Varicose disease of the lower extremities – the most common diseases of peripheral veins, that the violation of the outflow of blood in the venous system. According to various estimates, varicose veins suffer from 25 to 40% of women and 10-15% of men of working age.
With varicose disease disturbances occur in the wall of the vessel, and depending on the form of the disease, may be within the skin or subcutaneous tissue, more or less extended, to light, or barely visible. Sometimes patients for varicose veins include the "asterisk" - vascular or trophic disorders (darkening of the skin on the feet, seal the subcutaneous tissue and other manifestations).
Risk factors
The main reasons for development of varicose veins include:
- A hereditary predisposition. The disease may wear the distinctive "family" character, affects the relatives in the descending line.
- Pregnancy.
- Overweight.
- Work and sports, united with severe physical exertion, lifting weights, strong muscle tension. Long a static position – a sedentary or standing work).
- Intake of hormonal drugs.
- Wearing tight clothes and footwear.
- Disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system (tendency to constipation).
- Diseases of the liver and gallbladder (hepatitis, stagnation of bile, etc.).
Complications of varicose veins
Varicose disease causes serious complications, which are more stringent than the disease itself:
Thrombophlebitis. Inflammation of a vein with the formation in its lumen of the clot (the blood clot). The clot can cause painful sensations, in the contrary to walk and work. Part of the clot or the entire clot can start to move on the blood the bottom, carrying the threat of a blockage of some vessels and endanger my life.
Trigger the development thrombophlebitis may:
- bruises zones, varicose veins;
- overheating (bath or sauna);
- dehydration;
- high body temperature;
- alcohol poisoning;
- a long stay in a sitting position (driving in a car, or flying in an airplane).
Trophic ulcers. Arise in places varicose, bleed, and very hard to heal.
Change the composition of the blood and increase its viscosity.
Thromboembolism. Blockage clot in one of the coronary arteries.
Symptoms and diagnosis
The external manifestation of varicose disease is:
- the availability of venous mesh on the legs;
- candling thin veins;
- swelling of the legs;
- cramps;
- fatigue and heaviness in the legs at the end of the working day;
- pain in the legs after a strong physical exertion;
- the availability of significant inflammation of the nodes;
- education of venous leg ulcers.
The main method of diagnosis of varicose veins – ultrasound duplex scanning of blood vessels of the extremities (ULTRASOUND).
Treatment
Currently, there are two kinds of treatment of varicose disease:
- Conservative. A comprehensive approach in the treatment of varicose veins includes:
- the cleansing of the organism;
- treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver;
- outdoor use special creams and gels, hardening the walls of blood vessels, increases their elasticity, and also forming the swelling and fatigue in the legs;
- medication in the form of capsules;
- hirudotherapy (use of leeches) – one of the most conservative means of treatment of varicose veins and its complications;
- therapeutic physical training;
- the wearing of compression of the knitted fabric.
Organize courses of treatment is best for 1 month with breaks for 2-3 months.
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Surgical. Functional by removing the damaged portion of the vessel. The modern method of treatment – hardening. While in the affected vein applied a special substance, vienna subsides and off of the total blood flow – becomes broken. Venous outflow carried out a lengthy route – on a side road. In the cosmetic purposes it can be used micro sclerotherapy of spider veins.
Prevention
- Wear only comfortable and loose clothes and shoes that are not tiles and it is not pinched blood vessels.
- Avoid lifting and carrying weights.
- When sitting or standing work, it is important to do warm-ups and breaks.
- Slow down the development of the disease can be, if you regularly wear compression stockings: special elastic stockings, knee socks, tights, jersey.
- Use the elastic bandages that support the veins in the normal state.
- It is useful to do the exercises with raised upside down: lying on your back – "bicycle", "scissors", etc.
- For the prevention of varicose helpful walking, swimming, running, cycling, showers on feet.
- Attention to the normal work of the intestines. Drink a lot of water and eat sufficient amount of fresh fruits and vegetables (up to 400 g per day).