Every fourth man and every third woman on the planet suffer from varicose veins. The causes of varicose veins include: genetic predisposition, excessive load on the veins, impaired blood flow to the upper part of the body.
Varicose veins occur only in humans, this is our price for walking upright. The pressure of the upper part of the body prevents the blood from rising up. During pregnancy, the uterus strongly presses and prevents the outflow from the veins of the lower parts of the body to the upper body. Therefore, varicose veins are a common problem in the second half of pregnancy. Increased body weight is another factor that contributes to the appearance of varicose veins. Since the large mass of the body creates significant resistance, which must be overcome by the blood flowing through the veins.
The venous system of the lower extremities consists of deep and superficial veins. In deep veins, blood flows from the bottom up, and the pressure there is quite high. The superficial system collects blood from the subcutaneous tissue and skin, flows mainly in the groin area into the deep venous system, as well as through connecting veins on the leg and thigh.
In the case of a moderate expansion of the saphenous vein, the valve that prevents venous blood from flowing down does not reach the opposite wall. Therefore, a small part of the blood begins to flow down. From below, this vein feels a heavy load to push another portion of blood up, and this causes the vein to expand. This condition is called varicose veins.
The first symptoms of varicose veins include heaviness, pain in the legs, bulging veins, nodules on them. Do not delay, consult a vascular surgeon. He will prescribe such a study as a duplex scan of the vessels of the lower extremities. And according to the ultrasound results, he will prescribe the necessary treatment.
Untimely treatment threatens the development of complications. These are inflammation of veins (thrombophlebitis), thrombosis and chronic venous insufficiency. The latter can lead to irreversible changes in the skin and soft tissues of the legs with the formation of edema, thickening of the subcutaneous fat layer and the formation of a trophic ulcer.
To relieve the symptoms of venous insufficiency, gels, ointments, and tablets are used. But using only them is not enough. An important component in the fight against varicose veins is the use of special compression knitwear. It prevents the disease from progressing.
The most effective way to fight varicose veins is surgical procedures:
- miniphlebectomy – removal of veins through micro (no more than 3 mm) punctures using a special tool;
- laser ablation – closing the lumen of the altered vein (under the action of the laser, the plasma boils and glues the vein together);
- Sclerotherapy is a method of treating varicose veins, in which a solution of a drug that glues the vein is injected into the vein.
Such operations take little time and pass without complications.
The vascular surgeon, taking into account the course of your disease, will select the necessary procedure that will restore health and beauty to your legs.
The article was prepared by the chief physician of the "Treatment and Diagnostic Center", "Adult Polyclinic", "Left Bank Adult Polyclinic", surgeon, phlebologist, doctor of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences, Maksym Shcherbyna Volodymyrovych.
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