There is a traditional opinion that varicose veins are a female disease. Carrying a child and giving birth, preferring shoes with high heels, professions involving a long stay in a standing position, cause this problem among the weaker sex. But medical statistics show that the disease does not bypass men (especially those over 40 years of age) and is detected in one in four cases to one degree or another.
Characteristics of the disease in men
Varicose veins on the legs in men, as well as in women, are characterized by noticeable changes associated with the processes of blood stagnation and the impossibility of its outflow from the extremities in the required volume. With the development of the disease, the veins acquire a knobby, bumpy appearance, protrude above the surface of the skin. This is due to the fact that the walls of the vessels with a regular increase in the load on them become thinner, they become less elastic, and their internal lumen increases. The valves in the veins cannot regulate blood flow. They lose the ability to close, so there is a reverse backflow of blood, and part of its volume returns to the vessel, which leads to further expansion.
This process is characterized by venous insufficiency, the further development of the disease provokes thrombophlebitis. Varicose veins often extend to the groin. The specified dislocation of the pathology leads to congestion in the pelvic organs, blood circulation in the iliac and inferior vena cava becomes difficult. The appearance of vascular nodules in the groin area worsens the sexual life of the patient and leads to infertility.
Not all men are able to attend to the first external manifestations of the disease, so the doctor often sees a picture of the existing pathology, when the veins are already seriously disturbed. The appearance of varicose veins in a representative of the stronger sex is caused by:
- increased physical activity (work related to lifting and carrying loads, heavy sports, military service);
- long periods of time when a person is sitting or standing;
- overweight, malnutrition;
- High blood pressure;
- hypothermia of the body;
- abnormal structure of the vascular system due to genetic factors.
The causes of varicose veins in men are often associated with the negative impact of addictions. Regular intake of strong alcohol changes the functioning of the liver, which causes the formation of blood clots. Smoking can cause vascular disorders that lead to the growth of varicose veins.
Stages of the disease and its symptoms.
Pathological changes in the veins are a rather long process. Signs of varicose veins in men are observed depending on one of the three stages of the development of the disease.
The first of them is characterized by the appearance of a feeling of fatigue in the legs, their swelling. Visible vascular star patterns begin to appear on the skin, they have a pinkish-red color. The subcutaneous location of the veins becomes noticeable - a bluish mesh, which is called reticular varicose veins. A man notices cramps in the calf muscles, feels pain in the veins, characterizes it as pulsating.
The symptoms of the second stage are more pronounced, it is at this stage that the patient turns to the phlebologist. The patient may complain of many manifestations of the disease:
- increased discomfort in the legs: pain (permanent or periodic), a feeling of heaviness and fatigue;
- there is noticeable swelling of the extremities;
- muscle cramps become frequent, have a pronounced painful character;
- varicose nodes are clearly visible, expanded, they can be felt by palpating the tissue or visually;
- dermatitis begins to develop, spots appear, their color can be of different shades - from brown to red;
- the skin over the altered veins loses its sensitivity.
The final stage of varicose veins is decompensation. The constant companions of a man during this period are the dangerous consequences of the development of the disease:
- severe swelling of the extremities;
- constant pain of an acute nature;
- the appearance of varicose veins of considerable size, the photo of him resembles bunches of grapes;
- skin changes due to the development of chronic venous insufficiency;
- progression of non-healing trophic ulcers, appearance of erysipelas, which can lead to sepsis.
treatment methods
The choice of method for the treatment of varicose veins on the legs in men depends on the assessment of the patient's condition, the diagnosed stage of the disease. Modern medicine offers traditional, or conservative, and invasive treatments. Additional measures that can make life easier for the patient, reduce the manifestation of symptoms, is the use of traditional medicine.
conservative methods
In the initial stages, it is possible to treat veins in men with drugs using several groups of drugs, the action of which is directed:
- to strengthen the venous walls, giving them elasticity;
- to combat increased blood viscosity, reduce its thrombogenic ability;
- to reduce inflammation.
External drugs enhance the effectiveness of treatment - ointments or creams with anticoagulant properties. Its regular use improves blood circulation in the problem area, fights the development of thrombophlebitis and strengthens the veins.
When prescribing drugs, individual characteristics are taken into account, because a man may have diseases of other organs. In many cases, the simultaneous use of antivaricose drugs and drugs for the treatment of other pathologies is unacceptable.
invasive treatment
The disease in men often develops in a careless and dangerous way and does not respond well to drug therapy. The development of medical technologies and their widespread use in clinics make it possible to choose the method of invasive surgery for almost all patients. The stage of varicose veins, the characteristics of the state of the vessels and general health determine the choice of a surgical method. Patients are offered:
- sclerotherapy sessions (the procedure must be repeated up to 6 times) - a regenerating drug is injected into the damaged area of the vein, which restores damaged tissues;
- laser therapy - the beam affects the problem area and destroys the node;
- miniphlebectomy - the affected area of the vein is removed through punctures of small diameter;
- Ozone therapy - gas is injected into a vein, it has a restorative effect on small vessels.
popular recipes
People have long sought to beat varicose veins. Folk recipes are passed down from generation to generation to improve the condition of sore feet. At home, a man can use many natural remedies, but they should be used after consultation with the doctor. Experts recommend rubbing tinctures, which are based on alcohol and medicinal components - the fruit of horse chestnut or Kalanchoe. Herbal decoctions are effective and can be used in two ways: ingested or as a base for foot baths or lotions. For recipes, herbs with anti-inflammatory and tonic effects are chosen: nettle, oak leaf, rope or knuckle.
Patients use a wide variety of means, for example, apple cider vinegar is used for therapeutic compresses. His choice is justified by antibacterial properties, vitamin composition and the content of amino acids, microelements.
Prevention of the disease in men.
If the first symptoms of varicose veins are noticed, you should think about changing your lifestyle. To prevent the disease from progressing, you should use the recommendations:
- conduct regular examinations of the veins, especially with a genetic predisposition to the development of their pathologies;
- refuse heavy physical exertion;
- change the mode of motor activity;
- give up bad habits;
- establish a nutrition and drinking regimen, which will contribute to the normalization of body weight.
Observing a doctor, carrying out various methods of treatment under his control, preventive measures allow a man to feel better and reduce the manifestations of dangerous varicose veins.