A fast and reliable method of detecting a dangerous disease of the venous system
Varicose veins are a common aesthetic and health problem that occurs in as many as 30% to 40% of the population. As a rule, it is a disease of the superficial veins on the legs, and in addition to the usual name varicose veins , sometimes the names of varicose veins or varicosities sometimes occur.
And the fact that the disease has been present throughout the history of mankind is also evidenced by the fact that the first records have been preserved, dating back to the time of ancient Greece. The development of medicine has enabled a better understanding of
the onset of the disease and thus the treatment of varicose veins, which today includes a whole range of modern treatment methods.
Examination of varicose veins of the legs by a specialist doctor is a quick and simple diagnostic method that detects the presence of diseases of the veins of the legs.
There is a common misconception among patients that varicose veins are only an aesthetic problem and that in the absence of problems, medical intervention is not necessary, but it is a progressive disease.
Delaying the treatment of varicose veins increases the risk of thrombosis and can cause concomitant diseases such as phlebitis (inflammation and clots in the superficial veins), venous ulcer (ulcer), lipodermosclerosis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat layer) and skin atrophy.
Healthy veins form the backbone of our health. Recognizing the risk of varicose veins and early detection of symptoms is extremely important, regardless of age and circumstances, because complications that arise in the absence of a timely diagnosis can seriously impair your health or even endanger your life.
One-way venous valves play a key role in this process, which enable normal transport of blood from the legs to the heart and at the same time prevent blood from returning to the feet.
When the walls of the veins weaken or are damaged for any reason, the valves become non-functional. That is, blood remains in the legs, the pressure in the veins increases, and consequently they expand and swell.
The two most common causes of venous valve damage are genetic predisposition and exposure to risk factors.
Risk factors for varicose veins do not directly cause damage to the venous valves, but they significantly affect the degree and speed of the spread of the disease, so people who are exposed to risk factors are definitely recommended to be extra careful and have a preventive examination of the veins.
Demographically, problems with varicose veins are more common in older people and women, but this does not mean that younger generations do not suffer from them.
It is believed that varicose veins are the result of a combination of several factors such as genetics, hormonal disorders and bad lifestyle habits such as lack of physical activity or a nutritionally poor diet.
Research shows that potassium deficiency is also one of the reasons that can promote the formation of varicose veins.
The first step in the treatment of varicose veins of the legs is a clinical examination, with a detailed medical history.
The possible existence of other diseases, especially atherosclerotic disease of the peripheral arteries of the legs, should certainly be taken into account, which in these situations significantly changes the approach to the treatment of varicose veins.
Clinical examination of varicose veins is the first step in diagnosing leg vein disease.
Examination of varicose veins begins with taking a detailed medical history of current problems.
It is extremely important that you list all the problems and symptoms you have noticed in the conversation with our doctor. Communicate information about lifestyle (prolonged standing or sitting), physical activity and diet, tendency to swelling of the legs, previous inflammation of the veins, thrombosis.
It is also important to emphasize if someone in your family or close relatives suffers from varicose veins. If you are a woman, it is important to share information about pregnancy and hormone therapy.
After a detailed medical history, the doctor will examine your legs in different positions. In the supine position, the symptoms of varicose veins may be less visible, and in the standing position more pronounced, since the varicose veins fill up when standing.
The next step is to correctly diagnose the disease, which is based on a detailed Doppler ultrasound of the veins of the legs.
This determines the existence of changes in the superficial and/or deep venous system, which are the cause of varicose veins of the legs, and thus enables proper planning and selection of the best method in the further treatment of varicose veins.
Ultrasound Doppler, or color Doppler, is an ultrasound method, which, with the help of the Doppler effect in combination with the B mode (two-dimensional image), shows the superficial and deep venous system, their anatomical relationship with other structures, and the direction and speed of blood flow through the veins.
In this way, the existence of the problem, which caused the varicose veins, can be visualized. It should be emphasized that this method of examination is completely harmless and painless.
Depending on the symptoms and signs of the disease present, during the clinical examination of varicose veins, we assess the state of the disease according to the so-called CEAP classification.
There are 7 stages of varicose veins disease:
In accordance with the results of the medical history and clinical examination, you will receive information about the stage of varicose vein disease and, if necessary, we will recommend further tests and appropriate therapeutic procedures.
Therapeutic procedures in the early stages of the disease are largely based on changing lifestyle habits. Your doctor may recommend that you lose excess weight and increase physical activity, avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time (depending on your options), and raise your legs to relieve symptoms.
A common recommendation is to wear a compression stocking, which helps relieve pain and swelling, but also improves blood flow in the veins, which is why it is possible to stop the further progression of the disease with this therapeutic procedure.
In more developed stages of the disease, depending on the stage of the disease determined during the examination of varicose veins, we recommend further diagnostic procedures. Additional tests allow for a more precise determination of the condition of the walls of the veins and venous valves.
According to the results of the tests performed, our doctor will recommend the best therapeutic procedure for you. At the Vein Center of the LF Polyclinic, we use the most modern procedures such as sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation of veins, laser vein surgery and surgical procedure.
Varicose veins examination is a quick, simple and painless procedure for diagnosing and determining the stage of leg vein disease. It is recommended as the first step in the appearance of symptoms and suspicion of varicose veins disease.
Given that varicose veins in the early stages of the disease can be without visible and tangible symptoms, it is important to emphasize the preventive purpose of this examination.
Regardless of your age, if you are planning a pregnancy, doing a demanding job that keeps you in the same position for a long time, or you have a family history of varicose veins, the decision to have varicose veins screened can protect you from serious health problems in the future.
The most common and recognizable symptom of varicose veins are protruding, swollen veins or capillaries of a bluish color on the surface of the skin of the lower legs, which are more pronounced when standing. There may also be sensitivity to touch and itching of the skin in the immediate vicinity of varicose veins.
A common symptom is swelling of the ankles or swelling of the feet after a short stand. Symptoms are, of course, individual and patients may experience all or only some of the above symptoms.
Some patients may also experience pain in the entire leg, but in most cases, the appearance of varicose veins does not cause significant pain, so it is extremely important to pay attention to the presence of the first signs of the disease.
Early symptoms of varicose veins are:
If you have noticed the appearance of 3 or more early symptoms, we recommend that you do a preventive examination of varicose veins of the legs as soon as possible. Varicose veins are unfortunately not curable, but it is possible to treat the symptoms, so it is important to pay attention to the first appearance of signs of the disease.
With timely diagnosis by a specialist doctor at the LF Polyclinic and appropriate therapy, it is possible to treat the symptoms of varicose veins, significantly slow down or stop the progression of the disease.
The main factor in the formation of varicose veins is certainly genetic predisposition, i.e. it is a hereditary disorder. Almost half of those affected have parents or close relatives with the same or worse symptoms. Despite the above, there are also significant risk factors that can contribute to the onset or faster progression of varicose vein disease.
It is a common view of the medical profession that female sex hormones also contribute to the thinning of venous walls, which explains the higher incidence of varicose veins in women. According to research on the incidence of varicose veins, women suffer from this disease almost twice as much as men.
Below are the most common risk factors for varicose veins:
If you are exposed to one or more risk factors, it does not necessarily mean that you will suffer from varicose veins. As previously mentioned, genetic predisposition is a significant factor.
However, if you are in the above list, it is certainly advisable to do an examination of varicose veins of the legs for the purpose of prevention to preserve your health. If, in addition to the above risk factors, you also have some of the symptoms of varicose veins, then we recommend doing the examination as soon as possible.
Our main goal at Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch health services. That is why we have gathered a team of top experts, specialists and subspecialists who are the backbone of our multidisciplinary centers and specialist clinics.
In order to maintain the high quality of our medical services, we strive to be always available to our clients. For a consultation and examination with our expert team, you can contact us by phone at +3851 2444646 or via our online form. Opening hours for orders are Monday to Friday 10:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
We will warmly welcome you at the premises of the LF Polyclinic at Vrbik 8a, Zagreb.
Contact us with confidence and let us come up with the best solutions and answers to all your questions together.
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