Varicose disease of the lower extremities is a persistent enlargement of superficial veins on the legs. This disease is associated with impaired blood flow and insufficient venous valves. To his appearance leads to overweight, frequent wearing of uncomfortable shoes, work in a sitting or standing position and other factors.
Symptoms of varicose veins
The first symptoms of varicose disease of the lower extremities are:
- blunt, aching or flushing pain, always worse with prolonged standing and significantly decreasing in the supine position;
- severe heaviness in the legs;
- convulsions.
Some patients may have an unpleasant burning sensation in the legs and a slight swelling of the soft tissues. Usually these signs appear in the evening or after a long standing. With a prolonged course of varicose veins of the lower limbs, the disease progresses, and the patient develops various trophic changes in the cutaneous integument of the shins and stop-compacting, pigmentation or cyanosis. If the treatment is inadequate or completely absent, skin nutrition is disrupted, and trophic ulcers may occur.
Classification of varicose veins
Speaking about the stages of varicose disease of the lower extremities, most often apply the classification, which was proposed by leading phlebologists in Moscow in 2000:
- Stage 1 - segmental varicose veins, which affected only small sosudiki, the valves of large and deep wreaths retain their function;
- Stage 2 - segmental varicose veins, in which there are small subcutaneous diseased veins, and the valves of the main veins or perforators are untenable;
- Stage 3 - varicose with reflux, affecting both superficial and perforating wreaths;
- Stage 4 - all the above-described changes and insufficiency of valves of deep wreaths.
Already starting with the second stage of varicose veins of the lower extremities, it is advisable to consult a phlebologist. This is not only an unpleasant cosmetic problem, but rather a serious disease. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can stop its development. If you ignore varicose veins of the lower extremities, you may experience complications such as thrombosis and thrombophlebitis or bleeding from an enlarged wreath.
Treatment of varicose veins
At the initial stage, treatment of varicose disease of the lower extremities can be carried out with the help of elastic compression and medications. Elastic compression is a bandage with the use of medical knitwear, which creates squeezing of the muscles. This procedure promotes better blood flow and prevents stagnation.
At any stage of development of varicose veins it is recommended to take phlebotonic drugs. The action of such funds is aimed at strengthening the walls of the vein. Most often, patients are prescribed:
- Detraleks;
- Ginkor fort;
- Anvenol;
- Asklezan;
- Flebodia 600;
- Antistaks.
Also, patients are shown drugs that reduce blood viscosity (Curantil or Aspirin) and anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac.
In some cases, varicose veins can be treated only by an operative method. Eliminate the pathological process with:
- phlebectomy (removal of the affected vein);
- sclerosing (introduction of a substance into the wounded wreath, which causes an instant "clumping" of its walls, blocking the blood flow);
- laser coagulation (destruction of the walls of the vein by the thermal action of the laser).
Movable way of life and constant wearing of comfortable footwear is the basis of prevention of varicose disease of the lower extremities. Regular running, swimming, performing physical exercises and using orthopedic insoles will reduce the risk of the appearance and development of this ailment.