Deep varicose veins are a very unpleasant and quite dangerous lesion of the venous vessels of the circulatory system.
Varicose veins of the deep veins of the lower extremities are a pathology that extends to the vessels passing through the muscular structures of the legs.The extension and expansion of venous vessels significantly impairs blood flow and causes the appearance and progression of thrombosis.
The risk of this disease lies in the high probability that a blood clot formed in the wall of a vessel will break off and be transported to the pulmonary artery.
When this disease occurs, an irreversible process of elongation and expansion of venous vessels occurs.As the process progresses, the thinning of the venous wall is observed and nodes are created that prevent the free transport of blood through the vessels.
Most often, people aged 30-40 years and older are susceptible to this disease.
Causes of the development of varicose veins of the deep veins of the lower extremities
The causes of the appearance and development of the disease can be a number of unfavorable factors.Varicose veins are the result of a serious disturbance in the blood circulation process in a certain area of the lower extremities.
With the development of the disease, the patient can develop trophic ulcers in the place where the blood circulation processes are interrupted, which can cause the appearance of gangrene, a condition that requires amputation of the affected part of the limb.
In addition, varicose veins can provoke deformation of the muscles of the lower extremities, and the formation of a blood clot with possible subsequent separation and transport in the pulmonary artery can lead to death.
The main factors that contribute to the appearance of the disorder and its progression are:
- the presence of a genetically determined hereditary predisposition that leads to congenital pathology and weakness of the cells of the walls of venous vessels;
- gender - women get sick much more often than men, which is associated with the appearance of hormonal changes during pregnancy, the onset of menopause and in the case of the use of hormonal drugs and contraceptives;
- the presence of increased venous pressure in the patient, as a result of reduced mobility and increased degree of static overload when the body is in a vertical position for a long time and with excess body weight;
In addition, the causes of the disease can be:
- Regular increase in the load on the limb.
- Serious disorders in the functioning of the immune system.
- Constant compression of the blood vessels in the feet when wearing tight shoes.
- Being overweight or obese.
- The development of various forms of dermatitis.
- Consequences of surgical interventions.
- Exposure of the lower limbs to increased static loads.
- Alcohol abuse and smoking.
In addition, cellulite can cause the development of pathology.
A visit to a qualified phlebolist at the first suspicion of the disease allows you to identify the disease in time.
The main signs of varicose veins of deep veins
Most often, in the initial stage of progression, the disease manifests itself with the appearance of a feeling of slight fatigue in the legs after placing a prolonged static load on them or when taking a long walk.In addition, during this period, slight swelling of the tissues of the extremities occurs.
Most often, these symptoms of the disorder appear at the end of the day and gradually disappear with long-term rest.When these signs appear, it is necessary to consult a phlebologist and carry out special studies to identify and clarify the presence of pathology.
The use of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods allows us to identify the rate of development of the disease and make a decision on the use of a timely and adequate course of treatment of the disease.With the further progress of the disease, it passes into more advanced stages, characterized by the appearance of a series of symptoms and signs characteristic of a progressive disease.
The advanced stages of the pathology are characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- the appearance of severe pain in the legs in the evening and at night;
- the appearance of constant swelling of soft tissues and heaviness in the lower extremities;
- the presence of constant swelling of soft tissues leads to an increase in the size of the limbs;
- the patient experiences frequent cramps in the calf area, more often such phenomena occur at night;
- the skin in the affected areas acquires a bluish tint in the extremities;
- There is the appearance of extensions of pathologically affected venous vessels in the leg, thigh and leg when physical stress is exerted on the leg.
Further progression of the disease leads to the appearance of small wounds that cannot heal for a long time and then turn into trophic ulcers.
In the absence of adequate and timely treatment, the development of the disease for the patient can be fatal.The progression of varicose veins leads to gradual deformation of muscle structures and the appearance of negative changes in the skin and bone mass.
With prolonged progression, the patient develops signs of eczema and develops trophic ulcers that can develop into gangrene.Which leads to sepsis or death.
In the venous vessels affected by varicose veins, the process of thrombus formation takes place.As a result of this process, the blood clot formed is able to break off and be transported through the circulatory system.
When a blood clot enters the pulmonary artery, it is blocked and the person dies.
Basic diagnostic methods
An experienced phlebologist can determine the presence of varicose veins in the deep veins of the lower extremities by the characteristic symptoms, clearly visible even in a photo of the legs, but the methods of treatment of the disease are selected individually after a detailed examination of the patient and taking into account all the individual characteristics of his body.
Laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods are used to identify the presence and stage of disease development.Laboratory methods include general blood and urine tests.
The most common instrumental diagnostic method is the use of ultrasound examination of the venous vessels of the legs.This technique allows you to visualize the vascular system and identify the degree of progression of the pathological process.
In addition, if necessary, the attending physician prescribes:
- Phlebography.
- Photoplethysmography.
The use of venous occlusion plethysmography makes it possible to determine the volume of blood in the veins of the lower extremities.
Only after a comprehensive examination and receiving the results, the patient is prescribed an appropriate course of treatment.
Modern medicine offers several options for the treatment of the disease - medicinal, non-medicinal and surgical.
In parallel, after consulting your doctor, you can use alternative and traditional methods of treatment at home.
Treatment of deep varicose veins
The most reliable way to treat the disease is surgery.The use of drug therapy in the form of tablets, special ointments and gels for external use can play a complementary role and is actually supportive therapy.
The use of drug therapy includes the use of several types of drugs in the treatment process - anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, venotonic and fibrinolytic action.
Anticoagulants thin the blood and prevent blood clots from forming.Anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve inflammatory processes in the walls of venous vessels.Venotonics help increase the tone of the vein walls and fibrinolytics help dissolve small clots and help clean the venous bed.
Thanks to the use of medicines, such manifestations of the disease as swelling often disappear;in addition, an improvement in the condition of the superficial skin is observed.The main condition for the use of drugs is strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations and compliance with the doses of the drugs taken.
To completely cure varicose veins, surgical intervention is recommended.
In addition, surgical methods are used in the absence of positive dynamics during drug therapy.
The most common methods of surgical treatment of pathology are:
- Sclerotherapy;
- phlebectomy;
- laser coagulation.
Sclerotherapy involves the use of special substances during the procedure - sclerosants, introduced into the lumen of the affected vein and leading to adhesion of the blood vessel walls.This procedure allows you to remove the venous vessel from the circulatory system, which prevents the development of pathology.This technique is used very rarely if a severe form of the disorder is detected.
Phlebectomy involves removing the affected area of a venous vessel.Most often, this method is used to identify lesions of superficial veins, but in some cases it is applicable in the treatment of deep venous vessels of the extremities.
Laser coagulation is a type of minimally invasive surgical intervention and is performed using a laser;allows you to remove the affected area of the vein from the circulatory system by sticking its walls under the influence of laser radiation.This treatment method has received the most positive feedback from patients due to the fact that it is practically painless and does not require a long recovery period.
The use of surgical treatment methods allows you to completely get rid of the characteristic symptoms of deep varicose veins.The choice of surgical technique depends on the degree of development of the pathology, the individual characteristics of the patient and is performed by the attending physician.