Varices - Causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Venous system. Characteristics of the vein structure.The venous vessels are part of the cardiovascular system, they transport the blood of peripheral tissues in the heart. The opinion that the venous blood always circulates in the veins and that the arterial always flow in the veins. In fact, this is not always the case. For example, the pulmonary arteries carry venous blood from the heart to the lungs, and the pulmonary veins are returned from the lungs to the heart of the arterial.In many arteries, blood flows under high pressure, so they have a thick dense wall. On the contrary, in the veins, the blood pressure is quite low, so their wall is thinner and less dense. In the light of many veins, there are valves - they do not pass the blood in only one direction, thus contributing to its advance in the heart. The valves are only absent in the veins of the head and neck, because they are above the heart, the blood flows freely.

What's going on in the veins? The essence of varicose veins. The walls of the veins of the lower limbs are forced to constantly undergo increased loads, because the flow of blood through these vessels occurs against gravity. The main mechanisms leading to varicose veins:Excessive stretch of the venous wall;Disturbance of venous valves.It is far from always possible to say exactly why these pathological changes occur in the veins. There are factors that increase the risk of varicose veins.

The causes of varicose veinsFactors that increase the risk of the disease:Direction. This factor is present in everyone. The legs are most distant from the heart of the body, which is below the rest during the standing position and walking. Venous blood is the most difficult to return to the heart of the feet.Age. As the risk of varicose veins increases, as venous valves wear out. They stop closing completely, so that a small amount of blood can run in the opposite direction. She stagnates in the veins of the legs, instead of returning to heart. Ground. Women suffer from varicose veins more often than men. This is facilitated by hormonal changes in the female body during pregnancy, in postmenopause, before menstruation. Female sex hormones contribute to the relaxation of veins walls.Replacement hormone therapy and taking oral contraceptives.Heredity. The more family members suffer from varicose veins of lower limbs, the higher your risks.Obesity. The too much pounds contribute to increasing the load on the cardiovascular system. The pressure in the veins increases.Standing or seated for a long time. This leads to the stagnation of blood in the lower body veins. For example, office employees, surgeons and other people who "standing" and "sitting" often work on varicose veins.Pregnancy. During pregnancy, women suffer from varicose veins much more often than in other periods of life. This is due to certain physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman.

Signs of varicose veinsNotable expansion of subcutaneous veins. They increase, become winding, clearly visible under the skin. Varied veins in a variable way most often resemble cereals, the "verses" of blue or dark purple. Such an image only occurs with varicose veins under the skin. If venous vessels located deeper in the tissues are affected, it is impossible to notice it externally.Sensation of severity in the legs. Usually it occurs or intensifies after an intense physical effort, in the evening and at night.Various unpleasant sensations. This can be a burning sensation, a feeling of pulse, tingling, numbness.Swelling on the legs. The stagnation of blood in the varicose veins leads to the fact that the liquid begins to linger and accumulate in the tissues. Edema occurs closer in the evening, as a rule, first only on the feet. While a violation of the flow of venous blood increases, the swelling extends to the lower legs, the hips. Muscle cramps. They occur due to a blood supply violation of the tissues, when a person is for a long time.Pain in the legs. Not all patients are worried. Intensify with an prolonged position.

Varicose complicationsIn most patients, varicose veins do not lead to complications. But the following states may occur:Bleeding. In case of damage to the skin in the varicose vein area, bleeding occurs, which may not stop for a long time. In such cases, you should lie down, raise your legs and press the bleeding area. If the blood continues to leave, you should consult a doctor.Ulcers for varicose veins. Very painful, most often located in the ankle. Ulcers occur due to edema and the altered blood contribution to the tissues in the varicose vein area. Usually an ulcer is preceded by a pale stain on the skin. If this complication occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor.Thrombophlebititis for varicose veins. A condition in which blood clots develop on the venous wall and inflammation occurs. In the field of damage, a feeling of heat, redness, pain can occur. Usually, with this complication, the doctor prescribes compression linen, pain relievers.Chronic venous deficiency. A condition in which the exchange of oxygen, nutrients and waste between skin and blood is disturbed, due to the supply of altered blood. Chronic venous deficiency increases the risk of pathologies such as eczema, dense hard skin, trophic ulcers.Venous eczema (stagnant dermatitis). Skin lesion caused by the stagnation of venous blood and edema formation. The main symptoms: red spots, coat, itching in the field of varicose veins.Agitated leg syndrome. It is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs that arise at rest. The patient must constantly make movements, which is why sleep is often disturbed.

Compression linn for varicose veinsCompression stockings and elastic bandages with varicose veins compress dilated veins, thus improving blood circulation. As a rule, the compression underlies the most closely legs of the legs around the ankles, and above gradually becomes freer. It helps blood move to the veins towards the inverse force of gravity - to the heart.Many patients note that compression stockings and elastic bandages help cope with discomfort, pain, edema.Despite the fact that compression linen helps improve blood circulation and cope with certain symptoms, it does not heal the varicose veins. During studies, ambiguous results have been obtained, so that scientists cannot say if compression stockings help to eliminate or prevent varicose veins.Compression linen varieties:Low and tights. The most common compression laundry type. The stockings reach the hips, the tights - at the waist. Compression tights are the most practical because they are solidly fixed and do not slip.Golf. They reach the knee. Often used by men. There are different models.Elastic bandages. There are different lengths, can only be intended to hound the lower leg or the lower leg and the hips. It is the cheapest variety, but the most uncomfortable variety of compression flax. Bandling should be applied longer than putting tights or stockings, it constantly slips. The degree of compression is controlled manually by regulating the strength of the bandage and is not always adequate.

Operations for varicose veinsWith varicose veins pronounced on the legs, they use surgical treatment. Usually, the operation is carried out under general anesthesia. In most cases, the patient is returned from the hospital on the day of surgery. If the operation is carried out on two legs, it may be necessary to spend a night in the hospital.There are different types of surgical treatment of varicose veins.

Dressing and withdrawal of an enlarged veinTwo cuts are made: one in the groin, the other below, with ankle, knee or in another place. In the upper section is found, bandaged and crossed by a vein. Through it, a special thin thread is made in the lower section, after which it is pulled with the above. The elimination of the surface vein will not affect the blood supply to the leg, because its functions will take deep veins.Possible complications of dressing and the elimination of the vein:the formation of great hemorrhages;bleeding;pain;A very rare complication is deep venous thrombosis.The restoration of performance after such an operation in most patients occurs in the 1 to 3 weeks. During all this time, you will have to wear compression stockings. If there is a venous insufficiency, compression underwear must be used in the long term.

SclerotherapyDuring this procedure, a special substance is introduced into the vein, which damages its wall from the inside and leads to the overlap of the light. Varicosis takes place in a few weeks. Sometimes the drug should be administered several times.Radiofrequency removalThe technique provides for the heating of the venous wall using radiofrequency energy. The course of the procedure:A small cut is made above or below the knee and access to Vienna.Under the control of ultrasound, a catheter (a half flexible tube) is made in a vein.Then, through the catheter, the doctor leads a probe that emits radiofrequency energy.The energy emitted by the probe heats the venous wall from the inside, causes its burn and the closing of the light of the ship.Usually this operation is carried out under local anesthesia, without anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient may feel unpleasant small sensations resembling injections with pins. Sometimes a small skin burn occurs. In a few weeks after removal by radiofrequency, the compression linen must be worn.

Treatment of varicose veins with a laserThe closure of the light of the vein can also be caused by the irradiation of its wall of the interior with a laser. The course of the procedure:A catheter is introduced into the patient's vein.A laser radiation source is carried out through a catheter to Vienna.The laser causes the vein heating, the burn of its interior walls and the ceiling of the light.The surgeon directs the laser rays under the control of the ultrasound and gradually burns the venous wall.As a rule, the treatment of varicose veins with a laser is carried out under local anesthesia. The procedure is effective in 98% of cases.

Exercises for varicose veinsTherapeutic gymnastics can be beneficial for varicose veins. Below, we will consider all the simplest exercises, but before their implementation, you must certainly consult a doctor. Only your doctor will be able to say exactly the charges that are not contraindicated to you and can benefit from it. How can gymnastics help varicose veins:Improve the flow of venous and lymphatic vessels;Improvement of blood supply to the lower limbs;Increase the tone of the vein walls;Improvement of blood circulation in small vessels;Reinforcing the leg muscles, increasing their endurance.

Massage for varicose veinsMassage can be used for varicose veins, but not always, it depends on the degree of severity and the presence of complications. Do not engage in self-massage, it is best to contact a professional massage therapist.Varice massage helps reduce symptoms such as swelling, convulsions, numbness and other discomfort. It relieves tension in the muscles and helps restore the normal tone of the venous walls. With varicose veins, massage is often combined with physiotherapy exercises.

How to manage varicose veins at home?There are certain measures that can be used independently, at home to slow the progression of varicose veins and reduce the feeling of discomfort to which it is accompanied:Physical activity. Walking helps strengthen the leg muscles and improve the flow of venous blood. Consult your doctor, he will recommend the level of physical activity that suits you.Maintain a healthy weight. Join a healthy diet. If you suffer from excess body weight or obesity, try to get rid of extra pounds. Consult a nutritionist: a specialist will give recommendations on the nature of food that will be optimal in your case.The right choice of clothes. Do not wear high themed shoes, tight linen and clothes that tighten the veins.Raise your legs. It will be very good if you can periodically take breaks and raise your legs above the heart level. When you sleep or simply lie on the bed, put 3-4 pillows under your feet. Break with a prolonged seat or position. Try to move every 30 minutes.Do not put your foot on your leg when you sit. For this reason, the veins are pressed, the flow of blood is even more disturbed.

Varice preventionIt is impossible to completely prevent varicose veins. Existing preventive measures help delay the disease or slow down its progression, if it has already been born.If you have to sit or stand for a long time, make sure you take breaks. Walk, go. If possible, you can lie down and raise your legs.Try to keep your legs in a raised position when you sit, rest, sleep. It is sometimes useful to go to the sofa or on the ground and hold the legs raised, leaning them against the wall.The more your legs are more often higher in the heart, the better for their veins.Perform physical exercises that help strengthen the leg muscles. Thanks to this, the blood movement will improve through the veins.If you have overweight or obesity, try to lose weight. This will not only reduce the risks of varicose veins, but will also positively affect the state of the entire cardiovascular system.Do not wear crazy clothes, especially the one that pulls the waist, the groin, the legs. Because of this, the flow of blood through the veins can worsen.Try to wear high themed shoes as little as possible. For this reason, the tone of the leg muscles is disturbed, they stop helping to push blood into their veins.