Varicose veins (varicose veins) are a pathology of the veins, which manifests itself in their deformation and impaired blood flow. Observing the appearance of varicose veins, pain and heaviness in the legs, it is worthwhile to immediately begin treatment for varicose veins, especially since the initial manifestations of the disease can be dealt with by minimally invasive or generally popular methods.
The main signs of varicose veins on the legs
The famous "spider web" on the legs is nothing more than the initial stage of varicose veins. In addition to her, the main signs of varicose veins include:
- persistent leg swelling in the thigh or lower leg;
- heaviness in the legs;
- skin discoloration: the appearance of red spots, darkening;
- veins change shape and increase in size;
- thickening of the skin in the lower leg;
- severe pain in the calves, aggravated by walking, feeling of heat and burning in the legs;
- pain in the veins when pressed;
- the formation of trophic ulcers;
- leg cramps at night.
With varicose veins in the legs, therapy should begin 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, forming knots.
How can varicose veins on the legs be treated?
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 characteristics of the patient's body. As a result, such modern methods can be involved:
- Conservative treatment is the use of certain drugs.
- Minimally invasive techniques. Whenever possible, doctors try to use them to treat varicose veins on the legs.
- Radical therapy. Performing venectomy and phlebectasia for varicose veins.
In a number of cases of a mild stage of varicose veins on the legs, with the approval of a doctor, folk remedies can be used as auxiliary methods to help 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 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 to the blood vessels occurs, which leads to stagnation of blood. 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. Treatment of varicose veins with these drugs should only take place under the supervision of a doctor.
- Based on hormones that have an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effect on varicose veins. They also reduce tissue swelling.
- Blood thinning drugs that prevent stagnation of venous blood and the formation of blood clots by thinning the blood and improving its circulation.
These drugs are actively used in home therapy for varicose veins, but they should be used strictly as directed by a doctor. 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 subsequent long-term rehabilitation. A non-surgical procedure is performed in an operating room under local anesthesia. These methods of treating varicose veins on the legs are less traumatic.
On 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 method of sclerotherapy consists in 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 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.
Radiofrequency ablation
The radiofrequency ablation method is one of the least traumatic and, at the same time, can effectively eliminate varicose veins on the legs. The procedure is possible with any diameter of the veins. Ablation is performed under local anesthesia, under constant ultrasound control.
Through a small puncture in the vein, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the desired site in the tissues around the vein. Next, an anesthetic is injected, which creates a "water bed" around the damaged vein, which protects surrounding tissues from the action of radio waves. After radiofrequency therapy, long-term rehabilitation is not required; already 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 in 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 in burning the blood vessel walls 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 area treated with the laser dissolves.
Different types of optical fibers are used for laser ablation:
- fine - for veins with a diameter of not 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. The type of linen and the duration of its use are prescribed by a phlebologist; the price of such aids has recently become lower.
Microflebectomy
During the microflebectomy procedure, the surgeon removes the affected area of the vein using special hooks. These hooks are inserted into the vein through a micro-incision up to 1 mm. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
The rehabilitation period after treatment is 3-5 days, after which the patient can go to work. During the procedure, bruises are formed at the site of exposure, which dissolve on their own after 3-4 weeks. It is recommended to wear compression garments for the first 2 weeks after the microflebectomy.
The benefits 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 the varicose veins on 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 - phlebectomy. Only surgery will help cure varicose veins in advanced cases.
Phlebectomy is performed in the hospital under spinal or general anesthesia for no more than 2 hours. After the operation, the patient is under observation in the treatment center for 1-2 days.
Indications for surgery:
- severe violation of the outflow of blood;
- extensive varicose veins;
- severe complications of varicose veins - thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.
The risk of complications during surgery is minimal, but there are contraindications to phlebectomy:
- inflammatory processes in the skin;
- internal deep vein thrombosis;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- hypertension;
- infectious diseases;
- pregnancy.
For phlebectomy, a special probe is inserted into a vein through a small incision in the skin. The enlarged section of the vein is removed mechanically, the incision is sutured.
In the postoperative period, the patient is prescribed venotonics and means to reduce blood viscosity, it is recommended to wear compression underwear for 2 months, perform exercises from a special gymnastic complex and walk in the fresh air.
Cycling and swimming are also useful.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies at home
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies can be effective in the initial stage of the disease, if you approach the problem comprehensively, after consulting with your doctor. To get rid of the disease, it is necessary to apply a whole series of measures:
- Give up the habit of sitting cross-legged.
- Walk more in comfortable shoes.
- Introduce foods with fiber into your diet, avoid fried, fatty and spicy foods, also 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, heaviness in the legs with varicose veins. The product contains more than 20 minerals useful 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 cure varicose veins:
- Tablets. Dip a bandage in clean vinegar, apply to the varicose area of the skin, wrap with cellophane, warm with a towel. Place the legs horizontally 50 cm from the body, for example on the arm of a sofa. Keep the compress for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Rubbing. After regular water treatments, rub apple cider vinegar into the painful varicose areas of the lower limbs, do not rinse the product from the skin until the next shower.
- Switch off. The recipe is very simple: dilute 150 g of apple cider vinegar in 2 liters of warm water. Put your feet in a basin, slowly pouring the solution prepared by a ladle over the swollen veins. Drain the water and repeat the procedure within 5 minutes. Don't dry your feet after shedding them, they should dry naturally.
Clay lotions and compresses
For the treatment of varicose veins, blue, green or white clay is useful, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. Soak the clay in cold water and brush it on the varicose areas of the legs. The thickness of the clay layer must be at least 1 cm. Cover the top with polyethylene, it is not necessary to insulate. Keep a compress this cold for 1 to 1. 5 hours, then take a cool shower.
Clay packs should be performed in a cycle of 12 procedures with a frequency of 2 times a week.
A cold compress is just as useful in treating varicose veins on the legs as a warm compress. When the temperature drops, the veins narrow, the metabolism speeds up, lymph is released, which removes toxins and toxins from the body. The clay compress effectively eliminates swelling and helps relieve leg fatigue.
Tincture of acacia flowers
White acacia flower tincture helps heal varicose veins. It is used in the form of compresses, rubs, lotions.
The tincture has the ability to dissolve swollen 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. Filter and rub the infusion daily into the skin where venous dilation is visible. The more often you do this, the sooner normal blood circulation in the legs will be restored. First, the vascular network will become thinner and will disappear, with time, the deep veins will also disappear.