In the warm season, when you really want to wear shorts and skirts, drawing attention to your legs, the image can be spoiled by the vascular network, stars and swelling - clear signs of varicose veins. We learned from a professional phlebologist how to solve this problem quickly and permanently.
"Every man is more interested in a woman who is interested in him than in a woman who has beautiful legs, " Marlene Dietrich said. But still, you should not forget about the health and beauty of your feet. Especially if you already have vascular networks.
Expert opinion: vascular surgeon and phlebologist: "There are not many obvious signs of varicose veins of the lower extremities (or, more simply, varicose veins). Visible spider veins (telangiectasias), prominent veins and nodules are the most obvious. It is impossible not to notice such symptoms. But they appear when the disease has already started. But heaviness in the legs, restless legs syndrome and swelling are not so obvious symptoms of varicose veins. If you already have them, this is a good reason to apply for a consultation with a phlebologist. In general, this disease is well known to adult women, although, unfortunately, young girls and even men know about it first hand.
Why do varicose veins appear?
The older we are, the higher the risk of varicose veins: we sit and walk a lot, gain weight, blood thickens, hormonal changes occur, collagen levels in the walls of blood vessels decrease, which means elasticity and density of veins. As a result, blood stagnation in the legs begins, the veins expand under pressure, and the valves no longer close as tightly as they should. As a result, part of the blood flows downwards, stagnates even more and puts even more pressure on the veins, stretching them. Blood flow slows down, and lymph gradually penetrates the walls of blood vessels. Edema occurs, we feel heaviness in the legs. If you do not start treatment at this stage, the disease will progress.
Impaired venous valve function is not restored. First, a blue vascular network appears on the legs. Then nodules form on the veins - the blood stagnates and thickens in them, from which blood clots then form. This is called thrombophlebitis. It is very dangerous: a blood clot that separates and comes out of such a nodule poses a high risk of stroke or heart attack.
Most often, varicose veins are inherited. This also happens to those who are subject to static loads, for example, when you are constantly "on your feet" (shop assistants) or constantly sitting (all employees in the office). In addition, varicose veins can occur due to injuries, chronic vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause), obesity or overweight, diabetes, lifting heavy loads, frequent walking in high heels.
How to get rid of varicose veins
Namely, to prevent the appearance of varicose veins, sometimes it is enough to walk. According to WHO standards, that is about 10, 000 steps a day, which is not so much. If you are in danger (that is, you have this problem in your family), then you must visit a phlebologist, use compression stockings, try not to gain weight, limit static loads on your feet, wear comfortable shoes, take a course of venotonics (only on doctor's recommendation). which will strengthen the walls of blood vessels and alleviate inflammation.
The vascular network can be removed with sclerosant injections. They are injected into small blood vessels, causing their artificial inflammation and causing them to "stick together". The procedure is practically painless and does not take more than 10 minutes.
Varicose veins are treated with endovascular laser coagulation (EVLT for short). This is a relatively new method that has been around for about 20 years. Thanks to him, vascular surgeons were able to almost completely abandon operations in favor of minimally invasive interventions. A very thin laser is inserted into the vein under anesthesia and ultrasound control - as thick as a fishing line. The laser beam acts on the inner wall of the vein and coagulates it along its entire length, after which it simply closes over time. The whole procedure is fully automated - the laser and ultrasonic sensor are self-powered. The procedure takes about 40 minutes. After that, a special compression sock is put on the foot, which must be worn without taking it off for three days. After the procedure, the patient is not restricted in movement and can go home alone. The effect can be seen in a few days.