Treatment of varicose veins

Varicose veins on 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 disruption, 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 locked, and when blood passes through them, they close and allow blood to flow out again. If the valves do not function well, blood can be released freely downwards, leading to blood stasis.

Reasons

Why do varicose veins appear, and what is it? The main risk factors for developing the disease are considered to be genetic predisposition and gender. Because of their love of high heels, hormonal changes during pregnancy, and taking contraceptives, women fall victim to varicose veins twice as often as men.

The development of the disease is stimulated 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, valves of damaged congenital veins. This is why varicose veins can be noticed 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, time after birth. The time when menopause comes is also dangerous. This gender category of patients visits doctors 2-3 times more often. There are not enough hormones in women's organs called estrogens. Instead, so-called corpus luteum hormones predominate. It is believed to be the one that has a relaxing effect on the muscles. This helps dilate the veins.
3. A sedentary, sedentary lifestyle, or work that requires a long stay while standing, contributes to the development of varicose veins.
4. Age. Over time, the valves and walls of the veins become thinner, leading to disruption of their work.
5. Mbipesha. Overweight leads to increased stress in the veins of the legs.

Phases

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

1. Compensation phase. There are no complaints. During the examination, varicose veins are noticed in one or both legs.
2. Undercompensation phase. During the examination, veins with pronounced varicose veins are visible in the legs. Patients complain of a feeling of satiety, paresthesia ("chills") in the bones, night cramps. In the evening there is a slight swelling of the feet, ankles and lower legs. The rash disappears in the morning.
3. Decompensation phase. Dermatitis, eczema join the listed symptoms. Patients are concerned about itching. The skin becomes dry, shiny, sticks tightly to the subcutaneous tissue. Minor hemorrhages and subsequent deposition of hemosiderin cause hyperpigmentation.

By itself, varicose veins are not considered a very serious disease, but if it has already developed, it will not go away on its own, and even more, it will progress, leading to all sorts of complications that presentthe greatest risk.

Signs

The first signs that indicate the beginning of the development of varicose veins:

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

In later stages, spider veins appear on the skin, emerging various veins and seals, indicating overload in the vessels.

Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs

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

You may suspect the development of the initial stage from the following symptoms:

• the appearance of pain in the legs, a feeling of warmth and sometimes burning in the veins of the legs;
• standing weight;
• swelling of the feet appears in the evening;
• leg cramps start at night;
• varicose veins;
• the skin of the lower leg gets a darker color, seals appear, trophic ulcers are possible.

Once you have detected any major signs, you should start treating varicose veins immediately - the symptoms will not go away on their own.

Diagnosis

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 (venous ultrasound) 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 andtheir openness, as well as the detection of the presence of blood clots (thrombi).
2. Contrast venography, which is an examination method that allows you to detect varicose veins and learn about their degree of openness to blood.

Only a qualified phlebologist can diagnose deep vein varicose veins.

Varicose veins in women

Varicose veins are experienced by many women. 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 cause of varicose veins, as it has 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 genitalia, which is a consequence of congenital or acquired weakness of the vascular wall and insufficiency of the valve. Exposure to external factors (prolonged static stress, significant physical activity) or internal (excess body weight, diseases of the pelvic organs in a chronic form) leads to the formation of varicose veins.

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

Development of varicose veins during pregnancy

Maintaining any subsequent pregnancies 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 alleviated by the following reasons:

1. Hormones that circulate in the blood during pregnancy increase the elasticity of the venous wall and contribute to the overload of venous blood in the legs.
2. Increased intra-abdominal pressure in late pregnancy makes it difficult for blood to circulate through the veins of the legs.
3. Varicose veins that occur during pregnancy may disappear completely after birth, 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:

• soreness in the testicle and a feeling of heaviness, the scrotum, along the spermatic cord, which increases with physical exertion and prolonged posture;
During palpation of the scrotum, tangled veins of the spermatic cord are identified.

The development of varicocele becomes a cause of male infertility due to impaired blood circulation and accompanying pathological changes in the normal functioning of the testicles:

• has an increase in testicular 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: testicular pain, infertility, aesthetic defect in the scrotum, lack of testicular growth affected during puberty. However, the disease may be asymptomatic and not cause significant discomfort to the husband.

In adolescents and children, when they are diagnosed with varicocele, surgery is necessary at every stage of the disease, this avoids the further development of infertility.

Operations are performed in both the usual open and endoscopic manner. It is possible to perform the surgical intervention from a mini-insertion and revascularization of the microsurgical testicles.

Varicose veins in children

Children are also susceptible to developing varicose veins. For them, this phenomenon is extremely rare and in most cases is a consequence of congenital pathology - angiodysplasia, abnormalities of the peripheral vascular system. The disease mainly affects the lower limbs. As a result, pronounced functional anatomical 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.

Furthermore, the development of varicose veins in adolescence has become a fairly common occurrence. This disease mainly affects girls. Can be provoked by:

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

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

• squinting, flat feet, hernia;
• poor behavior;
• shoes placed incorrectly;
• overweight.

For preventive purposes, in order to avoid the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to monitor the baby's nutrition. The diet should be balanced, it is beneficial to include in foods rich in routine foods. It is found in large quantities in hazelnuts, horse chestnuts, as well as berries - rose hips, sea buckthorn, black currant. Decoctions and juices from these berries can have a preventive and general strengthening effect on the body.

Veins with 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 blood supply to the female body. 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 pelvis occurs for several reasons:

• pregnancy and childbirth;
• change in the shape of the uterus;
• lifting and holding 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 undergo an examination. In the early stages, it is possible to identify varicose veins of the pelvis by ultrasound diagnosis. A preliminary diagnosis is also possible with a gynecological examination during a standard procedure.

Treatment of the disease includes taking venotonic medication, wearing special compression footwear, performing therapeutic and prophylactic gymnastics. It is also necessary to rule out risk factors and to 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 if the symptoms are not 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 analyze the main methods that will help get rid of this problem.

1. Scleotherapy. 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 a vein with a thin needle or syringe, then the vein disappears completely. Sessions are held once a week, 3 to 6 of these sessions are required. The method avoids scars and wounds.
2. Non-surgical treatment. If varicose veins are in their early stages and are not very uncomfortable, then elastic compression stockings may be recommended. They are worn during daily activities. They help narrow 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 completely stop the disease 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, the sclerosis process takes place in the vein wall and the varicose vein disappears as if removed.

Physical activity - brisk walking, gymnastics, swimming and water exercises (with the exception of heavy-duty sports - tennis, weightlifting, jumping) play an important role in treatment and prevention.

Venotonic Preparations

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

Many venotonics are complex medicines. The effect that is achieved when you use 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 large number of methods for treating varicose veins in 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 ripen for 14 days, shaking the bottle every day. Pass the tincture through a mesh and consume a tablespoon of water three times daily before meals. How to heal in a week - take a break for two weeks. Then treatment can be resumed.
2. Infusion of dried nettles is used for varicose veins. The crushed dried 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 eating.
3. Tomato compression. Finely chopped tomatoes, lay on a bandage, gauze and place on the sore spot. For convenience, you can tie it with an elastic band or other. Such a compress lasts in 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. Walnut oil tincture: chop the unripe nuts, pour into a glass jar, add olive oil and leave in a sunny place for 40 days. Lubricate the sore spots with a ready-made solution. The course of treatment is long, as with the use of Kalanchoe.

In addition to folk remedies, many patients with varicose vein complementary therapy with special gymnastics - Mikulin exercises allow you to feel a noticeable improvement.

Varicose veins are mainly a female disease, 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 when they have a work activity that requires more physical effort. Since varicose veins cause severe varicose veins, which can provoke their atrophy and thrombosis, it is important to diagnose the disease in time and treat it. It can be performed by operational and conservative methods. Treatment can only be chosen 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 on the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The latter technique is best done before bed, so you can soothe sore limbs and improve sleep. If varicose veins are localized, you can moisten a clean gauze with vinegar and place it on the sore spot for 5-10 minutes. Such manipulations are 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 respectively in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. After complete stirring of the ingredients, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Apply homemade oil twice a day in the morning and in the evening, you do not need to rinse the product. Therapy can be performed 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 should 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 bottom drawer of the refrigerator. After placement, it is required to take 30 drops of infusion resulting three times after the main meal. The duration of such treatment is 20-30 days.

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

Potato juice

Potato juice for varicose veins is applied in the form of compresses

This medicine 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 moisten them with a clean gauze bandage. Apply to ulcerative wound for five hours. After that, the compression must be changed. You can use potato applications 1-2 times a day for two weeks. Breaks between therapy should be at least three to four weeks.

Attention!The true effectiveness of folk remedies for varicose veins is still in doubt. Therefore, it is recommended to use such methods only with the permission of the doctor and in combination with traditional medicines.

When is it urgent to see a doctor?

In severe cases of varicose vein deterioration, conditions that require immediate medical attention may develop. These cases involve the following processes:

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

The result of varicose vein rupture is the development of thrombophlebitis. During onset, thrombosis formation occurs with inflammation of the vein wall and a thrombus forms 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 superficial venous thrombophlebitis, painful seals with skin rash along the veins are characterized. Deep vein thrombophlebitis is associated with 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 varicose veins already diagnosed. This will save her from further development and the need for surgical intervention.

To reduce the risk of varicose veins, you should:

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

Exercises

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

Important! It is beneficial to do these exercises on a regular daily basis.

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

Then, while lying down, start the exercises:

1. bike - bending the knees to mimic pedaling;
2. flexion-extension of the legs at the ankle joint - the legs are elongated, alternately performing flexion and extension movements;
3. then work your fingers the same way;
4. raise your legs at an angle and turn your legs in and out;
5. in the supine position, perform the exercise with scissors: alternately cross your legs;
6. standing, walk in place while keeping socks on;
7. Remaining in a standing position, we make a raise on the toes: on suction, on top, on breathing, we descend.

Varicose vein disease develops over a long period of time, so when the first signs appear, there is a chance to stop its flow. But the only method to completely get rid of varicose veins is surgical removal of the veins.