Do you think itching is the best indicator of the need for treatment? Varicose veins get worse slowly and gradually, how do you know when they need treatment?
This is not a problem like appendicitis. Failure to immediately treat acute appendicitis can lead to serious consequences and even death. There is a possibility of rupture and peritonitis. Over time, the body can cope even with this situation. But there is a high risk of not making it.
Is varicose veins a similar situation? It is usually not life-threatening.
But sometimes people die from it. A blow or minor injury to a large varicose vein can cause further bleeding. Due to the lack of backflow control, all the blood can leak out very quickly. Not as fast as from a damaged artery. But it is possible, and it happens.
Dealing with this problem is quite easy. Local pressure on the bleeding area will usually stop the bleeding. Elevating the limb also helps stop blood loss. The main thing is to be aware that this can happen. Bleeding from a vein occurs easily and with minimal discomfort.
The natural history of varicose veins suggests that the sooner you begin treatment, the better. The inevitable gradual deterioration only develops over time.
Because veins are interconnected, damage to one has a harmful effect on others. Gradually, the effect spreads and affects more and more vessels.
Some people can live their entire lives with varicose veins, even if the veins look very bad, and not suffer from the consequences of the disease. They may not even complain of irritating symptoms.
Although, if you start treating such people, they almost always notice an improvement in their health. This may be better resistance to exercise: they can climb stairs longer without stopping, whereas before treatment they had to stop repeatedly. Or they notice that they can stand for long periods of time without their legs feeling tired. They may notice that they now have much more energy. Or, fun fact, their partners may notice that they are not as grouchy at night.
There are problems for which almost all people need treatment. Large-scale skin changes, usually around the ankle, eczema associated with veins, very small veins that look on the verge of bursting and bleeding, ulcers.
For some, vein pain may be a good reason to start treatment. In addition, all other associated symptoms such as heaviness in the legs, restless legs, night cramps, swelling of the ankles and local superficial clots.
In large-scale studies that followed people with varicose veins over many years, one symptom was identified as the best indicator of future problems if left untreated. Many people thought that this was one of the problems listed above.
In fact, such a predictor was itching of varicose veins. Why him?
We know that varicose veins are associated with the accumulation of blood in damaged vessels. If you don't elevate your legs, blood can't easily return back to your heart. Waste accumulates in it: carbon dioxide, lactic acid, etc.
Skin drained by these veins will have an increased concentration of waste products. She becomes less healthy and drier. That's why itching occurs. Over time, this will lead to varicose eczema. Injuries in this area do not heal. Ulcers may appear.
Therefore, itching indicates that it is definitely time to treat varicose veins before more serious problems arise.
So if varicose veins are accompanied by itching of the skin of the legs, local or more general, nature is telling you that it is time for treatment.
Itching appears to be a harmless symptom, but it is important in predicting varicose veins that should be treated.
Often, people are in no hurry to treat varicose veins and consider it simply a cosmetic defect. And only when pain and itching appear with varicose veins of the legs do they begin to sound the alarm.
These symptoms are an excellent indicator of advanced disease. When the veins in the lower extremities swell, the skin located directly above the affected vessels is deprived of normal blood supply, which initially provokes peeling of the skin, and later the veins in the legs begin to itch.
Itching in the legs with varicose veins is associated with stagnation of venous blood, which causes blockage of the lumen of the vessel and the formation of blood clots. When the natural anatomical structure changes, a shapeless, weak vein begins to protrude above the skin surface, closing small vessels. They, in turn, also do not have enough space, and burning and itching can develop from continuous tension.
Another reason for the appearance of this symptom is that harmful substances accumulate in the “standing” blood: lactic acid, carbon dioxide, etc., which do not have time to be eliminated from the body in time. An increased concentration of waste above the skin leads to dryness, itching, burning of veins, a feeling of fullness, and subsequently to varicose eczema.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are sometimes accompanied by the formation of trophic ulcers. Their formation is promoted by itching, since a person cannot refrain from scratching.
Severe scratching is an open wound that, like a magnet, attracts various pathogens that cause more severe and even deadly pathologies.
Ulcer with varicose veins
Eczema with varicose veins
Most often, trophic ulcers form in the supramalleolar region, on the inner surface of the lower leg. Their development may be preceded by dermatitis, combined with painful itching and weeping eczema.
Ulcers can be either single or multiple. They themselves are usually flat, with a smooth bottom and uneven edges. Purulent or serous discharge is observed from the ulcers.
Itching and burning may also be accompanied by acute thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins. In this case, redness and painful seals form along the affected vessel.
As with any other disease with varicose veins, the earlier treatment is started, the higher the likelihood of a favorable course of the disease. Because over time, a certain deterioration in the condition of the veins and the development of various complications are inevitable.
Veins form a circulatory network, so damage to one of them cannot but affect the functioning and condition of others. The longer the disease lasts, the pathology affects more and more vessels.
Any specialist will answer the question of how to treat varicose veins only after asking about age, concomitant pathologies, general condition and direction of work activity.
With proper conservative treatment of varicose veins, it is possible to prevent further development of the disease and its complications, reduce itching and other symptoms, which will enable the patient to lead a normal lifestyle.
Of course, constant itching interferes with daily activities and certain duties. If the question arises about how to relieve itchy legs with varicose veins, phlebologists usually prescribe certain groups of medications:
First of all, before starting symptomatic treatment of varicose veins, you should take contrasting foot baths in the evenings or during the day, lie with the end of your foot elevated, lose excess weight, and wear only comfortable shoes.
The anti-varicose diet includes foods such as liver, onions, egg yolks, garlic, walnuts, beans, cabbage, soybeans, tomatoes, bell peppers, parsley, and lemons.
The diet should also include dishes rich in vitamins C, E and P. In this case, canned food, coffee, seasonings, sugar, marinades, alcohol, strong tea, confectionery and smoked meats should be excluded from the daily menu. The drinking regime should be at least 1.5-2 liters of water per day.
There are several ways to relieve itching using folk remedies. At home, they will help you get rid of this unpleasant symptom:
Often, intolerable itching that is difficult to treat is an indication for surgical intervention. In any case, the appropriateness of any therapy is determined by a phlebologist.
Varicose veins at the everyday level are perceived as a disease of the blood vessels of the legs. In fact, deformation of the veins can occur in a variety of areas of the body; medicine knows quite rare cases of varicose veins on the mammary glands of women and even on the face.
Venous insufficiency and varicose veins most often develop in the lower part of the body due to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the human body.
The part of the vascular system located below the center of gravity is almost constantly under heavy load, as a result of which stagnation occurs in the bloodstream. Along with the veins of the lower extremities, the veins of the pelvic organs and inguinal veins are especially vulnerable.
In men, varicose veins are often located on the genitals, testicles or penis. Some degree of varicose deformation of the inguinal veins is detected in approximately 80% of men aged 25-30 years.
Inguinal varicose veins in women affect the veins of the labia and often develop during pregnancy.
The main reasons for the development of varicose veins:
With a combination of several provoking factors, varicose veins in the groin are almost inevitable and the manifestation of the first symptoms is only a matter of time. Those at increased risk include office workers and professional drivers, whose sedentary work is aggravated by a lack of physical activity, loaders, construction workers and weightlifters, doctors, teachers, and service workers.
Varicose veins of the inguinal veins are more common in men and affect the vessels of the genital organs. In advanced cases, the veins of the inner thighs and buttocks are involved in the pathological process.
In 20% of cases, varicose veins in men affect the veins in the scrotum. This is a purely male ailment known as varicocele. In addition to the general causes of the development of vascular pathology, varicose veins in the groin in men can be provoked by:
There are four stages in the development of varicocele:
Another form of varicose veins in men is penile varicose veins. The following can lead to vascular damage:
Varicose veins in the groin in women are quite rare and affect the labia. The disease predominantly occurs during pregnancy due to progressive ascending varicose veins of the legs or descending pathology of the uterine veins.
The walls of deformed vessels become very thin, and there is a risk of damage to the veins and accompanying massive bleeding, which is especially dangerous during childbirth.
Varicose changes in the inguinal veins during pregnancy lead to:
Varicose veins in the early stages are asymptomatic, the first clinical manifestations are general and patients do not take them seriously. Many consider protruding veins in the genital area to be the first serious signal. In this case, some discomfort may be felt in the affected area, pain in the groin is possible, especially during erection and urination in a standing position.
In women, in addition to vague discomfort in the groin area, there may be a tugging in the lower abdomen, irritation of the mucous membranes, and itching of the genitals. Varicose veins in the groin in the early stages can be confused with other diseases, since its first symptoms are general.
With a rapidly progressing disease, characteristic symptoms appear in the groin: varicose nodes, the affected vessels hurt, especially after exercise, accompanied by a rush of blood to the lower part of the body.
Varicose veins in the groin in men are one of the possible causes of infertility. In the absence of timely treatment, the walls of the affected vessels become inflamed and thrombophlebitis develops.
Varicose veins are an insidious disease, it comes once and for life. Therefore, you should not put off going to the doctor until the day when the first varicose veins appear in the groin. Ideally, you should undergo preventive examinations with a therapist annually, but due to the rarity of such attentive attitude towards yourself, the reason for visiting the clinic is the first visible changes in the pattern of veins in the lower part of the body. Varicose veins, detected in the early stages, can be controlled through lifestyle correction and the use of conservative treatment methods.
During the examination, the doctor determines the presence of complaints and examines the patient with palpation of the area where the lesion is supposed to be localized. To clarify the diagnosis and identify possible deformation of the deep veins, it is recommended:
Treatment of vascular pathologies falls within the competence of a phlebologist. Depending on the degree of damage to the veins, conservative or surgical treatment of inguinal varicose veins is possible. Conservative methods include wearing compression garments and drug therapy. The compression class of knitwear is recommended only by a doctor. The patient is prescribed drugs that increase the tone of the vascular walls; if necessary, treatment of varicose veins in the groin is supplemented with anticoagulants. The course of treatment may include:
Another effective method is pressotherapy, but it has some limitations in its use and is not suitable for all patients.
Some traditional medicine can also improve the patient’s condition, but only as an addition to the main treatment in consultation with the doctor.
Lifestyle correction is also of great importance. Patients diagnosed with varicose veins of the inguinal veins are advised to review their diet, make adjustments to their daily routine and give up bad habits.
In advanced cases, surgical treatment is recommended. In the early stages of deformation, treatment of varicose veins in the groin is carried out using minimally invasive methods; in advanced cases, the varicose vein in the groin has to be partially removed.
It is not yet possible to completely cure varicose veins using modern medicine, but if you follow the doctor’s recommendations, the progression of the disease can be stopped for an indefinitely long time.
Most women associate the word “varicose veins” with the disease “varicose veins of the lower extremities.” But, unfortunately, other vessels can also be involved in the pathological process, including the vessels of the genital organs. To detect the disease in time, you should undergo regular examinations with a gynecologist. Varicose veins of the labia in many women go away on their own without medical intervention, but only after childbirth, but this does not mean that the manifestations of the disease can be ignored, because in the absence of timely treatment, dangerous consequences can develop.
Varicose veins often develop during pregnancy in the last trimester, when the placenta and fetus place increased pressure on the pelvic area. In almost 10% of cases, varicose veins do not go away even after childbirth. The prognosis depends on the woman’s lifestyle, hereditary factors, even body weight and type of employment.
In women who have not given birth, varicose veins of the labia are extremely rarely diagnosed. The disease mainly affects patients who are carrying a baby. During this period, complex changes occur in the body: hormonal changes, decreased immunity, an increase in the weight and size of the fetus, and a shift in internal organs.
The following factors can provoke the development of a pathological process:
Varicose veins of the labia cause a lot of discomfort and cause the development of various complexes and self-doubt. In addition, the disease is accompanied by unpleasant, painful symptoms.
Main signs of pathology:
After sexual contact, visiting the toilet, or staying in a sitting position for a long time, the symptoms intensify. The woman suffers from a constantly accompanying aching pain that radiates to the sacrum. As the pathological process develops, the patient’s emotional and mental state worsens, her performance decreases, and she is plagued by irritability, aggressiveness, and bad mood.
If you recognize the pathology in the early stages of development and begin correct, effective therapy, you can quickly and successfully cure the disease and return to a normal lifestyle without pain and discomfort. First, a small nodule appears on the labia, which already indicates a violation of the proper functioning of the veins. If you do not attach importance to this sign, the number of nodules will gradually increase, as will their size, and it becomes difficult for the woman to walk, sit, or even lie down.
If primary symptoms of pathology appear, you should immediately contact a gynecologist to undergo a detailed examination, identify and eliminate the cause, and cure the disease. As a rule, with the help of modern techniques, a specially formulated diet, and effective drug therapy, it is possible to stop the progression of the pathological process and remove unpleasant symptoms.
If you do not give due importance to the primary signs, you may encounter the following complications:
Vulvar varicose veins are a specialization not only of gynecologists, but also of phlebologists and vascular surgeons. At the initial visit, the doctor conducts a visual examination and consultation, then writes out a referral for a blood test, coagulogram and ultrasound examination. The latter technique allows you to determine the condition of the venous wall.
It will be possible to engage in full treatment of the pathology only after childbirth. During pregnancy, most medications should not be used because they can affect the development of the fetus.
To alleviate the condition, a pregnant woman is recommended:
These simple recommendations will help not only improve the condition of a patient with varicose veins, but also ensure a normal pregnancy without complications, and also prevent the progression of the pathological process.
Varicose veins of the labia usually heal on their own after the birth of the child. The provoking factor - excess pressure - is eliminated, and accordingly, the functioning of blood vessels is improved and blood flow improves. If the pathological process began to develop even before pregnancy, and its cause is a hereditary predisposition, weak vascular walls, the disease can remain, progress, and cause a lot of trouble for the woman.
Today there are several ways to treat varicose veins of the vulva. The most effective is an integrated approach to treating the disease, which includes drug therapy and the use of compression hosiery products.
For varicose veins of the genital organs, drugs from the following pharmacokinetic groups are prescribed:
Compression hosiery can alleviate the patient's condition. It has a positive effect on the genitals, helping to normalize blood flow in them and eliminate symptoms. You can relieve pain with a specially selected set of physical exercises. To relieve symptoms, you can take anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs with analgesic effects.
Sclerotherapy is recognized as the most effective way to treat varicose veins of the labia. It is carried out on an outpatient basis. The essence of the technique is the introduction of a special drug into the vessels, which promotes the removal of blood from the affected vein. The vein contracts and stops functioning, blood no longer passes through it, looking for other paths through healthy vessels.
If conservative treatment methods do not help or the condition is too advanced, you will have to resort to surgical intervention. Deformed veins are removed during laser coagulation or phlebectomy.
It is easier to prevent any disease, including varicose veins of the genital organs, than to later deal with unpleasant symptoms and dangerous consequences. You can prevent the development of varicose veins by regularly undergoing preventive examinations by a gynecologist. The specialist will determine what the risks of developing pathology are and will also tell you what to do to avoid it.
Patients who have a hereditary predisposition to the development of such diseases are recommended to monitor their health with particular care. If there is a risk of varicose veins, it is better to avoid wearing high-heeled shoes or tight underwear, which interfere with normal blood circulation through the vessels.
Proper nutrition is also important. Constipation should not be allowed. It is advisable to exclude junk food, alcoholic drinks, and soda from the diet. You need to monitor your weight, because obesity is a very common cause of the development of varicose veins, and not only of the genitals.
Specially designed physical exercises to strengthen the vaginal muscles and stimulate blood circulation in the genitals will be useful. Underwear must be natural, not compressive, and not cause discomfort.
Varicose veins of the labia are an unpleasant but very common disease. Not all women know how it can manifest itself, so even after detecting signs, they are in no hurry to consult a specialist. Thanks to the achievements of modern medicine, it is now possible to completely get rid of the disease. It is important to notice symptoms in time, consult a doctor to undergo a comprehensive examination and begin effective therapy.
Varicose veins, the causes of which lie in the disruption of blood outflow through the veins due to dysfunction of the valves and weakening of their walls, are characterized by serpentine deformation of the peripheral veins, their expansion and elongation. Varicose veins, as a rule, affect the lower extremities, because they bear the main load (larger volume of blood outflow). This is due to the fact that due to standing in an upright position and walking, venous pressure increases.
According to statistics, varicose veins occur in approximately 20-25% of people. It can also develop in young people. Boys and girls suffer from it equally. In adulthood, women are more susceptible to the disease. Due to age-related hormonal changes in the body (menstruation, pregnancy or menopause), varicose veins in women are 2-3 times more common than in men.
For many people, varicose veins do not show any symptoms. Only unaesthetic cosmetic manifestations are observed when the expansion of veins becomes visible through the skin.
The first symptoms of this vein disease are swollen legs by the end of the day, heaviness and a feeling of fullness in the calves. These manifestations are observed when standing for a long time and while sitting. At the initial stage of the pathology, the listed symptoms disappear during walking and after a night's rest.
As varicose veins progress, they begin to manifest themselves as a feeling of heat in the legs, and cramps appear in the calf muscles (most often at night). In addition, blue-purple vascular formations, the so-called “stars,” appear on the legs. The intradermal and subcutaneous expansion of the veins is clearly visible, which acquire a dark blue and crimson color.
If varicose veins are not treated, they become chronic, which can develop into thrombophlebitis (inflammation that accompanies the dilation of the veins when blood clots form in them). General symptoms of the disease: pain, itching, fatigue, cramps, swelling. In some cases, varicose veins are characterized by constant dull pain, pressing sensations, trophic ulcers on the affected areas and bleeding. Such complications should be immediately reported to a physician for evaluation.
Diseases such as varicose veins, the causes of which are difficult to identify, usually provoke an imbalance in the body of elastin and collagen substances. This entails an increase in pressure, the walls of the veins lose their elasticity, the venous valves weaken, become thinner and stretch, and as a result, their work is disrupted. As a result, the veins and valves become unable to cope with the flow of blood, reverse flow occurs, and congestion occurs.
A risk factor for acquiring the disease may be heredity, when a mutated gene responsible for the structure of the walls of blood vessels and their strength is inherited. As a result, a child who has passed on such a gene is born with weak connective or muscular tissues of the vessel walls, sometimes with a lack of valves, which leads to an increase in pressure in the veins.
Changes in hormonal levels, such as menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, when the level of the steroid hormone progesterone increases and the level of the female hormone estrogen decreases, affects blood clotting factors, increasing it. The collagen and elastic fibers of the vein walls are destroyed and, as a result, their tone decreases. As a result, blood clots form, blood vessels become clogged and deformed.
Varicose veins can occur due to obesity. Due to excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle, blood circulation slows down, and excess fat increases intra-abdominal pressure. It disrupts venous blood flow, causing stagnation in the veins.
The causes of varicose veins may lie in diabetes mellitus. Constantly elevated blood sugar levels gradually damage the walls of veins and blood vessels, contributing to the formation of blood clots.
Other reasons are alcohol abuse. Excessive libations dehydrate the body and thicken the blood, which causes blood clots to form, clogging the veins and disrupting blood circulation.
Excessive loads (especially those associated with lifting weights), long walking for many years, standing work reduce muscle tone, increase intra-abdominal pressure, blood flow to the heart becomes difficult and it stagnates in the lower extremities, which also causes varicose veins. The risk group includes people of such professions as: loaders, weightlifters, conductors, salesmen, etc.
Congenital bleeding disorders, such as hypercoagulation (increased blood clotting) lead to the formation of blood clots. Due to this reason, the migration of blood through the vessels is disrupted.
Varicose veins can also be a consequence of poor nutrition, when the diet lacks a number of vitamins that play an important role in strengthening the walls of blood vessels (vitamins C, P and E) and plant fibers that cleanse the body and thereby improve blood circulation.
Frequent wearing of tight underwear is extremely unfavorable. This causes mechanical compression of the veins, preventing the outflow of blood from the lower extremities.
Chronic constipation can also develop varicose veins, since frequent pushing increases intra-abdominal pressure, which again impedes blood flow in the legs.
Blood stagnation is also caused by constant walking in high heels, when the lower leg muscles do not move enough.
Frequent thirst, inherent in the hot season, when dehydration occurs, leads to blood thickening and, as a result, the formation of blood clots.
Varicose veins can be caused by cardiovascular disease, as well as kidney disease, when the flow of blood in the veins is impaired due to damage to the heart valves or a congenital defect.
The risk of blood clots and blockage of blood vessels increases significantly with an overdose of drugs to increase blood clotting.
The formation of blood clots can also be a consequence of surgery, when there was a large loss of blood or the patient occupied an awkward position on the operating table, which caused compression of the blood vessels.
Less commonly, varicose veins are a complication due to phlebitis (venous inflammation), thrombosis or blood clots that inhibit the movement of blood through the veins, as well as a consequence of congenital venous anomalies.
Diagnosis of the disease begins with a thorough general physical examination by a medical specialist, who should ask whether a similar pathology is observed in any of the relatives, how long ago the first signs were noticed, whether there are any symptoms and whether their manifestations are worsening. What matters is the person’s height, which must be measured, as well as other medical indicators. Palpation (palpation) is performed to determine bleeding or ulcers.
Diagnosing the stage of varicose veins can be greatly helped by standing the patient for 5 to 10 minutes, when the veins become more visible:
The examination of superficial veins involves inspection, palpation and the first three methods listed above. The last two methods are used for deep vein pathology.
If proper treatment is not carried out, this pathology is fraught with severe circulatory disorders, the formation and development of blood clots in the veins, as well as death due to blockage of large vessels of the heart and lungs by a detached blood clot.
Treating varicose veins is long and difficult, so it is best to take preventive measures to avoid the risk of the disease. Gels, ointments, and wearing special compression stockings will help with this. However, you should not select preventive methods yourself, but in consultation with a specialist.
There are a number of simple rules, including: taking a contrast shower, limiting visits to saunas, steam rooms, solariums, avoiding hot baths, wearing comfortable shoes with heels no higher than four centimeters.
A very common disease in which varicose veins are observed in the anal area is hemorrhoids. This disease can hide for a long time, but at one point it will simply become an unbearable problem.
It is always necessary to listen to the sensations before, during and after bowel movements. This process is natural and should not cause any significant inconvenience. If during this process bloody discharge occurs, and then itching in the anal area and swelling - this is the first “bell” that signals a malfunction of the excretory system.
In such cases, you need to urgently consult a proctologist and undergo an examination so as not to start an irreversible process in which the walls of the blood vessels will no longer be able to recover on their own. The risk zone includes males, middle-aged individuals who lead a predominantly sedentary lifestyle.
Varicose veins are the terrible “plague of the 21st century.” 57% of patients die within 10 years of.
The causes of this disease can be very diverse:
If the doctor has established the initial stage and identified varicose veins, which will result in hemorrhoids, the patient will be prescribed a special diet that excludes rough, fatty foods and foods that cause constipation. In contrast, it will be recommended to increase the consumption of fiber and vitamins found in vegetables and fruits.
If the degree of the disease is more serious and surgical intervention is planned, then ligation of the hemorrhoids will be recommended, which will help eliminate the problem.
One way or another, it is possible and even necessary to prevent such a disease as varicose veins of the anus. To do this, it is enough to eat right, exercise and consume enough necessary vitamins and microelements.
Ksenia Strizhenko: “How did I get rid of varicose veins on my legs in 1 week? This inexpensive product works wonders, it's a common one. "
Varicose veins are an irreversible phenomenon. Characterized by an increase in the lumen of the veins and impaired blood flow. This is due to weakening and thinning of the vascular walls and valve failure. As a result, the veins lengthen, become tortuous, dilate unevenly and form nodes.
When talking about this disease, they most often mean varicose veins in the legs. Indeed, this is the most common location, but the pathological process can affect almost any vein in the human body.
Varicose veins of the rectum, commonly known as hemorrhoids, are another common vascular disease. The main signs are pain, burning, itching, bleeding from the anus, and possible blood clot formation.
Reticular varicose veins develop more often in women and are considered rather a cosmetic problem that does not cause any particular inconvenience other than aesthetic ones. It is characterized by dilation of intradermal thin veins, as a result of which spider veins appear on the legs, usually on the lateral surfaces of the legs. In some cases, by the end of the day, swelling, itching, pain, and heaviness in the legs may occur.
Esophageal varices occur when pressure in the collar vein increases. In this case, the dilated veins of the anterior abdominal wall form a pattern called the head of a jellyfish. Due to the accumulation of fluid, the abdomen enlarges and ascites develops.
Varicose veins of the pelvis have been little studied to date and represent the greatest difficulty for phlebologists in terms of diagnosis and treatment. The main symptoms of varicose veins of the pelvis are pain in the lower abdomen, severe pain in the 2nd phase of the menstrual cycle, pain during and after sexual intercourse in the vagina and vulva area.
Varicose veins of the female genitalia are lesions of the labia, which can be congenital or acquired. Often the pathological process starts during pregnancy. In this case, the formation of strands and nodes occurs, accompanied by dryness, itching, and pigmentation of the skin. Swelling, pain, a feeling of heaviness and fullness are possible.
Varicocele is an enlargement of the veins that form the pampiniform plexus of the spermatic cord, in which blood flow in the testicular vein is disrupted. As a result, the temperature in the scrotum increases, and therefore spermatogenesis is disrupted.
The most common type of disease is varicose veins of the lower extremities, in which there is incompetence of the valves, poor circulation and stagnation of blood in the legs.
This is a chronic progressive disease that, once it appears, accompanies a person throughout his life. According to experts, varicose veins in the legs are diagnosed in 30% of the population of our country, while a quarter of patients develop complications leading to disability at a fairly young age.
Women get sick three times more often than men. This is associated with changes in hormonal status during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Today, there are several hypotheses for the origin of such pathology as varicose veins. The exact reasons have not yet been clarified. It is believed that there is a hereditary predisposition, and the disease develops due to weak venous walls from birth and genetically determined valve defects.
This list is quite long. All of the following factors are not the causes of varicose veins, but only contribute to its development.
Thus, we can summarize that people with congenital valve defects or weak blood vessels, as well as those whose activities are associated with risk factors, should engage in the prevention of varicose veins in order to avoid or delay the development of pathology.
Varicose veins gradually progress. Symptoms differ at different stages of the disease.
For this purpose, anamnesis collection, examination, instrumental and laboratory tests are carried out.
The doctor asks the patient about working and living conditions, the presence of endocrine diseases, the number of pregnancies and births, bad habits, contraceptive methods, previous surgical operations, and finds out whether there are hereditary prerequisites for varicose veins.
It is advisable to carry out the examination when the veins are maximally filled with blood, that is, when the patient is in an upright position, preferably in the evening. Under such conditions, the outline of the affected vessels is clearly visible. Using palpation, the doctor determines the pain, density, tension, and extent of the affected areas. In addition, it determines the presence of edema, spider veins, hyperpigmentation, dermatitis and ulcers on the legs, and measures the temperature at the site of accumulation of venous nodes.
The most commonly used instrumental method is ultrasound examination - Dopplerography. Several areas are being explored. Mandatory - groin area, popliteal fossa and lower third of the leg. Using this method, blood flow speed, valve integrity, and vascular patency are assessed.
For varicose veins, a laboratory blood test is performed to determine and control such an indicator as coagulation. This is of great importance due to the high likelihood of blood clots.
The goal of the phlebologist is to eliminate the existing clinical manifestations of the disease, prevent the development of relapses and complications.
If a diagnosis of varicose veins is made, complex treatment is used. These are conservative and surgical methods, including drug therapy, surgical interventions (including minimally invasive), thermal procedures (laser coagulation, radiofrequency ablation), elastic compression, therapeutic exercises, diet, and lifestyle correction.
Medicines are an integral part of the treatment of varicose veins. The goals of drug therapy are to eliminate discomfort, cramps, a feeling of heaviness and fatigue in the legs, relieve swelling, itching, pain, and also prevent complications that are fraught with varicose veins of the legs. Treatment is developed individually for each patient.
Doctors have at their disposal a large number of drugs of different spectrum of action for internal use and external use. They are designed to increase vascular tone, improve the outflow of blood and lymph, prevent skin manifestations, and normalize microcirculation.
The main group of medications are venotonics. They are available in tablets, capsules, gel and ointment forms. Many of them are made from plants, are well tolerated, and have virtually no side effects. This group includes preparations based on rutin, horse chestnut and extract obtained from grape leaves.
For varicose veins, anticoagulants are used to reduce blood viscosity and prevent the development of thrombophlebitis. These include ointments and creams with heparin. External products usually include cooling components: menthol, eucalyptus, camphor.
There are also combination drugs that include both venotonics and anticoagulants.
For inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed in tablets or capsules. Antihistamines are prescribed to relieve itching.
Surgery involves removing the affected area of the vein to eliminate the abnormal flow of blood from the superficial to the deep veins. Classical phlebectomy is used less and less today if varicose veins are diagnosed. Treatment of this type is indicated, as a rule, in advanced cases and with a large diameter of the veins.
Surgical techniques are constantly being improved. Today, altered veins are excised as accurately as possible, with minimal damage to the skin. Traumatic phlebectomy is increasingly being replaced by more gentle methods. These include stripping, in which two small incisions are made at the beginning and end of the affected vein. Using a special probe, the vein is pulled out, ligated, and cut off. During stripping, not the entire vein may be removed, but only the changed area.
Another type of surgical intervention, microphlebectomy, is increasingly used today for diseases such as varicose veins. The operation is low-traumatic, since no incisions are made, and the affected area of the vein is removed piece by piece through punctures. In this case, healing occurs much faster than with classical surgery and stripping.
This modern method of treating varicose veins involves exposing the vessel wall to laser radiation. As a result, the walls of the vessel are glued together, the trunk is welded and undergoes complete occlusion. Over time, the irradiated vein is replaced by connective tissue.
During the procedure, a light guide is inserted into the vascular lumen using a catheter and radiation is applied at certain intervals. At the end of the session, a roller is placed in the projection of the treated vein and elastic bandaging is performed.
The procedure is low-traumatic and is performed without incisions under local anesthesia. Duration - about an hour. After this, the person can go home and start work the next day. The advantages of the method are a good cosmetic effect and a low percentage of complications.
This non-surgical method of treating varicose veins is widespread. The essence is to transform the altered vein into a fibrous cord. To do this, a special sclerosing agent is injected into the lumen of the vessel using a thin needle. Under its action, the walls stick together, the lumen closes, and blood flow in the vein stops.
The procedure is low-traumatic (the patient experiences slight discomfort), quite simple to perform, lasts about 20 minutes, gives a good cosmetic result, and does not require hospitalization. Most often used when working with small veins: with reticular varicose veins or in the presence of spider veins.
The method is used in combination with surgical treatment. With the help of sclerotherapy, veins that were specifically left during surgical removal of the affected vessels are obliterated.
This is the least traumatic and safest method. It consists of using microwaves, under the thermal influence of which the vein undergoes obliteration, that is, the lumen closes. Radiofrequency ablation has been used recently. Particularly good results can be achieved by combining it with other minimally invasive methods.
However, it may not always apply. There are contraindications related to the anatomy of the venous bed and the diameter of the nodes, the presence of thrombophlebitis and trophic changes.
This method has advantages:
Wearing compression stockings is an important part of the treatment and prevention of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Special tights or stockings do not get rid of the disease, but they reduce the load on blood vessels and prevent stagnation of blood in the veins. Elastic compression has a positive effect on microcirculation, enhances lymphatic and venous outflow, reduces the diameter of the lumen of the veins, and slows down the progression of the disease.
Therapeutic knitwear, which is used for varicose veins, is divided into four classes:
Compression hosiery is prescribed and selected by the doctor strictly according to size, taking into account the nature and severity of the disease, as well as existing contraindications, including: septic phlebitis, trophic ulcers of non-venous origin, acute infectious diseases of soft tissues, cardiopulmonary failure (decompensated stage) and others.
There is also preventive knitwear, the compression class of which is less than 18 mm Hg. pillar You can buy such products yourself, unlike medicinal ones. They are intended for healthy people to prevent varicose veins of the extremities in case of constant presence of risk factors in life.
Manufacturers of compression hosiery offer a wide range of products. It must be said that modern models are made in different colors, they are dense and very thin, and in appearance they practically do not differ from everyday tights and stockings. Compression hosiery is an indispensable item for such a disease as varicose veins. Patient reviews confirm this. Everyone who is forced to wear special tights or stockings says that their legs feel lighter, and even by the end of the day they do not swell.
Elastic bandaging is significantly inferior to therapeutic knitwear due to the difficulty of use and unaesthetic appearance.
This option is allowed as an additional treatment to the main treatment. A competent approach when choosing folk remedies is important.
Horse chestnut has long been used in traditional medicine. To prepare medicines, leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, and roots are used. At the pharmacy you can purchase horse chestnut tincture for internal and external use.
You can prepare it yourself. You will need alcohol (one liter) and crushed flowers or fruits of the plant (5 tablespoons). Pour alcohol over the chestnut and keep in a dark place for 7 days. After this, strain and drink three times a day, 35 drops dissolved in a tablespoon of water, before meals (about half an hour). You can rub the same tincture on sore spots or make compresses.
Horse chestnut strengthens the walls of blood vessels, relieves inflammation, relieves fatigue and tension in the legs.
As already mentioned, varicose veins cannot be completely cured. To slow or stop the progression of the disease, it is important not only to carry out therapeutic measures, but also to change lifestyle. It is enough to follow the following rules:
Prevention of varicose veins is especially important for those at risk who have already shown the first signs of varicose veins: fine purple mesh and heaviness in the lower extremities. It is not always possible to change your occupation, but you must follow the following recommendations:
If you start varicose veins of the extremities, treatment will be difficult. The disease progresses rapidly; without proper therapy, complications develop, including: