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 is 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 outflow 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 that is susceptible to the appearance of this disease are people over the age of 40. This is due to the fact that by 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 pathological process can also be observed 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 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 that are present in the vein cavity prevent its reverse flow.

Lack of physical activity leads to 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 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.
• 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 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 at the time of going to the doctor.

In the early stages, varicose veins can be asymptomatic. Some patients complain of slight soreness that occurs after long walking or running. There are no specific symptoms that make it possible 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. Vessels bulge 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, it occurs exclusively after overvoltage, 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. The intensity of the pain can be quite pronounced, which leads to the appearance of lameness.
4. Local temperature rise in the area of ​​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 a number of dangerous complications that threaten not only health, but also life. These include:

1. Thrombophlebitis. In inflamed areas of 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, which will cause gangrene, or are carried with blood into the lungs, heart, brain and other organs, causing an acute disturbance of the blood supply. These pathologies are extremely difficult to treat and often lead to disability and death.
2. Trophic ulcers. Violation of the venous outflow of blood is always accompanied by microcirculation disorders 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 it is necessary to carry out therapy aimed at 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 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 all complications can be aggravated by the addition of an infectious factor, which significantly worsens the condition and complicates treatment.

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

Diagnostics

If you suspect varicose veins, the patient needs to 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 to conduct the following surveys:

1. Complete blood count.
2. Blood biochemistry.
3. Coagulogram. This laboratory examination makes it possible to predict the development of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, based on the blood coagulation properties. High clotting is a threatening condition.
4. ultrasound. With the help of ultrasound, you can get 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 carried out to assess the state of soft tissues, and also assess the degree of circulatory failure.

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

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 how severe changes are 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, as 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 allowed only 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 lasting effect using only medicines. They act only for a certain time and are not able to prevent the progression of the disease.

Patients with varicose veins 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 tablet forms, but a long course of 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 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 bleeding.
• 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 pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, and also improve tissue microcirculation. It is worth remembering that long-term use of hormones also adversely affects the state of the body.
• Phlebotonics. 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.

Treatment of varicose veins should be systematic. Regular cyclic intake of medicines allows you to maintain a constant concentration of active substances, which ensures a constant effect on damaged vessels.

The use of these drugs 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 such restrictions is fraught with aggravation of the general condition.

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

Surgical treatment

Many people are wondering how to cure varicose veins without surgery? In fact, this 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 disadvantage of such treatment is a rather 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 treating varicose veins allow safenectomy with a minimum number of incisions, since there are special probes for extracting veins. One incision can remove a vein up to half a meter long.

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

1. Diabetes mellitus. This pathology is accompanied by the fact that wound healing is significantly reduced. In such a situation, surgery can provoke purulent-septic processes that may require amputation of the limbs.
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 intolerance to these drugs. Surgical treatment without a course of antibiotic therapy is strictly prohibited.
3. Severe diseases of the cardiovascular system. Those pathologies that are accompanied by heart failure may become a contraindication, since the use of certain anesthetic agents is prohibited with them.

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

Possibly excision of ulcers during surgery. Thus, the 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, among which there are:

• Sclerotherapy.
• Radiofrequency ablation.
• Laser ablation.

These methods of treatment are based on the clogging of the lumen of blood vessels and their further 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 worth applying such treatment with advanced varicose veins, as this may require a fairly large number of sessions.

Folk remedies

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

Treatment of varicose veins on the lower limbs should be planned exclusively by a certified medical specialist. Methods of treating varicose veins without surgery only help to delay its implementation. You should not turn to various folk healers, because the lost time before the start of proper treatment can lead to amputation.

Concomitant therapy

In order to achieve the maximum effect of treatment, additional measures should be taken along with the use of medications. These include:

• Dieting. 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 thrombus formation. In addition, you need to drink plenty of fluids to thin your blood. Drinking plain water is recommended, not carbonated drinks or tea.
• Periodically keep the legs elevated. Such procedures stimulate the outflow of blood under its own weight, which prevents congestion.
• Wearing tight stockings. In the upright position of the body, such stockings prevent the accumulation of blood in the dilated veins. But it is necessary to apply such stockings correctly, since prolonged wearing can negatively affect the condition of the foot, as well as the skin in the lower leg area.
• Walking. Patients need to maintain an active lifestyle. In the later stages of varicose veins, walks should be short and not cause fatigue or soreness in the legs.

In addition, co-morbid 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 ensures a favorable outcome of the disease.

Prevention

In order to prevent 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, as well as creating a normal lifestyle. Among them are:

1. Drinking liquid at least one and a half liters per 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 the maximum of nutrients from food, since a reflex is developed, and a sufficient amount of gastric juice is released.
3. Quitting bad habits.
4. Limit the amount of coffee and other energy drinks.
5. Maintain mobility even when working in a seated manner. 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 cause long-term consequences. In order to avoid this, you should always seek the help of medical professionals if any symptoms appear, and also undergo preventive examinations.

Today, there are various 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 advisable only at the very beginning of the disease.