How to treat varicose veins

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

  • extension of the esophageal veins.
  • rectal veins (hemorrhoids);
  • small pelvic veins?
  • veins of the spermatic cord (varicose veins);
  • veins of the lower extremities.
Varicose veins of the legs are considered to be the most common. It is estimated that more than 30% of the population suffers from it, with the majority being women. Varicose veins on the legs are not only ugly protruding veins, but also a lot of unpleasant sensations and discomfort. The pathological process is accompanied by severity, pain, swelling and often leads to dangerous complications: thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, food ulcers. Many would like to learn how to get rid of varicose veins forever, as it significantly affects 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 not yet understood. It is understood that the disease is associated with thinning, weakness and loss of elasticity of the vascular wall, as well as with insufficient valves. As a result, the veins dilate unevenly, stretched, long, twisted, nodular. It is believed that a genetic predisposition plays a key role in the onset of the disease, i. e. from birth, weak blood vessels and defective valves.

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

Heredity (according to experts, the risk of the disease in people whose parents suffer from it is up to 70%).
  • Being a woman. This is due to hormonal changes during adolescence, during pregnancy and during menopause, as well as taking hormonal contraceptives and using high-heeled shoes.
  • Work activity related to a long stay on foot or in a sitting position (hairdressers, salesmen, surgeons, waiters, drivers, accountants, developers and others).
  • Aging, in which the weakening of the walls of blood vessels and the wear of the valve device is a natural phenomenon.
  • Business interventions.
  • Sedentary lifestyle.
  • Increased intra-abdominal pressure due to overweight, pregnancy, heavy lifting (loaders, weight lifting), frequent tension with chronic constipation and cough
  • Treatment methods

    Varicose veins are a chronic process that begins gradually and only evolves over time. To date, it is impossible to completely defeat the disease, but it is possible to slow down the growth and reduce the symptoms if we apply a comprehensive treatment, which includes:

    • lifestyle change?
    • diet?
    • physiotherapy exercises?
    • compression therapy?
    • medicines (for internal and topical use)
    • surgery?
    • thermal processes?
    • folk methods.

    You need to fight varicose veins all your life. Do not self-medicate. It is necessary to be examined by a venologist or vascular surgeon, who will diagnose, determine the stage of the disease and the severity of the lesion and prescribe the appropriate treatment. The main task is to remove or reduce the clinical manifestations, stop the progression, prevent recurrences and the development of complications.

    The effectiveness of treatment will depend on the patient's compliance with all the doctor's recommendations. It is important to seek help at an early stage, when there is no pain yet, but at night swelling, heaviness and fatigue of the legs, small cobwebs appeared on the skin.

    Lifestyle correction

    Without changing your lifestyle, it is impossible to fight varicose veins effectively. The rules you have to follow are absolutely fundamental and failure to follow them is usually associated with a lack of will or an irresponsible attitude towards one's health.

    • Maintain a normal body weight.
    • Separation with bad habits: alcohol and smoking.
    • Refusal to sunbathe, visit steam baths and saunas, take hot baths (including feet).
    • Denial of high heels (not larger than 4-5 cm).
    • Wearing a special blouse.
    • Providing physical activity. This can be walking, swimming, physical therapy exercises, some sports. The main thing is to block squats, weightlifting, long distance running, jumping, martial arts.
    • The right diet. The diet should include more fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, whole grains and seafood. It is recommended to reduce the amount of meat. It is necessary to stop smoking, fried, salty, greasy. From drinks, prefer green tea, pure water, fruit drinks, natural fresh juices and limit coffee.
    • Use every opportunity during the day to lift your legs at an angle of about 20 degrees.
    • Buy a special pillow for your feet, so that it is above the level of the heart during sleep.
    • Try rinsing your feet with cool water as often as possible.

    Compression therapy

    Special knitted garments are available today in a wide variety. These are knee-high socks, tights of different colors and densities, which are essentially no different from the usual. They have become a good alternative to the elastic bandage, uncomfortable to use and externally anesthetic.

    The special vest can not cure varicose veins, but improves microcirculation, reduces stress in the veins,Special device for placing compression garmentsprevents blood stasis, reduces the diameter of blood vessels, increases venous blood flow and venous. A person feels lightness in his legs, by night he is less tired, there is no swelling.

    Initially it will be difficult without the habit of wearing compression stockings by hand. To simplify your work, you can buy a special device.

    There are four categories of medical knitwear, depending on the pressure exerted. You can only wear products of the 1st category of compression, which are considered condoms and are rather intended for healthy people. The rest should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the diagnosis and severity of the varicose veins. Be aware that compression products may be contraindicated for certain diseases. The tights or socks are chosen by a doctor strictly according to the size, otherwise the desired result will not be.

    Medicines

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

    Application of therapeutic cream on the legs with varicose veins

    The main means of treating varicose veins are phlebotonic. They are made on the basis of horse chestnut, routine, grape leaves and are almost always well tolerated by patients. It is available in the form of tablets, capsules, gels.

    Anticoagulants are used to reduce blood viscosity and reduce the chance 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 itchy skin. In case of inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills are prescribed.

    Surgery

    To get rid of varicose veins, surgeries are performed to remove the affected part of the vessel, in order to stop the discharge of blood from the superficial vein to the deep one. The operation is called a phlebectomy. In its classic form, it is used less and less today in relation to the emergence of new, less traumatic ways of treating varicose veins. This treatment is usually indicated for large vein diameters and advanced cases of the disease.

    A milder method is microfectomy, in which a portion of the vein is removed in parts, not through an incision, but through a perforation.

    Thermal methods

    Radiofrequency ablation is a low traumatic method of 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 in the thermal effect of microwaves, as a result of which the venous lumen is closed. Key Benefits:

    • treatment of outpatients?
    • does not require anesthesia and incision.
    • Recovery does not take long.
    • The
    • process is easily portable.
    • can be done in the summer.
    • there are no bruises after treatment, swelling and pain are minor.

    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 adhesion of the venous walls and the complete closure of the lumen. It is performed in outpatients 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-functional method is one of the most common. It is used in small veins and as part of a complex treatment together with surgery. The bottom line is that a special hardening drug is injected into a vein using a fine needle. As a result, the walls of the vessel stick together, closing and stopping the flow of blood. The affected vein becomes a fibrous cord. The main advantages of the method:

    • treatment of outpatients?
    • low invasiveness
    • ease of execution?
    • process duration - about 20 minutes.
    • good cosmetic result.

    Traditional methods

    Walnut tincture

    Pour chopped walnuts in a glass dish and pour 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, bandage and leave for a day. Continue treatment for a month.

    Physiotherapy is an integral part of 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, stirring occasionally. When you are ready, rub the sore spots all night. At the pharmacy you can buy chestnut tincture for external and internal use with varicose veins.

    Exercises

    When varicose veins appear, the question may arise as to whether it is possible to engage in physical education and sports and which exercises are useful. Most doctors agree that physical activity in such a disease is very important, as the dynamics are beneficial to the veins and the static ones are harmful. However, it is equally important to consult your doctor about the sports you can do and what kind of loads will be optimal. In addition, the patient may experience special medical gymnastics, which takes place directly in a medical institution. At home, you can also do simple but effective exercises that, with regular exercise, will help reduce the symptoms of varicose veins.

    1. Lie on your back, place pillows under your feet so that they rise at an angle of 20 degrees. Close your eyes, relax completely, take deep breaths.
    2. In the supine position, lift your legs vertically and rotate your legs alternately in and out.
    3. Lie on your back and move your legs as if you were riding a bicycle.
    4. Lying on your back, lift your legs and cross them (scissors).
    5. Stand up straight, lower arms, legs together. Slowly raise your toes and then lower just as slowly.
    6. Walk in place, do not cut your socks off the floor.
    7. Sitting in a chair, bend your ankles towards yourself and away from you and then bend your fingers in the same way.
    8. It pours an elastic stream of water on the feet (alternatively cool and warm).

    Conclusion

    Varicose veins are an irreversible process, but they must be treated without failure, especially since there are several modern methods that must be used in combination. Without treatment, there is a high risk of complications such as chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, food ulcers, and even such a dangerous condition that can lead to death as pulmonary embolism.

    10.11.2020