Varicose vents is a pathology of veins, manifested by its deformation and blood flow disorder. Observing the appearance of spider veins, sore and heavy legs, it is worthwhile to start treating varicose veins immediately, especially because the initial manifestations of the disease can be treated by minimally invasive or general folk methods.
The main symptoms of varicose veins in the legs
The famous "spider web" on the legs is nothing more than the initial stage of varicose veins. In addition to her, the main symptoms of varicose veins include:
- Continuous swelling of the thighs or lower legs;
- Heavy legs;
- Skin discoloration: erythema, darkening;
- Veins change shape and increase size;
- Thickening of calf skin;
- Severe pain in the calf, aggravated when walking, warm and burning sensation in the leg;
- Sore veins when pressing;
- The formation of trophic ulcers;
- Leg cramps at night.
For varicose veins in the legs, treatment should be started as soon as possible.
In these places, blood flow slows down, which helps to form blood clots.
With this disease, the veins lose their elasticity, expand, twist, and form nodes in certain places.
How to treat varicose veins on the legs?
There are several ways to treat this disease in modern medicine. The doctor should consider the patient's existing symptoms, accompanying diseases, and the patient's physical characteristics to determine the treatment plan. Therefore, such modern methods can be involved:
- Conservative treatment is the use of certain drugs.
- Minimally invasive technology. Whenever possible, doctors will try to use them to treat varicose veins in the legs.
- Root treatment. Phlebectomy and vein dilation for varicose veins.
In some cases of mild leg varicose veins, with the consent of the doctor, folk remedies can be used as an auxiliary method to help eliminate varicose veins.
Wearing a compression suit can help heal varicose veins early and support the veins during the postoperative period. The effectiveness of compression suits is due to the effect of tissue compression, which leads to compression and varicose veins. There are product models for the treatment of varicose veins in men and pregnant women.
Modern treatment
Medications: creams, ointments and gels
Varicose veins damage blood vessels and cause blood to stagnate. 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 use of these drugs to treat varicose veins can only be done under the supervision of a doctor.
- Based on hormones that have antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effects on varicose veins. They can also reduce tissue swelling.
- Blood thinning drugs prevent venous blood stagnation and thrombosis, thin blood and improve its circulation.
These drugs are actively used for home treatment of varicose veins, but they should be used strictly in accordance with the doctor's instructions. Ointments and gels are usually applied directly to the vascular area twice a day.
Minimally invasive surgery
The minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins does not require surgical intervention, hospitalization and long-term follow-up rehabilitation. Perform non-surgical interventions in the operating room under local anesthesia. These methods of treating varicose veins in the legs are less traumatic.
On the same day, the patient can go home.
In 95% of varicose vein cases, doctors use non-surgical intervention, and only 5% of patients require phlebectomy.
Minimally invasive surgery includes:
- Radiofrequency ablation;
- Sclerotherapy
- Laser ablation
- Veinectomy.
Sclerotherapy
The method of sclerotherapy involves injecting the active substance sclerosing agent into a deformed vein. It clogs the damaged area of the vein, and blood flows along the restored bed. Over time, the isolated part of the vein will dissolve on its own.
Sclerotherapy is performed under continuous ultrasound control. Modern technology has further improved the method of sclerotherapy. Now more and more people are using a more effective method of treating varicose veins-foam sclerotherapy. If the diameter of the vein does not exceed 10 mm, this intervention is performed; this intervention does not actually cause complications during the postoperative period.
After sclerotherapy, patients are advised to wear compression garments for 1 month to consolidate the positive effects.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is one of the least traumatic methods, and it can effectively eliminate varicose veins in the legs. This surgery is suitable for veins of any diameter. The ablation is performed under local anesthesia and under continuous ultrasound control.
Through a small puncture in the vein, the radiofrequency catheter is inserted into the desired part of the tissue surrounding the vein. Next, an anesthetic is injected to form a "water bed" around the damaged vein to protect surrounding tissues from radio waves. After radiofrequency treatment, there is no need for long-term recovery, and the patient can lead an active life as early as 2 weeks after the operation. Despite the high cost, this method has received the best reviews on forums.
The contraindications of radiofrequency ablation are thrombophlebitis and nutritional skin changes.
Laser ablation
Laser ablation is performed in an outpatient clinic, under local anesthesia, ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. After completion, the patient can go home immediately independently of the clinic. The method involves burning blood vessel walls with a laser using a special light guide. As a result, the affected area of the vein becomes blocked.
Over time, the laser-treated area will dissolve.
Several types of optical fibers are used for laser ablation:
- End-suitable for veins up to 1 cm in diameter;
- Radial-suitable for veins of any diameter, covering 360 degrees.
After the laser treatment procedure, patients are advised to wear elastic stockings for prevention. The type of linen and the time of use are prescribed by the phlebologist; the price of such aids has recently become lower.
Venuleectomy
During the venuleectomy, the surgeon uses a special hook to remove the affected area of the vein. These hooks are inserted into the vein through a micro incision up to 1 mm long. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
The recovery period after treatment is 3-5 days, after which the patient can go to work. During the operation, a bruise will form at the contact site and will dissolve on its own after 3-4 weeks. It is recommended to wear a compression suit during the first 2 weeks after the venuleectomy.
The advantages of microphlebectomy include the ability to apply the technique to veins of any diameter and completely remove the affected area of the vein.
Phlebectomy
If the varicose veins of the legs are completely ignored and the non-surgical treatment plan does not produce positive results, the patient is prescribed surgical removal of the damaged vein-phlebectomy. Only surgery can help cure varicose veins in advanced cases.
Phlebectomy is performed in the hospital under spinal cord or general anesthesia and takes no more than 2 hours. After the operation, the patient is under observation in the treatment center for 1-2 days.
Indications for surgery:
- Serious violation of blood flow;
- Extensive varicose veins;
- Serious complications of varicose veins-thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcer.
The risk of complications during surgery is small, but phlebectomy has contraindications:
- Skin inflammation process;
- Internal deep vein thrombosis;
- Cardiovascular diseases;
- hypertension;
- Infectious diseases;
- Pregnant.
For phlebectomy, a special probe is inserted into the vein through a small incision in the skin. The enlarged vein is mechanically removed, and the incision is sutured.
During the postoperative period, the patient was prescribed intravenous injections and means to reduce blood viscosity. It is recommended to wear compression underwear for 2 months, exercise in a special gymnasium and walk in fresh air.
Cycling and swimming are also helpful.
Treating varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies at home
If you solve the problem comprehensively while consulting a doctor, folk remedies for varicose veins in the legs are effective in the initial stage of the disease. In order to eliminate this disease, you need to take a series of measures:
- Give up the habit of sitting cross-legged.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- Add fiber-containing foods to your diet, avoid fried, greasy and spicy foods, and take vitamins and beneficial trace elements.
- Use folk remedies (decoctions, tinctures, dressings, rubbing) to remove varicose veins on the legs.
The performance of apple cider vinegar on varicose veins of the legs
Apple cider vinegar helps relieve swelling, pain and heaviness in the legs of varicose veins. This product contains more than 20 kinds of minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to the body, as well as vitamins A, C, and B. Apple cider vinegar can strengthen the walls of blood vessels, help relieve edema and condition the skin.
Use apple cider vinegar to treat varicose veins:
- compression. Soak the bandage in clean vinegar, apply it to the varicose veins on the skin, wrap it in cellophane, and warm it with a towel. Place your legs horizontally 50 cm above your body, such as on the armrest of a sofa. Keep compressed for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- wipe. After regular water treatment, apply apple cider vinegar to the painful varicose veins of the lower extremities, and do not rinse the product from the skin until the next shower.
- Watering. The recipe is very simple: dilute 150 grams of apple cider vinegar in 2 warm water. Put your feet in the basin, and slowly pour the prepared solution from the ladle into the swollen vein. Drain the water and repeat the process again within 5 minutes. Do not dry your feet after falling down, but let them dry naturally.
Clay lotions and dressings
For the treatment of varicose veins, blue, green or white clay is useful and can be purchased in pharmacies. Soak the clay in cold water and brush on the varicose veins of the legs. The thickness of the clay layer must be at least 1 cm. The top is covered with polyethylene and does not require insulation. Keep this cold compress for 1 to 1. 5 hours, then take a cold shower.
Clay compression should be performed twice a week for a total of 12 times.
Cold compresses are as useful as warm compresses in treating varicose veins on the legs. When the temperature drops, the veins narrow, the metabolism speeds up, and the lymph fluid is released to expel toxins and toxins from the body. Clay coating effectively eliminates swelling and helps relieve leg fatigue.
Acacia flower tincture
White acacia flower tincture helps treat varicose veins. It is used in the form of compression, friction, emulsion.
The tincture can dissolve swollen vein knots.
Prepare the tincture and pour in 100 grams. Add half a liter of vodka to the white acacia flower and leave it in a dark place for three weeks. The infusion is filtered and rubbed into the skin where venous dilation is visible every day. The more you do this, the faster the normal blood circulation in the legs will be restored. First, the vascular network will become thinner and disappear, and over time, the deep veins will also disappear.