent is considered to be ordinary aspirin, which is used in small doses. They dilute 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 adrenal cortex hormones is indicated. These substances are also used as ointments. They have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and also improve tissue microcirculation. It is worth remembering that long-term use of hormones also has a detrimental effect on the condition of the body.
• Phlebotonics. This group of drugs is used to treat varicose veins of the lower extremities. They normalize the tone of the vascular wall, which ensures normal blood flow.

Treatment of varicose veins should be systematic. Taking cyclic medications regularly allows you to maintain a constant concentration of active ingredients, which ensures a stable effect on damaged blood vessels.

The use of these drugs should be strictly according to the instructions of a doctor. Their independent use is strictly forbidden, as they can cause side effects and also have specific contraindications. Non-compliance with these restrictions is fraught with deterioration of the general situation.

Conservative treatment is the most appropriate as a supportive method for the preparation of the 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 sapanectomy.

Saphenectomy is an operation to remove damaged large saphenous veins. Thanks to this, the outbreaks of the disease are completely eliminated. But the disadvantage of such a treatment is a fairly large percentage of injury. More recently, such surgeries 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 treating varicose veins allow sapanectomy with a minimal number of incisions, as there are special detectors for venous extraction. An incision can remove a vein up to half a meter long.

This function has a number 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 case, surgery can cause purulent-septic procedures that may require limb amputation.
2. Intolerance to antibacterial agents. During the postoperative period, antibiotics are prescribed, which destroy the pathogenic flora that entered the wound during surgery. Some patients are intolerant to these drugs. Surgical treatment without treatment with antibiotics is strictly prohibited.
3. Serious diseases of the cardiovascular system. These pathologies accompanied by heart failure may be a contraindication, as the use of certain anesthetic agents is prohibited.

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

Possibly resection of ulcers during surgery. This is how tissue death is prevented. In cases where venous thrombosis has led to gangrene, amputation is required. Such an operation is performed only in extreme cases.

There are also modern minimally invasive treatments, including:

• Sclerotherapy.
• Remove radio frequencies.
• Laser catalysis.

These methods of treatment are based on blocking the lumen of blood vessels and further destroying them with the help of chemical or physical agents.

Their use is recommended in the early stages of the disease. In such a situation, the risk of recurrence becomes minimal. It is not worthwhile to apply 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 remedy for varicose veins. Doing so 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 an authorized physician. The methods of treatment of varicose veins without surgery only help to delay its application. You should not turn to various folk healers, because the time lost before proper treatment can lead to amputation.

Simultaneous treatment

In order to achieve the maximum effect of the treatment, it is necessary to take additional measures together with the use of drugs. These include:

• Diet. Patients with varicose veins should avoid fatty foods. Helps increase cholesterol levels and blood viscosity. Such processes lead to an increase in the slowing down of peripheral blood circulation in the area of ​​the dilated veins and cause a clot to form. You should also drink plenty of fluids to thin your blood. It is recommended to drink plain water, not carbonated drinks or tea.
• Periodically keep your feet high. Such procedures stimulate blood flow under its weight, which prevents congestion.
• Wearing tight socks. In the upright position of the body, such socks prevent the accumulation of blood in the dilated veins. But you must use such socks properly, as prolonged wear 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, the walks should be short and not cause fatigue or pain in the legs.

In addition, co-morbid conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes or obesity should be treated. The presence of such a treatment allows in some cases to be limited only to medication, which ensures a favorable outcome of the disease.

Prevention

To prevent the development of varicose veins, you need to follow a number of simple rules that will reduce the risk of developing them. All this is aimed at maintaining normal properties in the blood, as well as creating a normal lifestyle. Among them are:

1. Drink at least one and a half liters of fluid a day.
2. The right diet. This term implies not only the provision of all the necessary substances in the diet and the exclusion of harmful foods, but also regular meals. Simultaneous consumption allows you to get the maximum nutrients from food, as it develops a reflex and releases a sufficient amount of gastric juice.
3. Stop bad habits.
4. Limit the amount of coffee and other energy drinks.
5. Maintain mobility even when sitting. For this, there are special exercises, the purpose of which is the contraction of the leg muscles.
6. Early treatment of diseases. Any pathology in the human body can cause long-term consequences. To avoid this, you should always seek the help of medical professionals if symptoms occur and also undergo preventive examinations.

Today, there are several ways to treat varicose veins. With early 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.