According to statistics, every fourth inhabitant of the planet, regardless of age and physiological data, suffers from varicose veins. Varicose veins are a largely inherited disease, which can be provoked by genetic factors. Any aspect of a disease such as varicose veins can be a trigger for triggering the mechanism, including unhealthy diet, intense physical activity or their complete absence. The clinical picture of the disease and the choice of treatment method depends on the stage and shape of the varicose veins, as well as on the individual characteristics of the patient.
Pathogenesis and etiology
It is currently 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 responsible for the elasticity and tone of venous walls, are passed down from generation to generation, provoking the development of varicose veins.
In the presence of an inherited predisposition, it is extremely difficult to avoid the onset of the main symptoms of the disease, because any factor that almost every average person encounters on a daily basis can serve as a reason, as a kind of catalyst for onset. of pathological processes. Among the most common reasons, the negative impact of which can cause pathology, are:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Pregnancy period and subsequent birth.
- Excess weight, especially with the localization of fat masses in the lower part of the body.
- Long-term use of hormonal and potent drugs.
- Irrational approach to diet.
- Residence pathologies and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Commitment to regular tanning beds.
- Bad habits.
- Wear tight and tight clothing.
Thus, varicose veins are primarily a genetic defect. The above causes of varicose veins, the result of the systematic 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.
Excess weight can cause varicose veins to appear.
Clinical appearance
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. At present, there are six main stages of varicose veins, each of which is characterized by a certain set of characteristic symptoms and causes of occurrence.
The first phase. In the initial stage of formation, varicose veins are characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Needle puncture fractures.
- Difficulty and pain in the legs.
- Burning, itching.
- Night cramps.
You may also notice visual symptoms of varicose veins in the form of stars and bluish veins. At this stage, the patient notices the appearance of edema after physical exercise and in the evening.
Second phase. According to scientific data, true varicose veins of the lower extremities, regardless of the reasons, start exactly from the second stage of disease formation. This is due to the fact that 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 short walks. Moreover, the visual symptoms of the disease are clearly visible: vascular network, swollen veins, the formation of dense bluish nodules on the skin. Consistent with a similar picture, the third stage continues with varicose veins.
In the fourth and fifth stages, with varicose veins, due to oxygen starvation of tissues, trophic changes occur, expressed in the appearance of ulcerative areas. The skin from varicose veins takes on a darker hue, the veins become pronounced, 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 provoke the development of irreversible tissue changes, the appearance of non-healing trophic ulcers, which often become the cause of death of skin areas.
Trophic ulcers appear in the advanced stages of varicose veins.
Effective therapies
Modern medicine offers patients some basic treatments for varicose veins. Among them are two main areas: invasive and conservative treatment of varicose veins. Each of these directions, in turn, is divided into respective subgroups. For example, a conservative treatment option involves the use of external and internal medications.
Invasive treatment of varicose veins is based on the use of radical methods of therapy for inflamed areas of the vascular system. Depending on the stage and symptoms of the disease, different treatment options can be used: from restoring the walls of damaged veins to their complete or partial removal. But cardinal treatment of varicose veins provides a number of contraindications, the presence of which precludes the use of any appropriate procedure.
Effective treatment of varicose veins, aimed at obtaining positive dynamics of the disease, is based on a complex combination of several types of therapy. Taking medication, for example, can be combined with several types of physiotherapy treatments, compression underwear, and folk remedies.
In addition, when prescribing several treatment options to the patient, the patient should also make dietary changes, practice moderate physical activity, and also minimize as much as possible the factors that contribute to the progression of the disease.
medications
Medical treatment of varicose veins is used mainly in the early stages of disease formation, regardless of its cause. It is also possible to take and apply medications for varicose veins as an additional measure in the process of performing invasive therapy. Drugs that have anti-inflammatory, regenerative, healing and normalizing venous flow properties are used to treat the symptoms of varicose veins. If there is a risk of infection of the affected tissues, treatment with antibacterial drugs is required.
In most cases, drug treatment is used in the early stages of the disease.
With strong painful sensations, it is permissible to take sedatives, the action of which is intended to eliminate the symptoms, but not to treat the causes of the disease. It is also practiced the use of drugs that improve blood composition, dilute the hemalymph, increase the body's resistance.
The use of drugs helps to reduce the visual manifestations that characterize varicose veins of the lower extremities and physiological: edema, pain, severity. However, medical treatment of varicose veins aims to eliminate the symptoms, not the causes of the disease. It is almost impossible to completely get rid of varicose veins and regenerate damaged varicose veins in this way.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an excellent adjunct to a single treatment complex for varicose veins. The only significant drawback of this type of therapy is the need to perform any procedure exclusively in medical institutions due to their specificity. The positive effect is achieved only if the treatment is performed regularly.
The following types of procedures have maximum efficiency and convenience in treating the disease:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser radiation.
- Infrared radiation.
- Magnetotherapy.
But despite all the benefits of physiotherapy prescribed to eliminate varicose veins in the legs, there are a number of contraindications, due to which their treatment is completely ruled out. Typically, these include symptoms such as varicose veins such as trophic ulcers, necrotic tissue changes, open wound surfaces.
Physiotherapy can only be performed in a medical institution.
Surgical intervention
Surgical removal of affected veins through an appropriate 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 dynamics in the process of using invasive and conservative methods of treating the disease.
Surgical intervention is based on complete removal of the affected vein. The procedure requires the introduction of anesthetics to a patient concerned about varicose veins, hospitalization and a long period of rehabilitation. Depending on the causes of the disease and the indications, surgery for varicose veins can be performed both as planned and as an emergency.
Invasive methods
A relatively new trend in the field of phlebology are invasive methods of treatment, the effectiveness of which is not inferior to surgical manipulations. At the same time, while performing such procedures, the patient does not need a long period of rehabilitation. 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 separately and as a component of a medical complex. During the sclerotherapy procedure, a substance is injected into the damaged vein that promotes rapid regeneration of cells and tissues. To completely get rid of varicose veins, it is enough to perform five to six such procedures.
Laser therapy is somewhat similar to the surgical principle of therapeutic action, which allows you to permanently get rid of the symptoms of varicose veins. During the procedure, direct exposure to laser radiation occurs through the skin. The laser partially destroys the tissue of the damaged vein, thus provoking its immediate contraction. The presence of scars or wounds due to such a procedure is completely ruled out.
Traditional methods
Of course, it will not work to get rid of varicose veins permanently through the use of folk methods, but it is quite possible to somewhat reduce the visual and physiological manifestations of the disease. The main aspect of home therapy 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 in accordance with accepted norms.
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 medicines and herbs. The following recipes are especially popular:
- Roasted tomato pulp, minced into pulp. An excellent remedy for varicose veins in the early stages of the disease. Apply to inflamed veins for two to three hours a day.
- Lower extremity varicose veins can be eliminated and distressing symptoms can be reduced by using fresh aloe or Kalanchoe leaves. To do this, the plant should be ground into a pit and applied to the affected area overnight.
- Homemade yogurt. To prepare the compress, abundantly moisten a cotton swab or bandage in a container of yogurt and then apply to the feet.
- Infusion of hop cones. Inhale a gauze swab with a saturated infusion and fix it on the foot with a tight bandage. The procedure should be performed daily.
- White cabbage leaves. Using them is quite simple: scald the leaves with boiling water, cool and apply to the affected areas and then fix them with an elastic bandage. This method is excellent for severe pain and swelling.
- Green tomato slices. Apply a few slices of unripe tomatoes to the sore spot and fix them with a bandage. The duration of the procedure should not exceed five hours.
- Propolis. Propolis-based preparations can only be used after receiving a medical prescription, as the agent is classified as potent. It is possible to use tinctures and aqueous solutions of this beekeeping product as therapeutic compresses and rubs.
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 component of the prescription. It is almost impossible to eliminate varicose veins in the legs using home-performed procedures. But the beneficial effect of the compresses described above helps to eliminate its causes and symptoms, dilute the blood and strengthen the venous walls, which is an important component of the therapeutic complex.
Proper nutrition
Varicose veins often appear not only due to damage to the venous walls, but also due to thickening of the blood. To liquefy the hemalymph, improve metabolic processes, and restore blood microcirculation, the patient must make certain adjustments to his or her usual diet.
To begin, you should exclude from the menu all sweet, fatty and fried foods, as well as flour products. Lean meats, vegetables, fruits, fermented milk products, whole grains should be present as the predominant products on the table of a patient with varicose veins. Based on these products, it is quite possible to build not only a healthy but also varied diet menu, in addition, such dishes help to thin the blood and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.
Tips and tricks
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 special underwear with ordinary elastic bandages, the effect of their use is noticeable no less obvious. The only drawback of elastic bandages is the relative inconvenience in the process of fixing 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 veins and blood vessels, it can be called a contrast bath. Regular use of this procedure improves blood circulation, promotes the restoration of skin cells and also reduces swelling and pain. It should not be forgotten that for any damage to the vascular system, you can only take a warm bath, but not hot.
It is almost impossible to completely cure varicose veins through treatment with any single technique. Only a complex combination of several ways to combat 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.