Varicose veins of the lower limbs are a problem that affects over 60% of the world population. The term "varicose veins" from the Latin "varix" is interpreted as "expansion". Hence the definition of the pathological condition - the expansion of the lumen of the veins of the lower extremities and pelvic organs, which significantly impairs the blood flow in the vessels and, consequently, worsens the general condition of the patient. In the material below we will consider the causes of varicose veins, the possible complications of the disease and the main ways of treating the pathology.
Causes and Risk Factors: Everyone is susceptible to them
Important:if varicose veins exceed young people under the age of 25, here the distribution by gender occurs 50: 50. That is, both boys and girls are equally sick. At a more mature age, women are more likely to have varicose veins due to pregnancy and significant age-related changes in hormone levels.
If we consider varicose veins from the inside, then anatomically, the expansion of the lumen of the veins occurs due to a malfunction of the venous valves that regulate blood flow. Malfunctioning valves do not close completely with each heartbeat. As a result, blood from the heart jerks to the lower limbs due to gravity.
Normally, the valves should close and allow blood to flow in portions to the legs. But, unfortunately, the blood flow enters the legs more intensely, and in the opposite direction it moves less intensely due to the same malfunction of the valve system. Leg veins overflowing with blood lose their elasticity and stretch over time.
The main predisposing factors for the development of a pathological state of blood vessels are:
- genetic component (the disease can be transmitted by female or male line within the family);
- overweight;
- postponed pregnancies;
- passive lifestyle;
- excessive physical activity;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- hormonal disorders.
Male problems
If we consider the causes of varicose veins, depending on the sex of the patient, then in men and women they are slightly different. More precisely, each of the representatives of different sexes is prone to certain habits, which sooner or later can provoke the pathology of the vessels of the lower extremities. So, for men, the risk factors are:
- strength training with weight lifting from the squat position;
- overweight and obesity;
- unbalanced diet, which causes frequent constipation;
- pathological processes of the kidneys (tumors of various etiologies);
- inguinal hernia;
- sedentary work;
- smoking and drinking alcohol.
Important:men are characterized not only by the development of varicose veins of the lower limbs, but also by varicose veins of the spermatic cord. This pathology is called varicocele. Such a condition is hereditary, that is, it is exclusively genetic in nature and is not prevented even by enhanced preventive measures. Only 2-4% of men suffer from varicocele. The cause of the pathology is the asymmetrical anatomical position and structure of the male genital organs.
Due to the fact that men suffer from false shyness or do not have time to visit a specialist at the beginning of the disease, varicose veins are more difficult for them than for women.
Varicose veins in women have their own laws
For women, varicose veins are more "familiar" than men. More than 80% of women suffer from vascular pathology of the legs. In addition, the risk group includes the fair sex who prefer this lifestyle or experience the following conditions:
- wearing tight shoes with high heels;
- sedentary or standing work;
- hereditary predisposition;
- changes in hormone levels during pregnancy or with autoimmune diseases;
- wearing too tight underwear, jeans;
- to smoke;
- low percentage of fruits and vegetables in the diet (constant diets and hunger);
- love of tanning (frequent visits to the solarium or staying in direct sunlight);
- strong weight gain;
- reduced mobility.
Pregnancy is where the "dog is buried"
Although the manifestations of varicose veins, the causes and treatment of which should be established and prescribed only by a phlebologist, are not initially observed in a woman, in 30% of cases it becomes noticeable during pregnancy. Here, the main trap lies in the growing fetus and with it the uterus, which tightly squeezes the pelvic organs. As a result, blood circulation in the lower body is significantly impaired. The return flow of blood from the legs to the top is difficult. This effect on the deep veins of the legs leads to the fact that the vessels are actively stretched both in width and in length.
In addition to the growth of the uterine organ and the pressure exerted on the vessels of the pelvic organs, varicose veins in pregnant women also develop under the influence of such factors:
- Increased blood clotting. Therefore, nature insures a woman against a large loss of blood in childbirth. The thicker blood moves harder through the veins.
- An increase in the level of the hormone progesterone, which leads to relaxation of the muscles and blood vessels of the uterus, so that it can rise freely and without tone as the fetus grows. But at the same time, the walls of the remaining vessels also relax. The veins become less elastic and the thick blood stretches their walls already weakened by progesterone even more.
- Increased blood pressure for better oxygen supply to the fetus. As a result, the body tries to quickly guide thick blood through the relaxed vessels. Its volume in the legs increases due to this.
- Low mobility of a pregnant woman with belly growth. This leads to blood stagnation in the legs and pelvic organs.
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated and paid attention, over time the patient can develop very serious complications that may even require a complete surgery. In the worst case, the patient can undergo amputation of the diseased limb. Below we will consider the most common and dangerous complications of varicose veins.
Chronic venous insufficiency
With the development of such a complication, an active breakdown of the venous valves occurs. In addition, the pathological process is divided into four stages:
- Zero. The patient experiences slight swelling and rare pain in the legs after a hard day.
- First. On the surface of the skin, the venous network of dilated vessels is visualized.
- Second. Swollen veins with blood clots and knots are clearly visible. There is redness of the skin areas in places of inflamed veins, itching, sores.
- Third. Trophic ulcers form on the legs with inflamed veins.
Important:signs of chronic venous insufficiency are itchy legs, soreness, burning sensation in prolonged sitting, swelling, night cramps.
Thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins
In this case, the patient develops a tendency to form blood clots. Clots actively block the lumen of the veins, making it difficult for blood to flow. In most cases, blood clots and clots are localized in the vessels of the lower third of the thigh or upper third of the leg. Symptoms of venous thrombophlebitis are:
- redness of the skin of the legs in the places of clot formation;
- pain in the legs;
- on palpation - hardening of the veins.
Important:with thrombophlebitis, it is necessary to wear compression stockings. The compression formula should be selected by a specialist - angiosurgeon or phlebologist.
Trophic ulcer
This complication manifests itself already in the later stages of venous insufficiency. First, the patient develops increased vascular permeability. A whitish seal with a paint-like surface is formed on the surface of the skin. An ulcer forms under it. At the slightest injury to the inflamed area, the ulcer opens and the separation of exudate begins. The oozing wound can be secondarily infected, which leads to purulent inflammatory processes.
Important:in this condition, complete wound healing is first required, and only then a full surgical intervention is performed to remove the affected vessels.
Pulmonary embolism
An equally dangerous complication, in which a thrombus detaches from the inflamed vein and travels to the pulmonary artery. This artery is directly involved in the organization of blood flow in a small circle, which affects the right ventricle of the heart. If the diameter of the detached thrombus is less than the lumen of the artery, the clot travels to the branches of the pulmonary artery, causing pulmonary edema or heart attack. In this case, the patient will feel significant chest pain. A wet cough mixed with blood, an increase in body temperature and weakness will also appear. If the diameter of the clot is equal to the diameter of the lumen of the pulmonary artery, then there is instantaneous blockage and death for the patient.
Detachment of a blood clot can be triggered by the following conditions:
- perform surgical interventions;
- oncology;
- heart failure;
- long bed rest.
Conservative and surgical treatment
Varicose veins can be treated both conservatively and operatively, depending on the stage of the pathology and the patient's condition. With conservative treatment, the administration of phlebotonic drugs is indicated. Externally, venotonic gels and ointments based on horse chestnut are used. It should be understood that conservative treatment works only in the initial stages of varicose veins.
As additional measures in the conservative treatment of varicose veins, physical activity (walking) and the use of compression stockings are shown.
Minimally invasive and surgical treatment methods
If the process of varicose veins and venous insufficiency has gone far, then they resort to minimally invasive or full-fledged surgical intervention to improve the patient's condition. Minimally invasive methods of intervention include the following:
- Sclerotherapy. In this case, a special sclerosing drug is injected into the lumen of the patient's varicose vein using a thin insulin needle. The injected substance first causes inflammation and then sclerosis of the diseased vein. The lumen of the diseased vessel simply grows. The technique rather has a cosmetic effect, but does not solve the problem (cause) of the pathology itself. Relapses are possible after sclerotherapy. Contraindications to this intervention are pregnancy, lactation and intolerance to the components of the drug.
- Striptease. Using this method, the diseased vein is removed using the thinnest probe. The peculiarity of the surgical intervention is that it is possible to remove only the diseased part of the vessel, leaving its healthy parts. The operation is performed through two endoscopic punctures located on either side of the inflamed vessel site. That is, scars and scars after such an intervention will not be visible.
- Microflebectomy. Removal of the diseased vein is also done through several small incisions in the skin.
- Laser coagulation. Exposure to the lumen of a diseased vessel with a laser. As a result, the lumen of the vein is completely invaded.
A full-fledged surgery (abdominal operation) is called a phlebectomy. With this method, the surgeon makes a complete skin incision of the leg to remove the entire superficial vein. The indications for this operation are:
- a large volume of varicose veins;
- large cavity (lumen) of diseased vessels (more than 10 mm);
- thrombophlebitis;
- the presence of large varicose veins;
- the formation of trophic ulcers in the patient;
- lack of effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery.
Traditional treatment methods
In the initial stages of the pathology, you can also resort to folk methods for the treatment of varicose veins. In particular, in combination with drug treatment, the following folk remedies can be used:
- The tomato is green. Thin slices of greens are placed on the area of inflamed veins and fixed with a bandage. It is necessary to change these applications every 2-3 hours. The course of treatment is up to a clear improvement in the condition.
- Potatoes. A bandage soaked in freshly squeezed potato juice is applied to the legs. Cover the top with cling film. Such applications are best performed at night until the patient's condition improves.
- Apple cider vinegar. Preferably homemade. Vinegar is diluted in water (1 glass of water and 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar). A bandage is moistened in a solution and applied to the area of the diseased veins. The bandage is fixed at night. You can also simply lubricate your feet with this solution at night. It is proven to take water and vinegar inside. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey to a glass of water so as not to burn the esophagus with vinegar (the esophageal walls are very sensitive to acids). Drink the mixture in the morning on an empty stomach. The course of vinegar treatment is 30 days.
- Horse chestnut. Flowers of the plant in the amount of 50 gr. pour 0. 5 liters of alcohol and insist two weeks in a dark place, periodically shaking the mixture. The finished product is filtered through a mesh and drunk three times a day, one tablespoon at a time. The mixture is washed with water. The course of treatment is 7 days. Then a 14-day break and again a seven-day course. Treatment according to this scheme is carried out until the end of the infusion. Then the treatment regimen can be prepared again and repeated.
- Burdock. In this case, fresh leaves of the plant are used to eliminate the disease. At night, sore feet are smeared with Vishnevsky ointment and wrapped on top with a burdock leaf. All are fastened with a bandage and put on compression stockings. The bandage is worn for three days, then it is removed and everything is washed off. It is possible to be treated like this all summer, while fresh burdock grows.
Important:such treatment is contraindicated in patients with high acidity of gastric juice.
conclusions
It is worth realizing that varicose veins are an irreversible pathology in most cases. Therefore, it is so important to take care of the health of your feet. Especially if there is a genetic predisposition to varicose veins. Just give up bad habits, balance your daily diet, walk more and drink enough clean water a day. At the manifestation of the slightest signs of varicose veins, it is advisable to immediately contact a competent phlebologist to prevent complications of the disease. Remember, your health and the internal health of your feet is entirely up to you. And modern medicine and the hands of a professional can work wonders.