Treatment of varicose veins

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

The causes of varicose veins are many: from a sedentary lifestyle, physical overload and endings with hormonal disorders, congenital weakness of the walls of blood vessels, pregnancy. What Happens During Varicose Veins? With varicose veins of the lower extremities, they lose their normal elasticity and stretch under blood pressure.

The valves in the veins are normally locks and when the blood passes through them, they close and allow the blood to flow again. If the valves are not functioning properly, blood can be delivered freely downward, which leads to blood stasis.

Reasons

Why do varicose veins form and what is it? The main risk factors for the development of the disease are considered to be genetic predisposition and gender. Due to the love of high heels, hormonal changes during pregnancy, and taking contraceptives, women become victims of varicose veins twice as often as men.

The development of the disease is promoted by:

1. Inheritance. It is not the disease itself that is inherited, but the genetically determined structure of the veins: weak connective tissues of the venous walls, congenital defective venous valves. That is why varicose veins can be observed in young, healthy and active people (regardless of gender) and even in children. According to scientists, genetic predisposition is the main factor leading to varicose veins in the legs.
2. Hormonal changes. Due to the characteristics of the body in women, periods of hormonal disruptions become the causes of blood stagnation. For them, the most dangerous periods are puberty, pregnancy, the time after childbirth. The time when menopause arrives is also dangerous. This gender category of patients visits doctors 2-3 times more often. There are not enough hormones in the female organs, which are called estrogen. Instead, the so-called hormones of the corpus luteum prevail. It is believed that it is he who has a relaxing effect on the muscles. This promotes varicose veins.
3. A sedentary or sedentary lifestyle, or a job that requires a long stay, contributes to the development of varicose veins.
4. Age. Over time, the valves and walls of the veins become thinner, which leads to the disruption of their work.
5. Obesity. Being overweight leads to increased stress on the leg veins.

Phases

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

1. Compensation phase. There are no complaints. On examination, varicose veins are observed on one or two legs.
2. Undercompensation phase. On examination, pronounced varicose veins on the legs are visible. Patients complain of a feeling of fullness, paresthesia ("chills") in the shins, nocturnal cramps. In the evening, there is a slight swelling of the feet, ankles and lower legs. The swelling disappears in the morning.
3. Phase of decompensation. Dermatitis, eczema join the listed signs. Patients are worried about itching. The skin becomes dry, shiny, adheres well to the subcutaneous tissue. Minor bleeding and subsequent hemosiderin deposition cause hyperpigmentation.

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

Signs

The first signs that indicate the onset of varicose vein development:

• rapid leg fatigue;
• swelling of the lower limbs;
• feeling of heaviness in the legs.

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

Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs

In the different stages of varicose veins, the symptoms can be different: from small, almost asymptomatic varicose veins to severe and painful manifestations.

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

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

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

Diagnostics

To diagnose varicose veins of the lower extremities and prescribe the appropriate treatment, the specialist will offer the patient to undergo a comprehensive examination, which includes various methods.

1. Duplex scanning (ultrasound of the veins) is the most informative method for diagnosing varicose veins of the legs, which allows you to get an idea of ​​the degree of varicose veins, the direction of blood flow through the veins andtheir patency, as well as detecting the presence of blood clots (thrombi).
2. Contrast venography, a method of examination that allows you to detect dilated veins and know the degree of their patency for the blood.

Only a highly qualified phlebologist can diagnose deep venous varicose veins.

Varicose veins in women

Many women suffer from 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 stress and increased blood flow to the pelvic organs.

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

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

Development of varicose veins during pregnancy

Carrying on with each subsequent pregnancy greatly 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 of the lower limbs, this is facilitated by the following reasons:

1. Hormones that circulate in the blood during pregnancy increase the elasticity of the venous wall and contribute to congestion of venous blood in the legs.
2. The increase in intra-abdominal pressure in the last stage of pregnancy makes it difficult for blood to flow in the leg veins.
3. Varicose veins that occur during pregnancy can completely disappear after childbirth 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, scrotum, along the spermatic cord, which increases with physical exertion 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 associated pathological changes in the normal functioning of the testicles:

• there is an increase in testicular temperature relative to body temperature. Elevated temperature affects the course of spermatogenesis;
• testicular hypoxia (lack of oxygen, ischemia);
• accumulation of free radicals in testicular tissues, disrupting their activity.

Treatment of varicose veins in men consists in surgery if there are indications: pain in the testicle, infertility, cosmetic defect in the scrotum, lack of growth of the affected testicle during puberty However, the disease can be asymptomatic and not cause discomfortmeaningful to man.

In adolescents and children, during the diagnosis of varicocele, surgery is required at any stage of the disease, this avoids the further development of infertility.

Operations are performed both in the usual open and endoscopic way. It is possible to perform mini-access surgery and microsurgical testicular revascularization.

Varicose veins in children

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

Important! The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the age of the child. 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 fairly 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 influence the appearance of varicose veins in children, there are:

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

For preventive purposes, in order to avoid the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to monitor the nutrition of the child. The diet must be balanced, it is useful to include routine rich foods in food. It is found in large quantities in hazelnuts, horse chestnuts and berries - dog rose, sea buckthorn, black currant. The decoctions and juices of these berries can have a preventive and general strengthening effect for the body.

Pelvic varicose veins

Varicose veins can also occur in the pelvic area. 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. Dilated veins cause a feeling 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 of weights;
• hereditary predisposition;
• lack of physical activity;
• sedentary work;
• taking oral contraceptives.

If you have risk factors and symptoms of the disease, you should be testedIn the early stages, it is possible to detect varicose veins of the small pelvis with ultrasound diagnosis. A preliminary diagnosis is also possible with a gynecological examination during a standard procedure.

Treatment of the disease includes taking 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 methods of treatment, 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 are not happy with their appearance.

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

1. Sclerotherapy. This method of treatment is used both independently and in combination with conservative procedures. Its essence lies in the fact that a special preparation that fills it is injected into the vein with a thin needle or syringe, subsequently the vein disappears completely. Sessions are held once a week, 3 to 6 of these sessions are required. The method avoids scars and scars.
2. Non-surgical treatment. If varicose veins are in the early stages and are not too uncomfortable, compression stockings may be recommended. They are worn during daily activities. They help narrow 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 the development process, but is unable to completely stop the disease and restore damaged veins.
4. Laser treatment for varicose veins in the legs can be used on the skin surface. With the help of a small flash of laser light, a sclerosis process develops in the venous wall and the varicose vein disappears as if it had been removed.

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

Venotonic drugs

The action of these drugs is aimed at increasing the tone of smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels, which allows them to maintain their elasticity and normalize blood circulation in the affected areas.

Many of the venotonics are complex drugs. The effect obtained by 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 huge number of methods of treating varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies, both for external and internal use. The following are the most common:

1. Horse chestnut flowers (50 grams), you need to pour 500 g of alcohol, then let it brew for 14 days, shaking the bottle every day. Pass the tincture through a net and consume one tablespoon with water three times a day before meals. How to heal for a week: Take a break for two weeks. Then the treatment can be resumed.
2. The infusion of dried nettle is used for varicose veins. The chopped dry leaves of the plant are poured into 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 pack. Finely chopped tomato, lay on a bandage, gauze and apply to the sore spot. For convenience, you can tie it with an elastic band or other bandage. Such a compress lasts in the vein for 2 hours, then change to a new one, and so on for a total of 3 times. The convenience of this compress is that it can be repeated every day.
4. Walnut tincture oil: chop the unripe walnuts, pour them into a glass container, add olive oil and leave to infuse for 40 days in a sunny place. Lubricate the sore spots with a ready-made tincture. The course of treatment is long, as with the use of Kalanchoe.

In addition to folk remedies, many patients with varicose veins supplement therapy with special gymnastics - Mikulin's 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 carry out a work activity that requires greater physical effort. Since varicose veins cause severe wear of the veins, which can lead to their atrophy and thrombosis, it is important to diagnose the disease in time and treat it. It can be performed with operative 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 pain in varicose veins

This home remedy is used in two ways. The first is to rub a small amount of apple cider vinegar into the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The last technique is best done before bedtime, so you can calm sore limbs and improve sleep. If varicose veins are localized, you can soak clean gauze with vinegar and apply to the sore spot for 5-10 minutes. Such manipulations are also repeated 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks. A mandatory monthly break between courses is required.

Honey ointment

To make an effective home remedy, you need to use beeswax, propolis and olive oil. These ingredients must be taken respectively in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. After mixing the components thoroughly, they must be stored in the refrigerator. Apply homemade ointment twice a day in the morning and in the evening, it is not necessary 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, collect a half-liter jar of chestnuts and peel the fruit. After that, the plant must be poured with 200 ml of alcohol or vodka, the resulting solution is infused only in a cool dark place for 14 days, for this you can use the lower drawer of the refrigerator. After settling, it is necessary to take 30 drops of the resulting infusion three times after the main meals. The duration of such treatment is 20-30 days.

The tincture can also be used as a rub, in which case the product cannot be taken internally. They rub their feet before going to bed, it is recommended to wash them first. Once the product is applied, you should immediately go to bed. Use chestnut tincture like this every day for a month. In both cases, a three-month break between treatments is required.

Potato juice

Potato juice for varicose veins is used in the form of tablets

This remedy can be used for the initial degree of varicose veins, as well as for ulcers in the affected area. To do this, it is necessary to wipe the raw potatoes, and then saturate them with a clean gauze bandage. It is applied to the ulcerative lesion for five hours. After that, you need to change the compression. You can use potato applications 1-2 times a day for two weeks. The breaks between therapy 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 such methods only with the permission of a doctor and in combination with traditional drugs.

When is it urgent to see a doctor?

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

• the pain in the affected area is so severe that it is impossible to move a limb and get out of bed;
• the skin on palpation is characterized by an increase in temperature, the sore spot is swollen and very dense;
• the skin has changed from normal to bluish or almost red and purple;
• there is sudden shortness of breath, it is difficult to take even short breaths;
• there is increased sweating and severe weakness of the whole body;
• there is 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. 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 lead to serious complications. At the last stage of the development of varicose veins, an extreme thinning of the walls of blood vessels is observed, in this regard, the risk of the appearance of trophic ulcers increases - open wounds that heal poorly on the vessels, which are manifested even with minor trauma.

The result of the rupture of varicose veins is the development of thrombophlebitis. In the course of appearance, the formation of thrombosis occurs with inflammation of the venous wall and a thrombus forms, which closes its lumen.

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

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 their observance even with already diagnosed varicose veins. This will save from its further development and the need for surgical intervention.

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

• moderate physical activity, a visit to the pool is particularly useful. 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 the hygienic procedures with a contrasting foot bath. To do this, water your feet for 10 minutes, alternating cold and hot water;
• change the diet - reduce the consumption of fatty foods, including in the diet of routine rich foods;
• wearing compression underwear, especially with increased physical activity on the legs;
• supply of vitamins and mineral complexes that improve immunity, strengthen the walls of the vessels and reduce the risk of blood clots.

Exercises

The prevention and treatment of varicose veins also consists in the execution of therapeutic and prophylactic gymnastics exercises aimed at improving blood circulation and eliminating the signs of blood stagnation.

Important! It is helpful to do these exercises regularly every day.

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

Then, lying down, he begins the exercises:

1. bicycle - bend the knees to imitate pedaling;
2. flexion-extension of the feet in the ankle joint: the legs are stretched, alternately perform flexion and extension movements;
3. then work your toes the same way;
4. raises your legs at an angle and rotates your feet in and out;
5. in a lying position, perform the scissors exercise: alternately cross your legs;
6. while standing, walk in place, holding your socks;
7. Remaining standing, we lift on the toes: inhaling, up, exhaling, we go down.

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 of getting rid of varicose veins completely is surgical removal of the veins.