Varicose veins… For both men and women, at first this word only means a problem of aesthetic quality. But almost always “just a word” develops into a diagnosis.
Where does it usually start? A person notices that one of his veins becomes a little larger and slightly more noticeable than the others. The most common location for such changes is the legs, legs. At this stage, almost 100% of patients are not worried at all, much less go to the doctor.
Time passes. The vein begins to increase. In addition, heaviness and even pain in the legs are added. But in this case, the majority of citizens still do not go to the doctor. “I’ll sit, rest, and pass!”
Further more. The protrusion of the vein is larger, it becomes more noticeable, darker. And then a man or woman begins to think about a visit to a phlebologist. But again, an interesting trend was noticed: even when “just sticking out a vein” is accompanied by pain and heaviness in the legs, the patient comes for a consultation with complaints of a cosmetic nature! That is, neither pain, nor heaviness in the legs, nor even possible cramps alert him! It is more important for him that the legs look ugly, that a woman should not wear a shorter skirt, etc.
And all because people underestimate the danger of varicose veins and do not fully realize that varicose veins are a more serious problem than just an aesthetic one. Its most dangerous consequences are thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. In advanced cases, it can reach death. After all, a blood clot can form in a damaged vein, and then come off and even reach the heart. It is impossible to visually determine if there is a blood clot in a diseased vein. It is detected exclusively by ultrasound.
Anton Solomakhin – surgeon-phlebologist, head of the digital research center (Center for Innovative Phlebology), candidate of medical sciences, member of the Association of Phlebologists of Russia – gives advice on how to deal with the first signs of vein problems
That is why it is necessary to consult a phlebologist surgeon not when “it is already impossible to look at the foot”, but at the very first symptoms of varicose veins: heaviness in the legs, spider veins, bruises on the legs and their swelling, cramps, pain when walking. Only a specialist will be able to determine: there is nothing wrong, except for an unaesthetic look, and you can continue to live with this, or you need to prescribe and carry out some treatment. Maybe even an operation.
Another important point: there are cases when you need to not just see a doctor, but immediately call an ambulance. If a patient with varicose veins literally turns blue or even blackens before his eyes – there is no question of delay. Urgent need to seek medical help, these may be symptoms of a thrombus coming off. Also, symptoms of a blood clot can be an increase in temperature, sudden severe swelling.
Varicose veins are not only controlled by surgical methods. There are alternative treatment options, but it all depends on the stage of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient.
A feature of varicose veins is that it does not have a reverse development. For example, a cold may appear, and then go away on its own without any treatment. With varicose veins, this does not happen. If he has already appeared, then he will not “resolve.” And it will only get worse and progress. That is why, sooner or later, those who have symptoms of this disease will still have to seek help from a doctor. But better sooner and on time than later.
