The stronger sex suffer from varicose veins at least as often as women, as deformities of the veins can occur anywhere. However, in men, the appearance of the deviation is usually associated with heavy physical exertion, obesity and pathologies of the internal organs. If you find a problem, there should be no particular difficulty in how to treat varicose veins in men, as there are many ways to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms.
Conservative treatment of varicose veins
The veins of the lower extremities can be deformed in any person, regardless of gender. The signs of developing varicose veins in men, as well as methods of treatment are similar to those in women.
The difference lies in the fact that women pay more attention to their health and appearance, which is why they often turn to a doctor for help. Men usually go to a specialist when the disease is seriously progressing and surgery is required.
The pathology can affect not only the vessels of the legs. Varicose veins in the strong half of humanity can be present in the abdomen (for example, due to overweight), testicles (varicocele), esophagus and stomach, and pelvis (PMVMT).
Treatment of varicose veins with different localization in men with medication is an additional method to combat the disorder. Medications can help relieve symptoms, especially in the early stages.
When prescribing drugs it is important to take into account their compatibility, otherwise you can get the opposite effect.
If we talk about the first type of drugs, an appointment is prescribed:
- phlebotonics, which increase venous tone, improve blood flow, eliminate congestion and swelling;
- anticoagulants that reduce blood clotting, which reduces the risk of blood clots;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate painful sensations and reduce inflammation;
- antioxidants that normalize lipid metabolism, accelerate cell regeneration, normalize blood circulation.
In addition to medication, patients are prescribed vitamin and mineral complexes in the form of syrups, tablets and pills, which allows the body to fight the disease better.
Minimally invasive treatments
When the question arises as to how best to treat varicose veins in men, a phlebologist can advise a method that does not require a long stay in the clinic and allows you to achieve a speedy recovery.
We are talking about a minimally invasive intervention, which provides for the removal of the disorder under local anesthesia:
- endothermic ablation;
- sclerotherapy.
The advantage of this approach is that it is painless and less traumatic. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the affected area or injected with a thin needle.
Before that, the doctor finds out why the disease has appeared, because determining the cause of varicose veins allows you to competently approach its treatment.
Endothermic ablation
The technique allows you to effectively deal with varicose veins in men due to radiofrequency or laser exposure to areas with diseased vessels.
The essence of the procedure is to heat the venous wall with the help of a laser (endovenous laser ablation, EVLA) or high-frequency radio waves (RFA) until the vessel is completely sealed. Thus, blood begins to circulate through healthy veins.
The attractiveness of endothermic ablation is due to:
- performing manipulations through small incisions;
- minimal discomfort;
- significant weakening of symptoms.
After RFA, the patient may feel numbness in the operated area. Intravenous laser treatment sometimes leads to hematomas, heaviness in the legs and pain. Short-term nerve damage is not excluded.
Sclerotherapy
If there are contraindications to endothermic ablation, sclerotherapy (sclerotherapy) may be prescribed. It involves injecting a chemical (sclerosant) into the vessel, as a result of which the vein is also sealed.
The technique will be most effective in the presence of a vein affected by varicose veins.
Injected with a thin needle, the solution causes the container to thicken and close completely. A big advantage of sclerotherapy is that there is no need for anesthesia.
To avoid re-inflow of blood to the treated vessel, bandages with sclerosing agent are applied, while special gymnastics is recommended.
The choice of treatment method depends on the stage of the disease, the number of varicose veins and the wishes of the patient.
The minimally invasive procedure, despite the positive effect, does not exclude recurrence and the need for re-therapy. Side effects often include blood clots, headaches, pigmented areas and temporary visual impairment.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins
Once we understand whether men have varicose veins and what is the reason for its appearance, we need to think about its removal. If in a mild course of drug therapy is sufficient, then severe cases require serious surgery.
Conservative treatment and techniques with minimal tissue damage will be ineffective if varicose veins in men are accompanied by significant worsening of symptoms and complications.
Undressing
During the operation, a probe is inserted into the foot through an incision in the proximal end of the venous vessel of the diseased leg, after which another incision is made in the area of the distal end of the vessel. After attaching the vein to the head of the probe with a ligature (special thread), the surgeon carefully pulls it out.
Such manipulations are usually performed several times, as it is difficult to remove the affected vessel at once.
Short stripping is a procedure that involves removing only a small portion of a deformed vein.
Contraindications to intervention:
- high risk of complications after surgery;
- disturbance of blood circulation and lymphatic drainage in the legs;
- blood clots;
- skin infections.
If necessary, stripping is combined with sclerotherapy. This is appropriate if varicose veins are affected by veins of different sizes at the same time.
Miniphlebectomy
A common technique that copes well with the symptoms of varicose veins in the legs in men. To remove the affected vessel, the surgeon makes a 1-2 mm incision and with a special instrument (Varadi's hook) removes the vein, bandages it and crosses it. The manipulations are performed under local anesthesia.
Miniphlebectomy is usually prescribed for:
- large diameter subcutaneous veins;
- atypical location of varicose veins (eg in the foot area);
- vessels near the surface of the skin.
Surgery is prohibited for patients with high blood pressure, cardiac ischemia, trophic ulcers and infectious skin lesions.
Men who delay the surgical method of treatment can develop diseases of the cardiovascular system, serious pathologies of the veins and blood vessels.
This technique has many advantages:
- minimal trauma;
- high performance;
- lack of scars;
- short period of rehabilitation.
In rare cases, bruising, bleeding, thrombosis occur after the procedure. In the course of the removed vessel, the skin color may change in a short time.
Transillumination phlebectomy
This is a modern hardware method for removing varicose veins in the legs. The anesthesia used is general or local. The vein is removed by one or two small punctures by placing an instrument with a built-in cold light source, which makes it possible to distinguish dilated nodes.
However, practice shows that such a technique can cause many complications due to quite rough manipulations performed in the vein.
In particular, such an intervention can lead to seals, hematomas, lymphorrhea, skin hyperpigmentation and neurological disorders.
Traditional methods of treatment
One of the directions of alternative medicine is the treatment with folk remedies. Naturally, their use will be effective in the early stages of varicose veins. In order to properly conduct therapy at home, it is necessary to consult a phlebologist.
He will tell you which methods will be most effective and safe and which are best to refrain from.
Using datura
The plant cleans the blood vessels well, promotes the resorption of blood clots, improves metabolism and blood circulation. However, it is important to remember: its seeds are poisonous, so it is dangerous to use drugs without the knowledge of the doctor.
Recipe and method of using the tincture:
- the seeds, crushed in a coffee grinder (80-100 g), are flooded with vodka (0, 5 l) and placed in a dark place for 2 weeks, the container should be shaken periodically;
- the initial dose is 15 drops, diluted in half a glass of water, once daily before meals;
- the daily dose is increased by 1-2 drops to 25;
- the duration of therapy is one month.
Datura is also suitable for compresses. To do this, cotton wool is moistened in tincture, diluted with water, applied to sore spots, covered with a film and fixed with a bandage. The same dose of the drug is taken for the procedure as for internal use.
Honey, garlic and lemon
It is difficult to overestimate the beneficial properties of this combination of products, often called the elixir of youth. They are used both individually and together, which only enhances the effect.
For example, honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and vasodilating properties. It eliminates the accumulation of cholesterol, affects the rate of metabolism and removes toxins.
Lemon contains a lot of ascorbic acid. Thanks to it, the work of the circulatory system is normalized and cholesterol plaques are absorbed.
Garlic is known for its ability to fight infections and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is an excellent tool for improving vascular elasticity.
Examples of recipes:
- Lemons should be passed through a meat grinder twice along with the skin and the entire contents (5 pcs. ), As well as garlic (5-6 cloves). The slurry is mixed with honey (500 g) and placed in a glass jar. For treatment you should use 1 teaspoon 2 times a day. mixture pre-diluted in 1 cup of water.
- The mixture prepared by the above method should be transferred to a 3-liter jar and completely filled with warm boiled water. The container is placed in the refrigerator for 10 days. Before use, the liquid is filtered and taken 1 tbsp diluted 2 times a day.
Remember that these products can cause side effects. Not recommended for use in allergies, acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, hemorrhoids, renal failure, diseases of the genitourinary system.
Green tomatoes
Traditional medicine suggests applying slices of green tomatoes on inflamed veins. This should be done at night for a long time. The secret of the method lies in the content of lycopene, an antioxidant that increases the elasticity of blood vessels and protects them from the effects of free radicals.
The substance prevents the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, which causes the formation of cholesterol plaques and blockage of the vascular lumen.
It is useful not only to use tomatoes for compresses, but also to eat them regularly.
Nettle treatment
The composition of the plant determines its strengthening and toning properties. Nettle reduces the viscosity of the blood, thus ensuring its normal circulation. Removes congestion, accelerates regenerative processes and prevents the accumulation of cholesterol.
Ways to use nettle:
- The leaves (1 tbsp. L. ) are placed in a bowl, fill with water (200 ml) and put on fire. Once it boils, the hob must be switched off. The cooled broth is filtered and drunk three times a day 20 minutes before meals.
- The dried plant (6 tbsp. L. ) should be watered with vodka (0, 5 l) and leave in a dark place for 2 days. The tincture is taken before meals 1 tbsp 3 times a day, also used for compresses.
The first positive results can be observed only after 2-3 months, but the course should last much longer.
Nettle-based products are contraindicated in patients suffering from allergic reactions, diabetes, trophic ulcers, high blood pressure.
Other recipes
If there are characteristic symptoms that accompany varicose veins in men on the legs, many other folk remedies will help:
- Yogurt is mixed with chopped wormwood to a pulp. The mixture is applied on gauze and applied to problem areas overnight. After 5 days of therapy there is a break.
- The ground nutmeg (1 tsp) is poured with boiling water (1 cup) and honey (1 tsp) is added. The drink is drunk 30 minutes after insisting one hour before meals and then another 2 hours.
- For tincture you need to pour alcohol (0, 5 liters) of wild chestnut flowers (50 g) and leave to infuse for 2 weeks. The drug is shaken every day. Dosage - three times a day, 1 tbsp. l. , washed with water.
Important point: nutmeg is able to relieve painful discomfort and accelerate the healing of trophic ulcers. However, failure to comply with the norm can have dangerous consequences. It is allowed to take no more than 3-5 g at a time.
Treatment by external use
In case of varicose veins of the lower extremities, therapy with external means is recommended. It is useful for men with diseased vessels in the legs to use ointments and gels, which are especially good for eliminating the initial manifestations of an unpleasant disease.
Compared to ointments, the gels have a lighter consistency, which allows them to be quickly absorbed into the skin, delivering healing substances to the affected area in a short time.
Alternative treatments
Both women and men suffer from the development of varicose veins, and the causes of the disorder are very diverse. And to deal with the signs of the disease, which become more pronounced as it progresses, phlebologists advise to act comprehensively.
In other words, patients with deformed leg veins need to supplement drug therapy by wearing compression stockings, performing a range of exercises and massage procedures.
Gymnastics
Physiotherapeutic exercises, although not completely eliminate the pathological manifestations, but significantly improve the condition of the veins. It is necessary to train not only in the presence of disease. Gymnastics is an excellent prevention of varicose veins in men.
The main thing is that the exercises are chosen by a phlebologist, as it is important to take into account the severity of the disease, concomitant pathologies and other factors.
For varicose veins, it is useful to do the following:
- Simulate cycling while on the floor or in bed. After 30 turns of the legs you should rest.
- Sitting on a chair, consistently lift the socks, then the heels (20-30 times).
- Lying on your back with outstretched legs, bend and unbend the toes (20 repetitions).
- Walk on tiptoe in several approaches. You can just stay put.
A great solution is daily cycling in the fresh air. As a last resort, a bicycle ergometer is suitable in the gym or at home.
Massage
There is certainly no longer any doubt that men have varicose veins. Accordingly, they also need a competent approach to the treatment of pathology. In terms of massage, a properly performed procedure helps reduce pain in the lower extremities and improve blood circulation.
Such a method of dealing with the disorder is most effective at this stage of the disease, when there are no symptoms.
Contraindications:
- injuries, cuts on the skin of the feet;
- fever;
- inflammatory or infectious process;
- thrombophlebitis.
It is advisable to entrust the massage to a qualified specialist. If the man decides to do the procedure himself, it is important to be extremely careful.
Before the session it is necessary to keep the legs in an elevated position, after which an anti-varicose ointment is applied.
The massage should be performed regularly, only then the first effect will appear.
The fight against the signs of varicose veins is carried out with the help of:
- stroking from ankle to knee;
- circular movements in the lower leg;
- intensive thigh massage;
- circular and zigzag movements in the lumbar region.
At the end of the procedure, wear socks or use an elastic bandage.
Compression underwear
Wearing knitwear with compression properties allows you to evenly distribute the load on the lower extremities, to eliminate the feeling of heaviness and fatigue, as well as to avoid the progression of the pathology.
Manufacturers produce lingerie for both women and the stronger sex.
Medical tights are represented by products in the form of:
- golf;
- socks;
- tights.
One or the other option is chosen taking into account the location of the deformed vessels.
In addition, the stage of the disease is important:
- At the initial signs, knee pads with a degree of compression not higher than 21 mm Hg are suitable. Art.
- Progressive varicose veins and thrombophlebitis require the use of varicose vein socks for men with pressures up to 32 mm Hg. Art. They are also prescribed after surgery.
- If there is lymphovenous insufficiency, trophic disorders, the use of knitwear of category 3 (pressure indicator - up to 46 mm Hg) is indicated.
- In the presence of severe pathology, accompanied by thrombosis and lymphedema, you should wear underwear with a compression of 49 mm or more. rt. Art.
To prevent the occurrence of the disorder, especially in the postoperative period, the use of prophylactic tights (15-18 mm Hg) is recommended.
Varicose veins in men are quite treatable if you consult a phlebologist in time. The longer the disease lasts and the more intense its symptoms, the greater the risk of dangerous complications.