According to statistics, every fourth inhabitant of the planet, regardless of age and physiological data, suffers from varicose veins. Varicose veins are primarily an inherited disease that can be caused by genetic factors. Any aspect of the disease, such as varicose veins, can be triggered by the mechanism, including an 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 the individual characteristics of the patient.
Pathogenesis and etiology
It is now proven and confirmed by scientific data that the main cause that predisposes to the main symptoms of the disease is heredity. Genetic defects, expressed in the transfer of genetic material responsible for the elasticity and tone of the venous walls, are passed down from generation to generation, provoking the development of varicose veins.
In the presence of hereditary predisposition, it is extremely difficult to avoid the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease, as all the factors that almost every average person encounters daily can serve as causes, as a kind of catalyst to start pathological processes. Among the most common causes, the negative impact of which can cause pathology, are:
- Lack of physical activity.
- The period of pregnancy and subsequent birth.
- Overweight, especially with the localization of fat in the lower body.
- Long-term use of hormonal and potent drugs.
- Irrational approach to diet.
- Pathologies of posture and sedentary lifestyle.
- Commitment to regular tanning beds.
- Bad habits.
- Wearing tight and tight clothes.
Thus, varicose veins are primarily a genetic defect. The above causes of varicose veins, the result of a systemic effect of which are various pathologies of the circulatory system, including varicose veins, are among the most common. However, in any given situation, other causes, among other things, can play a negative role. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate all predisposing factors.
Being overweight can lead to varicose veins.
Clinical picture
The symptoms of varicose veins, regardless of the cause, can vary greatly 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. There are currently six main stages of varicose veins, each of which is characterized by a specific set of characteristic symptoms and causes.
First stage. In the initial stage of formation varicose veins are characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- ants.
- Heaviness and pain in the legs.
- Burning, itching.
- Night cramps.
You can also notice the visual symptoms of varicose veins in the form of bluish stars and veins. At this stage, the patient notes the appearance of edema after exercise and in the evening.
Second stage. According to scientific data, true varicose veins of the lower extremities, regardless of the cause, begins right from the second stage of the disease. 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, numbness and soreness in the legs, even after reasons such as short walks. In addition, the visual symptoms of the disease are clearly visible: the vascular network, swollen veins, the formation of dense bluish nodules on the skin. According to a similar picture, the third stage proceeds with varicose veins.
In the fourth and fifth stages, in varicose veins, due to oxygen starvation of the tissues, trophic changes occur, expressed in the appearance of ulcerative areas. The skin from varicose veins acquires a dark shade, 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 changes in the tissues, the appearance of non-healing trophic ulcers, which often cause the death of skin areas.
In the advanced stages 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 areas in turn is divided into respective subgroups. For example, the option of conservative treatment involves the use of external and internal drugs.
Invasive treatment of varicose veins is based on the use of radical methods to treat inflamed areas of the vascular system. Depending on the stage and symptoms of the disease, different treatment options can be used: from repairing the walls of damaged veins to complete or partial removal. But the 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 a 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, wearing compression underwear and folk methods.
In addition, when prescribing certain treatment options to the patient, the patient should also make changes in diet, practice moderate physical activity, and minimize the factors that contribute to the progression of the disease as much as possible.
Medications
Drug treatment of varicose veins is used mainly in the early stages of the disease, regardless of the cause. It is also possible to take and administer varicose vein medications as an additional measure in the process of conducting invasive therapy. Drugs that have anti-inflammatory, regenerating, healing and normalizing venous outflow 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 necessary.
In most cases, medical treatment is used in the early stages of the disease.
In case of severe pain, it is permissible to take painkillers, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but not at treating the causes of the disease. It is also practiced the use of drugs that improve the composition of the blood, dilute the hemolymph, 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, heaviness. However, medical treatment for varicose veins is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, not the causes of the disease. In this way, it is almost impossible to completely get rid of varicose veins and regenerate damaged varicose veins.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an excellent addition to a single complex for the treatment of varicose veins. The only significant disadvantage of this type of therapy is the need to perform all kinds of procedures exclusively in medical institutions due to their specificity. The positive effect is achieved only if the treatment is taken regularly.
The following types of procedures have maximum effectiveness and convenience in the treatment of the disease:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser radiation.
- Infrared radiation.
- Magnetic therapy.
But despite all the benefits of physiotherapy prescribed to remove varicose veins of the legs, there are a number of contraindications, due to which their treatment is completely excluded. As a rule, they include such symptoms with varicose veins as trophic ulcers, necrotic changes in the tissues, open wound surfaces.
Physiotherapy can be performed only in a medical institution.
Surgical intervention
Surgical removal of the affected veins by an appropriate procedure is classified as one of the most effective ways to deal with 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 to treat the disease.
The surgery 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 as scheduled or 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 such procedures are performed, 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 individually and as a component of a medical complex. During the sclerotherapy procedure, a substance is injected into the damaged vein, which promotes the 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 get rid of the symptoms of varicose veins forever. 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 scars due to such a procedure is completely excluded.
Traditional methods
Of course, it will not work forever to get rid of varicose veins through the use of folk methods, but it is quite possible to reduce to some extent 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 of varicose veins only if the procedures are performed daily and in accordance with accepted norms.
Compresses based on various medicines and herbs are called the most effective procedures for the causes and symptoms of varicose veins that can be performed at home. The following recipes are especially popular:
- The flesh of ripe tomatoes, minced. An excellent remedy for varicose veins in the early stages of the disease. Apply on inflamed veins for two to three hours a day.
- Varicose veins of the lower extremities can be removed and unpleasant symptoms can be reduced by using fresh aloe or kalanchoe leaves. To do this, the plant must be ground to a pulp and applied to the affected area overnight.
- Homemade yogurt. To prepare the compress, moisten a cotton swab or bandage in a bowl with yogurt and then apply it on the feet.
- Infusion of hop cones. Soak a gauze swab with saturated infusion and fix it on the legs with a tight bandage. The procedure should be performed daily.
- White cabbage leaves. They are quite easy to use: scald the leaves with boiling water, cool and apply on the affected areas, 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 on the inflamed area and fix them with a bandage. The duration of the procedure should not exceed five hours.
- propolis. Propolis-based preparations can be used only after a doctor's prescription, as the agent is classified as potent. It is possible to use tinctures and aqueous solutions of this bee product such as compresses and therapeutic rubs.
The most effective way to treat the disease at home are compresses.
Before using any home remedy for varicose veins, you must make sure that there is no risk of developing allergies to any component of the recipe. It is almost impossible to remove varicose veins of the legs with the help of procedures performed at home. 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.
Healthy diet
Varicose veins often occur not only due to damage to the venous walls, but also due to thickening of the blood. To liquefy the hemolymph, improve metabolic processes and restore blood microcirculation, the patient must make certain adjustments in 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 predominant products on the table of a patient 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 thin the blood and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.
Tips and tricks
As an additional measure for varicose veins, patients should wear compression underwear, which evenly distributes the load on the legs, preventing the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and progression of the disease. You can also replace the special underwear with ordinary elastic bandages, the effect of their use is noticeable no less clearly. 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 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 for the treatment of pathologies of the veins and blood vessels can be called a contrast shower. Regular use of this procedure improves blood circulation, promotes the recovery of skin cells, and also reduces swelling and pain. It should not be forgotten that for any damage to the vascular system you can take only a warm but not a hot shower.
It is almost impossible to completely cure varicose veins by treatment with any technique. Only a complex combination of several ways to combat the causes of varicose veins will allow you to forget about the unpleasant symptoms of this disease forever.
You do not need to self-medicate to avoid complications. You should consult your doctor before using any, even the most innocuous agent.