Most people, when varicose veins appear on their legs, think that there is no urgent need to contact a specialist. And only when the disease is already in an advanced state, there is a need not only for treatment, but also for surgical intervention, do they run to the clinic. When searching for the right specialist, a person immediately asks the question: which doctor should he consult for varicose veins?
Diseases related to the veins in the legs are examined and treated by a phlebologist. A specialist of such a narrow spectrum cannot always be found in a regular local clinic, so often in order to prescribe treatment for varicose veins, you have to seek help from vascular surgeons.
A vascular surgeon is a specialist who has the necessary knowledge and has certainly passed certification, giving him the right to diagnose and treat vascular diseases. A phlebologist, in turn, is a narrow-spectrum doctor who diagnoses, treats and prevents varicose veins. It is necessary to seek help from these specialists at the very first signs of the disease.
The attending physician will help to cure the initial stage of varicose veins in a timely manner, and will also offer effective methods for preventing this disease for those who have a hereditary or acquired predisposition to its occurrence. By starting varicose veins and not consulting a doctor in time, you can aggravate the active development of the disease, and then treatment without surgery will be impossible.
A phlebologist treats:
It is important to be able to understand your body and hear the first signals that indicate the need to immediately contact a phlebologist. You should start thinking about which doctor treats varicose veins in the legs if you have:
If these symptoms appear, you should definitely consult a doctor, because only a competent specialist can exclude or confirm the diagnosis of varicose veins.
If the phlebologist has confirmed the presence of venous disease, but there is no need for surgery yet, then following all the doctor’s recommendations you can easily get rid of the problem. The main thing is to regularly follow all instructions.
Having found out which doctor to contact about varicose veins in your city, it is worth understanding what kind of treatment he provides. So, a phlebologist deals with:
Very often, a specialist prescribes local treatment and also recommends wearing special compression garments. Treatment of varicose veins is extremely rare, and only in advanced cases is performed surgically. In the initial stages of the disease, surgery can still be avoided.
Having encountered a problem and having found out which doctor treats varicose veins, you need to get an appointment. First of all, the phlebologist will conduct an initial examination and prescribe the necessary studies that will help him make an accurate diagnosis. To fully understand the extent of the disease, the necessary blood tests are taken.
To judge the stage of varicose veins not only by its external manifestations, the phlebologist sends the patient to ultrasound diagnostic specialists. Most likely, your attending physician will immediately give you the coordinates and directions where you need to go.
Ultrasound diagnostics will help scan the veins, assess the condition of the valves, identify circulatory disorders and the presence of thrombosis. Having received all the information from ultrasound diagnostic specialists, the phlebologist will be able to draw up a fairly complete picture of the disease and, possibly, avoid surgery.
If the condition of the veins cannot be determined using ultrasound, then patients are sent for magnetic resonance or contrast venography (performed using X-rays).
Complex treatment of varicose veins very often does not produce positive results as quickly as we would like. In most cases, there is a need to adjust the treatment process. That is why it would be better to find out in advance which doctor treats varicose veins in your city, and decide on a specific specialist who will carry out and adjust your treatment completely, at all stages.
Having decided which doctor to go to, you also need to decide which medical institution to go to. In general clinics there are angiologists who treat blood vessels and provide only medicinal and conservative treatment of varicose veins. In order for a specialist to see you, you must first visit a therapist to issue the necessary referral.
If a visit to an angiologist does not bear any fruit, that is, conservative treatment of varicose veins is not enough, then he will recommend that you consult a vascular surgeon.
Many people do not like to stand in long lines to see doctors, but it is impossible to immediately get to a phlebologist or vascular surgeon in regular clinics. In such a case, in almost every city there are paid medical centers where you can easily make an appointment with the right specialist. The doctor will see you on the appointed day and time, conduct an examination, prescribe the necessary examinations and describe the essence of the upcoming treatment.
If you do encounter a problem such as varicose veins, do not put off visiting a specialist until later. It is easier to cope with the initial stages of varicose veins, which are not yet noticeable to others, than to involve surgical intervention and perform operations to remove venous formations, which, in turn, can leave behind unsightly marks and scars.
A large number of people currently suffer from varicose veins of the legs, and the lion's share of them are women. Ladies who are in an “interesting position” or in the process of hormonal changes in the body (menopause) are especially susceptible to varicose veins. In addition, many women prefer high-heeled shoes, which, despite all their visual appeal, also pose a certain risk to the health of their feet.
But this dangerous disease does not spare men either, because among them you can more often find those whose work activity involves constant lifting and carrying heavy objects, in addition, they are often fond of heavy sports or, on the contrary, they spend too much time at the computer for a long time.
Varicose veins are pathological changes in the blood vessels of the calf legs, accompanied by disruption of venous blood flow in this area.
At first, the disease makes itself felt through evening swelling and pain in the calves, then a capillary network appears, and then comes a series of protruding cyanotic veins and congestion in the vessels of the lower extremities. In such cases, patients usually have the following questions: who treats varicose veins? Which doctor is best to see?
What is the name of the doctor who treats varicose veins? As a rule, when visiting a local physician with varicose veins in a clinic, patients ask the same questions: which doctor treats varicose veins on the legs, who to contact? Such patients are usually referred for examination by a phlebologist. This is what the doctor who treats venous pathologies of the vessels of the legs will be called.
But often in municipal hospitals there may not be such a specialist, and the initial examination of a varicose vein patient will most likely be carried out by a specialist in the field of vascular surgery.
For a better understanding, you need to understand the terminology.
Having discovered varicose veins and received information about which doctor is treating him, the patient asks a new question: which doctor is better to go to in order for the treatment to be as effective as possible?
First, you need to make an appointment with a therapist on a first-come, first-served basis. It is here that the patient will be explained which doctor deals with the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases and will be referred to an appointment with a specialist in the field of vascular surgery.
This doctor, having carried out the necessary set of diagnostics, will prescribe therapeutic measures and prescribe the necessary medications.
And if such therapy does not prove effective, the patient will be advised of the need for appropriate surgery on diseased areas of the venous vessels.
To choose a doctor who will provide treatment and supervise the recovery process, you need to take into account three criteria:
Such institutions, as a rule, employ phlebologists whose specialization is the diagnosis and treatment of venous vessels of the legs, as well as high-tech equipment and modern treatment methods.
What diseases are under the jurisdiction of a phlebologist? These are various venous pathologies, an approximate list of which is as follows:
During the initial examination, the phlebologist prescribes a set of diagnostic measures, such as ultrasound, Dopplerography, radiography and others.
Then, based on the data revealed by the diagnosis, the doctor determines the degree of development of varicose veins and draws up a set of therapeutic measures.
This may include compression garments, drug therapy, physical therapy, and, if necessary, various types of surgery.
As you can see, there are many specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases. And this is quite justified, because the number of vessels supplying blood to the human body is simply colossal!
If you are periodically tormented by pain in the calf area, a feeling of fullness and cramps prevents you from falling asleep, and the color of the skin is noticeably worsened by the emerging capillary network, then it is obvious that it is time to see a vascular surgeon, or preferably a phlebologist.
Having managed to identify the disease in the initial stages of development, and timely taking measures for its treatment prescribed by such a doctor, you can avoid many unpleasant consequences, complications, as well as severe surgery on the veins.
In this case, patients are usually limited to wearing compression stockings, lymphatic drainage procedures and drug treatment.
Do not delay treatment of the disease, help yourself in a timely manner! Be healthy!
Until people encounter vein problems, they don’t even know who a phlebologist is and what he treats. To avoid serious complications of the vascular system, it is necessary to go to the clinic at the first symptoms and undergo an examination.
There is a branch of medicine that deals with venous diseases (phlebology). This means that a phlebologist is a doctor who treats blood vessels. Vein pathologies were known back in Ancient Egypt. Scientists who examined mummies found during excavations found signs of varicose veins in some specimens. Descriptions of the disease appeared in the works of Avicenna and Hippocrates. Already in the 19th century, the main cause of varicose veins was identified and a surgical solution to the problem was proposed. After the advent of X-rays and ultrasound, diagnosis of the disease became much easier. Doppler examination allows you to accurately identify the problem area, and sclerotherapy replaces surgery.
For the treatment of vascular pathologies, 2 methods are used:
When examining and examining the patient, a diagnosis is established, and possible complications are identified.
The choice of treatment method depends on how affected the vessels are and whether there are associated problems. The sooner a person consults a doctor, the lower the risk of complications.
It is recommended to consult a vein doctor for the following pathologies:
In case of these diseases, you should definitely consult a doctor. But even if there is only a suspicion that venous disorders are developing, you should not neglect a visit to the phlebology office. An examination by a doctor helps to identify pathological changes in the early stages.
It is believed that vascular pathologies are more common in adults, which is why there are no pediatric phlebologists. But if varicose veins are suspected in children and adolescents, they are referred for consultation to an adult doctor.
A consultation with a phlebologist will be required in the following cases:
The above symptoms cannot be ignored, even if they are minor. It is recommended to make an appointment with a vascular surgeon-phlebologist as soon as possible.
Pregnancy may also be a reason to consult a specialist. Ladies in an interesting position, prone to swelling of the legs or gaining excess weight, even if there are no complaints about their health, are recommended to see a surgeon specializing in vascular disorders.
If venous pathology is suspected, the specialist examines the patient and, to clarify the diagnosis, additionally prescribes:
When carrying out diagnostics, not only the affected area is examined, but also the veins located above and below. For example, for varicose veins of the femoral artery, the pelvis and vessels on the calf part of the limb are examined. This is necessary to determine the likelihood of the pathological process spreading and identify hidden deviations.
All phlebological examinations are carried out on an outpatient basis, by appointment. Emergency diagnostics are carried out only if acute venous thrombosis is suspected.
Therapy for venous pathology depends on the location of the lesion and the severity of the disease. Treatment for superficial varicose veins will differ significantly from measures for deep vascular lesions.
There are surgical and conservative treatment methods, so the features of using both options should be considered.
Therapy is aimed at eliminating factors that provoke the disease and strengthening the vascular wall.
The goal of all therapeutic measures is to improve the functioning of the veins and prevent complications associated with blood stagnation.
A conservative therapeutic course is selected individually, taking into account the characteristics of venous lesions and the general condition of the patient. If there is no acute thrombosis, therapy always begins with the selection of medications. Other manipulations are carried out only in advanced cases or when conservative treatment is ineffective.
More often, surgical intervention is performed for deep damage to the veins, less often - if superficial vessels are affected.
Complete removal of pathologically dilated sections of veins is rarely performed by surgeons; doctors prefer to use more gentle methods:
Regardless of which method the phlebologist chooses, the therapy he performs should be as gentle as possible for the patient.
By becoming familiar with what a phlebologist treats and in what cases it is necessary to seek medical help from this doctor, many will be able to avoid complications associated with impaired venous blood flow. It is important to remember that thrombophlebitis, thrombosis and other venous pathologies at an early stage can be successfully treated with conservative methods, and in advanced cases surgical intervention is almost always necessary.
The circulatory and lymphatic systems entangle our entire body. Sooner or later, every person has problems with certain types of blood vessels. There are a huge number of such diseases, congenital and acquired, and different specialists are needed to treat them.
If there are problems with the coronary vessels, you will need the help of a cardiologist. If blood circulation in the brain is impaired, you need to consult a neurologist. A narrow specialist who deals with pathologies of veins is called a phlebologist, and arteries - an angiologist. Many diseases of the veins, arteries, and lymphatic vessels require the intervention of a vascular surgeon. Systemic connective tissue diseases, the symptom of which may be inflammation of the vascular wall (vasculitis), are treated by a rheumatologist.
Thus, the treatment of vascular diseases may require specialists from different branches of medicine. In addition to those listed above, you can also name a dermatologist, immunologist, oncologist, allergist, surgeon.
Nowadays, vein pathologies are very common, namely varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis. To treat them, there is a special vein doctor - a phlebologist, and if there is no such doctor, he is replaced by a vascular surgeon or a general surgeon.
This is a specialist doctor who deals with:
You should contact this specialist if you have symptoms of vascular disorders, which include:
All these manifestations may be signs of varicose veins, which are difficult to treat and progress quickly, so you need to see a doctor as early as possible. If there are patients with varicose veins in the family, it is better not to wait for symptoms to appear, but to consult a phlebologist for the purpose of prevention. This disease is often complicated by inflammation of the vascular walls with the formation of blood clots. The same doctor, a phlebologist, treats thrombophlebitis.
Dilatation of the veins of the lower extremities is the most common, but not the only type of varicose veins. The disease can affect the vessels of the pelvis, esophagus, external genitalia, and rectum.
It is especially difficult to diagnose varicose veins of the small pelvis, which mainly affect women from 17 to 45 years old. Symptoms in most cases are not specific and may be characteristic of other diseases. The disease can be suspected based on the following signs:
When such symptoms appear, many women attribute them to gynecological problems. Most often, it does not occur to them that it could be pelvic varicose veins and they need the help of a phlebologist.
The main symptom of varicose veins of the pelvis in women is pain in the lower abdomen and abundant causeless discharge from the genitals.
When a patient approaches, he performs a visual examination and prescribes a comprehensive examination, which includes laboratory and instrumental methods. Based on the medical history and these studies, the attending physician makes an accurate diagnosis.
Blood test (coagulogram)
To diagnose varicose veins in the legs, ultrasound is most often prescribed.
Surgical removal of varicose veins is one of the most effective treatment methods
Treatment depends on many factors: the general condition of the patient, the severity of symptoms, the severity of the disease, and the location of the pathological process.
The following treatment methods for varicose veins are currently used:
Also read: Drug treatment of varicose veins
It’s good that there are special doctors who will help our blood vessels in case of illness. But it is important not to forget that the main responsibility for the health of veins and arteries lies with the patients themselves. And doctors never tire of repeating that even despite a genetic predisposition to diseases, there are factors that can be corrected. First of all, this relates to lifestyle. Nothing destroys blood vessels more than smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.
Varicose veins and other vascular diseases are quite common, so sooner or later you may need to seek medical help. Everyone who notices problems with their veins asks the question: what is the name of the doctor who deals with vascular diseases?
Several specialists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular pathologies: phlebologist, vascular surgeon, angiologist. Depending on the reasons that caused the disease and the characteristics of its course, the help of doctors of other specialties may be needed. The need for additional consultations is determined after the initial examination and collection of the patient’s medical history.
Heaviness, burning sensation and pain in the legs, the appearance of swelling and spider veins may indicate problems with the veins. If you have such symptoms, you should consult a specialist called a phlebologist. This doctor studies the normal and pathological movement of blood through the vessels of the lower extremities, determines the violation of blood outflow, determines the cause of the development of pathological processes and prescribes appropriate treatment.
A phlebologist diagnoses and treats the following diseases:
Consultation with this specialist is necessary if you suspect the development of thrombophlebitis and pronounced trophic changes in tissue.
You should consult a doctor not only after symptoms of pathology appear. People predisposed to vascular diseases are recommended to undergo periodic preventive examinations. This will help identify deformed veins in the early stages of the disease and carry out treatment before irreversible changes occur in the legs.
During the first visit, the doctor conducts a visual examination of the patient, collects anamnesis and prescribes the laboratory and instrumental tests necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. First of all, a coagulogram is performed - a study that helps to establish such parameters as blood clotting activity and its speed. Hardware techniques include ultrasound scanning of affected areas, phlebography (x-ray with a contrast agent injected into the vein cavity), phleboscintigraphy (assessment of blood flow inside the veins).
The doctor selects a treatment method based on information about the patient’s condition, the results of the examination and the location of the disease.
Treatment of varicose veins and other vascular pathologies can be carried out in one of the following ways:
Another doctor who treats various vascular diseases is a vascular surgeon. This is a specialist who diagnoses, treats, and also deals with the prevention of various pathological processes occurring in the veins and arteries.
You should consult a doctor of this specialty if you have the following symptoms:
A vascular surgeon checks the movement of blood through the vessels, prescribes a series of tests and makes an accurate diagnosis.
After the initial examination, the patient may be referred for examination, which usually includes:
In most cases, patients turn to a doctor of this specialty in the last stages of the disease, so treatment is carried out in more drastic ways. Which method will be chosen to eliminate the pathology depends on the patient’s well-being and the presence of indications and contraindications.
Your doctor may suggest one of the following surgical procedures:
Treatment can be carried out using gravitational surgery techniques. This method of surgical intervention allows you to restore varicose veins.
A vascular surgeon not only treats pathology, but also monitors the patient’s recovery during the rehabilitation period, selects appropriate physiotherapeutic procedures, as well as preventive measures to prevent relapses.
If you suspect vascular disease, you should immediately seek medical help. The sooner the doctor conducts an examination and prescribes treatment, the greater the likelihood of eliminating the disease without the use of radical methods. Postponing a visit to a specialist and independently using medications and traditional medicine methods can negatively affect the course of pathological processes.
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If your legs start to bother you, you should think about your health. Such a bell will signal the onset of vein anomalies. Vascular deformation leads to varicose veins. This is a serious pathology.
A list of signs indicating varicose veins has been developed. For each organism, symptoms are individual and can occur simultaneously or separately. Sometimes they occur acutely or unnoticed. Thanks to timely diagnosis, the doctor successfully treats. At the first symptoms, contact a professional. The list shows the symptoms of varicose veins:
Doctor examining veins
Successful treatment is possible if you contact the right professional in time. Many areas of medicine deal with blood vessels and veins. There is a branch of medicine that studies diseases of varicose veins, called phlebology. Specialists in the field are phlebologists. A phlebologist diagnoses pathologies of the vascular subsystem of the lower extremities. The use of the latest technology allows us to perform a proper examination of the leg veins and prescribe optimal treatment.
Phlebologists are specialized doctors who know methods of treating varicose veins of the legs. Minimally invasive vein surgery is performed. This involves surgery using small punctures or natural physiological openings, reducing the area of intervention in the body. The procedure on the veins does not last long. A single intervention is enough for a complete recovery.
There are a number of other treatment methods that are easy to implement. The doctor is able to prescribe a sclerotherapy procedure. Laser coagulation is used. Sclerosis does not require anesthesia. The operation gets rid of the stars. Initially, small vessels “stick together.” A special liquid is injected into them. The liquid acts on the walls of blood vessels. The walls of the damaged vein stick together. Laser coagulation works on large veins under local anesthesia. An LED inserted inside directs the sealing laser beam.
A phlebologist practices treatment of leg veins. The intervention is carried out in close consultation with other doctors. In difficult cases, the doctor recommends contacting specialists of a separate profile who deal with diseases of the vascular subsystem.
A number of narrow medical sections interested in diseases of the veins and arteries have been defined. Medical professions related to the specialization of a phlebologist are represented by the names:
Each profession treats strictly defined diseases of the vascular system. The former are engaged in therapy, the latter - exclusively in surgery.
An angiosurgeon is a specialist who operates on the vascular systems. The doctor studies diseases of the blood vessels; he is in charge of lymph nodes, arteries, and veins. The doctor identifies diseases of the vascular subsystem, deals with oncological diseases and vascular tumors. Performs surgical interventions in case of vascular injuries, “prosthetics” of vessels, and is engaged in replantology. There is a direction in microsurgery. Thanks to medicine, it is possible to reattach amputated limbs. An angiosurgeon treats chronic diseases of the arteries and veins.
A cardiac surgeon has a narrow specialization and performs heart operations. The doctor's expertise is in the vascular system that nourishes the heart. The doctor consults, diagnoses patients, and deals with the rehabilitation of heart functions after surgery. You should come here at the first symptoms of chilliness, a likely sign of heart disease.
An angiologist is a doctor who studies diseases of the vascular system. It is in charge of the arteries and lymphatic system. The doctor diagnoses patients and deals with rehabilitation after vascular operations. You should visit a doctor at the first signs of numbness and chilliness in your legs. Symptoms of lymphadenitis, inflammation of the lymph nodes due to influenza, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases are detected. If the results are negative for infectious diseases, it is recommended to check your heart function and visit a cardiologist.
Surgeons are a group of doctors who treat through surgical interventions. The surgeon diagnoses and treats soft tissue pathologies, appendicitis and other disorders. Operates on internal organs, eliminating the consequences of injuries. Depending on the organs, a list of surgical directions is distinguished.
A neurosurgeon is a doctor who performs surgery on the brain and spinal cord. Performs operations to eliminate congenital disorders, pathologies, and injuries. He is in charge of anomalies caused by pathologies of the vascular system of the brain. For oncological diseases of the brain he performs vascular operations.
A transplant surgeon is a doctor who transplants organs and tissues from a donor to a recipient. The problems of creating artificial organs remain in the hands of transplantologists. During operations, the assistance of an angiosurgeon who stitches the vessels is required.
A proctologist surgeon diagnoses various diseases of the rectum and anus. Performs operations on the rectum in emergency situations. For example, when bleeding from a ruptured varicose hemorrhoid. Treats the rectum in case of injuries.
Not all surgical specialties are represented. Ordinary surgeons perform abdominal operations. During the procedure, angiosurgeons are also present, in case intervention in the vascular system of the leg is required. An angiosurgeon does not exclusively deal with aesthetic phlebology. One of the main areas of work is stroke prevention. The doctor treats peripheral vascular diseases.
Vascular surgeons perform endovascular operations, including coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy. The doctor treats various venous diseases. Considers thrombophlebitis, pathologies associated with narrowing of the arteries due to layers and inflammation of the internal walls.
Endovascular surgery reveals a number of advantages. Minimally invasive surgery reduces the risk of injuries and complications. Recovery after surgery is faster, without pain or risks. Such operations on the legs are less labor-intensive and more economical.
When there is a blockage, the intravascular surgeon performs vascular bypass surgery. Bypassing the area of veins with pathology, another or synthetic prosthesis is installed in parallel. Blood supply is restored. Using your own vein is called autovenous bypass.
It is possible to replace the affected area with another part of your own vessel or prosthesis, and remove the blood clot. Dilatation surgery allows you to increase the lumen of blood vessels. A balloon is inserted into the cavity under slight pressure. To mechanically maintain the lumen, a special metal “spring” is inserted.
A professional who deals directly with diseases of the vascular system in the legs is called an angiologist. The doctor studies diseases of the arteries and lymphatic systems. Responsibilities include patient consultation, diagnosis, and treatment. The main way to diagnose varicose veins is ultrasound duplex scanning. The test can detect abnormalities associated with the veins in the legs in the early stages.
Based on the results of the analysis, the angiologist determines the necessary treatment. In the early stages of varicose veins, drug treatment is limited. Therefore, when choosing a doctor, the level of equipment of the hospital is taken into account. The presence of special equipment for examining the vein will be a prerequisite for successful treatment.
A good treatment effect is achieved using proprietary techniques. Based on this, in large hospitals, a professional prescribes a flexible treatment schedule that suits the body. This is taken into account when choosing a specialist.
The work of professionals allows us to avoid the serious consequences of venous diseases: leg thrombosis, trophic ulcers, stroke. To protect yourself and not let the condition progress to the point where only a surgeon can help, you need to seek help in time. You should constantly listen to your health. Don't neglect prevention!
Varicose veins are recognized by dilated veins, swelling, heaviness in the legs and burning pain. Having experienced these symptoms, most understand that a doctor is needed to treat varicose veins, but they have no idea who to turn to. Venous insufficiency is a disease that affects more and more people. This pathology is treated by a phlebologist, vascular surgeon, and angiologist.
Varicose veins are recognized by dilated veins, swelling, heaviness in the legs and burning pain.
If varicose veins of the lower extremities appear, first of all they turn to a vascular therapist - a general practitioner who knows the anatomical and physiological processes of blood outflow and inflow. If the patient has a genetic predisposition to varicose veins, it is necessary to regularly visit the doctor so as not to miss the initial stage of the disease. If the patient has already shown signs of the disease (protrusion of veins, swelling of the legs, heaviness in the feet, spider veins), this is a reason to consult a phlebologist.
If there is no phlebologist in the clinic at your place of registration, then they start with a visit to the therapist. A local doctor for varicose veins is no less important than a phlebologist. He will examine the condition of the veins, listen to complaints and give a referral for laboratory examination. Blood and urine tests will help identify problems and make the correct diagnosis. And if necessary, the therapist will issue a referral to a specialist doctor.
In advanced cases, when conservative therapy cannot be applied, the phlebologist has to refer the patient to colleagues who use other methods of therapy to treat varicose veins, i.e. vascular surgeon. Indications for surgery are only advanced forms of varicose veins, when other methods are ineffective. The surgeon treats not only chronic vascular diseases, but also helps with traumatic injuries resulting from varicose veins.
In addition to the phlebologist and surgeon, an angiologist, a specialist who treats veins, blood vessels, and lymph nodes, deals with vascular diseases. Its task is to determine methods for treating diseases of the vascular system. Among them are not only varicose veins, but also thrombophlebitis, vasculitis, atherosclerotic pathologies of the arteries, etc.
It is recommended to consult an angiologist even with the slightest damage to blood vessels.
He will determine the extent of the disease, determine the causes of varicose veins, and prescribe the most appropriate option for complex treatment.
If varicose veins appear at the initial stage, you should not wait for the disease to develop into a more severe form. Treatment of chronic pathologies in most cases includes surgery, so you should not delay contacting a specialist. Timely consultation with a doctor will help cure the disease using conservative therapy methods.
One of the most common diseases is varicose veins. Due to one reason or another, the walls of blood vessels weaken, as a result of which the veins swell and change shape.
Women are more susceptible to this disease. Let's try to figure out how to prevent varicose veins, which doctor treats it and what treatment methods are known to medicine today.
A phlebologist treats varicose veins. Therefore, at the very first symptoms of the disease, you need to contact a phlebologist, who will prescribe the necessary procedures. If there is no phlebologist in your hospital, then you can contact a vascular surgeon.
There are several types of varicose veins. The most common is varicose veins of the lower extremities. To diagnose it, doctors use the following methods:
Doppler ultrasound will help determine the quality of blood flow in the vessels. Transillumination will indicate to the specialist whether the vein is damaged or not. After the procedures, the doctor will prescribe treatment. Self-medication is strictly not recommended.
Venous dilation can be caused by several reasons. This disease is hereditary. Moreover, the probability of its occurrence in the next generation is very high. If a mother or grandmother has varicose veins, the child immediately falls into the risk group.
Varicose veins also appear during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy the uterus grows and puts pressure on the veins. There is a very large load on the veins during childbirth.
Another reason for the appearance of varicose veins is, no matter how strange it may sound, sports. Or rather, sports overload. If a person has a predisposition to this disease, then activities that involve heavy loads on the legs should be excluded (martial arts, weight lifting, etc.).
To prevent varicose veins, you need to choose comfortable shoes. It shouldn't be too narrow. It is not recommended to wear heels higher than 4 centimeters. It is equally important that your clothes are comfortable. The wardrobe should not contain tight or restrictive clothing.
The nature of work can also cause this disease. Most often, varicose veins are observed in waiters, salespeople, flight attendants, hairdressers, and all people who are in the same position for a long time.
Moreover, people with sedentary work are no less susceptible to varicose veins than people who stand most of the working day.
People with bad habits are at risk. It's not just smoking and drinking alcohol. Equally harmful are unhealthy diets (fast foods, snacks in the form of buns and sandwiches) and the habit of sitting cross-legged.
Vein enlargement is most common in the legs. Deformation of the veins, which is noticeable to the human eye, is a symptom of an advanced disease. Earlier symptoms to look out for:
In men, varicose veins are 3–4 times less common. However, unlike women, men do not pay due attention to their health and turn to a phlebologist with an advanced form of the disease. And this is fraught with complications.
Once ulcers begin to appear on the skin, it is very difficult to get rid of them. But thrombophlebitis is life-threatening. Due to poor blood circulation, thrombi (blood clots) begin to form in deformed veins, which can break off at any time and enter the pulmonary artery. This causes cardiac arrest and death.
Trophic ulcer with varicose veins
Less common is dilatation of the veins of the pelvis and esophagus. Varicose veins of the pelvis most often occur during gestation and childbirth.
This is due not only to the pressure of the uterus on the veins, but also to changes in hormonal levels. Gynecologists can conduct an ultrasound examination even before pregnancy to determine whether there is a tendency to varicose veins of the small pelvis.
There are 3 stages of the disease, depending on the diameter of the veins: 5 mm, 6–10 mm and more than 10 mm. Depending on the stage, treatment is prescribed. If we are talking about the first two stages, then you can do without surgical intervention.
Doctors prescribe medications, most often in the form of an ointment, and recommend doing physical therapy. If drug treatment does not give the expected result and the disease progresses to stage 3, then surgical intervention is necessary.
Varicose veins of the pelvis on ultrasound
Dilation of the veins of the esophagus
Dilatation of the veins of the esophagus can be congenital or acquired. This disease is difficult to diagnose due to the fact that in the early stages there are no symptoms.
And only when very damaged veins rupture, hemorrhage occurs, and the person turns to doctors. At this stage the disease is very dangerous.
If we talk about the acquired form of the disease, there may be several reasons causing the disease. This:
This internal disease most often occurs in people over 50 years of age. Children are susceptible to dilation of the veins of the esophagus only if there are congenital pathologies. Unlike varicose veins of the lower extremities, men are more susceptible to this disease. Statistics show that in women it occurs 2 times less often.
In the early stages of development, there are no symptoms . However, a few days before the bleeding begins, there is a feeling of heaviness in the chest and the stomach swells. An increase in pressure may occur.
If these signs appear, you should immediately contact a specialist, or better yet, call an ambulance. Indeed, in this case it is not known how much time there is before bleeding begins.
If bleeding begins, then in addition to a rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure, the patient will certainly have blood in the stool and vomit scarlet or dark red blood. Severe cases are accompanied by a state of shock.
To determine varicose veins in the esophagus, doctors prescribe:
These studies help not only to identify the disease, but also to determine at what stage of development it is.
In order to prevent pathological changes in the veins of the esophagus, it is necessary to take care of the health of the liver. In addition, you need to monitor your diet and, if necessary, adhere to a diet.
The daily diet should be divided into 4-6 meals. Choose steamed foods and avoid foods that are too cold or too hot.
Doctors also recommend not talking or being distracted by other things (watching TV, reading) while eating. This all leads to difficulty in digestion.
During the summer months, the disease worsens. This is due to high temperatures and the fact that the blood becomes more viscous. This is due to increased evaporation of fluid from the body.
How to treat varicose veins? Treatment methods depend on the stage of development of the disease and location. Treatment of varicose veins in the early stages involves taking medications, laser therapy, ozone therapy or sclerotherapy.
In later stages, varicose veins are treated surgically (phlebectomy). When choosing medications, you should pay attention to their composition. Preference should be given to drugs containing natural ingredients.
The following drugs are effective in the treatment of varicose veins:
This medicine is available in the form of tablets or ointment. It contains exclusively natural ingredients. This is buckwheat and garlic flower extract, vitamin C, lactose.
Venoton tablets and ointment are indicated not only for varicose veins, but also for the treatment of atherosclerosis, vitamin deficiency, superficial thrombophlebitis, venous insufficiency, hemorrhoids, retinopathy, trophic disorders after radiation therapy, rheumatism, pain and swelling in injuries.
It is a capillary stabilizing agent.
In addition, the drug promotes cell growth and division and reduces the level of betalipoproteins.
This prevents the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels and reduces the concentration of cholesterol in the blood.
You need to take the drug 3 times a day. Morning and evening - 1 tablet, during the day - 2 tablets. In rare cases, headache, vomiting and dizziness occurred after taking the drug.
In addition to tablets, ointments, creams and gels are used in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities. They help improve the functioning of vein valves, strengthen the vascular venous wall, reduce the risk of blood clots, and heal trophic ulcers. Most products for external use contain natural ingredients.
So, for example, heparin ointment has an antithrombotic effect, reduces the inflammatory process and has an analgesic effect.
It contains heparin, anesthesin, benzyl ester of nicotinic acid, and an ointment base.
Apply the ointment externally 2-3 times a day. Apply a thin layer to the affected area and gently rub into the skin. It is strictly forbidden to use heparin ointment for ulcerative-necrotic processes, thrombopenia and decreased blood clotting.
Open Toe Compression Socks
In addition to medications for varicose veins of the lower extremities, doctors recommend that patients wear special stockings and tights.
They look no different from ordinary ones, however, they have a compression effect.
Stockings will help improve blood circulation in the legs, relieve pain and reduce swelling.
It should be understood that compression hosiery does not have any therapeutic effects. It simply relieves symptoms.
At the initial stage of the disease, in addition to medications, the phlebologist may prescribe endovasal laser coagulation. This procedure helps get rid of spider veins, which are precursors of varicose veins. Laser treatment is performed under local anesthesia and leaves no marks on the skin.
Ozone therapy also helps get rid of spider veins. This is a relatively new treatment method. A small amount of ozone is carefully introduced into the lumen, which seems to glue the vessel together.
A procedure similar in effect is called sclerotherapy. Unlike ozone therapy, special substances – sclerosants – are injected into the vein. They glue the vein together. This procedure is suitable for those patients whose nodes are not very large.
Removing a vein from a leg
If all of the above methods do not help, then doctors resort to surgery. The operation is performed under local anesthesia and is the most effective method.
Surgeons make incisions and remove the affected vein. The person recovers quite quickly, however, over the next few months he must wear special stockings or tights.
Treatment with folk remedies also takes place. However, before using any infusion, you should consult your doctor.
To make tinctures, you can use birch buds, apples, plantain leaves, Kalanchoe, silver wormwood, hazelnut and nettle, yarrow flowers, chestnut and rue, and white willow bark.
It is useful to drink decoctions from string, chestnut, oak branches, chamomile, and willow. Herbal baths are also recommended. To prepare them, you can use oak, chestnut and willow branches. Take a herbal bath for no more than 35 minutes at a temperature of 35° C and only after consultation with a doctor.
Without consulting a doctor, you can rub yourself with apple cider vinegar and use an alcohol tincture of white acacia flowers.
Varicose veins on the legs
Prevention of varicose veins involves, first of all, caring for your body. It is highly not recommended to lift weights, eat fatty foods, or stay in the same position for a long time.
It is recommended to do exercises, go to the swimming pool, follow a diet and wear comfortable shoes. Swimming is an excellent help in the fight against varicose veins. Water treatments help keep blood vessels toned. Walking is no less useful for varicose veins.
If you have extra pounds, you need to get rid of them immediately. The diet will help tidy up your appearance and relieve your veins of excess stress. You also need to include in your diet foods that contain ascorbic acid and rutin. They strengthen the walls of blood vessels. A foot massage, which you can do yourself, would be a good idea.
What can’t be done with varicose veins? It is strictly forbidden to visit the sauna and bathhouse, sunbathe, or wear high-heeled shoes.
Varicose veins are a chronic disease that is inherited. However, a person has the power to avoid complications and even the occurrence of this disease.