Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a chronic pathology that is characterized by thinning of the venous wall, increased vascular lumen and the formation of the knobby extensions.
The disease is diagnosed in approximately 15-17% of the adult population. In adulthood, the disease is often diagnosed in women, which is due to the hormonal changes in the body (menopause, pregnancy, menstruation).
Varicose veins in the legs occurs in a wide clinic. Patients complain of heaviness and discomfort in the limbs, fatigue, ankle swelling, cramps at night, protruding blue veins. Pathology on the background of the lack of appropriate treatment leads to a variety of complications.
Causes and risk factors of varicose veins of the lower extremities
Varicose veins of the lower limbs in most paintings is the result of a genetic predisposition. Immediate cause: the functional immaturity of the valves in the veins and the immaturity of the connective tissue of the blood vessels. This leads to increased load on the inside of blood vessels and varicose veins.
The etiology is due to congenital factors related to hypercoagulability – increased blood clotting. On the background of violations of the formed blood clot, which violates the full flow to the foot, leads to the pathological expansion of the venous lumen.
Often the cause of the disease in women is hormonal imbalance. It is based on the change in the concentration of sex hormones in the blood. Associated with early menopause and during pregnancy.
Causes of varicose veins in the legs:
- Weight. Obesity is the mechanical effect of the venous wall, are particularly pronounced itself on the background of the abdominal type. As a result, patients with increased venous pressure;
- Diabetes. As a result of complex disorders of the metabolic processes associated with chronic high blood sugar relative insufficiency of insulin, reducing the elasticity of the venous walls their further extension;
- Alcohol dependence. Alcoholism the body lacks fluids, the blood becomes thicker, which leads to disruption of blood circulation;
- Occupational factors (continuous observation in an upright position, excessive exercise, lack of exercise);
- Wearing uncomfortable shoes, for example high heels;
- Serious disease of the cardiovascular system, which manifests itself in circulatory insufficiency.
Causes of varicose veins legs can chronic diseases of the genital organs. In particular, inflammation of the prostate gland in men and adnexa in women.
The mechanism of the disease based on the involvement of inflammatory process in the small veins, which causes swelling and obstruction of blood circulation.
Signs and symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins in the legs is manifested in different symptoms. Let's start with external changes. Thus, the most obvious sign, which indicates the appearance of the disease, this change in contour and shape, the subcutaneous vessels of the legs. Occurs swelling, nodular thickening of the. The vessels become dark colors, revealing the veins and veins.
Venous leg ulcers are considered the two sides. Part of the doctors attribute the wounds of the symptoms and other complications, to prove the last, most advanced stage of the pathological process.
Classification of varicose veins in the legs
Varicose veins of the legs is diagnosed more often in women than in men in this age. Young disease, boys and girls occurs with the same frequency. In accordance with the classification, the disease can be primary and secondary in nature. In the first case, the pathological changes of surface ships. Violations of the structure and the structure of deep vessels does not exist.
Secondary varicose veins is a complication of abnormalities of the deep veins, resulting in the observed negative changes in the surface vessels of the legs. This image appears on the background of congenital disorders of the venous system, and also as a result of phlebothrombosis.
Also, the disease is classified as clinical forms. These include varices of the lateral vessels of the lower legs and thighs form a reticular and varicose veins telangiectasia. Consider these forms more:
- Varicose veins lateral veins sometimes an independent disease, and in combination with other diseases. Reversal of venous reflux liquid event deep vein through the saphenous and the surrounding vessels.
- Mesh (net-like shape) occurs as an independent disease. Does not lead to venous insufficiency is just a cosmetic defect.
- Telangiectasia varicose veins are also a cosmetic defect.
In recent years, surgeons distinguish venous insufficiency idiopathic forms. It is characterized by increased venous tone, which is a clear reason for such violations can not be detected. The clinical manifestations of the pathology do not differ from the classical clinic.
Stage and extent of the varicose veins
Varicose veins of the legs varies depending on the stage and to what extent. For the establishment of these take into account the clinic, the patient. Chronic disease has several stages, which have some differences:
| Step | Feature |
| Compensation | Pain syndrome weakly expressed or not. Patients complain of discomfort in the legs, because the long-term. It should be noted the presence of spider veins on the skin, sometimes manifested in the swelling of the ankle, passes quickly after the holidays. |
| Subcompensation | Visually the lower extremities of the patient visible blood vessels abnormal clearance. Patients have a lot of complaints. In particular, they complain of constant pain expander nature, fatigue, heaviness in the legs. Often at night there is twitching of the muscles, "run chicken bumps" on the skin. Swelling after a night's sleep 90% of the cases leveled independently. |
| Failure | The most difficult stage of varicose veins. The apparent changes in the skin. He becomes too dry, hair falling off my legs. In addition, it revealed hyperpigmentation, which leads to abnormal thickening of the subcutaneous tissue. Cracks and scratches my leg heal for a long time, can turn into ulcers. Swollen feet constantly, rest, and sleep does not help. The swelling will tend to rise higher than feet. |
When a girl or guy came to the doctor with complaints of the symptoms described, the doctor makes a visual examination, provides laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods. On the basis of the results obtained from the talk format, stage and extent of disease.
The degree of varicose veins of the legs is defined by numbers. Zero (0) the clinic is not identified, the external changes do not exist; - – swelling, fatigue, limbs; II – continued edema with hyperpigmentation, abnormal seal subcutaneous tissue; III – pain that does not pass swelling of the legs, trophic ulcers.
Complications of venous insufficiency
Varicose veins is a chronic, incurable disease, so the treatment is for a specific purpose – to stop disease progression and prevent complications. If the treatment prescribed is incorrect or the patient turns to the help of a medical professional, to develop complications.
Thrombophlebitis – inflammation of the vein walls of the presence of a blood clot. The inflammatory process may involve the surrounding blood vessels and soft tissue. There are several forms. Can be acute (lasts about 30 days), subacute – duration up to six months and chronic.
Migratory thrombophlebitis is rare. It is characterized by inflammation, which occurs in different parts of Vienna quickly.
Symptoms are:
- Visually there is a clear outline of the inflamed vessel.
- Acute pain on palpation pain is strengthened.
- Swollen nodules, protruding above the skin.
- The local temperature rise.
Thrombophlebitis varicose veins in the legs can cause other complications. For example, the periphlebitis is an inflammation of the surrounding tissues, wet gangrene of the limbs, deep vein thrombosis. The spread of the inflammation occurs complications, which exceed the head – embolism and sepsis.
Deep vein thrombosis is a common complication of varicose veins in the legs. The pathology is characterized by the formation of dense blood clot, which is partially or completely occluded blood vessels, which disrupts blood flow completely. This complication is a risk of death due to detachment of the thrombus.
Trophic ulcers occur in severe cases. Often associated with infection, exacerbating the clinical picture. Wounds can affect not only the tissue but also deeper layers of the muscles. Heal for a long time. Requires a comprehensive treatment.
Varicose dermatitis is characterized by such symptoms:
- Inflammatory hyperpigmentation of the skin purple or bright red color;
- Microvesicles are formed, which are independently opened;
- Hard swelling in the legs;
- Itching, which is observed continuously;
- Moisture that after drying the precipitate;
- Abnormal thickening of the skin.
Varicose veins rash can go chronic, resulting in the hardening of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
The accession of infection eczema complicated by trophic ulcers.
Conservative treatment of varicose veins in the legs
Conservative treatment of varicose veins involves both medication and wearing compression underwear. Compression stockings of different compression-class is aimed at prevention and treatment. Tights, stockings and socks should choose a doctor based on specific characteristics. The right underwear gives the desired result.
Prescription drugs. Perfect effective drugs, which affect all the pathological factors of the disease does not exist. We recommend the use of systemic medications – tablets and local media – gels, balms, lotions and creams.
In addition, prescribed physical therapy – magneto therapy, electrophoresis; special exercises. You can use folk remedies – recipes of medicinal plants can help reduce the severity of symptoms.
Sometimes recommended hirudotherapy – treatment with leeches.
Methods of surgical treatment
When a conservative method to give a small result, the disease progresses, it is recommended to engage in activities. Often practiced sclerotherapy. A vein injected with a special substance that glue to the affected vessel. Over time it is replaced by connective tissue.
Radio-frequency ablation. When surgical intervention is performed "welding" of the blood vessels (patient) with a probe, which radiates the waves. The probe heats the walls, which leads to stenosis. Intervention after some time it is necessary to wear a compression garment.
The method of selection of patients for surgery depends on many criteria. The doctor will take into account the stage of the disease, the patient's health status, presence of chronic diseases, which may be a contraindication to the use of the intervention.
Other surgical treatment:
- Phlebectomy the doctor to remove the affected veins and blood vessels. Through a small hole in the skin of the introduction of the tool hooks which pull out to the ship. This technique is the combined use of surgical intervention and the use of laser.
- The most effective way of treatment is laser coagulation of the veins of the lower extremities. Technique the operation is performed with minimal incisions and injuries. Through a small incision in the skin of the container is injected with the finest events, which radiates waves of a desired frequency. Area effect observed warming. The walls are fused, which allows to attack the problem.
Stripping is performed using a small probe, which is inserted into the incision and glue to the affected part of the vein. Cryostripping of the pathological vessel, liquid nitrogen is introduced, which leads to the degradation of the area, after which serve.
Prevention
Preventive measures are very important. A favorable prognosis depends on the proper doctor appointments and treatment, and patient that he needs to change his way of life, strictly follow the recommendations of the phlebologist.
So, it is necessary to wear compression underwear or bandaging the limb with an elastic bandage. Reviews of patients, the first option is easier. Even after surgery requires constant physical activity, but without excessive stress on the body.
During sleep, it is recommended that the legs be given a raised. You can do this, the limb placed on a pillow or folded blanket. If the job requires continuous standing or sitting, which is 60-80 minutes to do some stretching to stimulate blood circulation in the body.
Women should not wear high heels. Maximum heel height is 5 cm for All patients, we must choose comfortable shoes, give up clothing, which puts pressure on the limbs.
Varicose veins – a serious disease that requires multifaceted treatment approach. Only a complex effect, which consists of medications, compression garments, physical therapy, exercise and proper nutrition lead to a positive outcome and a permanent remission.