Varicose veins (VV) are one of the most common diseases.The insidiousness of this disease is that for many years all pathological changes in the veins are practically not felt, but then it can quickly lead to the formation of venous insufficiency, thrombophlebitis or trophic ulcers.To prevent this, you need to take care of your veins without waiting for serious symptoms of the disease to appear.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are the expansion of the lumen of a vein that is larger than expected in a certain area.As a result, it becomes elongated and crooked.In such a vein, the blood flow becomes turbulent, which leads to stagnation, inflammation and the formation of blood clots.
Varicose veins can appear almost anywhere in the body, where these veins have valves that prevent blood from flowing back.
Varicose veins in the legs: stages of the disease
The first stage of varicose veins (compensation).Veins in the legs are practically unchanged in appearance;only spider veins may be observed, or characteristic bends of individual veins may be seen.At the end of the day, sometimes a slight swelling of the legs, their tiredness, fatigue and discomfort are disturbing.
The duration of this stage is many years.If you start treatment at this moment, you can significantly delay the course of the disease or completely prevent it.This stage is most suitable for conservative treatment.
The second stage of varicose veins (subcompensation).At this stage, cramps in the calf muscles can appear at night, the veins protrude more noticeably, and the limbs occasionally ache.Swelling in the ankle joints is almost always observed, but it disappears by morning.The skin in the calf area takes on a brownish-purple color.
This stage also lasts for years.Conservative treatment measures are no longer as effective as in the first stage, so here doctors are increasingly recommending various surgical interventions.Preventive measures are aimed at ensuring that the disease does not enter the decompensation stage for as long as possible.
The third stage of varicose veins (decompensation).The veins become more prominent, the swelling may not disappear until the morning, the skin of the calf area becomes thinner, and wounds that do not heal for a long time are formed.As a rule, the most dangerous complications develop at this stage:
- thrombophlebitis (thrombosis and inflammation of veins);
- trophic dermatitis, ulcer;
- pulmonary embolism (the most dangerous complication, when a blood clot breaks off in the lower extremities and is carried by the bloodstream to the lungs, and then causes respiratory arrest and death in 5-8 out of 10 people);
- chronic venous insufficiency (swelling and fatigue of the legs even when the problem with varicose veins has already been resolved).
At this stage, all therapeutic and preventive measures are aimed at preventing the development of complications and, if they have already arisen, at minimizing their consequences.
Which doctor treats varicose veins?
Phlebologist.This is a vascular surgeon who has a narrow specialty in the treatment of vascular diseases.He is the one who treats varicose veins.
However, if there is no phlebologist in your area or it is too problematic to consult him, you can turn to a vascular surgeon for help, or, in his absence, a general surgeon who simply provides outpatient visits.This is better than simply letting the disease run its course.
How to treat varicose veins?
Treatment of varicose veins mainly depends on the stage of the disease, the presence of complications and the specific clinical picture of the disease.
At the first stage, the main focus is on lifestyle changes, giving up bad habits that aggravate varicose veins, and normalizing body weight.In this case, as a rule, patients are allowed to use folk methods, treatment with leeches and herbal remedies.If the disease continues to progress, drugs that increase the tone of the vessels and improve the rheological properties of blood are prescribed, and compression garments are worn.
In the second stage, drug treatment and compression garments become mandatory, and if necessary, surgical intervention is performed.To avoid complications, annual planned therapy courses in a hospital are recommended.
In the third stage, the choice of method is dictated by the presence of complications and the general clinical picture of the disease.If serious complications occur, the patient should be hospitalized in the surgical department.
Treatment of varicose veins: what should be changed in your lifestyle?
Exercise.Most of all, when we walk a lot, our arteries love it.Constant or sedentary work contributes to the development of varicose veins.Therefore, if you have to stand or sit for a long time, you should do special exercises every 40-50 minutes.
Habits.As you know, blood flows through the veins from the heels to the heart.Anything that squeezes or constricts the veins and surrounding tissue interferes with the natural flow of blood and contributes to the development of varicose veins.Therefore, already at the first stage of the disease, you should say goodbye to such habits:
- sit in the "leg on the leg" position (blood flow is disturbed at the level of the popliteal fossa, so it is better to change it to the American "legs on legs" or "legs behind the chair" pose);
- wear tight belts, socks, stockings, belts, very tight jeans, tight underwear (they partially squeeze the veins in the groin, knees or tight waist, they do not allow breathing from the "belly", which almost excludes the diaphragm from the act of breathing, that is, it facilitates the movement of blood to the heart);
- overeating (overeating is always full of extra pounds, and any excess weight in itself can cause varicose veins);
- Walking in high-heeled shoes for a long time (at this time, the load on the legs increases and the knee area, which facilitates the upward movement of blood, is almost disabled).