Varicose veins are a common disease characterized by enlargement of the lumen of blood vessels, malfunction of the valvular apparatus and the occurrence of reverse blood flow. The pathological process can be localized in different places, which is why there are several types of disease:
- varicose veins of the esophagus;
- rectal veins (hemorrhoids);
- veins of the small pelvis;
- varicose veins (varicocele);
- veins of the lower extremities.
Varicose veins of the legs are considered the most common. According to some estimates, more than 30% of the population suffers from it, most of them women. Varicose veins of the legs are not only ugly veins, but also very 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, as this significantly impairs 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 unclear. It is understood that the disease is associated with thinning, weakness and loss of elasticity of the vascular wall, as well as valve incompetence. As a result, the veins become unevenly dilated, stretched, long, curved, nodules. Genetic predisposition is thought to play a crucial role in the onset of the disease, ie from birth, weak blood vessels and defective valves.
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 the disease in people whose parents suffer from it is up to 70%).
- Belonging to the female sex. This is due to hormonal changes during puberty, during pregnancy and menopause, as well as hormonal contraception and wearing high heels.
- Work related to a long stay on your feet or in a sitting position (hairdressers, salesmen, surgeons, waiters, drivers, accountants, programmers and others).
- Old age, in which the weakening of the walls of blood vessels and wear of the valve apparatus is a natural phenomenon.
- Operational interventions.
- Sedentary way of life.
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure due to overweight, pregnancy, weight lifting (loaders, weightlifters), frequent straining with chronic constipation and cough.
Methods of treatment
Varicose veins are a chronic process that begins gradually and only progresses over time. To date, it is impossible to completely defeat the disease, but it is possible to slow down the development and reduce symptoms if you apply a comprehensive treatment that includes:
- lifestyle change;
- diet;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- compression therapy;
- medicines (for internal use and topical application);
- surgical intervention;
- thermal procedures;
- folk methods.
You will have to fight varicose veins all your life. Self-medication should not be performed. You need 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 develop complications.
The effectiveness of the 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 still no pain, but there are evening swellings, heaviness and fatigue of the legs, small spider veins on the skin.
Lifestyle adjustment
Without changing your lifestyle, it is impossible to effectively deal with varicose veins. The rules that must be followed are completely banal, and non-compliance is usually associated with a lack of will or irresponsible attitude to health.
- Maintain a normal body weight.
- Breaking bad habits: alcohol and smoking.
- Refusal of sunbathing, visiting steam baths and saunas, taking hot baths (including foot baths).
- Refusal of high heels (not higher than 4-5 cm).
- Wearing a special stretch leotard.
- Providing physical activity. This can be walking, swimming, physiotherapy, some sports. The main thing is to exclude squats, weightlifting, long distance running, jumping, martial arts.
- Healthy diet. The diet should contain more fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, whole grains, seafood. It is advisable to reduce the amount of meat. It is necessary to give up smoked, fried, salty, greasy. Of the drinks, give preference to green tea, clean water, fruit drinks, natural fresh juices and limit coffee.
- Use every opportunity during the day to lift your legs up at an angle of about 20 degrees.
- Buy a special pillow for the feet so that they are above the level of the heart during sleep.
- Try to rinse your feet with lukewarm water as often as possible.
Compression therapy
Special stretch jersey is available today in a wide range. These are knee-high socks, tights of different colors and densities, which are practically no different from ordinary ones. They have become a good alternative to elastic bandages, inconvenient to use and externally unaesthetic.
The special leotard can not cure varicose veins, but improves microcirculation, reduces tension in the veins, prevents blood stasis, reduces the diameter of blood vessels and increases the outflow of venous blood and lymph. One feels lightness in one's legs, gets less tired by evening, no swelling.
In the beginning, without the habit of putting compression stockings on hand, it will be difficult. To make things easier for yourself, you can buy a special device.
There are four classes of medical knitwear depending on the applied pressure. You can only wear 1st class compression products that are considered prophylactic 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 know that compression products may be contraindicated in certain diseases. Tights or socks are chosen by the doctor strictly according to the size, otherwise it will not have the desired effect.
Medication treatment
For the treatment of varicose veins are used tablets and external means in the form of gels, creams and ointments with different spectrum of action. They increase vascular tone, improve microcirculation, promote blood flow and prevent skin changes. The drugs are designed to relieve fatigue, heaviness, discomfort, swelling, itching, cramps and leg pain. They are appointed strictly individually.
The main treatment for varicose veins is venotonics. They are made on the basis of horse chestnut, rutin, grape leaves and are almost always well tolerated by patients. It is available in the form of tablets, capsules, gels.
It is necessary to apply gel or cream on the legs with varicose veins daily and rub with light movements.
Anticoagulants are used to reduce blood viscosity and reduce the likelihood of thrombophlebitis. These are ointments based on heparin with cooling additives in the form of menthol, camphor, eucalyptus. In addition to diluting the blood, they prevent the development of thrombophlebitis.
Antihistamines may be prescribed for skin changes that cause itching. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills are prescribed for inflammation.
Surgical intervention
To get rid of varicose veins, operations are performed to remove the affected part of the vessel to stop the flow of blood from the superficial vein to the deep. The operation is called a phlebectomy. In its classic form, it is used less and less today due to the emergence of new, less traumatic ways to deal with varicose veins. Such treatment, as a rule, is indicated for large diameters of veins and advanced cases of the disease.
A more gentle method is microphlebectomy, in which a section of a vein is removed in parts, not by incision but by puncture.
Thermal methods
Radiofrequency ablation is considered the safest and least traumatic method of treating varicose veins, although there are some contraindications. The method consists in the thermal effect of microwaves, as a result of which the venous lumen closes. Main advantages:
- outpatient treatment;
- no need for anesthesia and incision;
- recovery does not take much time;
- the procedure is easily tolerated;
- can be done in the summer;
- no bruising after treatment, swelling and pain are insignificant.
Radiofrequency ablation is a low-trauma method for treating varicose veins.
Laser coagulation is another method of treating varicose veins. During the procedure, a laser is applied to the wall of the vessel. Radiation causes the walls of the vein to stick together and the lumen to close completely. 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 low-traumatic, complications are very rare.
Sclerotherapy
This non-surgical method is one of the most common. It is used for small veins and as part of a complex treatment together with surgery. The conclusion is that a special drug with sclerosing effect is injected into a vein using a thin needle. As a result, the walls of the vessel stick together, close and stop the flow of blood. The affected vein becomes a fibrous cord. The main advantages of the method:
- outpatient treatment;
- low invasiveness;
- ease of implementation;
- the duration of the procedure is about 20 minutes;
- good cosmetic effect.
If the disease begins, a complication such as deep vein thrombosis may develop.
Traditional methods
Walnut tincture
Pour the chopped unripe walnuts in a glass jar and pour with olive oil. Put in the sun for 40 days. Apply if necessary, lubricating the affected area. Continue treatment for about four months.
Cabbage leaf
Beat a cabbage leaf, apply a layer of olive oil on one side, apply this side on the affected area, bandage and leave for a day. Continue treatment for one 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-liter) and filled with vodka. Remove to a dark place for a month, stirring occasionally. When you are ready, rub the sore spots overnight. Alcoholic tincture of chestnut for external and internal use in varicose veins can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Physiotherapy is an integral part of the complex treatment of varicose veins.
Exercises
When varicose veins appear, the question may arise as to whether it is possible to engage in physical education and sports and what exercises are useful. Most doctors agree that physical activity in such a disease is very important, because the dynamics are good for the veins, and statics are harmful. But it is equally important to consult your doctor about what sports you can do and what loads will be optimal. In addition, the patient may be shown special therapeutic exercises that are performed directly in a medical facility. At home, you can also do simple but effective exercises that 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, relax completely, breathe deeply.
- In the supine position, lift your legs vertically and rotate your feet in and out.
- Lie on your back and move your legs like riding a bicycle.
- Lying on your back, lift your legs and cross them (scissors).
- Stand up straight, lower your arms, legs together. Slowly rise on your toes, then descend just as slowly.
- Walk on the spot, do not tear your socks off the floor.
- Sitting in a chair, bend your ankle legs towards you and away from you, then bend your toes in the same way.
- Dousing the feet with an elastic stream of water (regularly cool and warm).
Conclusion
Varicose veins are an irreversible process, but they must be treated, especially since there are many 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 such a dangerous condition that can lead to death, such as pulmonary embolism.