Methods of treating varicose veins, possible causes and symptoms of the disease

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

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins, or varicose veins, are a disease associated with dysfunction of the valve system of the veins. Due to their defeat, the normal outflow of blood from the periphery is disturbed, and blood stagnates in various parts of the vascular bed, causing them to expand.

People over 40 are the main contingent susceptible to the onset of this disease. This is due to the fact that at this time the vessels are exposed to various negative influences, which leads to a decrease in their ability to adapt.

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 preventive measures, since this pathology tends to progress, and the scheme of treatment of varicose veins is rather 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 in the venous cavity prevent 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 apparatus.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 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 constrict the lumen of blood vessels, which disrupts normal blood flow.
• Abuse of coffee.
• Uncomfortable shoes.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Systemic connective tissue diseases.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Traumatic injuries.
• Overweight.

The presence of such factors greatly 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, symptoms of this disease appear when there are already irreversible structural changes in the veins of the lower extremities. In other words, the patient already needs surgical treatment when it comes time to go to the doctor.

In the early stages, varicose veins may be asymptomatic. Some patients complain of mild pain that occurs after a long walk or run. There are no specific symptoms by which to make a diagnosis. The initial forms of varicose veins can be detected exclusively with the help of instrumental examinations.

Symptoms of advanced varicose veins are as follows:

1. The appearance of cyanosis, localized along the veins.
2. The vessels swell above 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 exertion. If at the very beginning of the development of pathology this occurs exclusively after a surge, then in later periods it can disturb the patient even in a dream. This is because one of the signs of inflammation is pain syndrome. The intensity of the pain can be quite pronounced, which leads to the appearance of lameness.
4. Local temperature rise in the node area.

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

Why varicose veins are dangerous

Lack of adequate treatment leads to the development of a number of 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 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 the blood to the lungs, heart, brain, and other organs, causing an acute disruption of blood supply. . These conditions are extremely difficult to treat and often result in disability and death.
2. Trophic ulcers. Violation of the venous outflow 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 reappear, as it is necessary to carry out treatment aimed at the root cause of their appearance.
3. Bleeding. If varicose veins are accompanied by hypertension, it can lead to rupture of peripheral vessels and bleeding. This is because the dilated vessels become thinner and high blood pressure values ​​can cause them to rupture. In addition, hemorrhages can occur with minor mechanical damage, which in a healthy person will not even lead to the formation of a hematoma.

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

In case of complications, the treatment of varicose veins should be reconsidered.

Diagnostics

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

To do this, it is shown that it conducts the following surveys:

1. Complete blood count.
2. Biochemistry of blood.
3. Coagulogram. This laboratory test can predict the development of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, based on the properties of blood coagulation. High coagulation is a threatening condition.
Ultrasound
4. . With the help of ultrasound, you can get a detailed picture of the vascular bed and identify foci of inflammation that do not appear on the outside.
5. Phlebography. Obtaining a graphic image of the venous system of the lower extremities with the help of 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 condition of soft tissues, as well as the degree of circulatory failure.

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

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

Processing

Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is possible with the use of drugs or by 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, because it allows you to get rid of the pathology forever. However, it is not licensed for all patients and has a number of contraindications.

Conservative therapy

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

It should be remembered that conservative treatment helps only to eliminate the manifestations of the disease. It is impossible to achieve a lasting effect using only drugs. They only work for a while and cannot prevent the progression of the disease.

Patients with varicose veins use the following groups of drugs:

• NSAIDs. It is advisable to apply nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs topically, in the form of ointments. In some cases, it is possible to prescribe these drugs in tablet form, but prolonged treatment can lead to the development of gastritis or peptic ulcer, which is caused by side effects.
• Antiplatelet agents. The action of these drugs is aimed at preventing blood clots. The primary representative is considered usual aspirin which is used in small doses. They thin the blood, making it easier for blood to flow through the inflamed veins. The use of such drugs is unacceptable for patients who tend to bleed.
• Hormones from 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 pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and also improve tissue microcirculation. It should be remembered that the long-term use of hormones also has a detrimental effect on the condition 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 guarantees a constant effect on damaged vessels.

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

Conservative therapy is the most appropriate supportive method for planned surgery.

Surgical treatment

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

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

Today, modern methods of treating varicose veins allow safenectomy with a minimum number of incisions, since there are special probes for the extraction of veins. A vein up to half a meter long can be removed from an incision.

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

1. Diabetes mellitus. This pathology is accompanied by the fact that the healing of wounds is significantly reduced. In such a situation, surgical intervention can provoke purulent-septic processes, which may require limb amputation.
2. Intolerance to antibacterial agents. In the postoperative period, antibiotics are prescribed, which destroy the pathogenic flora that got into the wound during surgical treatment. Some patients have an intolerance to these drugs. Surgical treatment without antibiotic treatment is strictly prohibited.
3. Serious diseases of the cardiovascular system. Pathologies accompanied by heart failure can become a contraindication, since the use of certain anesthetic agents is prohibited with them.

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

Perhaps excision of ulcers during surgery. Thus, prevention of tissue death is carried out. In cases where venous thrombosis has led to gangrene, amputation is necessary. Such an operation is carried out only in extreme cases.

There are also modern minimally invasive methods of treatment, including:

• Sclerotherapy.
• Radiofrequency ablation.
• Laser ablation.

These treatment methods are based on the clogging of the lumen of blood vessels and their subsequent destruction with the help of chemicals 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 worthwhile to apply such treatment with advanced varicose veins, as it may require a fairly large number of sessions.

Folk remedies

Some sources suggest using various traditional medicines as a treatment for varicose veins in the legs. It is strongly not recommended to do this, since the effect of plants in this pathology has not been scientifically confirmed.

The treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs should only be planned by a certified medical specialist. Methods of treating varicose veins without surgery only delay its implementation. You should not turn to various traditional healers, as time wasted before proper treatment begins can lead to amputation.

Concomitant treatment

In order to achieve the maximum effect from treatment, additional measures should be taken at the same time as the use of medicines. These include:

• Dieting. Patients with varicose veins should avoid fatty foods. It helps increase cholesterol levels and blood viscosity. Such processes lead to an increase in the slowing of peripheral blood circulation in the area of ​​varicose veins and provoke the formation of thrombi. You should also drink lots of fluids to thin your blood. Drinking plain water is recommended, not soft drinks or tea.
• Keep your legs elevated regularly. Such procedures stimulate the outflow of blood under its own weight, which prevents congestion.
• Wear tight stockings. In an upright position of the body, such stockings prevent the accumulation of blood in the dilated veins. But it is necessary to apply these stockings correctly, since prolonged wear can negatively affect the condition of the foot, as well as the skin in the leg area.
• Walk. Patients should maintain an active lifestyle. In the later stages of varicose veins, walks should be of short duration and not cause fatigue or pain in the legs.

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 to the disease.

Prevention

In order to avoid the development of varicose veins, you need to follow a number of simple rules that will reduce the risk of its occurrence. All of them are aimed at maintaining normal blood properties and creating a normal lifestyle. Among them are:

1. Drink fluids at least a liter and a half a day.
2. Good nutrition. This term implies not only the intake 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 get the most nutrients from food, as a reflex is developed and a sufficient amount of gastric juice is released.
3. Stop bad habits.
4. Limit the amount of 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 legs.
6. Timely treatment of diseases. Any pathology of the human body can have long-term consequences. In order to avoid this, you should always seek help from healthcare professionals when symptoms appear, and also undergo preventive examinations.

Today there are different ways to treat varicose veins. With prompt diagnosis, they allow you to get rid of the problem once and for all. Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is only advisable at the very beginning of the disease.