Varicose veins are a common disease characterized by an increase in the lumen of blood vessels, damage to the valve apparatus and the occurrence of reverse blood flow. Pathological processes can be localized in different places, so there are several types of disease:
- esophageal vein development;
- rectal veins (hemorrhoids);
- small pelvic veins;
- spermatic cord veins (varicocele);
- lower vein.
Varicose veins on the legs are considered the most common. According to some estimates, more than 30% of the population suffers from it, with the majority being women. Varicose veins on the legs are not only ugly protruding veins, but also a lot of unpleasant sensations and discomfort. The pathological process is accompanied by severity, pain, edema, and often leads to dangerous complications: thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers. Many want to know how to get rid of varicose veins forever, because it significantly affects the quality of life. But, unfortunately, this phenomenon is irreversible, and the only thing that can be achieved is to stop or slow the progression of the disease.
cause
The causes of varicose veins are still not clearly understood. It is understood that the disease is associated with thinning, weakness and loss of elasticity of the vascular wall, as well as valve inefficiency. As a result, the veins become unevenly dilated, stretched, long, convoluted, nodular. It is believed that genetic predisposition plays a decisive role in the onset of the disease, i. e. , from birth, weak vessels and damaged valves.
There are several factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins, although they are not the cause:
- Heredity (according to experts, the risk of 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 during menopause, as well as taking hormonal contraceptives and wearing high -heeled shoes.
- Labor activities associated with prolonged stay on foot or in a sitting position (hairdressers, salesmen, surgeons, waiters, drivers, accountants, programmers etc. ).
- Old age, in which the weakening of the walls of blood vessels and the wear of valve devices is a natural phenomenon.
- Surgical intervention.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure due to overweight, pregnancy, weightlifting (loaders, weightlifting), frequent straining with chronic constipation and cough.
Methods of treatment
Varicose veins are a chronic process that begins gradually and only develops over time. To date, it is impossible to completely defeat the disease, but it is possible to slow its progression and reduce symptoms if complex treatments are used, which include:
- lifestyle change;
- diet;
- physiotherapy training;
- compression therapy;
- medicines (for internal use and local administration);
- surgical intervention;
- thermal procedures;
- folk methods.
You need to fight varicose veins for the rest of your life. Medications alone cannot be done. It is necessary to be examined by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon, who will diagnose, determine the stage of the disease and the severity of the lesion, and prescribe appropriate treatment. The main task is to eliminate or reduce clinical manifestations, stop progression, prevent recurrence and development of complications.
The effectiveness of treatment will depend on the patient’s compliance with all physician recommendations. It is important to seek help in the early stages, when there is still no pain, but evening swelling, heaviness and fatigue of the legs, small spider veins on the skin have appeared.
Lifestyle correction
Without changing your lifestyle, it is impossible to deal with varicose veins effectively. The rules to be followed are really superficial, and failure to follow them is usually associated with a lack of will or an irresponsible attitude towards one’s health.
- Maintain a normal weight.
- Break up with bad habits: alcohol and smoking.
- Refusal to sunbathe, visit the steam room and sauna, hot showers (including foot baths).
- Rejection from high heels (not higher than 4-5 cm).
- Wear a special stretch jersey.
- Provide physical activity. This can be walking, swimming, physiotherapy exercises, some sports. The main thing is to exclude squats, weight lifting, long -distance running, jumping, martial arts.
- Proper nutrition. The diet should contain more fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, whole grains, seafood. It is recommended to reduce the amount of meat. It is necessary to release smoked, fried, salty, fatty. Instead of drinks, give priority to green tea, clean water, fruit drinks, natural fresh juices and limit coffee.
- Use every opportunity during the day to lift your legs at an angle of about 20 degrees.
- Buy a special pillow for the feet so that it is above the level of the heart during sleep.
- Try rinsing your feet with cold water as often as possible.
Compression therapy
Special stretch jerseys are available today in a variety of types. These are knee -high, stockings, tights of different colors and densities, which are practically no different from the usual. They have become a good alternative to elastic bandages, inconvenient in use and externally unesthetic.
Special jerseys cannot treat varicose veins, but they improve microcirculation, reduce pressure on the veins, prevent blood from clotting, reduce the diameter of blood vessels, and increase venous and lymphatic blood outflow. Someone feels light in his legs, in the evening he becomes less tired, there is no swelling.
At first, without the habit of wearing compression socks by hand, it will be difficult. For your own convenience, you can buy a special device.
There are four classes of medical knitwear, depending on the pressure applied. You can wear only first -class compression products, which are considered prophylactic and are more aimed at healthy people. The rest should be prescribed by a doctor, depending on the diagnosis and severity of the varicose veins. You should be aware that compression products may be contraindicated for certain diseases. Pantyhose or stockings are selected by the doctor strictly according to size, otherwise the desired effect will not occur.
Drug treatment
For the treatment of varicose veins, tablets and external agents in the form of gels, creams and ointments of various spectrum of action are used. They improve vascular tone, improve microcirculation, promote blood outflow, and prevent skin changes. The medication is designed to relieve fatigue, heaviness, discomfort, swelling, itching, cramps, and pain in the legs. They are strictly assigned individually.
The main way to treat varicose veins is venotonic. They are made based on horse chestnuts, rutin, grape leaves and are almost always well received by patients. Available in tablets, capsules, gels.
It is necessary to apply a gel or cream to the feet with varicose veins every day and rub with light movements.
Anticoagulants are used to reduce blood viscosity and reduce the chances of thrombophlebitis. This is a heparin -based ointment with cooling additives in the form of bulbs, 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 pills are prescribed.
Surgical intervention
To remove the varicose veins, surgery is performed to remove the affected part of the duct to stop the discharge of blood from the superficial veins into it. The operation is called a phlebectomy. In its classic form, it is used less and less today in connection with the emergence of new, less traumatic ways to deal with varicose veins. Such treatment, as a rule, is indicated for large vein diameters and further cases of the disease.
A gentler method is microphlebectomy, in which a portion of the vein is removed in part and not through an incision, but through a puncture.
Thermal method
Radio frequency ablation is considered the safest and least traumatic method of treating varicose veins, although it has some contraindications. This method consists of the effect of microwave heat, as a result of which the lumen of the vein is closed. Main advantages:
- outpatient treatment;
- does not require anesthesia and incisions;
- recovery does not take long;
- the procedure is easily accepted;
- can be done in the summer;
- no bruising after treatment, swelling and pain insignificant.
Radio frequency ablation is a low traumatic method of treating varicose veins.
Laser coagulation is another method of treating varicose veins. During the procedure, a laser is applied to the vessel wall. Radiation leads to adhesion of the venous wall and complete closure of the lumen. It is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia without incisions. A catheter is inserted into the venous lumen, where an LED is inserted and radiation is supplied. The procedure is low traumatic, 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 a complex treatment along with surgery. The point is that a special drug with a sclerosing effect is injected into a vein using a thin needle. As a result, the walls of the ducts stick together, closing and stopping blood flow. The affected vein turns into a fibrous cord. The main advantages of the method:
- outpatient treatment;
- low invasive;
- ease of implementation;
- the duration of the procedure is about 20 minutes;
- good cosmetic effect.
If the disease is initiated, complications such as deep vein thrombosis can develop.
Traditional methods
Walnut colored
Pour the uncooked chopped walnuts into a glass dish and pour in the olive oil. Put in the sun for 40 days. Apply as needed, lubricating the affected area. Continue treatment for about four months.
Cabbage leaves
Beat the cabbage leaves, apply a layer of olive oil on one part, apply this part to the diseased area, wrap and leave for a day. Continue treatment for a month.
horse chestnut
This is one of the most effective folk remedies. For the treatment of varicose veins, a tincture is prepared from the fruits of the plant, which must be crushed, half-filled in a glass container (three liters) and filled with vodka. Remove in a dark place for a month, stirring from time to time. When ready, rub on the sore spot overnight. Chestnut alcohol tincture for external and internal use with varicose veins can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Physiotherapy is part of a complex treatment for varicose veins.
Exercise
When varicose veins appear, questions may arise about whether it is possible to engage in physical education and sports and what training is useful. Most doctors agree that physical activity in such diseases is very important, because the dynamics are beneficial to the veins and static is harmful. But it is equally important to consult with your doctor about the type of exercise you can do and the optimal type of load. In addition, patients can be shown special therapeutic training, which is carried out directly in the medical institution. At home, you can also do simple but effective exercises that, with regular exercise, will help reduce the symptoms of varicose veins.
- Lying on your back, place a pillow under your feet so that it rises at a 20 -degree angle. Close your eyes, relax completely, breathe deeply.
- In the supine position, lift your legs vertically and rotate the legs alternately in and out.
- Lie on your back and move your legs like riding a bicycle.
- Lie on your back, lift your legs and cross (scissors).
- Stand up straight, lower arms, legs together. Slowly go up on your toes, then go down the same slowly.
- Walk in place, do not tear the socks off the floor.
- Sit on a chair, bend your ankle legs towards yourself and away from you, then bend your toes in the same way.
- Pour over the feet with an elastic stream of water (alternately cold and warm).
Conclusion
Varicose veins are an irreversible process, but they must be treated without fail, especially since there are several modern methods that must 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 dangerous conditions that can lead to death, such as pulmonary embolism.