How to treat varicose veins

Women's legs without varicose veins

Varicose veins are a common disease characterized by an increase in the vascular lumen, valve dysfunction, and reverse blood flow. The pathological process can be localized in different places, so there are several types of disease:

  • dilation of the vessels of the esophagus;
  • rectal veins (hemorrhoids);
  • small pelvic vessels;
  • vessels of the spermatic cord (varicocele);
  • veins of the lower extremities.

Varicose veins of the legs are the most common disease. According to some estimates, more than 30% of the population suffers from this, most of them women. Varicose veins in the legs are not only ugly protruding veins, but also a lot of unpleasant feelings and worries. The pathological process is accompanied by severity, pain, edema and often leads to dangerous complications: thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers. Many people want to know how to get rid of varicose veins forever, because it significantly impairs the quality of life. But, unfortunately, this phenomenon is irreversible, and the only thing that can be achieved is to stop or slow down the development of the disease.

Reasons

The causes of varicose veins are still unclear. It is understood that the disease is associated with thinning, weakness and loss of elasticity of the vessel wall, as well as incompetent valves. As a result, the veins dilate unevenly, stretch, become long, twisted, knotted. It is believed that genetic predisposition plays a crucial role in the onset of the disease, ie from birth, weak blood vessels and defective valves.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins, although these are not the cause:

  • Heredity (according to experts, the risk of disease in people whose parents suffer from it is up to 70%).
  • Being a woman. This is due to hormonal changes that occur during adolescence, pregnancy and menopause, as well as the use of hormonal contraceptives and wearing high heels.
  • Occupational activities related to prolonged stay in the legs or sitting position (hairdressers, salesmen, surgeons, waiters, drivers, accountants, programmers, etc. ).
  • Aging is a natural phenomenon in which the walls of blood vessels weaken and the valve apparatus wears out.
  • Operational interventions.
  • Sedentary lifestyle.
  • Increased intra-abdominal pressure due to overweight, pregnancy, heavy lifting (weightlifters, weightlifters), chronic constipation and frequent tension with cough.

Treatment methods

Varicose veins are a chronic process that begins gradually and only develops over time. To date, it is not possible to completely defeat the disease, but if we apply a comprehensive treatment, it is possible to slow down the development and reduce symptoms:

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

You will have to fight varicose veins for the rest of your life. Do not medicate yourself. It should be examined by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon who will diagnose, determine the stage of the disease and the severity of the lesion, and prescribe appropriate treatment. The main task is to eliminate or reduce clinical manifestations, stop the progression, prevent relapse and ensure the development of complications.

The effectiveness of treatment will depend on the patient's compliance with all doctor's recommendations. It is important to seek help at an early stage when there is still no pain, but evening edema, heaviness and fatigue of the legs, small spider veins on the skin have occurred.

Lifestyle adjustment

It is impossible to effectively fight varicose veins without changing your lifestyle. The rules to follow are completely trivial, and non-compliance with these rules is generally associated with a lack of willpower or an irresponsible approach to one's own health.

  • Maintain normal body weight.
  • Breaking bad habits: alcohol and smoking.
  • Refuse sunbathing, visit steam rooms and saunas, take hot baths (including foot baths).
  • Refusal of high-heeled shoes (not higher than 4-5 cm).
  • Wear a special stretch uniform.
  • To provide physical activity. It can be walking, swimming, physiotherapy exercises, some sports. The main thing is to exclude squats, weightlifting, long-distance running, jumping, martial arts.
  • Proper nutrition. The diet should include more fresh vegetables, fruits, greens, whole grains and seafood. It is recommended to reduce the amount of meat. It is necessary to refrain from being smoked, fried, salty, greasy. Drink green tea, clean water, fruit drinks, natural fresh juices and limit brown.
  • Take every opportunity during the day to raise your legs at an angle of about 20 degrees.
  • Get a special pillow for your feet so that it is above the level of your heart during sleep.
  • Try rinsing your feet with cool water as often as possible.

Compression therapy

Special stretch knitwear is available today in a wide range. These are knee-length socks, tights of different colors and densities, which are practically no different from the usual ones. They have become a good alternative to elastic bandages, which are inconvenient to use and not aesthetically pleasing.

The special form does not cure varicose veins, but improves microcirculation, reduces vascular stress,Special device for putting on compression garmentsprevents blood stasis, reduces the diameter of blood vessels, increases venous blood and lymph flow. A person feels lightness in the legs, less tired in the evening, no swelling.

At first, it will be difficult without the habit of putting on the compressor sock by hand. You can buy a special device to simplify your task.

There are four types of medical knitwear, depending on the pressure applied. You can only wear compression class 1 products that are considered prophylactic and are designed for healthy people. The rest should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the diagnosis and severity of varicose veins. You should know that compression products can be a contraindication for certain diseases. Tights or socks are definitely chosen by the doctor according to the size, otherwise there will be no desired effect.

Medication

Tablets and foreign substances in the form of gels, creams and ointments with different spectra of action are used to treat varicose veins. Increases vascular tone, improves microcirculation, promotes blood flow and prevents skin changes. The medication is designed to relieve fatigue, heaviness, discomfort, swelling, itching, cramps and leg pain. Their purpose is strictly individual.

Application of healing cream to the feet with varicose veins

The main means of treatment of varicose veins are venotonics. They are made on the basis of horse chestnut, rutin, grape leaves, and patients are almost always well tolerated. Available in tablets, capsules, gels

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

Antihistamines may be prescribed for skin changes that cause itching. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills are prescribed for inflammation.

Surgery

To get rid of varicose veins, operations are performed to remove the affected part of the vein to stop the flow of blood from the superficial vein to the deep blood. The operation is called phlebectomy. In its classical form, it is less used today due to the emergence of new, less traumatic pathways associated with varicose veins. Such treatment is usually indicated for large vessel diameters and advanced cases of the disease.

A more gentle method is a microflebectomy, in which a portion of a vessel is removed through a puncture, rather than through a piece or incision.

Thermal methods

Radiofrequency ablation is a low-traumatic method to treat varicose veins

Radiofrequency ablation, despite some contraindications, is considered the safest and least traumatic method in the treatment of varicose veins. The method consists of the thermal effect of microwaves, as a result of which the venous lumen is closed. Key benefits:

  • outpatient treatment;
  • no need for anesthesia and incision;
  • recovery does not take long;
  • The
  • procedure is easily portable;
  • can be done in the summer;
  • There is no bruising after treatment, less swelling and pain.

Laser coagulation is another way to treat varicose veins. During the procedure, a laser is injected into the vessel wall. Radiation causes the vessel walls to stick together and the lumen to close completely. It is performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia without incisions. A catheter is placed in the lumen of the vessel, through which an LED is placed and radiation is given. The procedure is less traumatic, complications are very rare.

Sclerotherapy

Deep vein thrombosis

This non-operational method is one of the most common methods. It is used in small vessels and as part of a complex treatment in addition to surgery. The bottom line is that a special drug that has the effect of sclerosis is injected into a vein using a thin needle. As a result, the walls of the arteries stick together, closing and stopping blood flow. The affected vein becomes a fibrous cord. The main advantages of the method:

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

Traditional methods

Walnut tincture

Pour the chopped unripe walnuts into a glass jar and pour olive oil on top. Put in the sun for 40 days. Lubricate the affected area and apply as needed. Continue treatment for about four months.

Cabbage leaves

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

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

Horse Chestnut

This is one of the most effective folk remedies. For the treatment of varicose veins, a tincture of the fruit of the plant is prepared, crushed, half-filled in a glass bowl (three liters) and filled with vodka. Remove to a dark place for a month, stirring occasionally. When ready, rub the wounds overnight. Alcohol tincture of chestnut with varicose veins for external and internal use can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Exercises

When varicose veins appear, the question may arise as to whether it is possible to exercise and exercise, and what exercises are useful. Most doctors agree that physical activity is very important in such a disease, because the dynamics are beneficial for the arteries and statically harmful. However, it is equally important to consult your doctor about what sports you can do and what types of loads are optimal. In addition, the patient may be shown special therapeutic exercises performed directly in a medical facility. At home, you can also do simple but effective exercises that will help reduce the symptoms of varicose veins with regular exercise.

  1. Lie on your back, place the pillows under your feet so that they rise at an angle of 20 degrees. Close your eyes, relax completely, take a deep breath.
  2. In the supine position, lift your legs vertically and turn your feet in and out alternately.
  3. Lie on your back and move your legs like you're riding a bike.
  4. Lie on your back, lift your legs and hit them (scissors).
  5. Stand up straight, lower arms, legs together. Slowly rise to your feet, then slowly lower.
  6. Walk on the ground, do not tear the socks on the floor.
  7. Sit in a chair and move your ankles away from you, then bend your toes in the same way.
  8. An elastic stream of water is poured over the legs (alternately cool and warm).

Result

Varicose veins are an irreversible process, but they must be treated unsuccessfully, especially since there are many modern methods that need to be combined. Without treatment, there is a high risk of developing a dangerous disease such as chronic venous insufficiency, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers and even pulmonary embolism, which can result in death.

10.11.2020