Varicose veins are a common disease characterized by an increase in the lumen of blood vessels, disruption of the valve apparatus and the occurrence of reverse blood flow.The pathological process can be localized in different places, so there are several types of the disease:
- dilation of the veins of the esophagus;
- rectal veins (hemorrhoids);
- pelvic veins;
- veins of the spermatic cord (varicocele);
- veins of the lower extremities.
The most common is varicose veins of the legs.According to some estimates, it affects more than 30% of the population, with the majority being women.Varicose veins on the legs are not only unsightly protruding veins, but also a lot of unpleasant sensations and inconveniences.The pathological process is accompanied by heaviness, pain, swelling, and often leads to dangerous complications: thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers.Many would like to know how to get rid of varicose veins forever, since they significantly impair the quality of life.But, unfortunately, this phenomenon is irreversible, and the only thing that can be achieved is to stop or slow down the development of the disease.
Reasons
The causes of varicose veins are still not exactly clear.It is clear that the disease is associated with thinning, weakness and loss of elasticity of the vascular wall, as well as incompetent valves.As a result, the veins become unevenly dilated, stretched, long, tortuous, and knotty.There is an opinion that a decisive role in the occurrence of the disease is played by genetic predisposition, that is, weak blood vessels and defective valves from birth.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins, although they are not its causes:
- Heredity (according to experts, the risk of developing the disease in people whose parents suffer from it is up to 70%).
- Belonging to the female gender.This is due to hormonal changes during puberty, during pregnancy and menopause, as well as taking hormonal contraceptives and wearing high-heeled shoes.
- Work activities associated with long periods of standing or sitting (hairdressers, salespeople, surgeons, waiters, drivers, accountants, programmers and others).
- Old age, in which weakening of the walls of blood vessels and wear of the valve apparatus is a natural phenomenon.
- Surgical interventions.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure due to excess weight, pregnancy, heavy lifting (loaders, weightlifters), frequent straining with chronic constipation and cough.
Treatment methods
Varicose veins are a chronic process that begins gradually and only progresses over time.Today it is impossible to completely defeat the disease, but it is possible to slow down the development and reduce symptoms if you use complex treatment, which includes:
- lifestyle changes;
- diet;
- physical therapy;
- compression therapy;
- medications (for internal use and local use);
- surgical intervention;
- thermal procedures;
- traditional methods.
You will have to fight varicose veins all your life.You should not self-medicate.You need to be examined by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon, who will make a diagnosis, determine the stage of the disease and the severity of the lesion, and prescribe appropriate treatment.The main task is to remove or reduce clinical manifestations, stop progression, prevent relapses and the development of complications.
The effectiveness of treatment will depend on the patient's compliance with all the doctor's recommendations.It is important to seek help at an early stage, when there is no pain yet, but evening swelling, heaviness and fatigue of the legs, and small spider veins on the skin have appeared.
Lifestyle correction
Without lifestyle changes, it is impossible to effectively combat varicose veins.The rules that need to be followed are absolutely banal, and failure to follow them is usually associated with a lack of willpower or an irresponsible attitude towards one’s health.
- Maintaining normal body weight.
- Parting with bad habits: alcohol and smoking.
- Refusal of sunbathing, visiting steam rooms and saunas, taking hot baths (including foot baths).
- Refusal of high heels (no higher than 4-5 cm).
- Wearing special elastic knitwear.
- Providing physical activity.This could be walking, swimming, physical therapy, or some sports.The main thing is to exclude squats, weight lifting, long distance running, jumping, and martial arts.
- Proper nutrition.The diet should contain more fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, whole grains, and seafood.It is recommended to reduce the amount of meat.You need to give up smoked, fried, salty, fatty foods.For drinks, give preference to green tea, clean water, fruit drinks, natural fresh juices and limit coffee.
- Take every opportunity during the day to raise your legs up at an angle of about 20 degrees.
- Buy a special pillow for your feet so that they are above the level of your heart while sleeping.
- Try to rinse your feet with cool water as often as possible.
Compression therapy
Special elastic knitwear is available today in a wide range.These are knee socks, stockings, tights of different colors and density, which are practically no different from ordinary ones.They have become a good alternative to inconvenient to use and visually unaesthetic elastic bandaging.
Special knitwear cannot treat varicose veins, but it improves microcirculation, reduces stress on the veins,
prevents blood from stagnating, reduces the diameter of blood vessels, increases the outflow of venous blood and lymph.A person feels light in his legs, gets less tired in the evening, and there is no swelling.
At first, without the habit of putting on compression stockings by hand, it will be difficult.To make your task easier, you can purchase a special device.
There are four classes of therapeutic knitwear, depending on the pressure applied.You can only wear compression class 1 products on your own, which are considered preventive and are intended more for healthy people.The rest should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the diagnosis and severity of varicose veins.You should be aware that compression products may be contraindicated in some diseases.The doctor selects tights or stockings strictly according to size, otherwise the desired effect will not be achieved.
Drug treatment
To treat varicose veins, tablets and external agents in the form of gels, creams and ointments of various spectrums of action are used.They increase vascular tone, improve microcirculation, promote blood outflow, and prevent changes in the skin.Medicines are intended to eliminate fatigue, heaviness, discomfort, swelling, itching, cramps and pain in the legs.Their appointment is strictly individual.
The main means of treating varicose veins are venotonics.They are made on the basis of horse chestnut, rutin, grape leaves and are almost always well tolerated by patients.Available in the form of tablets, capsules, gels.
To reduce blood viscosity and reduce the likelihood of developing thrombophlebitis, anticoagulants are used.These are ointments with cooling additives in the form of menthol, camphor, eucalyptus.In addition to thinning the blood, they prevent the development of thrombophlebitis.
For skin changes that cause itching, antihistamines may be prescribed.For inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets are prescribed.
Surgical intervention
To get rid of varicose veins, operations are performed to remove the affected part of the vessel in order to stop the discharge of blood from the superficial vein to the deep one.The operation is called phlebectomy.In its classical form, it is used less and less today due to the emergence of new, less traumatic ways to combat varicose veins.Such treatment is usually indicated for large vein diameters and advanced cases of the disease.
A more gentle method is microphlebectomy, in which a section of the vein is removed in parts and not through an incision, but through a puncture.
Thermal methods
Radiofrequency ablation is considered the safest and least traumatic method of treating varicose veins, although it has some contraindications.The method involves the thermal effect of microwaves, as a result of which the venous lumen closes.Main advantages:
- outpatient treatment;
- no anesthesia or incision required;
- recovery does not take much time;
- the procedure is easily tolerated;
- can be done in summer;
- There are no bruises after treatment, swelling and pain are minor.
Laser coagulation is another method of treating varicose veins.During the procedure, a laser is applied to the vessel wall.Radiation leads to gluing of the vein walls and complete closure of the lumen.It is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia without incisions.A catheter is inserted into the lumen of the vein, through which an LED is inserted and radiation is applied.The procedure is minimally traumatic and complications are very rare.
Sclerotherapy
This non-surgical method is one of the most common.It is used on small veins and as part of complex treatment along with surgery.The bottom line is that a special medicine with a sclerosing effect is injected into a vein using a thin needle.As a result, the walls of the vessel stick together, close and stop blood flow.The affected vein turns into a fibrous cord.The main advantages of the method:
- outpatient treatment;
- low morbidity;
- ease of execution;
- Duration of the procedure is about 20 minutes;
- good cosmetic effect.
Traditional methods
Walnut tincture
Pour chopped unripe walnuts into a glass bowl and pour in olive oil.Place in the sun for 40 days.Apply as needed, lubricating the affected areas.Treatment should continue for about four months.
Cabbage leaf
Cut off a cabbage leaf, apply a layer of olive oil on one side, apply this side to the affected area, bandage it and leave it for a day.Continue treatment for a month.
horse chestnut
This is one of the most effective folk remedies.To treat varicose veins, prepare a tincture from the fruits of the plant, which need to be crushed, half-filled in a glass container (three-liter) and filled with vodka.Place in a dark place for a month, stirring from time to time.When ready, rub the sore areas overnight.Alcohol tincture of chestnut for external and internal use for varicose veins can be bought at the pharmacy.
Exercises
When varicose veins appear, the question may arise about whether it is possible to engage in physical education and sports and what exercises are useful.Most doctors agree that physical activity is very important for this disease, since dynamics are beneficial for veins and static is harmful.But it is equally important to consult a doctor about what sports you can do and what loads will be optimal.In addition, the patient may be shown special therapeutic exercises, which are performed directly in a medical facility.At home, you can also perform simple but effective exercises, which with regular exercise will help reduce the symptoms of varicose veins.
- Lie on your back, place pillows under your feet so that they rise at an angle of 20 degrees.Close your eyes, completely relax, breathe deeply.
- While lying on your back, raise your legs vertically and rotate your feet alternately inward and outward.
- Lie on your back and make movements with your legs as if riding a bicycle.
- Lying on your back, raise your legs and cross them (scissors).
- Stand up straight, arms down, feet together.Slowly rise onto your toes, then lower just as slowly.
- Walk in place, keeping your socks on the floor.
- Sitting on a chair, bend your legs at the ankle towards yourself and away from you, then bend your fingers in the same way.
- Pouring your feet with an elastic stream of water (alternately cool and warm).
Conclusion
Varicose veins are an irreversible process, but it is necessary to treat it, especially since there are quite a lot of modern methods that need to be used in combination.Without treatment, there is a high risk of developing complications such as chronic venous insufficiency, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers, and even such a dangerous condition that can result in death as pulmonary embolism.