In a non-professional environment, varicose veins of the lower extremities are considered "female".This is wrong.Men also suffer from varicose veins of the superficial veins of the lower limbs.Data from large statistical studies confirm this.The fact that a fair half of the population prevails in public hospitals indicates that only women pay attention to varicose veins, while men do not.Most women who seek help from a general surgeon or phlebologist have medical as well as cosmetic goals.For men, as a rule, they are not interesting.
Thus, in our country as a whole, the "male" form of chronic venous diseases is characterized by a late presentation.As they say, "a person does not cross himself until the thunder strikes"...
"Male" risk factors for varicose veins
It is generally accepted that the true cause of varicose veins is still unknown.Risk factors include genetic predisposition and lifestyle.These risk factors are the same for men and women.
The main ones are:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- work related to prolonged forced standing and sitting;
- the discrepancy between food habits and real energy expenditure leads to obesity;
- smoking;
- heavy physical work involving lifting and carrying heavy objects.
- Weightlifting sports
Causes of severe forms of varicose veins in men
At the initial stage, the development of varicose veins in men and women is the same.The disease proceeds with the same principles and the same stages.When contacting a phlebologist in men, the reason for more severe forms of varicose veins is precisely the late presentation.Men, as a rule, do not pay attention to the aesthetic component.In the initial stage of the disease, there is no pain in varicose veins, so most men do not consider it necessary to seek advice and help.As pain and swelling appear, men also resolutely ignore these symptoms, showing miracles of unconsciousness.The reason for this behavior is lack of information.The collapse of the dispensary system and the lack of medical information for the population lead to low literacy among the male population about the possible harm of varicose veins.
Another factor that prevents the male population from contacting a phlebologist in time is the reluctance to wear "female" compression stockings.It is also the result of medical illiteracy and is more the fault of the medical staff than the population.
A long absence of treatment leads to the fact that when a person turns to a phlebologist or general surgeon, he already has the following:
- Major varicose veins developed with symptoms of severe chronic venous insufficiency,
- thrombophlebitis or venous thrombosis
- trophic ulcer of venous origin
- bleeding from varicose veins
In order to prevent these complications, timely modern diagnosis is necessary.
Diagnosis of varicose veins in men
The optimal solution for men with symptoms of varicose veins is to contact a competent phlebologist.Ultrasound examination of blood vessels during treatment is a mandatory component of consultation with a phlebologist!It is recommended that the ultrasound of the veins be performed not by a third-party doctor (no matter how highly qualified), but by a phlebologist whom you contact personally.The doctor who undertakes to advise you is responsible both for making the correct diagnosis and for developing a treatment strategy.
Ultrasound angioscanning (ultrasound of vessels) in duplex and triplex mode is the basis for diagnosis and treatment of venous diseases.Therefore, this test should be performed by the doctor who will advise, treat or operate on you.Vascular ultrasound should be done while standing.For patients whose health condition does not allow ultrasound to be performed in an upright position, the examination can be performed with tension in the supine position, but its diagnostic value will be lower.Especially when it comes to the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.After meeting with the patient, examination, palpation and ultrasound of the veins, the phlebologist should write a report containing a brief history of the disease, diagnosis and recommendations.It is mandatory to write a protocol for ultrasound angioscanning, indicating the history of the study.If necessary (complicated cases, birth defects, results of massive deep vein thrombosis), the doctor recommends additional clarifying studies (magnetic resonance venography, X-ray angiography or others).
Only this approach meets modern European standards. The expert's examination will not take more than half an hour, and you will get enough information about the venous system of your lower extremities.
Consultation with a phlebologist is completely safe and does not involve any traumatic examination or procedure.No special preparation is required. Timely diagnosis is extremely important for choosing modern and effective treatment, which will avoid complications and progression of the disease.
Symptoms of varicose veins in men
Each patient should pay attention to these signs:
- Appearance of varicose veins protruding above the skin while standing.
- A feeling of heaviness in the legs, especially at the end of the working day.
- Unpleasant sensations along the course of varicose veins.
- Pain along the course of varicose veins, especially at the end of the working day.
- Swelling in the legs and feet.The first symptoms are that the elastic from the sock leaves a clearly visible mark and that ordinary shoes are tight.
- Changes in skin color (appearance of brown or blue pigmentation).
- Trophic ulcer on the lower third of the leg along the inner surface.
Treatment of varicose veins in men
For most people, modern, high-quality treatment for varicose veins is already available.Professionals work only according to the protocols recommended by the Association of Phlebologists and European recommendations.Clinics and medical centers use modern equipment for ultrasound angioscanning and laser treatment of varicose veins.
The main methods of treating varicose veins are used by specialists:
- Thermoablation (laser and radio frequency).
- Miniphlebectomy.
- Sclerotherapy.
- A combination of these techniques.
Treatment in medical centers is completely outpatient without anesthesia, spinal anesthesia or hospitalization.All necessary medical documents are provided (consultation with a phlebologist surgeon, ultrasound angioscanning protocol, discharge summary with recommendations, temporary disability certificate, documents for tax deductions).
Many patients have already appreciated the benefits of innovative methods for the treatment of varicose veins.It should be noted that they all depend on the operator.That is, the success of the treatment depends not only on the modernity and cost of the equipment, but also on the operator, that is, the doctor working on it.Specialists have extensive experience in ultrasound diagnosis of diseases of the lower extremities (all specialists have valid ultrasound diagnostic certificates), as well as operations on veins of the lower extremities and thermal (laser, radiofrequency) obliteration of varicose veins.