The name of such a disease is based onvaricose veins on the lower leg, lies the Latin word "varicis". It is translated as "flatulence, " which fully reflects the main symptom of this pathology, which is characterized by abnormal vein expansion. It is accompanied by other no less unpleasant manifestations in the form of blood flow disorders and valve dysfunction.
Medical statistics are inescapable: this disease has affected most of the world's population! Therefore, the clinical manifestations of varicose veins, expressed to varying degrees, are present in almost 90% of women and more than 65% of men. Unfortunately, this disease is getting younger - and today there are reports that it is detected even in school-aged children!
If you have more than 80% of the symptoms listed, we strongly recommend that you see a doctor for advice.
Varicose veinsis a venous disease, its clinical manifestation is the expansion and pathological restlessness of veins, with the formation of venous nodes, and the subsequent development of symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency with various degrees of severity (from heaviness. , fatigue in the legs, various degrees of swelling, to the development of subcutaneous and skin compaction, the appearance of dermatitis, eczema and finally the formation of venous trophic ulcers).
Doctors classify this pathological condition as polyetiological, because it occurs due to the influence of various factors. The main ones include:
- Congenital tendency;
- Pregnancy in women;
- Hormonal imbalance;
- Overweight;
- Passive lifestyle.
A team of professional phlebologists from the family clinic network "Doctor Berdekatan" is always ready to help those who want to be cured of this disease. The selection of a course of treatment is carried out individually, taking into account all factors. Together with the effective use of modern techniques, this allows you to achieve the desired results.
Causes and symptoms of varicose veins
The main pathogenetic mechanisms leading to varicose veins are:
- Increased intravenous pressure, which is mainly determined by the hydrostatic pressure in the veins, as a result of the action of gravity, is measured by the height of the fluid column, which is the distance from the heart to the point on the leg where the measurement is made. And the pressure in the body cavity - abdomen or pleura, when it increases (pregnancy, overweight, lifting and carrying heavy objects, etc. ) The return of venous blood to the heart worsens.
- Relative weakness of the vein wall, which is determined genetically, but can sometimes change under the influence of the inflammatory process in the veins.
The interaction of these factors leads to the progressive stretching of the veins, the development of venous valve insufficiency, the appearance of reverse blood flow, and the occurrence of stagnation in the venous bed.
With prolonged exposure to provoking factors, inflammatory processes develop, which, as they develop, affect and weaken the strength of the venous wall of the venous valve.
As a result of all these processes, a pathological backflow of blood occurs down the vein, which is called reflux and venous stagnation develops, which leads to the development of inflammation of the fat and subcutaneous skin, which, with further development, leads to the appearance of trophic ulcers
Symptoms of varicose veins:
- Visually significant expansion and tortuosity of the saphenous vein, in advanced cases - the formation of venous nodes;
- Feeling of heaviness, fatigue, fullness in the calf at the bottom of the leg;
- Formation of telangiectasia ("star" vascular, "web");
- Calf muscle cramps at night;
- Swelling of the legs and feet;
- Itching, dryness, hyperpigmentation and bluish skin
- The appearance of trophic ulcers, weeping, does not heal well.
Risk of varicose veins
Varicose veins in the legs themselves are more of a cosmetic problem, but can lead to unpleasant complications: chronic venous insufficiency and inflammation of the veins, called acute varicothrombophlebitis. Acute varicothrombophlebitis is a pathological condition that occurs due to inflammation of the vein wall and the appearance of blood clots in the lumen. A dangerous complication of varicothrombophlebitis is the continuous growth of blood clots and their spread into deep veins. Therefore, this condition requires mandatory medical supervision and treatment, and sometimes leads to emergency surgery. Modern medicine offers several effective techniques that can help eliminate the risk of developing such a condition, but treatment must be started on time.
Classification of varicose veins
There are different classifications of varicose veins, which are presented in the table below.
Varicose vein type/stage/class according to CEAP |
Signs |
Pathological forms, levels and complications that lead to it |
|
C1 |
Damage to intradermal vessels: telangiectasia (colloquial - "spiders", "webs", "asterisks") and dilated reticular veins. |
C2 |
Widening, pathological tortuosity Damage to the saphenous vein. |
C3 |
Damage to the saphenous vein, accompanied by edema |
C4a С4b |
The appearance of hyperpigmentation (dark brown color) of the lower part of the legs or eczema (skin inflammation, dermatitis) Development of lipodermatosclerosis (inflammation and thickening of subcutaneous fatty tissue. |
C5 |
Tropical ulcers heal |
C6 |
"Open" trophic ulcers |
Stages of development of pathological conditions according to Savelyev |
|
Reparation |
No symptoms or complaints; examination reveals dilated veins on one or both lower extremities. |
Subcompensation |
Patients experience discomfort, expressed in swelling and "pins and needles" of the legs, as well as calf muscle cramps at night. This condition is accompanied by swelling in the evening, which disappears in the morning. On examination, varicose veins on the lower leg were revealed. |
Decompensation |
The discomfort listed above complements inflammatory skin lesions and eczema. The skin looks dry and shiny, and hyperpigmentation appears. |
Dynamics of varicose vein development
Clinical picture of this diseasedepending on the stage of development of the disease. At the same time, the doctor identified the main clinical sign that determines the name of the disease - the dilation of the saphenous vein in the lower part of the leg.
The beginning of the development of the disease
At first, the patient feels heaviness in the legs, fatigue and pain in the legs. During this period, visual signs of pathology are not visible. Often there are cases when the above symptoms are also not present, so the patient does not seek professional medical help. During the examination by a phlebologist, he identified dilated soft veins, skin that did not undergo pathological changes.
Level of subcompensation
As the disease progresses, the patient notices pain, swelling appears when standing or sitting for a long time, which disappears after night. During the examination, the phlebologist noted a slight swelling in the ankle area.
Stage of decompensation
The development of the pathology is expressed in a constant feeling of heaviness in the lower part of the legs, rapid fatigue, and calf muscle cramps at night. In addition, severe itching occurs in the evening.
When examined by a doctor, dilatation of veins on the lower leg and impaired blood flow are shown. Vein tension, adhesion of its wall to the skin, hyperpigmentation, cyanosis, roughness and dryness of the skin are observed.
Skin changes appear on the lower third of the leg. First, they represent the appearance of a brown color of the skin, the development of inflammation - dermatitis or eczema, the appearance of compaction of subcutaneous fatty tissue, against the background of which trophic ulcers then begin to form and develop.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
Treatment of varicose veinsset after the patient has undergone a comprehensive diagnostic study, which makes it possible to accurately determine the stage of the development of the disease and the pathological changes that lead to it. Depending on the situation, it may include the following studies of the lower veins:
- Inspection;
- Duplex/triplex scanning.
- Study of several indicators of coagulation, markers of thrombophilia
The main methoddiagnosis of varicose veinsis an ultrasound examination, in addition they also carry out various tests and take functional tests.
Treatment of varicose veins
Modern phlebology offers several effective methodsmethod of treating varicose veins. Their selection is carried out individually, based on clinical cases and patient indications.
Conservative techniques should not conflict with surgical methods, as they are used in combination. Sometimes conservative treatment can be carried out independently, but it is important to understand that it cannot lead to a cure, although it slows down the development of the pathology and also has a positive effect on the patient's condition.
Conservative therapy |
|
When do you want to use it yourself? |
|
A problem that can be solved |
|
Technique used |
Compression therapy, which reduces the diameter of veins and eliminates reflux, as well as stimulates the return of venous blood to the heart and lymphatic drainage. In the process, elastic bandages and therapeutic compression stockings are used, which the patient wears every day for the rest of his life or until the end of surgical correction. The use of therapeutic compression stockings adequately and quickly corrects hemodynamic disturbances in the legs even withtreatmentvaricose veinsat an advanced stage. |
Drug therapy involves the prescription of pharmacological drugs aimed at eliminating discomfort in the legs or improving blood microcirculation and lymphatic drainage. The most commonly used drugs are:
|
|
Surgical technique |
|
Phlebectomy |
|
What is this? |
Surgery to remove varicose veins. |
What problem does it solve? |
Normalization of blood flow through the saphenous vein |
Guidance |
|
Weirdness |
This procedure involves removing the affected vein located under the skin. |
Period |
From 60 to 120 minutes. |
Traumatic |
Small scars 5–10 cm in the groin area and 0. 5–4 cm in the legs. Patients stay in the hospital for 1-7 days. Sick leave up to 24 days |
Endovenous laser coagulation/elimination of varicose veins (EVLK/EVLO) |
|
What is this? |
A technique that aims to eliminate veins using medical laser beams. |
Guidance |
|
Traumatic |
Minimally, Surgery is performed through a vein puncture. Done on an outpatient basis. |
Characteristics of the recovery period |
Immediately after surgery, the patient should walk for 30-40 minutes. It is necessary to wear compression stockings for at least 2 weeks. Pain is often absent or minimal |
Sclerotherapy |
|
What is this? |
The procedure involves the introduction of a special substance into the lumen of the vessel - a sclerosant, which causes the formation of a protein-erythrocyte plug with subsequent venous loss. |
Guidance |
Phlebeurism. |
Weirdness |
This technique is effective for the treatment of intradermal veins, in other cases - in addition to the removal of small residual branches of the main stem. |
Complications |
Complications are relatively rare. |
Prevention of varicose veins
Prevention includes:
- Wear compression stockings;
- Maintain body weight within normal limits;
- Maintain an active lifestyle;
- avoid standing for long periods of time;
- A timely visit to a phlebologist in case of family history or the appearance of symptoms of the disease.
If you still see the early signs of varicose veins, hurry to get professional medical help!