According to statistics, every fourth inhabitant of the planet, regardless of age and physiological data, suffers from varicose veins. Varicose veins are a predominantly inherited disease, which can be caused by genetic factors. Any aspect of a disease such as varicose veins can trigger the mechanism, including unhealthy diet, strenuous physical activity or their complete absence. The clinical picture of the disease and the choice of treatment method depends on the stage and form of the varicose veins, as well as on the individual characteristics of the patient.
Pathogenesis and etiology
At present, it has been proven and confirmed by scientific data that the main reason that predisposes to the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease is heredity. Genetic deficiencies, expressed in the transfer of genetic material that is responsible for the elasticity and tone of the venous walls, are passed down from generation to generation, causing the development of varicose veins.
With the presence of an inherited predisposition, it is incredibly difficult to avoid the onset of the main symptoms of the disease, because any factors that almost every average person faces on a daily basis can serve as causes, as a kind of catalyst for launching pathological processes. Among the most common causes, the negative effect of which can cause pathology, are called:
- Lack of physical activity.
- The period of pregnancy and the subsequent birth.
- Excess weight, especially with the detection of fat masses in the lower body.
- Long-term use of hormonal and powerful drugs.
- Unreasonable approach to diet.
- Pathologies of posture and sedentary lifestyle.
- Commitment to a regular solarium.
- Bad Habits.
- Wearing tight and tight clothes.
Thus, varicose veins are primarily a genetic defect. The above causes of varicose veins, as a result of the systemic effect of which are various pathologies of the circulatory system, including varicose veins, are among the most common. However, in each individual situation, other reasons, among others, can play a negative role. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate all predisposing factors.
Being overweight can cause varicose veins.
Clinical picture
The symptoms of varicose veins, regardless of the reasons, can vary significantly depending on the stage and form of the disease, as well as other factors, such as lifestyle and anatomical features of the structure of the venous system. Currently, there are six main stages of varicose veins, each of which is characterized by a specific set of characteristic symptoms and causes.
First stage. In the initial stage of formation, varicose veins are characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Ant.
- Gravity and pain in the legs.
- Burning, itching.
- Night cramps.
You can also note the visual symptoms of varicose veins in the form of blue stars and veins. At this stage, the patient notices the appearance of edema after physical exercise and at night.
Second level. According to scientific data, true varicose veins of the lower extremities, regardless of the reasons, start exactly from the second stage of the formation of the disease. This is because the symptoms that appear in the first two stages of varicose veins can be attributed to other diseases of the vascular system. During this period, the patient feels discomfort, tingling and pain in the legs, even for reasons such as a short walk. In addition, the visual symptoms of the disease are clearly visible: the vascular network, swollen veins, the formation of dense bluish nodules on the skin. According to a similar picture, the third stage proceeds with varicose veins.
In the fourth and fifth stages, with varicose veins, due to oxygen starvation of the tissues, trophic changes appear, which are expressed in the appearance of ulcerative areas. The skin from varicose veins takes on a dark shade, the veins become intense, dense to the touch.
The seventh stage is characterized as the most complex and advanced form of the disease. During this period, varicose veins of the lower extremities cause the development of irreversible changes in the tissues, the appearance of non-healing food ulcers, which often become the cause of death of areas of the skin.
In the advanced stages of varicose veins, trophic ulcers appear.
Effective treatments
Modern medicine offers patients several basic treatments for varicose veins. Among them, there are two main areas: invasive and conservative treatment of varicose veins. Each of these directions, in turn, is divided into corresponding subgroups. For example, a conservative treatment option involves the use of external and internal medications.
The invasive treatment of varicose veins is based on the use of radical methods of treatment for inflammatory areas of the vascular system. Depending on the stage and the symptoms of the disease, various treatment options can be used: from the restoration of the walls of the damaged veins to their complete or partial removal. But the basic treatment of varicose veins provides a number of contraindications, the presence of which precludes the use of any appropriate procedure.
The effective treatment of varicose veins, with the aim of gaining positive dynamics in the disease, is based on a complex combination of many types of treatment. Taking medication, for example, can be combined with certain types of physiotherapy, wearing compression underwear and folk remedies.
In addition, when prescribing certain treatment options to the patient, the patient should also make dietary changes, engage in moderate physical activity, and also minimize as much as possible the factors that contribute to the progression of the disease.
Medicines
Medical treatment of varicose veins is used mainly in the early stages of the disease, regardless of its cause. It is also possible to take and apply medication to varicose veins as an additional measure in the process of invasive treatment. To treat the symptoms of varicose veins, drugs are used that have anti-inflammatory, regenerative, healing and normalizing properties of venous outflow. If there is a risk of infection of the affected tissues, treatment with antibacterial drugs is required.
In most cases, drug therapy is used in the early stages of the disease.
With severe painful sensations, it is permissible to take painkillers, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but not at treating the causes of the disease. Also, the use of drugs that improve the composition of the blood, thinning the blood lymph, increasing the body's resistance is practiced.
The use of drugs helps to reduce both the visual manifestations that characterize the varicose veins of the lower extremities and the normal ones: edema, pain, severity. However, the medical treatment of varicose veins is aimed at eliminating the symptoms and not the causes of the disease. It is almost impossible to get rid of varicose veins completely and regenerate damaged varicose veins in this way.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a great addition to a single varicose vein treatment complex. The only significant disadvantage of this type of treatment is the need to perform any procedures exclusively in medical institutions due to their specificity. A positive result is achieved only if the treatment is taken on a regular basis.
The following types of procedures have the maximum effectiveness and ease in the treatment of the disease:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser radiation.
- Infrared radiation.
- Magnetotherapy.
However, despite all the benefits of physiotherapy prescribed to eliminate varicose veins in the legs, there are some contraindications, due to which their treatment is completely ruled out. Typically, these include varicose vein symptoms such as food ulcers, necrotic tissue changes, and open wound surfaces.
Physiotherapy can only be performed in a medical institution.
Surgery
Surgical removal of affected veins through a proper procedure is classified as one of the most effective ways to treat varicose veins. But it is used only in the most severe and neglected cases, provided that there is no positive momentum in the process of using invasive and conservative methods of treating the disease.
Surgery is based on the complete removal of the affected vein. The procedure requires the introduction of anesthetics in a patient who is worried about varicose veins, hospitalization and a long recovery period. Depending on the cause of the disease and the indications, varicose vein surgery can be performed both as scheduled and as an emergency.
Invasive methods
A relatively new trend in the field of phlebology is invasive treatment methods, the effectiveness of which is not inferior to surgical manipulations. At the same time, when performing such procedures, the patient does not need a long recovery period. In addition, there are no contraindications and side effects. However, invasive methods may not be effective enough for the symptoms of advanced varicose veins.
These methods include the following: sclerotherapy and laser exposure. The first technique is used for the symptoms of varicose veins, both individually and as a component of a medical complex. During the sclerotherapy procedure, a substance is injected into the damaged vein that promotes the rapid regeneration of cells and tissues. To get rid of varicose veins completely, it is enough to perform five to six such procedures.
Laser treatment is somewhat similar to the surgical principle of therapeutic action, which allows you to get rid of the symptoms of varicose veins permanently. During the procedure, direct exposure to laser radiation takes place through the skin. The laser partially destroys the tissue of the damaged vein, thus causing its immediate contraction. The presence of scars or scars due to such a procedure is completely ruled out.
Traditional methods
Of course, it will not work to get rid of varicose veins forever through the use of folk remedies, but it is very likely to somewhat reduce the visual and physiological manifestations of the disease. The main aspect of home treatment is regularity. It is possible to achieve good results and eliminate the unpleasant symptoms with varicose veins only if the procedures are performed daily and according to acceptable standards.
As the most effective procedures for the causes and symptoms of varicose veins, which can be performed at home, are called compresses based on various drugs and herbs. The following recipes are very popular:
- The pulp of the ripe tomato, ground into a pulp. An excellent remedy for varicose veins in the early stages of the disease. Apply to inflamed veins for two to three hours daily.
- Varicose veins of the lower extremities can be eliminated and the annoying symptoms can be reduced by using fresh aloe or kalanchoe leaves. To do this, the plant should be ground into a paste and applied to the affected area overnight.
- Homemade yogurt. To prepare the compress, wet a cotton swab or bandage generously in a container of yogurt, then apply it to the foot.
- Hop cone infusion. Soak a gauze swab with a saturated infusion and fasten it to the leg with a tight bandage. The procedure must be performed daily.
- White cabbage leaves. Using them is quite simple: boil the leaves with boiling water, cool and apply them on the affected areas and then fasten them with an elastic bandage. This method is great for severe pain and swelling.
- Sliced green tomatoes. Apply several slices of unripe tomatoes to the sore spot and fasten them with a bandage. The duration of the procedure should not exceed five hours.
- Propolis. Propolis-based formulations can only be used with a prescription, as the agent is classified as potent. It is possible to use tinctures and aqueous solutions of this bee product as compresses and therapeutic rubbing.
The most effective way to treat the disease at home are compresses.
Before using any home remedy for varicose veins, you should make sure that there is no risk of developing an allergy to any ingredient in the recipe. It is almost impossible to get rid of varicose veins on the legs using home procedures. But the beneficial effect of the compresses described above helps to eliminate its causes and symptoms, dilutes the blood and strengthens the venous walls, which is an important component of the therapeutic complex.
Proper nutrition
Varicose veins often occur not only due to damage to the venous walls, but also due to thickening of the blood. In order to liquefy the blood, improve metabolic processes and restore blood microcirculation, the patient must make some adjustments to his usual diet.
Initially, you should exclude from the menu all sweet, fatty and fried foods, as well as flour products. Low-fat meats, vegetables, fruits, fermented dairy products, cereals should be the mainstay of a patient with varicose veins. Based on these products, it is very likely to create not only a healthy, but also a varied diet menu, in addition, such dishes help to thin the blood and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.
TIPS
As an additional measure for varicose veins, patients should also wear compression underwear, which evenly distributes the load on the legs, preventing the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and the progression of the disease. You can also replace the special underwear with ordinary elastic bandages, the result of their use is felt no less clean. The only disadvantage of elastic bandages is the relative inconvenience in the process of attaching this device.
To prevent and treat varicose veins, it is recommended to wear compression underwear.
Walking at a leisurely pace for short walks also helps to normalize blood circulation and improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues. But this method can be used as an additional component of the medical complex only if there are no contraindications. As an additional method of treating pathologies of the veins and blood vessels, it can be called a contrast shower. Regular use of this procedure improves blood circulation, promotes the repair of skin cells and also reduces swelling and pain. We must not forget that for any damage to the vascular system, you can only take a hot, but not a hot shower.
It is almost impossible to completely cure varicose veins through treatment with any technique. Only a complex combination of many ways to fight the causes of varicose veins will allow you to forget forever the unpleasant symptoms of this disease.
To avoid complications, you should not self-medicate. Before using any, even the most harmless agent, you should consult your doctor.