Varicose veins, or simply varicose veins, is a dangerous vascular disease that mainly affects the veins of the lower extremities. The pathology occurs more often in women, especially during pregnancy, when the load on the legs increases significantly. It develops as a result of thinning of the walls of blood vessels and the appearance of aneurysms resulting from increased blood pressure. The disease is caused by the following factors: sedentary lifestyle, prolonged standing, constant movement in the heels, heredity, certain internal pathologies. In men, it is often associated with bad habits, overweight and hard physical work.
If left untreated, the disease can lead to serious complications. As a rule, doctors approve of a combination of drug therapy and folk remedies.
Symptoms of the disease
The symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities depend on the stage of the disease:
- Stage I is characterized by small changes and usually goes unnoticed. At this stage, the following signs appear: swelling and heaviness in the legs, rare night cramps, slight pain in the legs. One of the major symptoms is the appearance of spider veins on the legs, which is the most common reason for a woman to visit a venologist.
- In stage II, the symptoms are more intense, the painful sensations and swelling of the lower extremities become permanent and do not disappear even after prolonged rest. Painful nodules appear on the feet and intense itching in the affected areas of the skin, periodically there is a feeling of numbness in the feet. At this stage, conservative treatment is possible.
- Stage III is characterized by enlargement and contraction of the venous nodes, their swelling above the level of the skin. The patient is accompanied by constant pain at the points of nodule formation, the risk of damage to them increases significantly, causing bleeding. This degree is characterized by the short duration or lack of effect from the use of specialized ointments and creams.
- In stage IV, all symptoms worsen, trophic ulcers on the legs are added to them. Blood vessels stop supplying blood to the tissues, which leads to necrotic processes.
- Stage V is characterized by persistent and non-healing trophic ulcers.
- In stage VI, the patient has difficulty moving, trophic ulcers spread to healthy tissues, and infection is possible.
Only the first two stages are subject to conservative treatment. Neglected forms of the condition require surgery.
Treatment methods
There are several methods of treatment: conservative drug therapy, surgery and the use of folk remedies.
The conservative method consists in the use of phlebotonics in the form of ointments and tablets, blood thinners, vitamin complexes. At the stage of food ulcers, drugs are used as a maintenance treatment. As a rule, prescribe antiseptics for topical use, drugs from the group of antibiotics inside, immunostimulants, vitamins, agents that promote tissue regeneration.
Folk remedies against varicose veins are now widely used in the complex treatment of pathology. Distinction between external agents, therapeutic baths and compositions for internal use.
Formulations for external use
Among the external methods of traditional medicine, the following recipes are the most popular:
- The use of red and green tomatoes has long been considered an effective way to remove swelling and heaviness in the legs. To do this, it is necessary to cut the fruit into rings, completely cover the legs with them and fasten them with a tight bandage. The exposure time of the agent reaches from 1 to 2 hours. After that, the compression must be removed and the procedure repeated several times. The duration of the course is 2 weeks.
- Apple cider vinegar treatment is considered to be one of the most effective methods of treating varicose veins in the early stages. Its application consists in daily double lubrication of the affected areas with a cotton swab dipped in natural apple cider vinegar.
- In the early stages of the disease, wraps may be made using honey. The procedure must be performed every month for four consecutive days. Lubricate the problem areas with plenty of natural honey and wrap with a compression bandage, leave for 2 hours. Have a session at night.
- At the stage of food ulcers, simple potatoes will help. The essence of the method consists in applying a grated raw tuber to the foci of food changes for 5 hours and fixing the compression with a bandage. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the skin condition.
- One of the simplest recipes involves the use of fresh cabbage leaves as a therapeutic compress. It is necessary to apply them on the diseased limbs every day for a month and fasten them with a bandage. It is best to perform the procedure at night and leave the compress until morning.
- Homemade peanut butter is an effective remedy for varicose veins. To get the composition, you need to take unripe fruit, chop it and pour olive oil so that the raw materials are completely covered. Heat the mixture a little on low heat and pour it into a glass jar, leave it to infuse for a month. After that, the agent should be applied daily to lubricate the protruding veins.
- A composition of equal amounts of aloe juice, olive oil and sea buckthorn oil will help reduce itching and relieve irritation in painful areas. The tool should be used to treat the skin of the feet in the morning and evening.
- Balsam grass oil treats ulcerative lesions of the lower extremities well. It is not difficult to prepare it at home. It is necessary to pour 100 g of dry raw materials with 400 ml of sunflower oil and heat on low heat for 6 hours. After that, drain the composition and apply as compresses directly on the ulcer.
- It is also allowed to supplement pharmacy products with natural ingredients. Ichthyol ointment and Vishnevsky ointment should be taken 10 g each, add 10 g of lard, aloe juice and honey to them. Heat a little and treat the ulcer lesions by securing the compresses with a bandage. It must be changed once a day.
- Fresh lilac leaves will help eliminate swelling and weight on the feet. To do this, you need to put them on your feet, fasten them with a bandage and leave them for 2 hours. Repeat the process several times during the day.
- Fresh birch leaves will help treat varicose veins at home. To do this, you need to find tall bags, fill them with raw materials and place your feet on them. When the limbs sweat a lot, the session is required to end. You will need fresh leaves for next time. As a rule, 2-3 procedures are enough to get rid of swelling and heaviness in the legs.
- In summer, the use of fresh wormwood is allowed. It is necessary to cut many branches of the plant, wash, dry, chop, mix with the same amount of yogurt. Distribute the composition on napkins made of natural fabric and wrap the affected edges, leave for 30 minutes. During the period of exposure to the agent, it is recommended that you be supine with your feet up. This recipe should be used daily for a month.
Medicinal plants in the form of decoctions and tinctures have long been used to treat varicose veins. The following recipes have been proven:
- A decoction of hop cones is used for compresses. It should be prepared from 2 tablespoons of crushed raw materials and 500 ml of water. The composition should be boiled for 15 minutes, filtered, cooled. It is recommended to moisten a napkin made of natural fabric and wrap the sore ends.
- The alcoholic tincture of white acacia flowers effectively fights nodules in the lower extremities. For 100 ml of vodka, you will need 80 g of dried crushed flowers. They should be infused for 10 days and used to treat the affected areas daily until the condition improves.
- A celandine broth may be used for compresses. It is simple to prepare the composition: 4 tablespoons of dry raw materials should be boiled in a liter of water for 20 minutes, infused for 12 hours, filtered. Wet a linen towel in the resulting liquid and wrap the bottom of the foot, leave for an hour, after previously fastened with a bandage. After removing the bandage, it is recommended to lubricate the shins with sunflower oil. The duration of treatment is one week, then it is recommended to take a break for 10 days and repeat. For complete recovery, you will need 2-3 lessons.
- Kalanchoe tincture, which is used for rubbing and massage, has healing properties. It is simple to prepare: fill half a liter jar with a volume of half a liter with chopped plant leaves, pour vodka so that it fills the whole container. Insist for a week in a dark place, drain. Use the product daily before bed, rubbing your feet from foot to knee with light massage movements.
- The treatment of varicose veins at the stage of food ulcers can be carried out with the help of a decoction of medicinal herbs: chamomile, calendula, pear, balsam, ponytail. The ingredients should be mixed in equal amounts, take a tablespoon of the mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, boil for several minutes. Use the prepared composition for compresses or washing lesions.
Many herbs and folk remedies have contraindications and side effects, so it is advisable to consult your doctor before using them.
Therapeutic baths
The use of natural remedies as therapeutic baths significantly alleviates the patient's condition. Formulations for the process can be prepared according to the following recipes:
- A decoction of willow and oak bark effectively fights swelling of the lower extremities. It is simple to prepare: you need to take 50 grams of dry crushed raw materials, boil for several minutes in 5 liters of water, cool and lower your feet into the composition for 20 minutes.
- Chestnut baths are considered an effective remedy against varicose veins. Pour 100 g of chestnut peel with 2 liters of boiling water, boil for 15 minutes, leave for 6 hours and add to a bowl of water. Lower extremities for 20 minutes.
The use of hot therapeutic baths is categorically contraindicated in patients with a tendency to thrombosis or with a diagnosis of thrombophlebitis.
Products for internal use
Taking alternative medicine strengthens the walls of blood vessels from within and promotes rapid recovery. Effective formulations can be prepared according to the following recipes:
- Carrot tops, both fresh and dried, can be used to make medicinal tea. To do this, it is necessary to insist a teaspoon of raw materials for an hour in a glass of boiling water. You should take the composition three times a day.
- A recipe based on garlic and honey has long been used to treat blood vessels. It is necessary to grind 700 grams of garlic into porridge, combine with a kilo of honey and eat a spoonful of the mixture before the main meals.
- It is recommended to infuse dried nettle 3 times a day, 125 ml. It is simple to prepare: take 2 tablespoons of herbs for 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour.
- It is recommended to take juice of fresh chestnut flowers in 25 drops, dissolved in a glass of water, morning and evening.
- Shilajit is allowed to take 1 tablet in the morning and evening, previously dissolved in water.
- Alcohol tincture can be prepared on the basis of nutmeg. To do this, you need to pour 200 grams of crushed raw materials with a liter of high-quality vodka, leave for 14 days. Drink 20-30 drops until the product is finished.
- The infusion of hazelnut leaves effectively fights diseases. A spoonful of dry raw materials should be insisted for 30 minutes in a glass of boiling water. Consume 100 ml 4 times a day.
The means for internal use not only contribute to the treatment of the disease, but also strengthen the body, which is necessary during the treatment period.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a serious condition. Ignoring the symptoms leads to terrible consequences. It is not worth starting the disease, since in the last stages, the only treatment option is surgery.