Varicose veins (varicose veins) is a pathology of veins, manifested in their deformation and impaired blood outflow. Observing the appearance of spider veins, soreness and heaviness in the legs, it is worth immediately starting treatment for varicose veins, especially since the initial manifestations of the disease can be dealt with with minimally invasive or generally folk methods.
The main signs of varicose veins on the legs
The well-known "cobweb" 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 swelling of the legs in the thigh or lower leg;
- heaviness in the legs;
- discoloration of the skin: the 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 by walking, a feeling of warmth and burning in the legs;
- soreness of 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 rate 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 nodes.
How can you cure varicose veins on the legs?
Modern medicine has several methods of treating this disease. The doctor should 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 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 to 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, leading to stagnation of 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 drugs should only take place under the supervision of a physician.
- Based on hormones that have an antihistamine, anti-inflammatory effect for varicose veins. They also reduce tissue swelling.
- Blood thinning drugs that prevent venous blood stagnation and 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 surgical intervention, hospitalization and long-term subsequent rehabilitation. A non-surgical intervention is performed in a procedure 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 have to undergo phlebectomy.
Minimally invasive procedures include:
- radiofrequency ablation;
- sclerotherapy;
- laser ablation;
- microflebectomy.
Sclerotherapy
The method of sclerotherapy consists of injecting an active substance sclerosant into a deformed vein. It clogs the damaged area of the vein, and the blood moves along the restored bed. Over time, the isolated section of the vein dissolves on its own.
Sclerotherapy is carried out 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, it 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 to the desired site into the tissues around the vein. Next, an anesthetic is injected, which creates a "water bed" around the damaged vein, which protects 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 skin changes.
Laser ablation
Laser ablation is performed on an outpatient basis from 30 minutes to 2 hours under local anesthesia. After its completion, the patient can immediately go home independently from the clinic. The method consists in burning the walls of 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 optical fibers are used for laser ablation:
- end - for veins with a diameter of not more than 1 centimeter;
- radial - for veins of any diameter, coverage 360 degrees.
After the laser therapy procedure, the patient is recommended to wear compression hosiery 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 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. It is recommended to wear compression garments for the first 2 weeks after microflebectomy.
The 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 longer than 2 hours. After the operation, the patient is under observation in the treatment center for 1-2 days.
Indications for a surgical operation:
- severe violation of blood outflow;
- 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 drugs to reduce blood viscosity, it is recommended to wear compression underwear for 2 months, perform exercises from a special gymnastics complex and walk in the fresh air.
Cycling and swimming are also helpful.
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 at the initial stage of the disease, if you approach the problem comprehensively, in consultation with your doctor. To eliminate the disease, you need to apply a whole range 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, additionally take vitamins, useful microelements.
- Use folk remedies (decoctions, tinctures, compresses, rubbing) 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 useful for the body minerals and trace elements, as well as vitamins A, C, B. Apple cider vinegar strengthens the walls of blood vessels and helps to relieve edema, tones the skin.
Ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat varicose veins:
- Compresses. Soak a bandage in clean vinegar, apply to the varicose area on the skin, 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 into painful varicose areas of the lower extremities, do not rinse the product off the skin until the next shower.
- Dousing. The 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 onto 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 purchased at the pharmacy. Soak the clay in cold water and brush over the varicose areas of the legs. 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, then take a cool shower.
Clay compresses should be carried out 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 on the legs as a hot wrap. When the temperature drops, the veins narrow, the metabolism accelerates, lymph is released, which removes toxins and toxins from the body. Clay wrap effectively eliminates puffiness and helps relieve leg fatigue.
Acacia flower tincture
Tincture of white acacia flowers helps to treat varicose veins. It is used in the form of compresses, rubbing, 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. Strain and rub the infusion daily into the skin where venous dilatation is visible. The more often you do this, the sooner normal blood circulation in your legs will be restored. First, the vascular network will become thinner and disappear, with time, deep veins will also disappear.