Treatment of varicose veins

Varicose veins in the legs are not only an aesthetic problem that worries people for their attractiveness, but also a dangerous disease that requires adequate treatment and adherence to preventive measures.

The causes of varicose veins are many: from a sedentary lifestyle, physical overload and ending with hormonal disorders, congenital weakness of the blood vessel walls, pregnancy. What happens during varicose veins? With the varicose veins in the lower extremities, they lose their normal elasticity and stretch under blood pressure.

The valves in the veins are normally closed and, when blood passes through them, they close and allow the blood to flow again. If the valves are not working properly, blood can be released freely downwards, which leads to blood stasis.

Reasons

Why do varicose veins occur and what are they? The main risk factors for the development of the disease are considered genetic predisposition and gender. Because of their love for high heels, hormonal changes during pregnancy and the use of contraceptives, women become victims of varicose veins twice as often as men.

The development of the disease is promoted by:

1. Heredity. It is not the disease itself that is inherited, but the genetically determined structure of the veins: weak connective tissues in the venous walls, defective congenital venous valves. That is why varicose veins can be seen in young, healthy and active people (regardless of gender) and even in children. According to scientists, genetic predisposition is the main factor that leads to varicose veins in the legs.
2. Hormonal changes. Due to the characteristics of the female body, periods of hormonal disorders become the causes of blood stagnation. For them, the most dangerous periods are puberty, pregnancy, the time after delivery. The time when menopause arrives is also dangerous. This gender category of patients visits doctors 2 to 3 times more often. There are not enough hormones in Organs female organs, which are called estrogens. Instead, so-called hormones of the corpus luteum prevail. It is believed to have a relaxing effect on muscles. This promotes varicose veins.
3. A sedentary or sedentary lifestyle, or time-consuming work, contributes to the development of varicose veins.
4. Age. Over time, the valves and the walls of the veins become thinner, which leads to the interruption of their work.
5. Obesity. Excess weight increases stress in the leg veins.

Internships

There are 3 stages of symptom progression in the development of varicose veins.

1. Compensation stage. There are no complaints. On examination, varicose veins in one or two legs are observed.
2. Subcompensation stage. On physical examination, pronounced varicose veins are visible in the legs. Patients complain of a feeling of fullness, paresthesia ("chills") in the shins, night cramps. There is a slight swelling of the feet, ankles and lower legs at night. The swelling goes away in the morning.
3. Decompensation stage. Dermatitis and eczema join the listed symptoms. Patients are concerned about itching. The skin is dry, shiny, strongly adhered to the subcutaneous tissue. Small hemorrhages and subsequent deposition of hemosiderin cause hyperpigmentation.

By itself, varicose veins are not considered to be a very serious disease, but if they have already developed they will never go away on their own and, even more, they will progress, leading to all kinds of complications that represent the greatest danger.

Signs

The first signs that indicate the beginning of the development of varicose veins:

• rapid fatigue in the legs;
• edema of the lower extremities;
• feeling of heaviness in the legs.

In later stages, spider veins appear on the skin, protruding veins and several seals, indicating congestion in the vessels.

Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs

At different stages of varicose veins, symptoms can be different - from small, almost asymptomatic spider veins to severe and painful manifestations.

You can suspect the development of the early stage by the following symptoms:

• the appearance of pain in the legs, a feeling of heat and sometimes burning in the veins in the legs;
• weight on legs;
• swelling of the legs appears at night;
• leg cramps start at night;
• dilated veins;
• the skin of the leg acquires a dark color, seals appear, trophic ulcers are possible.

After discovering any primary signs, you need to start treating varicose veins immediately - the symptoms will not go away on their own.

Diagnosis

To diagnose varicose veins in the lower limbs and prescribe the appropriate treatment, the specialist will offer the patient a thorough examination, including several methods.

1. Duplex scanning (vein ultrasound) is the most informative method for diagnosing varicose veins in the legs, which allows you to get an idea of ​​the degree of varicose veins, the direction of blood flow in the veins and their permeability, as wellhow to detect the presence of blood clots (thrombi).
2. Contrast venography, which is an examination method that allows you to detect dilated veins and learn about the degree of blood permeability.

Only a highly qualified phlebologist can diagnose deep varicose veins.

Varicose veins in women

Many women have varicose veins. This is due to the predisposition of women to the disease due to the peculiarities of the female hormonal system. In addition, pregnancy and childbirth, in most cases, become the causes of varicose veins, as there is an effect of increased load and increased blood flow to the pelvic organs.

In addition to the varicose veins of the lower extremities, women often develop varicose veins in the perineal region, affecting the external genitals, which is a consequence of congenital or acquired weakness of the vascular wall and valve failure. Exposure to external factors (prolonged static stress, significant physical activity) or internal factors (excess body weight, chronic pelvic organ diseases) leads to the formation of varicose veins.

Important! The question of the impact of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy remains open.

Development of varicose veins during pregnancy

Carrying each subsequent pregnancy dramatically increases the chances of developing venous insufficiency in women and the formation of varicose veins. This is due to hormonal changes in the woman's body and a significant increase in the load on the veins.

Pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing varicose veins in the lower extremities, which is facilitated for the following reasons:

1. Hormones that circulate in the blood during pregnancy increase the elasticity of the venous wall and contribute to the congestion of venous blood in the legs.
2. Increased intra-abdominal pressure at the end of pregnancy makes blood flow through the leg veins difficult.
3. Varicose veins that occur during pregnancy may disappear completely after delivery or progress further, depending on individual factors (heredity, presence of other contributing factors).

Varicose veins in men

Varicose veins often occur in men in the form of varicocele - varicose veins of the spermatic cord. Symptoms of the disease:

• pain in the testicle and a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum along the spermatic cord, which increases with physical effort and prolonged standing;
• During palpation of the scrotum, the convoluted veins of the spermatic cord are determined.

The development of varicocele becomes the cause of male infertility due to impaired blood circulation and pathological changes associated with the normal functioning of the testicles:

• there is an increase in the temperature of the testicle in relation to body temperature. High temperature affects the course of spermatogenesis;
• testicular hypoxia (lack of oxygen, ischemia);
• Accumulation of free radicals in testicular tissues, interrupting their activity.

Treatment of varicose veins in men consists of a surgical operation if there are indications: testicular pain, infertility, aesthetic defect in the scrotum, lack of growth of the affected testicle during puberty. However, the disease can be asymptomatic and not cause significant discomfort to the man.

In adolescents and children, when diagnosing varicocele, surgery is necessary at any stage of the disease, to prevent the development of infertility.

Operations are performed in the usual open and endoscopic manner. It is possible to perform surgical intervention from a mini-access and microsurgical testicular revascularization.

Varicose veins in children

Children are also susceptible to the development of varicose veins. For them, this phenomenon is extremely rare and most of the time it is the result of a congenital pathology - angiodysplasia, abnormalities of the peripheral vascular system. The disease mainly affects the lower extremities. As a result, pronounced functional anatomical disorders occur. This leads to irreversible changes and early disability.

Important! The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the child's age. Requires immediate hospitalization at the first signs of varicose veins. In this case, surgery is indicated.

In addition, the development of varicose veins in adolescence has become a very common occurrence. This disease mainly affects girls. It can be caused by:

• hormonal changes in the adolescent's body;
• hereditary predisposition.

Among the factors that affect the appearance of varicose veins in children are:

• strabismus, flat feet, hernias;
• bad posture;
• shoes incorrectly adjusted;
• overweight.

For preventive purposes, to prevent the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to monitor the child's diet. The diet must be balanced, it is beneficial to include foods rich in routine. It is found in large quantities in hazelnuts, horse chestnuts, as well as in fruits - rose hips, sea buckthorn, black currant. The decoctions and juices of these fruits can have a general preventive and strengthening effect on the body.

Pelvic varices

Varicose veins can also occur in the pelvic region. In this form, it is found in most cases in women, which is associated with the peculiarities of the blood supply to the female body. The dilated veins cause a sensation of pain and heaviness in the pelvic area, which can be caused by venous congestion.

The development of varicose veins in the small pelvis occurs for several reasons:

• pregnancy and childbirth;
• change in the shape of the uterus;
• lifting and carrying weights;
• hereditary predisposition;
• lack of physical activity;
• sedentary work;
• taking oral contraceptives.

If there are risk factors and symptoms of the disease, an examination is necessary. In the early stages, it is possible to identify the varicose veins of the small pelvis with the diagnosis of ultrasound. Preliminary diagnosis is also possible with a gynecological examination during a standard procedure.

Treatment of the disease includes the use of venotonic drugs, the use of special compression underwear and the performance of therapeutic and prophylactic gymnastics. It is also necessary to exclude risk factors and be monitored regularly by a gynecologist. With the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment methods, surgical intervention is indicated.

Treatment of varicose veins in the legs

For varicose veins in the legs, treatment may not be a medical necessity unless the symptoms are problematic.

However, some people may want to be treated for varicose veins for cosmetic reasons, because they don't like their appearance.

Let's look at the main methods that will help you get rid of this problem.

1. Sclerotherapy. This treatment method is used independently and in combination with conservative procedures. Its essence lies in the fact that a special preparation filling is injected into the vein with a fine needle or syringe, after which the vein disappears completely. The sessions are held once a week, 3 to 6 of these sessions are mandatory. The method avoids scarring and scarring.
2. Non-surgical treatment. If varicose veins are in their early stages and are not very uncomfortable, then elastic compression stockings can be recommended. They are used during daily activities. They help to contract the veins, preventing them from stretching and limiting any discomfort or pain.
3. Medical treatment of varicose veins relieves symptoms, reduces swelling and pain, slows down the development process, but is not able to completely stop the disease and restore damaged veins.
4. Laser treatment for varicose veins on the legs can be used on the skin surface. With the help of a small flash of laser light, the sclerosis process develops on the vein wall and the varicose vein disappears as if it had been removed.

Physical activity - brisk walking, gymnastics, swimming and water exercises (excluding sports exercises with a heavy load on the legs - tennis, weightlifting, jumping) play an important role in treatment and prevention.

Venotonic preparations

The action of these drugs aims to increase the smooth muscle tone of the blood vessel walls, which allows to maintain elasticity and normalize blood circulation in the affected areas.

Many of the venotonics are complex drugs. The effect that is achieved when using them extends not only to the veins, but also to all the vessels of our body.

How to treat varicose veins with folk remedies

There are a large number of methods for treating varicose veins in the legs with folk remedies, both for external and internal use. Below are the most common ones:

1. Horse chestnut flowers (50 grams), you need to pour 500 g of alcohol, then let it ferment for 14 days, shaking the bottle every day. Pass the tincture through a net and consume a tablespoon of water three times a day before meals. How to heal for a week - take a break for two weeks. Then treatment can be restarted.
2. Dry nettle infusion is used for varicose veins. Crushed dry leaves of the plant are placed in a thermos with 1/2 liter of boiling water, infused for 30-40 minutes, filtered and taken 1/3 cup 3 times a day, 1 hour after meals.
3. Tomato compaction. Finely chopped tomatoes, put on a bandage, gauze and applied to the wound. For convenience, you can tie it with an elastic band or another bandage. This compress lasts in the vein for 2 hours, then changes to a new one and so on a total of 3 times. The convenience of this compression is that it can be repeated every day.
4. Walnut oil tincture: chop green walnuts, pour into a glass container, add olive oil and leave in a sunny place for 40 days. Lubricate sore spots with a ready dye. The course of treatment is long, as with the use of Kalanchoe.

In addition to folk remedies, many patients with varicose veins complement therapy with special gymnastics - Mikulin exercises allow you to feel a significant improvement.

Varicose veins are predominantly female diseases, associated with the constant use of high-heeled shoes, pregnancy, childbirth and a number of other circumstances. But the disease can also affect men, especially when they have a job that requires more physical effort. As varicose veins cause severe wear of the veins, which can cause their atrophy and thrombosis, it is important to diagnose the disease in time and treat it. It can be performed by operating and conservative methods. Treatment can only be selected by the attending physician.

Traditional methods of treating varicose veins

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can relieve varicose vein pain

This home remedy is used in two ways. The first involves rubbing a small amount of apple cider vinegar on the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The latter technique is best performed before bed, so that you can calm sore limbs and improve sleep. If varicose veins are located, you can soak a clean gauze pad with vinegar and apply to the injured spot for 5 to 10 minutes. These manipulations are also repeated 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks. A mandatory monthly break is required between courses.

Honey ointment

To make an effective home remedy, you need beeswax, propolis and olive oil. These ingredients should be ingested at a ratio of 2: 1: 1, respectively. After stirring the components well, they must be stored in the refrigerator. Apply the homemade ointment twice a day, morning and night, you do not need to rinse the product. Therapy can be carried out for 3-4 weeks, after which it is necessary to take a break for the same period.

Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut solution is an effective remedy against varicose veins

To prepare the solution, gather a half-liter bottle of chestnuts and peel the fruits. After that, the plant needs to be poured with 200 ml of alcohol or vodka, the resulting solution is only infused in a dark and cool place for 14 days, for this you can use the bottom refrigerator drawer. After laying, take 30 drops of the resulting infusion three times after the main meals. The duration of this treatment is 20-30 days.

The tincture can also be used for scrubbing, in which case the product cannot be taken internally. Rub your feet before going to bed, it is recommended to wash them first. After applying the product, you should go to bed immediately. Use the chestnut tincture in this way daily for a month. In both cases, a three-month interval between treatments is required.

Potato juice

Potato juice for varicose veins is used as compresses

This remedy can be used for the initial degree of varicose veins, as well as for ulcers in the affected area. To do this, you need to clean the raw potatoes and then saturate them with a clean gauze bandage. It is applied to the ulcerous lesion for five hours. After that, the compression needs to be changed. You can use potato applications 1-2 times a day for two weeks. Intervals between therapies should be at least three to four weeks.

Attention!The real effectiveness of folk remedies for varicose veins is still in doubt. Therefore, it is recommended to use these methods only with the permission of a doctor and in combination with traditional medicines.

When is it necessary to see a doctor urgently?

In severe cases of exacerbation of varicose veins, conditions that require immediate medical attention may occur. These cases include the following processes:

• the pain in the affected area is so severe that it is impossible to move the limb and get out of bed;
• the skin on palpation is characterized by an increase in temperature, the wound is swollen and very dense;
• the skin changed from normal to bluish or almost red and purple;
• there is sudden shortness of breath, it is difficult to take short breaths;
• there is increased sweating and severe weakness throughout the body;
• bleeding from the affected vein or the entire area.

Attention!Similar conditions can occur not only in women, but also in men and children, if they suffer from varicose veins. The delay in this case can threaten the patient's death if the necessary medical assistance is not provided.

Complications (consequences) of varicose veins

Varicose veins can cause serious complications. In the last stage of the development of varicose veins, an extreme narrowing of the walls of the blood vessels is observed, in this respect, it increases the risk of the appearance of trophic ulcers - open wounds badly healed in the vessels, arising even with minor traumas.

The result of the rupture of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis. During the appearance, thrombosis forms with inflammation of the vein wall and a thrombus is formed that closes its lumen.

With the development of acute thrombophlebitis, severe pain appears in the area of ​​the thrombosed veins, body temperature rises, accompanied by chills. In thrombophlebitis of superficial veins, painful seals with redness of the skin along the veins are characteristic. Deep venous thrombophlebitis is accompanied by edema of the extremities due to a marked violation of the venous flow.

Disease prevention

Preventive measures play an important role in the presence of risk factors for the development of varicose veins. Therefore, you should not ignore its observance, even with varicose veins already diagnosed. This will save your development and the need for surgical intervention.

To reduce the risk of developing varicose veins, you should:

• moderate physical activity, a visit to the pool is especially helpful. Swimming has a massage effect, having a beneficial effect on blood vessels without unnecessary stress;
• strengthen the blood vessel walls with a contrast shower. Complete hygiene procedures with contrast shower for the feet. To do this, water your feet for 10 minutes, alternating between cold and hot water;
• changing the diet - reducing the consumption of fatty foods, including in the routine of rich food routines;
• wear compression underwear, especially with increased physical activity in the legs;
• Intake of vitamins and mineral complexes that increase immunity, strengthen vessel walls and reduce the risk of blood clots.

Exercises

The prevention and treatment of varicose veins also consists of performing therapeutic and prophylactic gymnastics exercises in order to improve blood circulation and eliminate signs of blood stagnation.

Important! It is useful to do these exercises regularly, daily.

It is necessary to start classes with preliminary preparation of the legs: for this you need to lie on your back, resting your feet on the cushion or on the back of the sofa. Stay in this position for 10-15 minutes.

Then, lying down, start the exercises:

1. bicycle - bend your knees to imitate pedaling;
2. flexion-extension of the feet at the ankle joint - the legs are extended, alternately performing flexion and extension movements;
3. then work your toes in the same way;
4. lift your legs at an angle and rotate your feet in and out;
5. in the prone position, do the scissor exercise: crossing your legs alternately;
6. standing, walk without moving, while putting on your socks;
7. Standing upright, we raise our socks: on inhalation upwards, on exhalation we descend.

Varicose vein disease develops for a long time, so when the first signs appear, there is a chance to stop its course. But the only method to get rid of varicose veins completely is surgical removal of the veins.