Varicose veins

Varicose veins (varicose veins) are enlarged, tortuous superficial veins of the lower extremities with impaired function, which create not only cosmetic problems, but can also lead to serious ailments and complications.

Causes

The most common cause is congenital weakness of the connective tissue. It leads to a weakening of the elasticity of the walls of the veins and venous valves, as a result of which there is an outflow of blood from the deep veins to the superficial ones. This leads to stagnation, the so-called blood stasis, and - as a result - to swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the legs. The disease progresses with prolonged standing (for example, with relevant professions), with a lack of physical activity, overweight or pregnancy.

Further symptoms are night cramps, pigmentation of the skin of the legs, inflammation (varicophlebitis) up to the appearance of painful ulcers on the lower leg.

Prevention

It is very important to drink enough liquid to ensure normal blood circulation both in the inner ear and in the brain tissues. It is recommended to undergo a neurological prophylactic examination of the condition of the blood supplying cerebral arteries (see neurological follow-up examination).

Symptoms

Feeling of heaviness and fatigue of the legs, swelling are the first alarm signals.
Visible dilated veins, from the so-called venous mesh to varicose veins of the lateral and main veins.

Diagnostics

Active participation of the sick in overcoming the lack of physical activity!!
Physiotherapy, water gymnastics à movement in cold water.
Compression treatment already in the early stages of the disease, wearing elastic compression stockings.

Treatment

Conservative treatment: physical activity, physiotherapy, wearing compression stockings.

Sclerosis: soldering of varicose veins by injection with drugs.

RF Therapy: a radiofrequency probe is inserted into the vein, and when the probe is removed, the vein is sort of sealed (coagulated) by the high temperature that occurs at the probe tip.

Surgical intervention: Depending on the type and length of varicose veins, various surgical operations are possible:
Removal of lateral veins using small incisions without a seam (minimally invasive method);

Stripping (stripping - removal of the top layer): complete removal of the main superficial vein.