Varicose veins (varicose veins) is a pathology of the veins, which manifests itself in their deformation and impaired blood flow. Observing the appearance of spider veins, pain and heaviness in the legs, it is worth immediately starting treatment for varicose veins, especially since the initial manifestations of the disease can be treated with minimally invasive or generally popular methods.
The main signs of varicose veins on the legs
The well-known "cobweb" on the legs is only the initial stage of varicose veins. Besides it, the main signs of varicose veins include:
- persistent swelling of the legs in the thigh or lower leg;
- heaviness in the legs;
- skin discoloration - appearance of red spots, darkening;
- veins change shape and increase in size;
- thickening of the skin on the lower leg;
- severe pain in the calves, aggravated when walking, feeling of heat and burning in the legs;
- pain of the veins when pressing them;
- the formation of trophic ulcers;
- leg cramps at night.
With varicose veins on the legs, therapy should start as soon as possible.
In such places, the speed of blood flow slows down, which contributes to the formation of thrombosis.
With this disease, the venous vessels lose their elasticity, expand in some places, twist and form nodes.
How can varicose veins on the legs be cured?
Modern medicine has several methods of treating this disease. The doctor must decide on the treatment regimen, taking into account the existing symptoms, concomitant diseases and the characteristics of the patient's body. As a result, such modern methods can be involved:
- Conservative treatment is the use of certain medications.
- Minimally invasive techniques. Whenever possible, doctors try to use them to treat varicose veins in the legs.
- Radical therapy. Performing venectomy and phlebectasia for varicose veins.
In several cases of mild stage varicose veins on the legs, with a doctor's approval, home remedies can be used as an adjunct methods to help remove varicose veins.
Wearing compression garments helps heal varicose veins at an early stage and also supports the veins in the postoperative period. The effectiveness of compression garments is due to the effect of tissue compression, which leads to compression and varicose veins. There are models of products for the treatment of varicose veins in men and pregnant women.
Modern methods of treatment.
Drug therapy: creams, ointments, and gels.
With varicose veins, damage occurs to the blood vessels, leading to stagnation of the blood. Therefore, at the first stage of the disease, the following groups of drugs will be effective:
- Non-steroidal tablets or gels to prevent inflammation. They are used to treat thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. Treatment of varicose veins with these medications should only be done under the supervision of a doctor.
- Based on hormones that have an antihistamine, anti-inflammatory effect for varicose veins. They also reduce the swelling of the tissues.
- Anticoagulant drugs that prevent stagnation of venous blood and blood clots, thin the blood and improve its circulation.
These drugs are actively used in home therapy for varicose veins, but must be used strictly as directed by a doctor. Ointments and gels are generally applied directly to the vascular area twice a day.
Minimally invasive procedures
Minimally invasive methods of treating varicose veins do not require surgical intervention, hospitalization, and subsequent long-term rehabilitation. A nonsurgical procedure is performed in a procedure room under local anesthesia. These methods of treating varicose veins in the legs are less traumatic.
The same day, the patient can go home.
In 95% of cases of varicose veins, doctors use non-surgical intervention, only 5% of patients need to undergo phlebectomy.
Minimally invasive procedures include:
- radiofrequency ablation;
- sclerotherapy;
- laser ablation;
- microflebectomy.
Sclerotherapy
The sclerotherapy method consists of injecting a sclerosing active ingredient into a deformed vein. It clogs the damaged area of the vein and blood moves along the restored bed. Over time, the isolated section of the vein dissolves on its own.
Sclerotherapy is performed under constant ultrasound control. Modern technologies have further improved the sclerotherapy method. Now, more and more people are using a more effective method to treat varicose veins: foam sclerotherapy. It is performed if the diameter of the veins does not exceed 10 mm; such an intervention practically does not give complications in the postoperative period.
After sclerotherapy, the patient is advised to wear compression garments for a month to consolidate the positive effect.
Radiofrequency ablation
The radiofrequency ablation method is one of the least traumatic, and at the same time, it can effectively remove varicose veins on the legs. The procedure is possible with any diameter of the veins. The ablation is performed under local anesthesia, under constant ultrasound control.
Through a small puncture in the vein, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted at the desired location in the tissues around the vein. An anesthetic is then injected, creating a "water bed" around the damaged vein, protecting the surrounding tissues from the action of radio waves. After radiofrequency therapy, long-term rehabilitation is not required; As early as 2 weeks after the procedure, the patient can live an active life. Despite the cost, this method has the best reviews on the forums.
Contraindications to radiofrequency ablation are thrombophlebitis and trophic changes of the skin.
Laser ablation
Laser ablation is performed on an outpatient basis for 30 minutes to 2 hours under local anesthesia. After its completion, the patient can immediately go home regardless of the clinic. The method consists of burning the walls of the blood vessels with a laser using a special light guide. As a result, there is a blockage of the affected area of the vein.
Over time, the laser-treated area dissolves.
Several types of fiber optics are used for laser ablation:
- extreme - for veins with a diameter of no more than 1 centimeter;
- radial: for veins of any diameter, 360 degree coverage.
After the laser therapy procedure, the patient is advised to wear compression stockings for prophylactic purposes. A phlebologist prescribes the type of clothing and the duration of its use; the price of such aids has recently been reduced.
Microphlebectomy
During the microflebectomy procedure, the surgeon removes the affected area of the vein with special hooks. These hooks are inserted into the vein through a micro incision of up to 1mm. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
The rehabilitation period after treatment is 3-5 days, after this time the patient can go to work. During the procedure, bruises form at the site of exposure, which dissolve on their own after 3-4 weeks. Compression garments are recommended for the first 2 weeks after microflebectomy.
Advantages of microflebectomy include the ability to apply the technique to veins of any diameter and to completely remove the affected area of the vein.
Phlebectomy
In the event that varicose veins on the legs are quite neglected, and non-surgical treatment regimens do not give a positive result, the patient is prescribed an operation to remove the damaged veins - phlebectomy. Only surgery will help cure varicose veins in advanced cases.
Phlebectomy is performed in a hospital under spinal or general anesthesia for no more than 2 hours. After the operation, the patient is under observation at the treatment center for 1-2 days.
Indications for a surgical operation:
- serious violation of the outflow of blood;
- extensive varicose veins;
- serious complications of varicose veins: thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.
The risk of complications during surgery is minimal, but there are contraindications to phlebectomy:
- inflammatory processes on the skin;
- internal deep vein thrombosis;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- hypertension;
- infectious diseases;
- the pregnancy.
For phlebectomy, a special tube is inserted into a vein through a small incision in the skin. The enlarged section of the vein is mechanically removed, the incision is sutured.
In the postoperative period, the patient is prescribed venotonics and means to reduce the viscosity of the blood, it is recommended to wear compression underwear for 2 months, perform exercises of a special gymnastics complex and walk in the fresh air.
Cycling and swimming are also helpful.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs with home remedies at home.
Treating varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies can be effective in the initial stage of the disease, if you address the problem comprehensively, in consultation with your doctor. To eliminate the disease, you need to apply a wide range of measures:
- Get out of the habit of sitting cross-legged.
- Walk more in comfortable shoes.
- Introduce foods with fiber in your diet, avoid fried, fatty and spicy foods, additionally take vitamins, useful microelements.
- Use folk remedies (decoctions, tinctures, compresses, rubs) to get rid of varicose veins on the legs.
Apple cider vinegar for the manifestations of varicose veins on the legs.
Apple cider vinegar helps relieve swelling, pain, and heaviness in legs with varicose veins. The product contains more than 20 useful minerals for the body and trace elements, as well as vitamins A, C, B. Apple cider vinegar strengthens the walls of blood vessels and helps relieve edema, tones the skin.
Ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat varicose veins:
- Compress. Soak a bandage in clean vinegar, apply to varicose skin area, wrap with cellophane, warm with a towel. Place your legs horizontally 50 cm above your body, for example on the armrest of a sofa. Keep the compress for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Rubbing. After regular water treatments, rub apple cider vinegar on painful varicose areas on lower extremities, do not rinse product off skin until next shower.
- SoakingThe recipe is very simple: dilute 150 g of apple cider vinegar in 2 liters of warm water. Place your feet in a basin, slowly pouring the prepared solution from a ladle over the swollen veins. Drain the water and repeat the procedure again within 5 minutes. Do not dry your feet after pouring them; they should dry naturally.
Clay lotions and compresses.
For the treatment of varicose veins, blue, green or white clay is useful, it can be bought at the pharmacy. Soak the clay in cold water and brush the varicose areas on the legs. The thickness of the clay layer should be at least 1 cm. Cover the top with polyethylene, no insulation is needed. Keep a cold wrap for 1 to 1. 5 hours, then take a cold shower.
Clay compresses should be performed in a course of 12 procedures with a frequency of 2 times a week.
A cold wrap is just as useful for treating varicose veins on the legs as a warm wrap. When the temperature drops, the veins narrow, the metabolism speeds up, lymph is released, which removes toxins and toxins from the body. The clay wrap effectively removes swelling and helps relieve leg fatigue.
Acacia flower tincture
White acacia flower tincture helps treat varicose veins. It is used in the form of compresses, rubs, lotions.
The tincture has the ability to dissolve inflamed venous nodes.
To prepare the tincture, pour 100 gr. white acacia flowers with half a liter of vodka, leave for three weeks in a dark place. Strain and rub the infusion daily into the skin where venous dilation is visible. The more often you do this, the sooner normal blood circulation will be restored to your legs. First, the vascular network will become thinner and disappear, over time, the deep veins will also disappear.