Many people have encountered the problem of varicose veins in the lower extremities.Over the years, this disease is becoming more common, regardless of gender and age.The reason for this may be the lifestyle of office workers, who spend most of their time motionless, sitting at the computer, as well as that part of the population that spends working time standing - salespeople, surgeons, cooks, waiters, models and so on.
The symptoms of varicose veins are very diverse.It is rare for several patients to present the same symptoms.Most often, this venous disease occurs with individual characteristics.However, all those who suffer from this disease are united by one condition - the symptom of “heavy legs”, which includes swelling, heaviness in the legs, pain in the veins, while the veins themselves at the beginning of the disease may be of normal size and not stand out.Later, dilated veins appear on the legs, which can be seen with the naked eye.This is already an indisputable sign of varicose veins.
Varicose veins: brief information about the disease
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a disease long known to doctors;has its own history, full of interesting facts.Doctors in Ancient Egypt were involved in the treatment of varicose veins, as evidenced by excavations when signs of varicose veins and traces of treatment for complications of this disease were found in mummies.Luminaries such as Avicenna, Galen and Hippocrates also mentioned the existence of varicose veins in their works.
The term “varices” itself translated from Latin means “swelling”, which reflects the clinical picture of this pathology.
The treatment of varicose veins at that time was also interesting and at the same time scary.Doctors realized that the dilated and thrombosed vein must be removed to avoid complications.However, technology was imperfect at that time.The operation on the veins was quite traumatic: to reach the altered vein, extensive incisions were made in the limbs, which ran the entire length of the leg in the form of stripes or spiral incisions.Not surprisingly, these patients often die not from the disease itself, but from complications associated with surgery.
A revolution in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities occurred after phlebography began to actively develop.After the introduction of X-rays and ultrasound into medical practice, it became easier to diagnose the degree of vascular damage and operations were carried out more objectively.The risk of postoperative complications has decreased and the recovery rate has become significantly higher.
Over time, less traumatic techniques emerged, as very large incisions caused postoperative complications and often incapacitated the patient (in case of accidental damage to nerves and tendons).This is how the “minimally invasive” treatment methods currently used were developed, which do not require the use of a scalpel.
We are luckier than our ancestors, because at the moment this pathology is being treated successfully.Even surgical treatment methods do not pose a great danger to health.Operated patients easily return to normal life after a short time.And some interventions allow patients to forget about their problem immediately after leaving the medical center.The main thing, as with any disease, is to have time to seek medical help at an early stage in the development of the disease.
Dilated veins in the legs are not dangerous, thrombophlebitis is!
Almost all media outlets shout about varicose veins, advertising new miracle drugs that promise to rid us of the disease in the shortest possible time.So why is this disease dangerous, why are we encouraged to spend a lot of money on expensive ointments and creams to get rid of this disease?
Varicose veins reduce our quality of life.Symptoms such as pain and heaviness in the legs, swelling, changes in skin color and the appearance of non-healing ulcers are all very unpleasant and difficult.People suffering from this disease have difficulty leading an active lifestyle, have to look for work with easier working conditions, and so on.But that's not the worst.
Varicose veins in the legs are accompanied by the formation of blood clots inside the veins.After breaking off, this blood clot can enter the pulmonary artery and cause a serious condition called pulmonary embolism.It is very difficult to treat, and most often patients with thromboembolism do not even have time to get to a medical facility - death can occur suddenly.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a disease with serious complications.Self-medication is fatal.Only experienced specialists and regular monitoring will preserve your health and your life!
Varicose vein treatment: venous surgery
Dilated veins on the legs are a reason to seek help from a surgeon.Varicose veins are the field of activity of surgical specialists.Each patient tries to avoid surgical intervention until the last moment, but it is necessary to know that varicose veins are curable and complications associated with the disease can only be cured radically.Of course, you shouldn't completely rule out conservative therapy, but you shouldn't rely on it either.Drug treatment works in conjunction with surgical methods.It's hard to imagine one without the other.Conservative therapy alleviates the course of the disease, reduces unpleasant symptoms to a minimum, allows for faster recovery after surgery and reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
Drug treatment, as an independent method, can be used if there are contraindications to surgery.This treatment only delays the development of the disease without eliminating the cause.
Nowadays, venous surgery is a very common procedure.Varicose veins are treated in several ways.The choice of one or another method of intervention is determined by the doctor, based on the stage of the disease, medical history and test results of the patient.
Types of operations:
- Phlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Laser coagulation.
In a surgery called phlebectomy, the damaged vein is removed through small incisions in the limbs.Venous surgery is performed under general anesthesia.The risk of relapse after this treatment method is low.The operation itself does not cause much harm to the patient's health and recovery is quite quick.Patients usually spend only a few days in the hospital.After the intervention, drug therapy and the use of compression belts are prescribed.
Sclerotherapy, as a minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins, has its roots in the distant past.Many doctors have tried to cure this pathology by introducing various chemical compounds into the lumen of dilated veins.Through trial and error, we managed to achieve success in this direction.A medicine was found that is used successfully to this day.This substance is administered intravenously under ultrasound guidance.The procedure is painless.Under the influence of the drug, the walls of the damaged vein stick together and then disappear.The procedure must be carried out by an experienced specialist, as an excessive dose of the drug or its introduction into soft tissues leads to serious complications.
Laser coagulation is a minimally invasive venous surgery performed without incisions.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and afterward the patient immediately returns to their normal lifestyle, following some recommendations.The essence of the method is that a laser light guide is inserted into the dilated vein under ultrasound control.Under the influence of a laser beam, the walls of the vein are welded together and blood flow becomes impossible.Perhaps this is the most effective and safest method of treatment in our time.Of course, laser coagulation cannot be performed on everyone without exception.Like any therapeutic method, it has its indications and contraindications.
Phlebologist is the best friend of patients with varicose veins
People suffering from varicose veins, as well as people who have a hereditary predisposition to this disease or are at risk, should consult a phlebologist annually to monitor the condition of the veins in the legs.
A phlebologist is a narrow specialty doctor who deals with venous vessel problems.
The doctor will prescribe an ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities, which can show the condition of the vein walls, valves, check the patency of blood vessels, exclude the presence of blood clots and assess the severity of the disease.This information will help prevent the development of varicose veins in the early stages, completely avoid surgical intervention or allow you to eliminate the pathology using a minimally invasive method.The earlier the disease is detected, the better the treatment outcome will be.
Don't be afraid to seek help from experts.Ultrasound examination of veins is a painless procedure;you just need to be patient as it takes a lot of time.