What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins disease (also known as varicosis) is expressed by subcutaneously positioned prominent veins of various sizes. The blood in the varicose veins is running incorrectly and is at a standstill, that can lead to chronic inflammation (phlebitis) or clot formation (thrombosis). Varicose veins are cause of constant discomfort. They can occur anywhere on the body but most commonly affect the lower extremities. Besides being painful and non-aesthetic-looking, varicose veins can cause serious complications if they are not taking care of on time.
What causes varicose veins ?
The blood in the veins is moving thanks to the constriction of the adjacent muscles. They are pressing the vessel and by doing so move the blood in it. The direction of the blood flow is determined by fine structures in the veins called valves. They are made of connective tissue. When for some reason these valves are dammaged, the blood in the veins starts running incorrectly , the venous pressure in the vessel increases, which leads to expansion of the vein . The reasons may be different. One of the most common is congenital or hereditary weakness of the connective tissue. It has been proven that there may be hereditary or congenital predisposition to varicose veins. Overall statistics show that women suffer more often than men from the disease due to the female hormones which weaken the walls and the connective tissue of blood vessels.
Can varicose veins appear during pregnancy?
Pregnancy can be the cause for varicose veins in patients who are predisposed to the disease. During this period the volume of circulating blood increases. This in turn leads to increased pressure in the veins and thus the varicose veins are formed. Another factor predisposing pregnant women to the disease is the action of some hormones which weaken connective tissue. Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic problem. This disease must be taken seriously because in late pregnancy can be dangerous for both mother and fetus. In order to diagnose the exact condition one should consult with a vascular surgeon or an angiologist.
Other causes?
Overweight , sedentary lifestyle, age , and even summer heat can also be the cause of varicose veins.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of varicose are: heavy limbs , pain , burning sensations, cramping , protruding parts of the veins . In rare cases patients do not experience physical discomfort from varicose veins and are being only bothered by the aesthetic appearance of the affected areas .
How to diagnose varicose veins?
Diagnosis requires mandatory consultation with a vascular specialist (surgeon or angiologist). After a thorough discussion and a careful body check up, a doppler examination of the superficial and deep vein structures is preformed. Only by accurately and professionally conducted examination can we obtain information about the condition of the veins, the blood movement, the stage of the disease, the presence of thrombi, etc. After the examination, we "map" the venous system and can then offer a treatment plan that is strictly individual for each patient.
What is the recommended treatment ?
Dr. Ivan Kyuchukov is using lasting mini- invasive treatment methods, namely: sclerotherapy, microphlebectomy and laser ablation - EVLA.
There are, however other methods for treating varicose veins. The conservative treatment options include medication, topically applied medications, food supplements, etc. Patients usually get only temporary results and after a short period of time varicose veins reappear. Therefore we strongly recommend the long-lasting methods of treatment!