Varicose veins (varicose veins) is a pathology of the veins, which is manifested in their deformation and impaired blood flow. Observing the appearance of arachnoid veins, pain and heaviness in the legs, it is worth starting treatment of varicose veins immediately, especially since the initial manifestations of the disease can be solved by minimally invasive or generally folk methods.
The main signs of varicose veins in the legs
The well-known "spider web" on the legs is nothing but the initial phase of varicose veins. In addition, the main signs of varicose veins include:
- persistent swelling of the legs in the thigh or lower leg;
- weight in the legs;
- skin discoloration: red spots, darkening;
- veins change shape and increase in size;
- thickening of the skin on the lower leg;
- severe pain in the leaves, increased walking, feeling of warmth and burning in the legs;
- pain in the veins when pressed;
- formation of trophic ulcers;
- leg cramps at night.
In varicose veins on the legs, therapy should be started as soon as possible.
In such places, blood flow is slowed down, which contributes to the development of thrombosis.
In this disease, the venous vessels lose elasticity, in some places they expand, twist, forming nodules.
How can you cure varicose veins on your legs?
Modern medicine has several methods to treat this disease. The physician should decide on the treatment regimen, taking into account the existing symptoms, comorbidities and body characteristics of the patient. As a result, such modern methods may be included:
- Conservative treatment is the use of certain medications.
- Minimally invasive techniques. Whenever possible, doctors try to use them to treat varicose veins in the legs.
- Radical therapy. Performing venectomy and phlebectasia in varicose veins.
In a number of cases of a milder stage of varicose veins on the legs, with the approval of a doctor, folk remedies can be used as auxiliary methods for removing varicose veins.
Wearing compression garments helps heal varicose veins at an early stage and also supports veins in the postoperative period. The efficiency of compression garments is a consequence of the action 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, blood vessels are damaged, which leads to blood stagnation. Therefore, the following groups of drugs will be effective in the first phase of the disease:
- Nonsteroidal tablets or gels to prevent inflammation. They are used to treat thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. Treatment of varicose veins with these drugs should be carried out only under the supervision of a physician.
- Based on hormones that have antihistamine, anti-inflammatory action on varicose veins. They also reduce tissue swelling.
- Blood-thinning drugs that prevent venous blood stagnation and blood clots, dilute the blood and improve its circulation.
These drugs are actively used in home therapy of 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 long-term follow-up rehabilitation. Non-surgical intervention is performed in the procedure room under local anesthesia. These methods of treating varicose veins in the legs are less traumatic.
The patient can go home the same day.
In 95% of cases of varicose veins, doctors use non-surgical interventions, only 5% of patients must undergo phlebectomy.
Minimally invasive procedures include:
- radiofrequency ablation;
- sclerotherapy;
- laser ablation;
- microphlebectomy.
Sclerotherapy
The method of sclerotherapy consists of injecting the 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 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 - sclerotherapy with foam. It is performed if the diameter of the veins does not exceed 10 mm; such an intervention gives virtually no complications in the postoperative period.
After sclerotherapy, the patient is advised to wear compression garments for a month to solidify the positive effect.
Radiofrequency ablation
The method of radiofrequency ablation is one of the least traumatic, and at the same time it can effectively remove 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 a vein, a radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the desired location in the tissues around the vein. An anesthetic is then injected that 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, but 2 weeks after the procedure the patient can live an active life. Despite the price, this method has the best reviews on the forums.
Contraindications for 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 go home immediately, regardless of the clinic. The method consists of burning the walls of blood vessels with a laser using a special light guide. As a result, the affected area of the vein becomes blocked.
Over time, the laser-treated area dissolves.
Several types of optical fibers are used for laser ablation:
- end - for veins with a diameter not exceeding 1 centimeter;
- radial - for veins of any diameter, 360 degree coverage.
After the laser therapy, the patient is recommended to wear compression stockings for prophylactic purposes. The type of bedding and the duration of its use are prescribed by a phlebologist, and the price of such aids has been lower lately.
Microphlebectomy
During the microphlebectomy procedure, the surgeon removes the affected area of the vein with the help of special hooks. These hooks are inserted into a vein through a micro-incision of up to 1 mm. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
The rehabilitation period after the treatment is 3-5 days, after that 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 a compression suit for the first 2 weeks after microphlebectomy.
The advantages of microphlebectomy include the possibility of applying the technique to veins of any diameter and complete removal of the affected area of the vein.
Phlebectomy
If the varicose veins on the legs are quite neglected and non-surgical treatment regimens do not give a positive result, the patient is prescribed surgery to remove the damaged veins - phlebectomy. Only surgery can 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 surgery, the patient is monitored at the treatment center for 1-2 days.
Indications for surgery:
- serious violation of blood flow;
- extensive varicose veins;
- severe complications of varicose veins - thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers.
The risk of complications during the operation is minimal, but there are contraindications for phlebectomy:
- inflammatory processes on 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 part 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 on the legs folk remedies at home
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies can be effective in the initial phase 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.
- Introduce fiber foods into your diet, avoid fried, fatty and spicy foods, and take additional vitamins and useful microelements.
- Use folk remedies (decoctions, tinctures, compresses, rubbing) to get rid of varicose veins on the legs.
Apple cider vinegar for manifestations of varicose veins on the legs
Apple cider vinegar helps relieve swelling, pain, and 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 eliminate edema, tones the skin.
Ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat varicose veins:
- Compresses. Soak the bandage with pure vinegar, apply to the enlarged area on the skin, wrap with cellophane, warm with a towel. Place your feet horizontally 50 cm above your body, for example on the armrest of the sofa. Hold the compression for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Rubbing. After regular water treatments, rub apple cider vinegar into painful enlarged areas of the lower extremities, do not rinse the product from the skin until the next shower.
- Watering. The recipe is very simple: dilute 150 g of apple cider vinegar in 2 liters of warm water. Put your feet in the basin, slowly pouring the prepared solution from the ladle on the swollen veins. Drain the water and repeat the process within 5 minutes. Do not dry your feet after watering them; it should dry naturally.
Clay lotions and compresses
Blue, green or white clay is useful for the treatment of varicose veins, it can be bought at a pharmacy. Soak the clay in cold water and brush the enlarged areas of the feet. The thickness of the clay layer must be at least 1 cm, and cover the top layer with polyethylene, no insulation is required. Keep such a cold wrap 1 to 1, 5 hours, then take a cold shower.
Clay coatings should be performed in the course 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 hot compress. When the temperature drops, the veins narrow, the metabolism speeds up, and lymph is released, which removes toxins and toxins from the body. The clay wrap effectively removes puffiness and helps relieve foot fatigue.
Acacia flower tincture
Tincture of white acacia flowers helps in the treatment of varicose veins. It is used in the form of compresses, rubs, lotions.
The tincture has the ability to dissolve swollen venous nodules.
To prepare the tincture, pour 100 g. white acacia flower with half a liter of vodka, leave for three weeks in a dark place. Strain and rub the infusion daily into the skin where varicose veins are visible. The more often you do this, the sooner the normal blood circulation in your legs will return. First, the vascular network will become thinner and disappear, and over time, the deep veins will disappear.