Varicose veins - a disease associated with an increase of deformation, and the formation of the nodes of the veins close to the surface of the body. Most often seen on the legs.
The disease is seen in 20% of women and 10% men around the world. The disease in the initial stages rarely bothers patients, but it is fraught with great danger to life, because at any moment it may be thrombophlebitis. Blood clots that form in varicose veins can break off and move through the bloodstream to vital organs and cause death.
Varicose veins are triggered by the weakness of wall and the valve system of the patient. This system circulates blood through the veins from the legs to the heart, but the dysfunction of the valve there is a stagnation of blood in the legs and increasing pressure. As a result, the veins become large, weak, and their shape is disturbed.
Varicose veins often affects people who have a genetic predisposition. In addition, the risk of developing this disease increases in people who are overweight, pregnant women, and in individuals who spend a lot of time standing. The main factor that contributes to the development of the disease - the aging process.
Symptoms
The disease has two forms (primary and secondary).
The primary form of the disease is associated with weakness or a violation of the venous wall. Factors that cause this disease are pregnancy, obesity, congenital weakness of the connective tissue, a prolonged stay in a standing position, and also wearing stockings with tight elastic bands.
The symptoms of the primary form of varicose veins:
- fatigue, burden, pain and burning sensation in legs;
- itching of the vessels;
- swelling of the ankles or feet.
The secondary form of varicose veins caused by venous outflow disorders, as well as trauma and tumors.
The symptoms in this form are:
- swelling of the feet and legs after prolonged standing or sitting;
- pain in legs and calves;
- skin changes (increased dryness, discoloration of the skin, reducing the thickness of the skin);
- night cramps in the legs;
- trophic ulcers.
Causes of varicose veins of the legs are:
- inherited weakness of the vessels;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- long a static load;
- hormonal disorders and hormonal drugs;
- leg injuries;
- pregnancy;
- weight lifting, overload;
- Smoking.
Also, at risk are:
- athletes whose classes are linked with a big load on feet;
- members of the professions who spend too much time standing (barbers, teachers, waiters and others);
- those who work sitting, especially people who are in the habit at this time to throw a leg over the other;
- women who wear heels;
- lovers of coffee and alcohol, as these foods cause dehydration, and thus thicken the blood.
If by the end of the working day appear mild swelling and a person feels heaviness in the lower limbs, this may signal the beginning of varicose veins in the legs. Besides, should alert periodic cramps and pain in calves. And eye noticeable symptoms of varicose veins usually begin with the appearance of spider veins, then there are irreversible processes in the large veins.
Treatment
Treatment of the disease involves the use of drugs to ease the condition or improve the tone of veins. Besides, it is recommended to take vitamins (A, b,C, E) and minerals (magnesium, calcium, zinc, lecithin). For the treatment of varicose veins is recommended to use methods such as:
- microwave resonance therapy;
- UHF (wave therapy);
- magnetic therapy;
- laser therapy;
- acupuncture,
- electroacupuncture stimulation.
However, in severe varicose veins performed sclerotherapy or surgery. Sclerotherapy is an exercise of special injections of drugs, which leads to overgrowing of varicose veins, and surgery involves the removal of the expanded veins.
But experts strongly recommend a regular exercise easy prevention of the disease:
- avoid prolonged sun exposure, not to get involved hot tubs and a sauna, as this reduces venous tone and leads to stagnation of blood in the legs;
- lead an active lifestyle, many move and exercise;
- to monitor their diet and limit the amount of salt consumed;
- wearing tight clothes socks or stockings with tight elastic bands, as this leads to compression of the veins;
- do not wear tight shoes and heels;
- not to throw a leg over the other, not to stay long in sitting or standing position;
- to take a contrast shower;
- eat foods rich in fiber to prevent constipation, which also provoke the appearance of varicose veins;
- to do daily self-massage of the feet;
- carry out therapeutic and remedial gymnastics.
Varicose veins of the pelvis
Varicose veins of the pelvis is pathology, which is found mostly in women of childbearing age.
There are two variant of the disease: venous plethora of the pelvis and varicose veins of perineum and vulva. This separation is conditional, since more than half of the cases of varicose veins of the pelvis and perineum and vulva causes impaired outflow of blood from the veins of the pelvis and Vice versa.
The starting mechanism of development of disease is the pregnancy. Although the tendency to develop this disease may be detected before pregnancy through ultrasound.
Depending on the severity of the disease, the specialist determines what treatment method to apply: conservative or operative. Varicose veins of the pelvis 1 or 2 degrees often use conservative methods of therapy (e.g. physiotherapy). And in the absence of effect of conservative treatment or in the presence of grade 3 disease, surgical intervention.