Varicose veins (varicose veins) are a pathology of the veins, which is manifested by their deformity and impaired blood flow. Observing the appearance of spider veins, pain and heaviness in the legs, it is worth starting treatment for varicose veins immediately, especially because the initial manifestations of the disease can be treated with minimally invasive or generally folk methods.
The main signs of varicose veins in the legs
The well-known "cobweb" in the legs is no other than the initial stage of varicose veins. Apart from this, the main signs of varicose veins include:
- persistent swelling of the legs in the thigh or lower leg.
- gravity in the legs;
- skin discoloration: appearance of red spots, dark.
- the veins change shape and increase in size.
- thickening of the skin on the lower leg.
- severe pain in the calves, aggravated by walking, feeling of warmth and burning in the legs.
- pain in the veins when pressed.
- the formation of food ulcers.
- leg cramps at night.
With varicose veins in the legs, treatment should be started as soon as possible.
In such places, the blood flow rate slows down, which contributes to the formation of thrombosis.
With this disease, the venous vessels lose their elasticity, expand in some places, twist, forming nodules.
How can you cure varicose veins in the legs?
Modern medicine has many methods of treating this disease. The physician should decide on the treatment regimen, taking into account the existing symptoms, the co-morbidities and the characteristics of the patient's body. As a result, such modern methods can be used:
- Conservative treatment is the use of certain medications.
- Minimally invasive techniques. Whenever possible you should have all four of these components in place for launch to maximize profits.
- Radical therapy. Performing phlebectomy and phlebectasia for varicose veins.
In some cases of mild varicose veins in the legs, with the approval of a doctor, folk remedies can be used as adjunctive methods to eliminate 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 product models for the treatment of varicose veins in men and pregnant women.
Modern methods of treatment
Medication: creams, ointments and gels
With varicose veins, damage to the blood vessels occurs, leading to blood stasis. Therefore, in 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. The treatment of varicose veins with these drugs should be done only under the supervision of a doctor.
- It is based on hormones that have antihistamine, anti-inflammatory action for varicose veins. They also reduce tissue swelling.
- Blood-thinning drugs that stop venous blood stasis and blood clots by thinning the blood and improving its circulation.
These medications are actively used in home remedies for varicose veins, but should be used strictly according to the doctor's instructions. Ointments and gels are usually applied directly to the vascular area twice a day.
Minimally invasive procedures
Minimally invasive methods of treating varicose veins do not require surgery, hospitalization and long-term subsequent rehabilitation. A non-surgical operation is performed in an operating room with 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 varicose veins, doctors use non-surgical intervention, only 5% of patients have to undergo phlebectomy.
Minimally invasive procedures include:
- radio frequency removal?
- Sclerotherapy?
- laser removal;
- microphlebectomy.
Sclerotherapy
The method of sclerotherapy consists of injecting an active sclerosing substance into a deformed vein. It clogs the damaged area of the vein and blood moves along the restored bed. Over time, the isolated part of the vein dissolves on its own.
Sclerotherapy is performed under constant ultrasound control. Modern technologies have further improved the method of sclerotherapy. Now more and more people are using a more effective method of treating 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 one month to consolidate the positive effect.
Radio frequency removal
The radiofrequency ablation method is one of the least traumatic and at the same time, it can effectively eliminate varicose veins in the legs. The procedure is possible with any diameter of the veins. The removal is done under local anesthesia, under continuous ultrasound control.
Through a small puncture in the vein, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted at the desired point in the tissues around the vein. An anesthetic is then injected, which creates a "water bed" around the damaged vein, which protects the surrounding tissues from the action of radio waves. After radiofrequency therapy, no long-term recovery is 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 in the forums.
Contraindications to radiofrequency ablation are thrombophlebitis and trophic skin changes.
Laser removal
Laser removal is performed in outpatient clinics from 30 minutes to 2 hours under local anesthesia. Upon completion, the patient can go home immediately regardless of the clinic. The method involves burning the walls of blood vessels with a laser using a special light guide. As a result, there is obstruction of the affected area of the vein.
Over time, the laser-treated area dissolves.
Various types of fiber optics are used for laser removal:
- end - for veins with a diameter not exceeding 1 cm.
- radial - for veins of any diameter, 360 degree coverage.
After the laser treatment procedure, the patient is advised to wear compression stockings for prophylactic purposes. The type of linen and the duration of its use are prescribed by a venologist; the price of such aids has recently decreased.
Microlevectomy
During the microvelectomy procedure, the surgeon removes the affected area of the vein using special hooks. These hooks are inserted into the vein through a microtome up to 1 mm. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
The recovery period after treatment is 3-5 days, after which the patient can go to work. During the procedure, bruises form at the site of exposure, which resolve on their own after 3-4 weeks. It is recommended to wear compression garments for the first 2 weeks after microfelectomy.
The advantages of microvelectomy include the ability to apply the technique to veins of any diameter and the complete removal of the affected area of the vein.
Phlebectomy
If the varicose veins in the legs are neglected enough and the non-surgical treatment regimens do not give a positive result, the patient is prescribed an operation to remove the damaged veins - phlevectomy. Only surgery will help treat varicose veins in advanced cases.
Phlebectomy is performed in a hospital under dorsal or general anesthesia for no more than 2 hours. After the operation, the patient is monitored at the treatment center for 1-2 days.
Indications for surgery:
- severe violation of blood flow.
- extensive varicose veins;
- serious complications of varicose veins - thrombophlebitis, food ulcers.
The risk of complications during surgery is minimal, but there are contraindications to phlebectomy:
- inflammatory processes in the skin.
- internal deep venous thrombosis.
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- hypertension;
- infectious diseases;
- pregnancy.
For phlebectomy, a special catheter is inserted into a vein through a small incision in the skin. The enlarged part of the vein is removed mechanically, the incision is sutured.
During the postoperative period, the patient is prescribed venotonics and means to reduce blood viscosity, it is recommended to wear compression underwear for 2 months, to perform exercises from a special fitness complex and to walk in the fresh air.
Cycling and swimming are also helpful.
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs with folk remedies at home
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs with folk remedies can be effective in the early stages of the disease, if you approach the problem comprehensively, in consultation with your doctor. To eliminate the disease, you must implement a whole series of measures:
- Give up the habit of sitting cross-legged.
- Walk more in comfortable shoes.
- Include fiber foods in your diet, avoid fried, fatty and spicy foods, get extra vitamins, useful micronutrients.
- Use folk remedies (decoctions, tinctures, compresses, scrubs) to get rid of varicose veins on the feet.
Apple cider vinegar for varicose veins on the legs
Apple cider vinegar helps relieve swelling, pain, heaviness in the legs with varicose veins. The product contains more than 20 minerals and trace elements useful for the body, as well as vitamins A, C, B. Apple cider vinegar strengthens the walls of blood vessels and helps relieve swelling, tones the skin.
Ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat varicose veins:
- Compresses. Soak a bandage in pure vinegar, apply to the area of varicose veins on the skin, wrap with cellophane, warm with a towel. Place your feet horizontally 50 cm above your body, for example on the armrest of a sofa. Hold the compress for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Rubbing. After regular water treatments, rub apple cider vinegar on painful varicose areas of the lower extremities, do not rinse the product from the skin until the next shower.
- Dousing. The recipe is very simple: dilute 150 grams of apple cider vinegar in 2 liters of hot water. Place your feet in a basin, slowly pouring the prepared solution from a ladle onto the swollen veins. Drain the water and repeat the process again within 5 minutes. Do not dry your feet after dropping them; they must dry naturally.
Clay lotions and compresses
For the treatment of varicose veins, blue, green or white clay is useful, it can be purchased at the pharmacy. Soak the clay in cold water and brush the varicose areas of the feet. The thickness of the clay layer must be at least 1 cm. Cover the top with polyethylene, no insulation is needed. Keep such a cold wrap for 1 to 1. 5 hours and then take a cool 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 in treating varicose veins in the legs with 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 eliminates swelling and helps relieve foot fatigue.
Acacia flower tincture
The tincture of white acacia flowers helps in the treatment of varicose veins. Used in the form of compresses, scrubs, lotions.
The tincture has the ability to dissolve swollen venous nodules.
To prepare the tincture, add 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 on the skin where venous dilation is visible. The more often you do this, the faster the normal blood circulation in your legs will be restored. First, the vascular network will become thinner and disappear, over time the deep veins will also disappear.