Causes and treatment of varicose veins in the lower legs

blood flow in the legs with varicose veins

Varicose veins on the lower part of the legs - the appearance of spider veins (nets) and widened saphenous veins on the legs. The disease, which is widespread in the adult population, is more common in women than men.

The disease gets this name when translated from Latin, literally meaning: bloating, expansion.

The first sensation with the disease is very different for each patient, but the feeling of heaviness in the legs, rapid fatigue, pain along the veins unite everyone.

Treatment should be chosen by an experienced physician who can assess the stage and progression of the disease objectively.

Pathology, which is often a cosmetic defect, however, in some cases, can lead to serious complications and persistent defects.

What are varicose veins, the mechanism of pathological development

varicose veins on the legs with varicose veins

Some people in their 40s may face a rather unpleasant situation - the appearance of varicose veins in their legs. Small purple vessels that penetrate the skin, are woven into a cobweb or resemble a densely branched tree, are a serious cosmetic problem for many people, especially for women. "Out of nowhere" vascular tissue (in medicine, the term telangiectasia is used) is the expansion of a small vein less than 1 millimeter in diameter located in the thickness of the skin. This is one of the signs that a person has varicose veins on the legs.

If the nodes begin to stand out on the surface of the skin, soft to the touch, which becomes more noticeable when a person stands, then we can discuss other manifestations. This has become a more serious pathology - enlargement of varicose veins in the large and small saphenous veins, as well as its branches.

The veins in the legs are soft, thin -walled channels that return blood to the heart. To overcome the force of gravity, nature has given them valves, which prevent the backflow (reflux) of blood. There are two venous systems in the lower limbs: superficial and deep. The first is symbolized by a vessel that is under the skin, so that it can be seen. The second is a deep leg vein, located next to a bone with muscle thickness. There is communication between these systems - perforated veins.

The inability of the valve to carry out its function causes blood stasis at the bottom, the discharge of "excess" through the perforated veins from the inside to the superficial. This in turn increases the pressure on the venous system of the legs, which is located under the skin. What made his ship react to this was "squirming and elongating". And that is why varicose veins in the legs occur.

Reasons for development

There are many conditions that cause valve damage and loss of elasticity in the vessel wall. There are defining causes of varicose veins in the legs, which are most often associated with this disease:

  • Age. Over the years, our veins lose elasticity and begin to expand. The valve is also "rough", loses elasticity, and stops functioning normally.
  • Pregnancy is accompanied by an increase in the amount of blood in the body, and also helps to slow down its movement in the lower part of the legs (large uterus presses on the small pelvic veins). Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy also play a role. As a rule, the symptoms of varicose veins without treatment resolve within 12 months after delivery.

The resulting telangiectasias (or, as many doctors call it incorrectly, capillary varicose veins), the cause of the appearance on the face and legs are often associated with exposure to solar radiation. Therefore, women who want to avoid these cosmetic problems have to choose - either beautiful skin or vascular nets.

Risk factors

Varicose veins are a multifactorial pathology.

  • The floor. Women are more likely to get this disease. Hormonal imbalances that occur during pregnancy, premenstrual period and menopause can be considered risk factors as they relax the venous wall for a long time. Hormone replacement therapy or the use of long -term birth control pills also increases the risk of "getting" varicose veins.
  • Descendants.
  • Obesity.
  • Prolonged standing or sitting (office workers, surgeons, drivers).
  • Alcohol abuse. Alcohol and varicose veins also have a definite link.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

At first, the disease may not cause discomfort, can be suspected when the following symptoms appear:

  • formation of spider veins, nets in the legs (expansion of intradermal ducts colored pink, blue, purple);
  • the veins become "twisted", protruding above the surface of the skin, like a rope, interrupted by knots.

Then, the following symptoms may combine:

  • tired feet;
  • burning, throbbing, muscle cramps and swelling in the lower legs;
  • exacerbate the manifestations of the disease if a person is in a standing or sitting position for a long time;
  • itching around "swollen" vessels;
  • bleeding from varicose veins;
  • local hardening in the ship area;
  • skin discoloration or ulceration in the ankle area.

The disease is diagnosed based on data obtained during the examination and questioning of the patient. To assess the severity of the pathology (how the valve works, the presence of blood clots in the veins), Doppler ultrasound is usually sufficient.

Pathological treatment

If a diagnosis is made of "leg varicose veins", this does not mean that there is a need for a long stay in the hospital. Thanks to modern minimally invasive procedures, pathology is usually treated on an outpatient basis.

Change your lifestyle or help yourself

There are several self -help methods that reduce varicose vein discomfort and help prevent further varicose veins. Here are some of them:

  • Exercise regularly. Move as much as possible. Walking regularly is a great physical activity that can improve blood circulation in your legs. How much load will be optimal - you can ask your doctor about this.
  • Constant control of your weight, the excess of which adversely affects the foot canal. Do not forget about salt, excessive intake in the body causes fluid retention, which increases the load on the veins.
  • Watch what you wear. Shoes with low heels, in contrast to high heels, make the muscle -venous pump on the foot functional - the gastrocnemius muscle. Avoid wearing tight pants around the groin and waist as this can interfere with blood flow.
  • Take care of your feet as often as possible. To do this, several times a day, you need to rest and lift the legs above the level of the heart, for example, lie down and place on a pillow.
  • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Compression therapy

Usually, the early stages of varicose veins in the lower part of the leg are treated with compression stockings. External compression prevents swelling of the veins, which in turn increases the movement of blood through the blood vessels.

Additional treatment for more serious conditions

If lifestyle modifications and the use of compression stockings do not improve symptoms, and also if the level of varicose veins (subcompensation and decompensation) does not make it possible to cope with the pathology itself, the following treatment options come to the rescue:

  • Sclerotherapy.The procedure, which does not require primary anesthesia, is performed on an outpatient basis. The doctor injects a special substance (sclerosant) into the varicose veins, which attach to the walls.
  • Sclerotherapy foam.In contrast to the usual technique, in this technique, sclerosant is injected into a vein after mixing it with gas (usually air), which makes it possible to treat veins with a larger diameter.
  • Laser surgery. . . The new technology, which eliminates varicose veins and small vascular tissue, is performed without skin incisions and vessel punctures.
  • Intravenous radio frequency or laser ablation. . . The technique involves the introduction of a catheter into the lumen of a vein, at the end of the radio frequency or laser energy transmitter is located.
  • Safeno-femoral ligation and great saphenous vein stripping. . . The first procedure involves bandaging and removal of the upper part of the vein. During the second, a special probe is inserted into the vessel lumen (two incisions are made initially: one in the groin area, the second at the level of the upper third of the lower leg) and elongated along its entire length. Then removed along with the dilated veins.
  • Ambulatory phlebectomy. . . The doctor removes a small dilated vein, while making several micro incisions in the skin. Scars are usually almost invisible.
  • Endoscopic Vein Surgery. . . It is usually done when the patient has more advanced levels of varicose veins in the lower part of the leg (boils appear) or, previous treatment methods, have been ineffective.

Varicose veins that appear during pregnancy usually disappear without treatment within 12 months after delivery.

Alternative medicine

There are many alternative treatments for chronic venous insufficiency, a condition associated with varicose veins. The following medications are most often used for this pathology:

  • meat brooms;
  • grapes (leaves, juices, seed extracts);
  • horse chestnut;
  • Sweet clover.

Before using an ingredient or dietary supplement, you need to make sure that this supplement is appropriate for the medication prescribed by your doctor and safe for your specific condition. Therefore, before taking it, you should consult your doctor.

Prophylaxis

There is no universal and guaranteed way to prevent the development of varicose veins in the legs. Even so, there are preventive measures that help reduce the chances of getting new manifestations of the disease, improving its symptoms. Here are some of them:

  • Physical activity (regular sports, in which the legs are "involved", for example, walking or running, increase blood circulation in the lower legs, strengthen blood vessels).
  • Control weight (extra pounds increase the load on the lower limbs (pressure on the veins).
  • Do not cross your legs while sitting.
  • While resting, raise them above heart level.
  • Try to avoid standing or sitting motionless.
  • Diet (less salt and more fiber).

You can also rinse your feet with cold water after a shower or bath. Try to visit the bath or sauna regularly.

Varicose veins on the legs are a widespread problem, the incidence in men ranges from 10 to 20%, and in women reaches 33%. Unfortunately, it is impossible to fully recover from this disease. But new minimally invasive techniques used in medicine can improve symptoms. Early treatment in the early stages of the disease can prevent the development of serious complications.