Varicose veins treatment

Varicose veins in the legs are not only a cosmetic problem that worries people about 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 disruptions, 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 blood passes through them, they close and allow the blood to flow back out. If the valves are malfunctioning, blood can be freely delivered downward, which leads to blood stasis.

Reasons

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

Disease development 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 of the venous walls, congenital defective vein valves. That is why varicose veins can be observed in young, healthy and active (regardless of gender) people 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, time after childbirth. The time when menopause comes is also dangerous. This gender category of patients consults doctors 2-3 times more often. There are not enough hormones in the female organs, which are called estrogens. Instead, the so-called corpus luteum hormones prevail. It is believed that it is he who has a relaxing effect on the muscles. This promotes varicose veins.
3. A sedentary, sedentary lifestyle, or work that requires long standing, contributes to the development of varicose veins.
4. Age. Over time, the valves and vein walls become thinner, which leads to disruption of their work.
5. Obesity. Excess weight leads to increased stress on the veins of the legs.

Stages

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

1. Compensation stage. There are no complaints. On examination, varicose veins on one or two legs are observed.
2. Subcompensation stage. On examination, pronounced varicose veins are visible on 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 in the evenings. The swelling disappears in the morning.
3. Decompensation stage. Dermatitis, eczema join the listed symptoms. Patients are worried about itching. The skin becomes dry, shiny, tightly adhered to the subcutaneous tissue. Minor hemorrhages and subsequent hemosiderin deposition cause hyperpigmentation.

By itself, varicose veins are not considered a very serious disease, but if it has already developed, it will never go away on its own, and even more, it will progress, leading to all sorts of complications that pose the greatest danger.

Signs

The first signs indicating the beginning of the development of varicose veins:

• fast leg fatigue;
• swelling of the lower extremities;
• feeling of heaviness in the legs.

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

Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs

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

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

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

Having found any primary signs, you need to immediately start treating varicose veins - the symptoms will not disappear by themselves.

Diagnostics

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

1. Duplex scanning (ultrasound of veins) is the most informative method for diagnosing varicose veins of the legs, which makes it possible to get an idea of ​​the degree of varicose veins, the direction of blood flow through the veins and their patency, as well as 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 their patency for blood.

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

Varicose veins in women

Many women experience 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, affecting the external genital organs, which is a consequence of congenital or acquired weakness of the vascular wall and valve insufficiency. The impact of 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 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 of the lower extremities, this is facilitated by the following reasons:

1. Hormones circulating 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 in late pregnancy makes it difficult for blood to flow through the veins of the legs.
3. Varicose veins that occur during pregnancy can completely disappear after childbirth, or progress further, depending on individual factors (heredity, the 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. Disease symptoms:

• soreness 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 concomitant pathological changes in the normal functioning of the testicles:

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

Treatment of varicose veins in men consists of a surgical operation if there are indications: pain in the testicle, infertility, aesthetic defect in the scrotum, lack of growth of the affected testicle during puberty. However, the disease may 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, this avoids the further development of infertility.

Operations are carried out both in the usual open way and endoscopic. 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 in most cases is a consequence of congenital pathology - angiodysplasia, anomalies of the peripheral vascular system. The disease mainly affects the lower extremities. As a result, pronounced anatomical functional disorders occur. This leads to irreversible changes and early disability.

Important! The effectiveness of 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 affects mainly girls. It can be provoked by:

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

Among the factors affecting the appearance of varicose veins in children, there are:

• squint, flat feet, hernias;
• poor posture;
• incorrectly fitted shoes;
• overweight.

As a preventive measure, in order to avoid the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to monitor the child's nutrition. The diet should be balanced, it is beneficial to include in food foods rich in routine. It is found in large quantities in hazelnuts, horse chestnuts, and also berries - rose hips, sea buckthorn, black currant. Decoctions and juices from 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. The enlarged 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 weights;
• hereditary predisposition;
• lack of physical activity;
• sedentary work;
• taking oral contraceptives.

If there are risk factors and symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to get testedIn the early stages, it is possible to detect varicose veins of the small pelvis with ultrasound diagnostics. A preliminary diagnosis is also possible with a gynecological examination during a standard procedure.

Treatment of the disease includes taking venotonic drugs, wearing special compression underwear, performing 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 are unhappy with their appearance.

Let's look at the main methods that will help 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 filling it is injected into a vein with a thin needle or syringe, subsequently the vein completely disappears. 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 their early stages and if they do not cause too much discomfort, then elastic compression stockings may be recommended. They are worn during daily activities. They help constrict the veins, keeping 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 stop the disease completely and restore damaged veins.
4. Laser treatment for varicose veins in the legs can be used on the surface of the skin. With the help of a small flash of laser light, a sclerosis process develops in the vein wall and the varicose vein disappears as if it were removed.

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

Venotonic preparations

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 that is achieved when using them extends not only to the veins, but also to all the vessels in our body.

How to treat varicose veins with folk remedies

There are a huge number of methods for treating varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies, both for external and internal use. Below 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 mesh and consume a tablespoon with water, three times daily before meals. How to heal for a week - take a break for two weeks. Then the treatment can be restarted.
2. Dried nettle infusion is used for varicose veins. Dry crushed 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 compress. Finely chopped tomato, lay on a bandage, gauze, and applied to the sore spot. For convenience, you can tie it with an elastic or other bandage. Such a compress lasts at the vein for 2 hours, then changes 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. Oil tincture of walnuts: chop unripe nuts, pour into a glass container, add olive oil and leave in a sunny place for 40 days. Lubricate 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, which is associated with the constant wearing of high-heeled shoes, pregnancy, childbirth and a number of other circumstances. But the disease can also affect men, especially if they have a work activity that requires more physical effort. Since varicose veins cause severe wear of the veins, which can provoke their atrophy and thrombosis, it is important to diagnose the disease in time and treat it. It can be carried out by operational 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 from varicose veins

This home remedy is used in two ways. The first involves rubbing 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 a 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 is required between courses.

Honey ointment

To make an effective home remedy, you need to use beeswax, propolis and olive oil. These ingredients are required to be taken in a 2: 1: 1 ratio, respectively. After thoroughly stirring the components, they must be stored in the refrigerator. Homemade ointment is applied twice a day in the morning and in the evening, it is not required to wash off the product. The therapy can be carried out for 3-4 weeks, after which it is required to take a break for the same period.

Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut solution is an effective remedy against varicose veins

To prepare the solution, you need to collect a half-liter jar of chestnuts and peel the fruit. After that, the plant needs to be poured with 200 ml of alcohol or vodka, the resulting solution is insisted only in a dark, cool place for 14 days, for this you can use the lower drawer of the refrigerator. After settling, it is required 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. As soon as the product is applied, you should immediately go to bed. Use chestnut tincture in this way daily for a month. In both cases, a break of three months is required between treatment.

Potato juice

Potato juice for varicose veins is used in the form of 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 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, the compress needs to be changed. 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 an urgent need 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:

• 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 increased temperature, the sore spot is swollen and very dense;
• skin has turned from normal to bluish or close to 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 death of the patient 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 - open poorly healing wounds on the vessels, arising even with minor trauma, increases.

The result of varicose veins rupture is the development of thrombophlebitis. In the course of the appearance, the formation of thrombosis occurs 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 ​​thrombosed veins, body temperature rises, accompanied by chills. With thrombophlebitis of superficial veins, painful seals with reddening of the skin along the veins are characteristic. Deep vein thrombophlebitis is accompanied by edema of the extremities due to a sharp violation of 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.

In order to reduce the risk of developing varicose veins, you must:

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

Exercises

Prevention and treatment of varicose veins also consists in performing exercises of therapeutic and prophylactic gymnastics aimed at improving blood circulation and getting rid of signs of blood stagnation.

Important! These exercises are helpful on a regular daily basis.

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

Then, while lying down, start the exercises:

1. bicycle - bending your 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 in the same way;
4. raise your legs at an angle and twist your feet in and out;
5. in the prone position, perform the scissors exercise: alternately crossing the legs;
6. while standing, perform walking in place, while keeping socks on;
7. Remaining in a standing position, we do a rise on toes: on inhalation, top, on exhalation, we go down.

Varicose veins 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 completely get rid of varicose veins is the surgical removal of veins.