Varicose veins (varicose veins) is a pathology of the veins, manifested in their deformation and impaired blood flow. Observing the appearance of spider veins, pain and aggravation in the legs, it is worth starting treatment immediately for varicose veins, especially since the initial manifestations of the disease can be treated with minimally invasive or generally popular methods.
The main signs of varicose veins in the legs
The "cobra net" known to the feet is nothing but the initial stage of varicose veins. In addition, the main signs of varicose veins include:
- persistent swelling of the legs in the thighs or lower leg;
- aggravation in the legs;
- skin discoloration: appearance of red spots, darkening;
- veins change shape and increase in size;
- thickening of the skin on the lower leg;
- severe pain in calves, aggravated by walking, a feeling of warmth and burning in the legs;
- venous pain when pressed;
- formation of trophic ulcers;
- leg cramps at night.
With varicose veins in the legs, therapy should be started 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 nodules.
How can you cure varicose veins in the legs?
Modern medicine has several methods for treating this disease. The doctor should 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 may be included:
- Conservative treatment is the use of certain medications.
- Minimally invasive technique. When possible, doctors try to use them to treat varicose veins in the legs.
- Radical therapy. Perform venectomy and phlebectasia for varicose veins.
In a number of cases of a mild stage of varicose veins in the leg, with the approval of the 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 dressings 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 pregnant men and women.
Modern methods of treatment
Drug therapy: creams, ointments and gels
With varicose veins, damage to blood vessels occurs, leading to blood stagnation. 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 be done only 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 clots and blood clots, diluting the blood and improving its circulation.
These drugs are actively used in home therapy for varicose veins, but they 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 subsequent long-term rehabilitation. A non-surgical intervention is performed in the procedure room under local anesthesia. These methods of treating varicose veins in 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 interventions, only 5% of patients have to undergo phlebectomy.
Minimally invasive procedures include:
- radiofrequency ablation;
- sclerotherapy;
- laser ablation;
- microphlebectomy.
Sclerotherapy
The method of sclerotherapy consists of injecting a sclerosing active substance into a deformed vein. It blocks 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 gives practically no complications in the postoperative period.
After sclerotherapy, the patient is advised to wear compression garments for a 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 in the legs. The procedure is possible with any diameter of veins. Ablation is performed under local anesthesia, under constant ultrasound control.
Through a small hole in the vein, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the desired site in the tissues around the vein. An anesthetic is then injected, which creates a "water bed" around the damaged vein, which protects the surrounding tissue from the action of radio waves. After radiofrequency therapy, long-term rehabilitation is not required; that in 2 weeks after the procedure, the patient can live an active life. Despite the cost, this method has the best ratings in the forums.
Contraindications to radiofrequency ablation are thrombophlebitis and trophic changes of the skin.
Laser ablation
Laser ablation is performed on an outpatient basis from 30 minutes to 2 hours under local anesthesia. Upon its completion, the patient can immediately go home independently of the clinic. The method consists of burning the walls of the 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 disintegrates.
Some types of fiber optics are used for laser removal:
- bottom - 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 recommended to wear compression stockings for prophylactic purposes. The type of linen and the duration of its use are described by a phlebologist; the price of these 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 resolve 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 case the varicose veins in the leg are quite neglected 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 hospital under spinal or general anesthesia for no more than 2 hours. After surgery, the patient is under observation at the treatment center for 1-2 days.
Indications for a surgical operation:
- severe violation of blood flow;
- wide 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 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 initial stage of the disease, if you approach the problem comprehensively, in consultation with your doctor. To eliminate the disease, you must apply a number 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, also get vitamins, beneficial micronutrients.
- Use folk remedies (decoction, tincture, compresses, rubbing) to get rid of varicose veins on the legs.
Apple cider vinegar for the manifestations of varicose veins in 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 edema, tones the skin.
Ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat varicose veins:
- Compresses. Wet a bandage in clean vinegar, apply to the area with varicose veins on the skin, wrap in cellophane, warm with a towel. Place your feet horizontally 50 cm above your body, for example on the back of a sofa. Hold the compress for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Friction. After regular water treatments, rub apple cider vinegar on areas with painful varicose veins of the lower extremities, do not rinse the product from 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 tub, slowly pouring the prepared solution from a spoon over the swollen veins. Drain the water and repeat the procedure within 5 minutes. Do not dry your feet after spilling them, they should dry naturally.
Lotions and clay compresses
For the treatment of varicose veins, blue, green or white clay is useful, it can be bought at the pharmacy. Soak the clay in cold water and brush the varicose areas of the feet. The thickness of the clay layer should be at least 1 cm. Cover the top with polyethylene, no insulation needed. Keep such a cold wrap for 1 to 1. 5 hours, 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 helpful in treating varicose veins in the legs as a hot 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.
Tincture of acacia flowers
The tincture of white acacia flowers helps in the treatment of varicose veins. Used in the form of compresses, rubs, creams.
The tincture has the ability to dissolve swollen venous nodes.
To prepare the tincture, add 100 gr. white acacia flowers with half a liter of vodka, left for three weeks in a dark place. Drain and rub the infusion daily into the skin where venous dilation is evident. 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.