According to statistics, every fourth inhabitant of the planet, regardless of age and physiological data, suffers from varicose veins. Varicose veins are a predominantly inherited disease, which can be caused by genetic factors. Any aspect of the disease such as varicose veins can be a trigger to trigger 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 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 the venous walls, are passed from generation to generation, causing the development of varicose veins.
In the presence of hereditary predisposition, it is incredibly difficult to avoid the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease, because every factor that almost every average person encounters every day can serve as reasons, as a kind of catalyst for initiating pathological processes. Among the most common reasons, the negative impact of which can cause pathology, are:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Overweight, especially with the localization of fat masses in the lower body.
- Long-term use of hormonal and strong drugs.
- Irrational approach to diet.
- Posture pathologies and sedentary lifestyle.
- Commitment to regular tanning beds.
- Bad habits.
- Wearing tight and tight clothing.
Thus, varicose veins are primarily a genetic defect. These causes of varicose veins, which are the result of the systematic action of various pathologies of the circulatory system, including varicose veins, are among the most common. However, in each individual situation, other reasons, among other things, can play a negative role. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate all predisposing factors.
Being overweight can cause varicose veins.
Clinical picture
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 characteristics of the structure of the venous system. There are currently six main stages of varicose veins, each of which is characterized by a specific set of characteristic symptoms and causes.
The first phase. In the initial stage of formation, varicose veins are characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Tingling.
- Weight and pain in the legs.
- Burning, itching.
- Night cramps.
You may also notice visual symptoms of varicose veins in the form of bluish stars and veins. At this stage, the patient notices the appearance of edema after physical exertion and in the evening.
Second phase. According to scientific data, true varicose veins of the lower extremities, regardless of the reasons, start from the second phase of the disease. This is due to the fact that the symptoms that appear in the first two phases 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 after reasons such as short walks. In addition, the visual symptoms of the disease are clearly visible: vascular network, swollen veins, the formation of dense bluish nodules on the skin. According to a similar picture, the third phase runs through varicose veins.
In the fourth and fifth phase, in varicose veins, due to starvation of tissues with oxygen, trophic changes occur, which are expressed in the appearance of ulcerative areas. The skin from varicose veins takes on a dark shade, the veins become pronounced, thick to the touch.
The seventh phase is characterized as the most complex and advanced form of the disease. During this period, varicose veins of the lower extremities cause the development of irreversible changes in the tissue, the appearance of trophic ulcers that do not heal, which often become the cause of death of the skin area.
In the advanced stage of varicose veins, trophic ulcers appear.
Effective therapies
Modern medicine offers patients several basic treatments for varicose veins. Among them, there are two main areas: invasive and conservative treatment of varicose veins. Each of these directions is divided into appropriate subgroups. For example, a conservative treatment option involves the use of external and internal medications.
Invasive treatment of varicose veins is based on the application of radical methods of treatment of 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 the cardinal treatment of varicose veins envisages a number of contraindications, the presence of which excludes the use of any appropriate procedure.
Effective treatment of varicose veins, aimed at achieving positive dynamics of the disease, is based on a complex combination of several types of therapy. Taking medication, for example, can be combined with some types of physiotherapy treatments, wearing compression underwear and folk methods.
In addition, when prescribing certain treatment options to a patient, the patient should also change their diet, practice moderate physical activity, and minimize factors that contribute to disease progression as much as possible.
Medications
Medical treatment of varicose veins is applied mainly in the early stages of the disease, regardless of the cause. Also, it is possible to take and apply medication to varicose veins as an additional measure in the process of conducting invasive therapy. Drugs that have anti-inflammatory, regenerating, healing and normalizing properties of venous outflow 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.
In addition to strong painful sensations, it is allowed to take painkillers, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but not at treating the cause of the disease. It is also practiced the use of drugs that improve blood composition, dilute hemalymph, increase the body's resistance.
The use of drugs helps to reduce both the visual manifestations that characterize varicose veins of the lower extremities, and physiological: edema, pain, weight. However, the treatment of varicose veins is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, not the cause of the disease. It is almost impossible to completely get rid of varicose veins and in this way regenerate damaged varicose veins.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an excellent addition to a complex treatment for varicose veins. The only significant disadvantage of this type of therapy is the need to perform any procedures exclusively in medical institutions due to their specificity. A positive effect is achieved only if the treatment is taken regularly.
The following types of procedures have maximum efficiency and convenience in the treatment of the disease:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser radiation.
- Infrared radiation.
- Magnetotherapy.
But despite all the benefits of physiotherapy prescribed to remove varicose veins in the legs, there are a number of contraindications, due to which their treatment is completely excluded. As a rule, this includes symptoms of varicose veins such as trophic ulcers, necrotic tissue changes, open wound surfaces.
Physiotherapy can be performed only in a health institution.
Surgical intervention
Surgical removal of affected veins by appropriate surgery is classified as one of the most effective ways to resolve varicose veins. But it is used only in the most difficult and neglected cases, provided that there is no positive dynamics in the process of using invasive and conservative methods of treating the disease.
The surgical intervention is based on the complete removal of the affected vein. The procedure requires the introduction of anesthetics to a patient who is worried about varicose veins, hospitalization and a long period of rehabilitation. Depending on the causes of the disease and the indications, varicose vein surgery 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 lower than surgical manipulations. At the same time, when 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 sclerotherapy and laser exposure. The first technique is used for the symptoms of varicose veins, both separately and as an integral part of the medical complex. During the sclerotherapy procedure, a substance that promotes rapid regeneration of cells and tissues is injected into the damaged vein. 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, there is direct exposure to laser radiation through the skin. The laser partially destroys the tissue of the damaged vein, thus causing its instantaneous contraction. The presence of scars or scars due to such a procedure is completely ruled out.
Traditional methods
Of course, they will not be able to get rid of varicose veins forever using 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. Good results and elimination of unpleasant symptoms in varicose veins can be achieved only if the procedures are performed daily and in accordance with accepted norms.
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 medicinal herbs. The following recipes are especially popular:
- Pulp of ripe tomatoes, ground 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.
- Varicose veins of the lower extremities can be eliminated, and disturbing symptoms can be reduced by using fresh aloe or kalanchoe leaves. To do this, the plant should be ground into a paste and applied to the affected area overnight.
- Homemade yogurt. To prepare the dressing, moisten a cotton swab or bandage in a bowl with yogurt, and then apply it on the leg.
- Infusion of hop cones. Soak the gauze with a saturated infusion and fasten it to the leg 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 great for severe pain and swelling.
- Slices of green tomatoes. 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 be used only with a doctor's prescription, because the product is classified as strong. Tinctures and aqueous solutions of this bee product can be used as compresses and therapeutic massages.
The most effective way to treat the disease at home is compresses.
Before using any home remedy for varicose veins, you need to make sure that there is no risk of developing an allergy to any component of the prescription. It is almost impossible to remove varicose veins on the legs by procedures performed at home. However, 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 occur not only due to damage to the venous walls, but also due to blood clotting. To liquefy the hemolymph, improve metabolic processes and restore blood microcirculation, the patient must make certain adjustments to his usual diet.
For starters, you should exclude from the menu all sweet, fatty and fried foods, as well as flour products. Low fat meats, vegetables, fruits, fermented dairy products, cereals should be present as the predominant products on the table of patients with varicose veins of the legs. Based on these products, it is quite possible to build not only a healthy, but also a varied diet menu, in addition, such dishes help to dilute 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 disease progression. You can especially replace underwear with ordinary elastic bandages, the effect of their use is no less visible. The only disadvantage of elastic bandages is the relative inconvenience in the process of fixing this device.
For the prevention and treatment of 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 cells and tissues with oxygen and nutrients. 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 treatment of pathology of veins and blood vessels can be called a contrast shower. Regular use of this procedure improves blood circulation, promotes skin cell renewal, and also reduces swelling and pain. It should not be forgotten that for any damage to the vascular system, you can only take a hot shower, but not a hot shower.
It is almost impossible to completely cure varicose veins by treating them with any technique. Only a complex combination of several ways to combat the causes of varicose veins will allow you to forget forever about the unpleasant symptoms of this disease.
To avoid complications, you should not self-medicate. You should consult your doctor before using any, even the most innocuous remedy.