How to treat varicose veins

Female legs without varicose veins

Varicose veins are common diseases characterized by increased lumen of blood vessels, malfunction of the valve apparatus and the occurrence of reverse blood flow. The pathological process can be located in different places, so there are several types of the disease:

  • expansion of the esophageal veins;
  • rectal veins (hemorrhoids);
  • veins of the small pelvis;
  • spermatic cord veins (varicocele);
  • veins of the lower extremities.

Varicose veins in the legs are considered the most common. It is estimated that more than 30% of the population suffers from the disease, most of them women. Varicose veins in the legs are not only ugly and prominent veins, but also many unpleasant and inconvenient sensations. The pathological process is accompanied by severity, pain, edema and often leads to dangerous complications: thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers. Many would like to know how to get rid of varicose veins forever, as this greatly impairs the quality of life. But, unfortunately, this phenomenon is irreversible, and the only thing we can do is stop or slow the development of the disease.

Reasons

The causes of varicose veins are not yet clearly understood. It is understood that the disease is associated with thinning, weakness and loss of elasticity of the vascular wall, as well as incompetent valves. As a result, the veins become unevenly dilated, elongated, long, twisted, nodular. Genetic predisposition is believed to play a decisive role in the onset of the disease, that is, since birth, weak vessels and defective valves.

There are several factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins, although they are not their causes:

  • Heredity (according to experts, the risk of developing the disease in people whose parents suffer from it is up to 70%).
  • Being a woman. This is due to hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy and menopause, as well as the use of hormonal contraceptives and the use of high-heeled shoes.
  • Work activity associated with prolonged permanence in the legs or sitting position (hairdressers, salesmen, surgeons, waiters, drivers, accountants, programmers and others).
  • Old age, when the weakening of the blood vessel walls and the wear and tear of the valve apparatus is a natural phenomenon.
  • Operational interventions.
  • Sedentary lifestyle.
  • Increased intra-abdominal pressure due to overweight, pregnancy, weightlifting (loaders, weightlifters), frequent exertion with chronic constipation and cough.

Treatment methods

Varicose veins are a chronic process that begins gradually and only progresses over time. So far, it is impossible to completely defeat the disease, but it is possible to delay development and reduce symptoms if we apply comprehensive treatment, which includes:

  • lifestyle change;
  • diet;
  • physiotherapy exercises;
  • compression therapy
  • ;
  • medicines (for internal and local use);
  • surgical intervention;
  • thermal procedures;
  • popular methods.

You will have to fight varicose veins for life. Don't self-medicate. It is necessary to be examined by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon, who will make the diagnosis, determine the stage of the disease and the severity of the injury and prescribe the appropriate treatment. The main task is to remove or reduce the clinical manifestations, stop the progression, prevent relapses and the development of complications.

The effectiveness of the treatment will depend on the patient's compliance with all the doctor's recommendations. It is important to seek help early, when there is still no pain, but nocturnal edema, heaviness and tiredness in the legs, small veins in the skin have appeared.

Lifestyle correction

Without changing your lifestyle, it is impossible to fight varicose veins effectively. The rules to be followed are completely banal and failure to comply with them is usually associated with a lack of willpower or an irresponsible attitude towards health.

  • Maintain normal body weight.
  • Breaking bad habits: alcohol and smoking.
  • Refusal of sunbathing, visits to Turkish baths and saunas, hot baths (including foot baths).
  • Refusal of high heels (no more than 4-5 cm).
  • Wearing special stretch mesh.
  • Provision of physical activity. This can be walking, swimming, physiotherapy exercises, some sports. The main thing is to exclude the squat, weight lifting, long distance running, jumping, martial arts.
  • Adequate nutrition. The diet should contain more fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, whole grains and seafood. It is recommended to reduce the amount of meat. It is necessary to renounce smoked, fried, salty, fatty. Of the drinks, give preference to green tea, clean water, natural juices and limit of coffee.
  • Use every opportunity during the day to raise your legs at an angle of about 20 degrees.
  • Buy a special pillow for your legs so that they are above your heart level during sleep.
  • Try to rinse your feet with cold water as soon as possible.

Compression therapy

Special elastic meshes are available today in a wide variety. They are shin guards, socks, tights of different colors and densities, which practically do not differ from normal ones. They have become a good alternative to elastic bandages, inconvenient to use and seemingly unsightly.

The special shirt cannot treat varicose veins, but it improves microcirculation, reduces stress in the veins,Special device for wearing compression garmentsprevents blood stagnation, reduces the diameter of blood vessels, increases the flow of venous blood and lymph. The person feels light in his legs, at night he is less tired, he has no swelling.

At first it will be difficult without the habit of putting on compression stockings by hand. To simplify your task, you can purchase a special device.

There are four classes of medical mesh, depending on the pressure applied. You can only use products from the 1st compression class, which are considered prophylactic and are intended for healthy people. The rest should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the diagnosis and the severity of the varicose veins. You should be aware that compression products may be contraindicated for certain illnesses. Pantyhose or stockings are selected by a doctor strictly according to the size, otherwise the desired effect will not be.

Medication

For the treatment of varicose veins, tablets and external agents are used in the form of gels, creams and ointments of different action ranges. They increase vascular tone, improve microcirculation, promote blood flow and prevent skin changes. The medications are designed to relieve fatigue, weight, discomfort, swelling, itching, cramps and leg pain. Your appointment is strictly individual.

Application of healing cream on legs with varicose veins

The main means of treating varicose veins is venotonic. They are made from horse chestnut, rutin, grape leaves and are almost always well tolerated by patients. Available in the form of tablets, capsules, gels.

Anticoagulants are used to reduce blood viscosity and reduce the likelihood of thrombophlebitis. They are ointments with refreshing additives in the form of menthol, camphor, eucalyptus. In addition to thinning the blood, they prevent the development of thrombophlebitis.

Antihistamines can be prescribed for itchy skin changes. For inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills are prescribed.

Surgery

To eliminate varicose veins, operations are performed to remove the affected part of the vessel in order to stop the discharge of blood from the superficial to the deep vein. The operation is called phlebectomy. In its classic form, it is less and less used today in connection with the emergence of new, less traumatic ways of dealing with varicose veins. This treatment, as a rule, is indicated for large diameter veins and advanced cases of the disease.

A milder method is microflebectomy, in which a section of a vein is removed in parts and not through an incision, but through a puncture.

Thermal methods

Radiofrequency ablation is a low traumatic method for treating varicose veins

Radiofrequency ablation is considered the safest and least traumatic method of treating varicose veins, although it has some contraindications. The method consists of the thermal effect of the microwave as a result of the closure of the venous light. Main benefits:

  • outpatient treatment;
  • without the need for anesthesia and incision;
  • recovery doesn't take long;
  • The
  • procedure is easy to transport;
  • can be done in the summer;
  • there are no bruises after treatment, the swelling and pain are less.

Laser coagulation is another method of treating varicose veins. During the procedure, a laser is applied to the vessel wall. The radiation leads to the adherence of the vein walls and the complete closure of the lumen. It is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia without incisions. A catheter is inserted into the lumen of the vein, through which an LED is inserted and radiation is provided. The procedure is less traumatic, complications are very rare.

Sclerotherapy

Deep vein thrombosis

This non-operational method is one of the most common. It is used in small veins and as part of a complex treatment together with surgical intervention. The end result is that a special medicine with a sclerosing effect is injected into a vein using a fine needle. As a result, the vessel walls come together, close and stop blood flow. The affected vein becomes a fibrous cord. The main advantages of the method:

  • outpatient treatment;
  • low invasiveness;
  • ease of execution;
  • duration of the procedure - about 20 minutes;
  • good cosmetic effect.

Traditional methods

Walnut tincture

Pour the chopped green walnuts into a glass dish and drizzle with olive oil. Put in the sun for 40 days. Apply as needed, lubricating the affected area. Continue treatment for about four months.

Cabbage leaf

Beat a cabbage leaf, apply a layer of olive oil on one side, apply this side to the affected area, make a dressing and leave for a day. Continue treatment for a month.

Physiotherapy is an integral part of the complex treatment for varicose veins

Horse chestnut

This is one of the most effective folk remedies. For the treatment of varicose veins, a tincture is prepared from the fruits of the plant, which must be crushed, half filled in a glass container (three liters) and filled with vodka. Remove to a dark place for a month, stir from time to time. When you're ready, rub the sore spots over night. Brown alcohol tincture for external and internal use with varicose veins can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Exercises

When varicose veins appear, the question may arise whether it is possible to practice physical education and sports and which exercises are useful. Most doctors agree that physical activity in this disease is very important, as the dynamics are beneficial to the veins and the static is harmful. But it is equally important to consult your doctor about the types of sports you can do and what type of load will be ideal. In addition, special therapeutic exercises can be presented to the patient, which are performed directly at a medical institution. At home, you can also do simple but effective exercises that, with regular exercise, will help to reduce the symptoms of varicose veins.

  1. Lie on your back, place pillows under your feet so that they are at a 20 degree angle. Close your eyes, relax completely, breathe deeply.
  2. In the supine position, lift your legs vertically and rotate your feet alternately in and out.
  3. Lie on your back and move your legs like riding a bicycle.
  4. Lying on your back, lift your legs and cross them (scissors).
  5. Stand, forearms, legs together. Slowly go up on tiptoe, then lower slowly.
  6. Walk without moving, do not tear your socks off the floor.
  7. Sitting in a chair, bend your ankles towards you and away from you, then bend your toes in the same way.
  8. Pour an elastic jet of water over your legs (alternately cold and hot).

Conclusion

Varicose veins are an irreversible process, but they must be treated without fail, especially since there are some modern methods that must be used in combination. Without treatment, there is a high risk of developing complications such as chronic venous insufficiency, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers and even a condition so dangerous that it can result in death, such as pulmonary embolism.

10.11.2020