Varicose veins are a chronic disease associated with decreased tone of the venous walls. It most often appears in the lower leg area, but can occur anywhere. It develops on the arms slightly less frequently than on the legs, but it can progress. It is important to determine the cause of the disease in time, stop the pathological process and prevent complications. At an early stage, conservative techniques will be effective. Advanced stages can be successfully treated surgically, and there are also minimally invasive techniques that will restore blood vessels with minimal tissue damage and a short rehabilitation period.
Definition and mechanism of development
Varicose veins are a vascular disease that occurs due to blood stagnation and stretching of the venous walls. They take on the appearance of expanded cords and become noticeable under the skin. The process progresses as blood stagnation provokes a further decrease in the tone of the venous walls. The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the blood vessels and soft tissues surrounding the veins. Varicose veins on the hands can be a consequence of both external factors and internal disorders in the body, and also occur as part of a complex of age-related changes.
Results of arm vein removal 1 month after the procedure
Veins of the forearm before (left) and after (right) sclerotherapy
Veins of the dorsal surface of the hand before (left) and after (right) sclerotherapy
Causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins of the upper extremities are an acquired disease. More often it manifests itself in middle-aged or elderly patients and is associated with a decrease in the tone of the vascular walls, poor lifestyle and nutrition. However, a hereditary predisposition has also been identified, and in some cases it is caused by congenital pathologies of the vascular system. Among the factors that can trigger the process and provoke the development of varicose veins are the following:
- venous valve insufficiency is a congenital disorder that leads to congestion;
- intense physical activity with a lack of rest - with this regimen, there is an intense flow of blood to the distal parts of the limbs, and then it remains in the vessels, expanding them;
- unhealthy diet with a predominance of fatty and meat dishes - cholesterol is deposited on the inner lining of blood vessels, which reduces their diameter, reduces strength and elasticity;
- deficiency of vitamins and mineral compounds in the diet, especially vitamins A, C and E;
- in women, varicose veins are often caused by hormonal disorders - it has been proven that a lack of estrogen causes a decrease in venous tone;
- long-term use of contraceptives in tablets - they are also able to correct hormonal levels, resulting in problems with blood vessels;
- Frequent consumption of alcohol is one of the causes of swelling;
- smoking - nicotine has a detrimental effect on the condition of the vascular walls.
REFERENCE! On the upper extremities, varicose veins are more common in women. This is due, among other things, to the structural features of the shoulder girdle: in men it is better developed, so the blood supply to the distal sections is more intense.
Filler Teosyal Redensity
Another great filler for replenishing volume is the Swiss Teosyal Redensity. It appeared on the market relatively recently and managed to win the most positive reviews from both cosmetologists and patients.
The main active component of Teosyal is also hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin. This preparation contains quite a lot of acid: 25 mg/g. And the acid molecules are bound together so tightly that the disintegration of their compounds occurs slowly. This explains the long-lasting effect after contouring with Teosyal. Manufacturers consider the purest hyaluronic acid to be the main advantage of the filler. The properties of the acid contained in this drug not only meet European pharmacological standards.
They exceed the required standards by several points, i.e. the acid is even purer than required by law.
Teosyal, in addition to hyaluronic acid, contains amino acids, antioxidants, vitamin B6, minerals, and lidocaine. Thanks to this cocktail, the skin regains its former radiance, elasticity, volume and wrinkles are smoothed out.
Symptoms
Varicose veins are a disease that goes through several stages in its development. In the first stages, pathological changes are invisible, and patients complain only of rapid fatigue and difficulty during intense exercise. Next, inflammatory processes begin, and veins become noticeable under the skin. If normally they are filled with blood only during physical activity, then with varicose veins they protrude even at rest. They are best visible on the hands, but are also visible in the forearm and shoulder area. The vessels are enlarged, inflamed, and pockets may appear along their length - nodules with a blue tint, in which fluid accumulates.
Normally, the veins in the arms are visible under the skin, but the degree of their blood supply varies depending on physical activity.
Clinical signs begin in the later stages, when varicose veins cause disruption of the blood supply to the upper extremities. They may include a number of characteristic manifestations:
- a feeling of numbness in the distal parts (hands), which most often occurs after a long rest or being in the same position;
- discomfort, burning and tingling of the skin in different areas;
- an increase in the volume of veins and their swelling, especially in the morning and in the absence of minimal stress;
- decreased muscle tone, rapid fatigue even when doing daily work;
- painful sensations that begin directly in the affected area and can spread to the upper sections (forearm and shoulder).
Symptoms of varicose veins can intensify both after a long rest and due to a sharp increase in loads. The best way to maintain healthy blood vessels is to perform simple exercises daily that will stimulate blood circulation and prevent congestion. And patients also complain about meteodependence, that is, an exacerbation of the clinical picture under certain weather conditions.
Features of the Lakhta Milon laser
Modern science has long appreciated all the advantages of using lasers in medicine. Therefore, today new, more advanced devices are constantly appearing, one of which is the domestically produced Lakhta Milon device.
With its help, you can perform minimally invasive operations in the shortest possible time, differing in:
- high degree of security,
- efficiency,
- speed,
- short recovery period,
- no need for general anesthesia.
Possible complications
Varicose veins are a disease that can progress if left untreated. Constant load on the vessels leads to their rapid depletion, various circulatory disorders and innervation of the limbs.
In advanced stages, patients may experience the following complications:
- thrombophlebitis - due to changes in blood composition, there remains a risk of blood clots, blockage of blood vessels and more dangerous consequences when blood clots break off;
- trophic ulcers – formed on the skin of the hands due to insufficient blood supply, they are painful and do not heal for a long time, the process can be complicated by secondary infection;
- rupture of nodes - with prolonged stagnation of blood in varicose nodes, the walls of blood vessels can become thinner until they completely rupture, which leads to massive bleeding.
IMPORTANT! At advanced stages of varicose veins, conservative methods are ineffective. Due to the possibility of developing dangerous complications, it is worth performing an operation as soon as possible and removing the damaged areas of the vessels.
Important to remember!
Problems with arm veins are not a minor pathology. It can lead to a number of complications and the appearance of additional negative manifestations. Thus, in a number of situations when vein pathology is caused by problems with blood circulation, symptoms such as increased body temperature (there may be minor indicators), hyperemia of the skin, the presence of a lump or compaction at the site of the lesion, the development of edema, change in skin color, weakness muscles and the appearance of ulcers on the skin. This process can lead to the formation of blood clots, more commonly known as thrombi. And this is a condition that threatens human life, since blood clots can break off.
Don't forget about preventing the problem. After all, prevention is easier than cure. All preventive measures are aimed at preventing veins from bloating. They are aimed at reducing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So, for prevention, they recommend exercise, giving up bad habits and coffee, proper nutrition and other simple measures. If there are any disturbing signals and symptoms, you should contact a specialist as quickly as possible - this will allow you to start treatment at earlier stages and stages, when you can help the person faster and more effectively.
There are contraindications. You should consult your doctor
Diagnostic and treatment methods
Diagnosis of varicose veins is not difficult, especially in the later stages. It is important to collect medical history data to determine the cause of the pathological process. If you treat only the symptoms of varicose veins, the disease will reappear even after surgery. Many medical institutions offer a comprehensive diagnostic scheme for varicose veins, which may include the following studies:
- examination and medical history, identification of similar disorders in the patient’s relatives, analysis of diet and lifestyle;
- functional tests - a method for diagnosing blood flow, identifying problem areas;
- Dopplerography is a specific technique for examining blood vessels using ultrasound with the addition of a contrast agent;
- duplex ultrasound scanning is an even more accurate method;
- MRI with contrast is the most informative examination method.
The purpose of diagnosis is to determine the speed of blood flow, the presence and location of problem areas. Next, an individual treatment regimen is selected, which will include eliminating the cause and symptoms of the disease.
Conservative techniques
Any treatment regimen necessarily includes general recommendations that should be followed throughout life. First of all, it is necessary to adjust your diet by eliminating fatty and fried foods, smoked foods and canned food. The diet should be based on light but vitamin-rich foods, including cereals, vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish. And it is also important to pay attention to proper rest, which should be alternated with light physical activity. It is useful to do simple exercises throughout the day: wrist twists, arm raises and joint rotations. These measures will strengthen blood vessels and avoid congestion. You definitely need to give up bad habits.
Treatment of varicose veins at home is ineffective, as is the uncontrolled use of pharmaceutical ointments and patches
The next stage of treatment for varicose veins is compression therapy. When the veins of the upper extremities are affected, special cuffs are used, and elastic bandages can also be used. It is important to put them on correctly, and also to choose products of a certain rigidity. In total, there are 4 classes of knitwear, which is used in the manufacture of compression cuffs: the first is the most elastic and is suitable for the first stages of the disease, and the fourth is the densest and can be used in the later stages.
Drug treatment includes the use of several groups of drugs:
- venotonics – means for strengthening vascular walls, most popular in the form of ointments;
- painkillers, including those that can be used in tablet form;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antiplatelet drugs - thin the blood, thereby preventing the formation of blood clots.
Drug therapy rarely brings the desired result, even in the early stages. Taking medications should be combined with other methods, including wearing compression devices (bandage or cuff). Recommended methods of treating varicose veins include hirudotherapy - the use of leeches. They have a positive effect on the composition of the blood and thin it, which helps relieve swelling and prevents the formation of blood clots.
Treatment of advanced varicose veins
In advanced stages, varicose veins can only be cured by surgical methods. The decision on the method of performing the operation is made by the attending physician. One of the most radical methods is the complete removal of a section of the vessel. At the same time, the intensity of blood flow remains unchanged, since the blood supply is carried out through highways. However, recently, minimally invasive methods are increasingly used:
- laser treatment - coagulation (soldering) of affected vessels with a laser to stop blood flow in them, the procedure is characterized by the absence of scars and a short rehabilitation period;
- sclerotherapy is the introduction of drugs into the lumen of a vessel that clog it and stop blood circulation.
Varicose veins on the hands are a chronic disease in which there is poor circulation and the development of dangerous complications is possible. When the first symptoms appear (pain, heaviness in the limbs), you should seek medical help. If you start treatment in the first stages, you can get by with conservative methods, but modern minimally invasive methods remain the most effective. They allow you to immediately restore normal blood supply to the extremities, but to prevent the disease, it is important to reconsider your lifestyle and diet even after surgery.
How to determine
It is possible to diagnose the disease using studies: Doppler sonography, MRI of the veins, ultrasound of the vessels of the upper extremities. The most modern diagnostic method for the occurrence of symptoms of varicose veins and phlebitis (inflammation of the walls of the veins) is considered to be duplex sonography (ultrasound examination of blood vessels).
Is it possible to clean the vessels? More details
