Who is a phlebologist? What is this doctor treating? About this mysterious medical profession, not everyone heard. People usually find out about it only after they have been diagnosed with the competence of such a specialist and will be sent for treatment directly to him. Despite the fact that phlebological diseases are not uncommon, it is very difficult to find doctors of this specialization in a regular polyclinic.
What is phlebology and who is a phlebologist?
Phlebology is a medical section that studies not only the functions and structure of veins, but also develops methods for treating venous diseases, their diagnosis and preventive measures. This is a special area in vascular surgery, which mainly specializes in the veins in the lower limbs. In recent years, phlebology develops with particular intensity. The fact is that the modern rhythm of life, ecology, stress, bad habits, fatigue often cause an exacerbation of many diseases, including vascular diseases. Literally a few dozen years ago, some of them did not even know. New methods of diagnosis and careful study have given more opportunities to physicians, among them the phlebologist. What does this unknown doctor cure? This is a specialist who is engaged in diagnostics, treatment and prevention of vascular diseases of the lower extremities.
History of phlebology
The existence of vein diseases is known since the days of Ancient Egypt. Repeatedly, researchers noticed external signs of varicose veins when examining excavated mummies. In addition, there was evidence that the Egyptians were developing methods of treating this pathology. Also, evidence of its existence was recorded in the works of ancient medical scientists Hippocrates and Avicenna.
The reason for varicose veins was found Trendelenburg only in the 19th century. According to his observations, this deviation is due to a violation of blood circulation in the veins. In a healthy person, the process occurs in such a way that blood comes from the subcutaneous veins into the femoral. In the case of pathology, there is a reverse outflow, because of which the veins are overflowing, and varicose dilatation is formed. Then the only effective solution to the problem was proposed - removal of the large saphenous vein, its intersection or dressing. At the beginning of the 20th century, several similar surgical procedures were performed, but not all of them ended positively. Gradually, doctors were able to develop techniques that would reduce the traumatic nature of operations to a minimum.
When the X-ray unit appeared, doctors found more opportunities to investigate the disease of the veins. To do this, they injected a contrast agent and took a picture, according to which the complexity, nature and specific place of dislocation of the disease were assessed. An important role in the research of phlebological abnormalities belongs to the domestic physicians: Reinberg, Askerkhanov, Filatov, Krakowski and Bakulev.
A little later in medical practice there was an innovative method of diagnostics, which everyone knows by the name of ultrasound. Thanks to him, it became possible to investigate not only the pathology itself, but also the overall topography of the patients' vessels, including fixing the speed and direction of blood flow in the veins. This diagnostic at times reduced the number of operations that were replaced by pharmacological and more conservative treatment. It received the name of sclerotherapy and is the internal effect on the vessels through special medical preparations
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The most common vascular disease
So, we figured out who the phlebologist is. What does this specialist specifically cure? The most common diseases of veins include varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and vascular asterisks. It is with such pathologies that one often meets in practice. Slightly less often refer to phlebologists with trophic ulcers, phlebopathy and venous insufficiency.
Symptoms of vein disease on the legs
When is it necessary to call a phlebologist? Treatment of varicose veins, treatment of thrombophlebitis - its main specialization. But it is better not to wait for the development of pathology and complications associated with it. Having noticed the first symptoms, it is necessary to consult with a doctor to prevent the development of a chronic disease. Symptoms that should alert patients are not always obvious, and many do not take them seriously enough, launching the disease and thereby complicating its further elimination.
Noticing the protruding veins on the feet of a crimson or blue hue, dark pigmentation on the skin around the ankles or legs, sores in the joints, it is necessary to visit a specialist immediately. Less suspicious symptoms, such as pain, swelling, or occasional cramps in the legs, should also not be attributed to fatigue or overexertion. They can testify to the approaching serious problems.
Modern diagnostics of
Diagnostics of veins state necessarily includes ultrasonic dopplerography or angioscanning. If necessary, also need to undergo duplex scanning of veins, phlebography or phlebomanometry. At the reception, the doctor will certainly palpate the affected areas and examine the apparent nature of the pathological changes. There are also several analyzes to be made. What exactly are needed, determines the attending physician. In vascular diseases partial thromboplasty or thrombin time, blood coagulation rate, fibrinogen, prothrombin index and others can be checked.
Treatment of vessels on the legs
As well as what the phlebologist is treating, it is probably of interest to people who have experienced pathological abnormalities associated with veins. For treatment, modern medicine can offer conservative and surgical methods. It is possible that for this reason many do not know exactly who they can help: a phlebologist or surgeon, which doctor treats varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
Conservative methods include medicamentous, compression, sclero- and phytotherapy. Surgical intervention is required in those cases when therapeutic measures can not cope with the disease. Then surgeons conduct phlebotomies, remove the trunk of a large vein beneath the skin, eliminate blood loss, or resort to the plastic of deep veins. Varicose disease has several stages of development, on which the speed and complexity of treatment depends.
Sclerotherapy in the treatment of venous diseases in the first stage
At the initial stage, the disease affects only small vessels, not extending to the trunk shafts. In this situation, the doctor is likely to insist on sclerotherapy. It has several varieties. So, for the removal of sprockets on the legs and small veins, microsclerotherapy is used. It consists in the introduction into the veins with the help of thin needles of a special substance - sclerosant.
During micro-sclerotherapy, the same substance is administered as a foam. This method is effective even in the treatment of pathologies of thick veins and the presence of varicose veins. Ozonosclerotherapy involves the use of an ozone-oxygen mixture that helps to eliminate telangiostases. Small vessels and asterisks can be removed and by using coagulation - thermal or laser. The latter is used even if necessary to remove the vessels on the face and other parts of the body.
Phlebectomy as a method of treatment of venous diseases in the second stage
This option is recommended by the phlebologist in Kiev or any other city to patients with the second stage of the disease. It differs from the first progressive destruction of the valvular apparatus of the veins, which are the main line and are under the skin. Classical phlebectomy is performed under general anesthesia permanently. Its essence lies in the removal of damaged veins through incisions in the inguinal region and at the very bottom of the leg. Sometimes it is possible to avoid such interference by replacing it with radiofrequency obliteration, laser coagulation or Varadie miniflebectomy.
Treatment of veins in the third stage of the disease
The appropriateness of this or that method of treatment is determined by the phlebologist. What heals and what method is usually recommended by a specialist in the third stage of varicose veins? It is accompanied by a violation of venous blood flow, which causes trophic ulcers on the legs. They can have different sizes and depths, which directly depends on the patient. The longer he delayed the visit to a specialist, the more complex the pathological changes.
Also often, the third stage leads negligence of other doctors, to which the patient applied earlier, but did not receive effective treatment, having lost valuable time. Many phlebologists try to resort to conservative treatment and waiting tactics. This is necessary in order to slightly heal ulcers, remove inflammation and reduce their volume. Only after that they start to operate using combined phlebectomy.
Prevention of leg vascular disease
For preventive purposes, people prone to lower limb vessels, it is recommended to reduce the burden on the legs. Homework if possible do in a sitting position. During the rest, use a roller from a blanket or pillow, put under straight legs. Not always, of course, but several times a day, such breathing space for 15 minutes must be done. Certainly you need to exclude hot tubs and forget about the Russian bath and Finnish sauna. It is better to drench your feet with cool water, at least once a day. If there is excess weight, it is very desirable to say goodbye to him immediately. It is also necessary to avoid lifting weights, wearing tight clothes and uncomfortable shoes. It is worth looking for special pantyhose or stockings, which are designed to fix the vessels and reduce the load on them.
In the workplace, you must sit straight, keeping your back flat, without tossing your foot on your leg. The most optimal option - to use a low footstool or put them on the bar under the table, if any. Avoid swelling of the muscles, from time to time change the position of the legs, move them, rotate the feet and at least once a half an hour, get up from the chair to walk a little and warm up. On vacation it is recommended to go to the sea. There, try to walk more barefoot on the grass, pebbles or sand. If you have varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, venous insufficiency, ulcers, sunburn is categorically contraindicated. More shadow, less sun - now it's your law. And get a vein strengthening cream or gel for daily use.
Visit to the phlebologist
For treatment to bring early results, it was as gentle and productive as possible, the choice of a specialist is very important. Since it is almost impossible to find it in an ordinary state clinic, a personal phlebologist will be needed. A good phlebologist should be not only a theorist and therapist, but also a practicing surgeon. Competent consultation is the first step on the road to recovery.
What should a phlebologist be able to do? What this doctor is treating, have already figured out, but how he does it, you also need to know. It is known that all organs in the human body are related, therefore any disease can not be limited to treatment of only one of them, but should be complex. Thus, in cases of vascular diseases, not only the venous system gets hit, but also others. In addition, the effectiveness of treatment to a greater extent is not to eliminate the consequences and manifestations, but also the reasons for the failure. It is very important to trace this connection, to find the focus of the problem and to eliminate it as soon as possible and painlessly.
The majority of specialists in this field are vascular surgeons. Now that you already know the phlebologist( who is what and what heals, we wrote above), you need to know in detail about the techniques that a particular doctor applies in his practice. Therefore, it is better to immediately ask about it at the reception, to specify which principles will be treated, classical or surgical. Or maybe he perfectly knows other innovative methods of treating varicose veins or uses non-traditional, experimental techniques of foreign colleagues. In any case, you can determine this only after a thorough diagnosis, taking into account the individuality of a particular case.
Myths of Traditional Medicine
Know who is a phlebologist, what heals and what methods, everyone needs, so that in case of problems with the veins on his legs he should address to the address without wasting time on useless wanderings through the cabinets of state polyclinics. It is worth remembering the seriousness of this problem and in no case do not self-medicate, let alone use dubious folk remedies. There are many misconceptions about methods of combating diseases of the venous system. It is worth dispelling these myths, which have already tempted thousands of people, than only harmed themselves.
So, vascular diseases of the legs are not treated with hirudotherapy. Leeches liquefy the blood for a while, because its current accelerates. The patient may notice some relief and partial disappearance of the symptoms inherent in venous insufficiency. But this is a temporary phenomenon, because the cause still remains unresolved, and the disease returns again, only in a more severe form.
Do not believe and advertise supposedly miraculous drugs and the latest devices. If they existed, for sure, modern medicine would already have adopted these methods to get rid of the need for surgical operations. But they are still carried out, and phlebology is in constant search for new effective remedies to ease the anguish of patients and simplify the work of doctors. All the achievements are now actively practiced by specialists, and as soon as the next drug or device is invented, it will certainly appear in the arsenal of private clinics.
No cabbage leaf, plantain, infusions and decoctions, much less urinotherapy, will not help heal sick vessels, despite the beliefs of adherents of alternative medicine. While a person conducts similar experiments on himself, varicose develops further, thrombophlebitis progresses, and the vascular sprouts on the legs grow. To help to eliminate such ailments only a good experienced phlebologist can.