The circulatory system consists of two types of blood vessels: the arteries and veins that carry blood from the heart to the organs. The venous system in the human body performs the function of returning blood from tissues and organs to the heart.
Each vein, regardless of its size, consists of a wall and lumen filled with blood and is equipped with venous valves that prevent blood from flowing downwards (the flow through the vessels of the lower extremities normally moves from the bottom up). Vascular diseases are usually caused by abnormalities in the structure of the venous walls and valves. One of the most common vascular diseases is varicose veins.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are a disease accompanied by weakness of the venous wall and venous valves, as a result of which blood flow slows down, stagnation of blood in the veins leads to their expansion, the formation of venous networks and nodules. Women are more prone to the development of varicose veins than men (due to the effect of estrogen on the venous wall and increased stress on the venous system during pregnancy). The risk of varicose veins increases with age (due to the loss of elasticity of the veins), so varicose veins are very rare in children and adolescents.
Because the load on the vessels of the lower half of the body is greater than that of the venous vessels of the upper half, varicose veins develop in the legs and pelvic organs. With varicose veins of the lower extremities, as a rule, the superficial (external) veins in the legs are affected. There are several types of superficial veins in the legs:
- spider veins (dilation of small intradermal vessels);
- reticular varicose veins (damage to the saphenous veins of the system of small and large saphenous veins with the formation of venous nodules);
- non-saphenic varicose veins (varicose veins that do not belong to the vessels of the small and large saphenous vascular system).
Varicose veins of the small pelvis are a type of internal varicose veins and are represented by groin veins, varicose veins of the uterus, varicose veins in the penis. One of the most common types of varicose veins in men is varicocele (varicose veins of the testicles), characterized by painful pain in the testicles, sexual dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Symptoms of varicose veins
In the early stages, varicose veins are asymptomatic. Symptoms of varicose veins appear when the affected veins no longer cope with the function of blood flow.
Varicose veins contribute to blood stasis in the area of dilation. Symptoms of varicose veins include:
- appearance of visually visible vascular network and convex vessels (in contrast to atherosclerosis, chronic arterial disease in which blood flow to the lower extremities is impaired);
- feeling of heaviness in the legs and swelling in the arteries;
- swelling of the legs;
- itching and darkening of the skin on the legs over varicose veins.
Varicose veins are a chronic, persistent disease that causes venous insufficiency (venous system dysfunction). The development of varicose veins occurs in stages:
- primary varicose veins (growth in the veins is asymptomatic);
- secondary varicose veins (edema appears, heaviness in the legs, itching);
- tertiary varicose veins (edema and severity are persistent, ulcers appear on the skin, pain in the area of the affected veins).
Symptoms of varicose veins often increase in the evening and worsen after strenuous physical exertion. Symptoms of varicose veins are more pronounced in summer than in winter (because in hot weather there is a tendency to vasodilatation and blood viscosity increases).
Why do varicose veins appear?
There is no single reason for the appearance of varicose veins. Excess weight, heavy physical exertion and prolonged sitting position, genetic predisposition to venous valve weakness and work associated with inflammation of the veins contribute to the development of varicose veins. In women, varicose veins often develop during pregnancy and after childbirth, as the growth of the uterus and tension during childbirth increase the load on a woman's venous system.
Complications of varicose veins
Unpleasant consequences of varicose veins can develop as a result of long-term varicose veins. One of the complications of varicose veins is the appearance of blood clots (blood clots) in the lumen of the dilated vessels, which rupture and reach the smaller blood vessels through the bloodstream and can clog them, causing thrombosis. Chronic venous insufficiency causes trophic disorders of the skin: ulcers appear on the dilated veins, they heal poorly and are susceptible to infection.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
A phlebologist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins. During the consultation, the phlebologist examines and palpates the veins (feels them), measures the circumference of the left and right legs to detect latent edema.
Doppler ultrasound (determination of blood flow) and vascular ultrasound (ultrasound) are also prescribed for the diagnosis of varicose veins. Ultrasound allows not only to visualize the venous wall, but also to determine the presence of blood clots in the lumen of varicose veins.
Methods of treatment of varicose veins
The department of phlebology uses both conservative and surgical methods for the treatment of varicose veins. Conservative (non-surgical) treatment of varicose veins involves the use of medications and the wearing of medical compression underwear. Properly selected therapy can reduce the symptoms of varicose veins and prevent the appearance of new varicose veins, but existing venous disorders can only be eliminated by surgery.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins is removal of dilated veins (phlebectomy). An alternative to phlebectomy is minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins. Minimally invasive surgical procedures for the treatment of varicose veins include sclerotherapy and laser treatment of varicose veins.
Laser treatment of varicose veins
Laser treatment of varicose veins is carried out by endovenous laser coagulation: under the control of ultrasound, an electrode is inserted into the lumen of the vein, with the help of which the inner surface of the venous wall is burned with a laser. As a result of laser cauterization, the venous wall coagulates, after which the vein spontaneously atrophies. Minimally invasive laser treatment of varicose veins is performed under local anesthesia. The advantages of laser treatment of varicose veins are the absence of scars and the relative painlessness of the procedure (compared to the removal of veins).
Minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins is performed in an outpatient setting (without hospitalization). Recovery of varicose veins after laser treatment, as a rule, does not take more than a month. During this period, it is necessary to wear a compression bandage and limit exercise.
To prevent varicose veins, you should lose weight, avoid heavy lifting and sitting for long periods of time, and prefer loose clothing. Wearing special medical compression underwear regularly and moderate physical activity (walking, swimming, sports) helps to prevent varicose veins in the early stages of the disease.
Popular questions
What not to do with varicose veins?
Varicose veins are a disease that is closely related to lifestyle. If you have varicose veins, you can't lift weights and do sports that increase the load on the arteries of the lower half of the body (heavy weight sports). You should avoid sitting for long periods of time (if you work in an office and have to sit for long periods of time - take a five-minute break every hour for a walk or workout), and try not to dress too tightly. clothes.
How to treat varicose veins in the legs in women?
A woman with varicose veins in the legs should consult a phlebologist. If you have varicose veins in the legs or thighs, your doctor will help you choose the right compression underwear. If there are indications (signs of venous insufficiency, venous nodules, aesthetic discomfort), surgical removal of varicose veins may be recommended. The decision on what type of intervention is recommended for a woman is made by the doctor based on the results of the examination and examination.
How to treat varicose veins at home?
Varicose veins are a vascular disease that should be treated by a phlebologist. Most phlebologist appointments can be made at home: to do a special exercise that improves blood flow to the lower extremities and pelvis, to wear compression underwear, and to take medication prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication of varicose veins with folk remedies is ineffective, and exposure to veins with herbal compresses can cause skin ulcers.