Varicose veins are a disease that affects 30% of the world's population. Regardless of lifestyle, gender and age, this disease can become a problem for any person. But how to deal with this disease? TV commercials promise salvation from conventional ointments in our veins, the Internet is full of articles about home remedies. So how to deal with the problem in order to forget about it forever? The candidate of medical sciences, doctor of the highest category, head of the phlebological center spoke about the important nuances of the disease, as well as modern possibilities for the prevention and treatment of the disease.
Who is at risk?
Varicose veins is an expansion of the subcutaneous veins, accompanied by a violation of the venous outflow. They increase in size due to the thinning of the wall of the vessel itself, and at the same time their diameter becomes larger. Mostly, varicose veins are a hereditary disease, although other factors can contribute to the development of the disease.
"Sooner or later, the disease will manifest itself, " says the doctor. - If a person is a loader or a weightlifter, then he will face an illness earlier. If he sits in the office, then later, with age. In women, for example, the disease is associated with hormonal factors: pregnancy, childbirth, oral contraceptives. "
People who are constantly on their feet, whose profession is associated with constant and prolonged stress, are always at risk of encountering this disease. The choice of our shoes also influences: regular wearing of high heels provokes the disease. Also at risk are those who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Finding varicose veins is simple: this is not a disease that has hidden symptoms. Firstly, the problem is immediately accompanied by aesthetic defects: small blue-red vascular "asterisks" appear on the legs, dark blue intradermal veins become visible.
In addition, by the end of the day there are swelling of the legs, a feeling of heaviness and pain in the calves after a long stay in a sitting or standing position. Characteristic of varicose veins is the disappearance of these symptoms when walking and after sleep.
How to treat?
Any disease should be diagnosed and treated only by a specialist. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to thoughtlessly buy various ointments and self-medicate. Moreover, varicose veins have varieties, and each type has its own technique.
"There are cosmetic varicose veins, which are treated with laser therapy, and there are surgical ones: we eliminate them with the help of an operation, " the expert explains. – Surgical varicose veins are not treated with conservative methods. If it is, then the trunks of the large and small saphenous veins are affected, and here drugs cannot be dispensed with. A minimally invasive operation is performed - that is, a procedure in which a small incision is made. The most sparing method of treatment is endovasal laser cogulation of veins. What is the procedure? A light guide is inserted through the vein, which closes it from the inside. This is a complex operation – the newest way of non-traumatic treatment of this disease. "
Basically, specialists remove veins using the stripping procedure. This is an operation in which two incisions are made: in the groin and at the bottom of the leg. A probe is inserted there, after which the diseased vein is removed in its direction. This procedure is quite painful: a person limps for a long time, and the leg heals up to six months. Until now, this type of surgical treatment of varicose veins is used for economic reasons: it is very cheap for clinics and hospitals.
An amazing paradox
Varicose veins have long acquired the status of a female disease. It is believed that such a large number of factors, such as wearing high heels, hormonal and hereditary aspects, are already enough for the fair sex to fall into the risk group in the first place. But in fact, the situation is diametrically opposite - men suffer from this disease several times more often.
"As you know, the morbidity rate is registered by referral, and most often women come to the doctor, " the expert explains. - Still, the ladies are worried about a cosmetic defect. In fact, men are much more likely to suffer from varicose veins, but they go to the doctor at the last moment, when a trophic ulcer already appears.
There are general recommendations for the prevention of this disease. If you have a sedentary job, try at least every hour to take small breaks for 10 minutes: walk around, massage your legs. For activities that require constant being on your feet, do not forget to take a contrast shower in the evening and do foot baths with herbs. Also, do not forget about moderate physical activity, which will strengthen the walls of blood vessels. And, of course, choose comfortable shoes: tight shoes have never done anyone any good.