Varicose veins (varicose veins) is a pathology of the veins, manifested in their deformation and impaired blood flow. Observing the appearance of spider veins, soreness and heaviness in the legs, it is worth immediately begin treatment of varicose veins, especially since the initial manifestations of the disease can cope with minimally invasive or generally folk methods.
The main signs of varicose veins of the legs
The well-known "cobweb" of the legs is nothing more than the initial stage of varicose veins. In addition, the main signs of varicose veins include:
- constant swelling of the legs in the thigh or lower leg;
- weight in the legs;
- change in skin color: appearance of red spots, darkening;
- the veins change shape and increase in size;
- thickening of the skin of the lower leg;
- severe pain in the calves, worse when walking, feeling hot and burning in the legs;
- soreness of the veins when pressed;
- formation of trophic ulcers;
- leg cramps at night.
In varicose veins, treatment should be started as soon as possible.
In such places, the speed of blood flow slows down, which contributes to the formation of thrombosis.
In this disease, the venous vessels lose their elasticity, expand in some places, twist, forming nodules.
How can you cure varicose veins of the legs?
Modern medicine has several methods of treating this disease. The physician should decide on the treatment regimen, taking into account the existing symptoms, concomitant diseases and the characteristics of the patient's body. As a result, the following modern methods can be included:
- Conservative treatment is the use of certain drugs.
- Minimally invasive techniques. Whenever possible, doctors try to use them to treat varicose veins in the legs.
- Radical therapy. Venectomy and phlebectasia for varicose veins.
In many cases of mild varicose veins of the legs, with the approval of a doctor, folk remedies can be used as ancillary methods to remove varicose veins.
Wearing compression garments helps heal varicose veins at an early stage and also helps the veins in the postoperative period. The effectiveness of compression garments is due to the effect of compressing the tissues, 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
Varicose veins cause damage to the blood vessels, leading to blood stasis. 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. The 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 effect in varicose veins. They also reduce tissue swelling.
- Blood-thinning drugs that prevent venous blood stasis and blood clots dilute the blood and improve its circulation.
These drugs are actively used in home therapy for varicose veins, but 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 for the treatment of varicose veins do not require surgery, hospitalization and long-term subsequent rehabilitation. Non-surgical intervention is performed in a treatment room under local anesthesia. These methods of treating varicose veins of the legs are less traumatic.
The patient can go home the same day.
In 95% of cases of varicose veins, doctors use non-surgical intervention, only 5% of patients need to undergo phlebectomy.
Minimally invasive procedures include:
- radiofrequency ablation;
- sclerotherapy;
- laser ablation;
- microphlebectomy.
Sclerotherapy
The method of sclerotherapy consists in injecting the active substance sclerosant into a deformed vein. It clogs the damaged area of the vein and the blood moves to the restored bed. Over time, the isolated area 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 practically does not give complications in the postoperative period.
After sclerotherapy, the patient is advised to wear compression garments for one month to confirm the positive effect.
Radiofrequency ablation
The method of radiofrequency ablation is one of the least traumatic and at the same time can effectively remove varicose veins of the legs. The procedure is possible with any diameter of the veins. Ablation is performed under local anesthesia, under constant ultrasound control.
A radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the vein through a small puncture to the desired location in the tissues around the vein. An anesthetic is then injected, which creates a "water bed" around the damaged vein, which protects the surrounding tissues from the action of radio waves. After radiofrequency therapy no long-term rehabilitation is required, another 2 weeks after the procedure the patient can live an active life. Despite the price, this method has the best reviews in the forums.
Contraindications to 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. Upon completion, the patient can return home immediately regardless of the clinic. The method consists in burning the walls of 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 dissolves.
Several types of optical fibers are used for laser ablation:
- end - 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 advised to wear compression stockings for prophylactic purposes. The type of underwear and the duration of its use are prescribed by a phlebologist, the cost of such aids has recently been lower.
Microphlebectomy
During the microphlebectomy procedure, the surgeon removes the affected area of the vein using special hooks. These hooks are inserted into the vein through a microincision of up to 1 mm. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
The rehabilitation period after treatment is 3-5 days, after which 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 compression garments for the first 2 weeks after microphlebectomy.
The advantages of microphlebectomy 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 of the legs 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 a hospital under spinal or general anesthesia for no more than 2 hours. After the operation the patient is under observation in the treatment center for 1-2 days.
Indications for surgery:
- severe bleeding disorder;
- extensive 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 dilated area 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 of the legs with folk remedies at home
Treatment of varicose veins of the legs with folk remedies can be effective in the early stages of the disease, if you approach the problem comprehensively, after consulting your doctor. To eliminate the disease, you need to apply a whole range of measures:
- Give up the habit of sitting cross-legged.
- Walk more with comfortable shoes.
- Include fiber foods in your diet, avoid fried, fatty and spicy foods, take extra vitamins, useful trace elements.
- Use folk remedies (decoctions, tinctures, compresses, rubs) to get rid of varicose veins on the legs.
Apple cider vinegar for 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 useful minerals and trace elements, as well as vitamins A, C, B. Apple cider vinegar strengthens the walls of blood vessels and helps relieve swelling, tones the skin.
Ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat varicose veins:
- Compresses. Soak a bandage in pure vinegar, apply on the varicose area of the skin, wrap with cellophane, warm with a towel. Place your feet horizontally 50 cm above your body, for example on the armrest of a sofa. Hold the compress for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Friction. After regular water treatments rub apple cider vinegar into painful varicose areas 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 basin, slowly pouring the prepared solution from a ladle on the swollen veins. Drain the water and repeat the procedure within 5 minutes. Do not dry your feet after pouring them; they must dry naturally.
Clay lotions and compresses
For the treatment of varicose veins is useful blue, green or white clay, it can be purchased at the pharmacy. Soak the clay in cold water and brush the enlarged areas of the feet. The thickness of the clay layer should be at least 1 cm. Cover the top with polyethylene, no insulation required. Keep such a cold shell 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.
The cold sheath is just as useful in treating varicose veins in the legs as it is in the hot. As the temperature decreases, the veins narrow, the metabolism speeds up, and lymph is released, which removes toxins and toxins from the body. The clay shell effectively removes puffiness and helps relieve foot fatigue.
Acacia flower tincture
Tincture of white acacia flowers helps to treat varicose veins. It is used in the form of compresses, rubs, lotions.
The tincture has the ability to dissolve swollen venous nodes.
To prepare the tincture, pour 100 g of white acacia flowers with half a liter of vodka, leave for three weeks in a dark place. Strain and rub the tincture daily into the skin, where venous dilatation is visible. 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, and over time, the deep veins will disappear.