Varicose veins are a common disease characterized by enlarged lumen of blood vessels, failure of the valve apparatus and the formation of reverse blood flow. The pathological process can be localized in different places, so there are several types of disease:
- dilation of the vessels of the esophagus;
- rectal veins (hemorrhoids);
- small pelvic vessels;
- vessels of the spermatic cord (varicocele);
- vessels 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 in the legs are not only ugly protruding veins, but also a lot of unpleasant feelings and worries. The pathological process is accompanied by severity, pain, edema, and often leads to dangerous complications: thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers. Many people want to know how to get rid of varicose veins forever, because it significantly worsens the quality of life. 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 clearly understood. It is understood that the disease is associated with thinning of the vessel wall, weakness and loss of elasticity, as well as valve insufficiency. As a result, the veins dilate unevenly, elongate, elongate, bend, and become nodular. It is believed that there is a genetic predisposition that plays a decisive role in the onset of the disease, that is, from birth, in weak blood vessels and defective valves.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins, although they are not the causes:
- Heredity (according to experts, people whose parents suffer from it have a 70% risk of the disease).
- Female. This is due to hormonal changes during adolescence, pregnancy and menopause, as well as taking hormonal contraceptives and wearing high heels.
- Labor activities associated with prolonged stay in the standing or sitting position (hairdressers, salespeople, surgeons, waiters, drivers, accountants, programmers, etc. ).
- Weakening of the walls of blood vessels and wear of the valve apparatus is a natural phenomenon of old age.
- Operational interventions.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure due to overweight, pregnancy, lifting heavy loads (loaders, weightlifters), chronic constipation and frequent tension with cough.
Methods of treatment
Varicose veins are a chronic process that begins gradually and only progresses over time. To date, it is not possible to completely defeat the disease, but if complex treatment is applied, it is possible to slow down the development and reduce symptoms, including:
- lifestyle changes;
- diet;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- compression therapy;
- medicines (for internal use and local administration);
- surgical intervention;
- heating procedures;
- folk methods.
You will have to fight varicose veins for the rest of your life. It should not be treated on its own. It should be examined by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon who diagnoses, determines the stage of the disease and the severity of the injury, and prescribes appropriate treatment. The main task is to eliminate or reduce clinical manifestations, stop the progression, prevent the development of relapses and complications.
The effectiveness of treatment will depend on whether the patient follows all the recommendations of the doctor. It is important to seek help in the early stages, there is still no pain, but in the evening there was swelling, heaviness and fatigue of the legs, small spider veins on the skin.
Lifestyle correction
It is impossible to fight varicose veins effectively without changing your lifestyle. The rules to follow are completely banal, and failure to follow them is usually associated with a lack of willpower or irresponsible attitude to health.
- Maintain a normal body weight.
- Get rid of bad habits: alcohol and smoking.
- Refuse to sunbathe, visit steam rooms and saunas, take hot baths (including foot baths).
- Avoid high heels (no more than 4-5 cm).
- Wear special stretch knitwear.
- Ensuring physical activity. This can be walking, swimming, physiotherapy exercises, some sports. The main thing is to exclude the skills of squatting, weightlifting, long-distance running, jumping, martial arts.
- Proper nutrition. The diet should include more fresh vegetables, fruits, greens, whole grains, seafood. It is recommended to reduce the amount of meat. Smoky, fried, salty, fatty foods should be avoided. Drink green tea, clean water, fruit drinks, natural fresh juices and limit coffee.
- Use every opportunity during the day to raise your legs at an angle of about 20 degrees.
- Get a special pillow for the feet so that it is above the level of the heart during sleep.
- Try to rinse your feet with cool water as often as possible.
Compression therapy
Special stretch knitwear is available in a wide range today. These are knees, socks, tights of different colors and densities, which are practically no different from the usual ones. They have become a good alternative to elastic bandages, are inconvenient to use and are not aesthetically pleasing.
Special knitwear can not cure varicose veins, but improves microcirculation, reduces vascular stress, prevents blood stasis, reduces the diameter of blood vessels, increases venous blood and lymph flow. A person feels lightness in the legs, less tired until the evening, no swelling.
At first, it will be difficult, without the habit of wearing compression stockings by hand. You can buy a special device to make things easier for yourself.
There are four types of medical knitwear, depending on the pressure applied. You can only wear 1st class compression products that are considered prophylactic and are designed for more 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 can be a contraindication for certain diseases. Pantyhose or stockings are carefully selected by the doctor according to their size, otherwise they will not have the desired effect.
Drug treatment
For the treatment of varicose veins are used tablets and external agents in the form of gels, creams and ointments of various spectra. They increase vascular tone, improve microcirculation, increase blood flow and prevent skin changes. The drugs are designed to relieve fatigue, heaviness, discomfort, swelling, itching, cramps and pain in the legs. They are strictly determined individually.
The mainstay of treatment for varicose veins is venotonic. 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.
Feet with varicose veins should be rubbed daily with gel or cream and rubbed with light movements.
Anticoagulants are used to reduce blood viscosity and reduce the likelihood of thrombophlebitis. These are heparin-based ointments 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 vein to stop the flow of blood from the superficial vein to the skin. The operation is called phlebectomy. In the classical form, it is less used today due to the emergence of new, less traumatic methods of combating varicose veins. Such treatment is usually indicated for large vessel diameters and advanced cases of the disease.
A milder method is microflebectomy, in which a portion of a vessel is cut through a puncture, not an incision.
Thermal methods
Although radiofrequency ablation has some contraindications, it is considered the safest and least traumatic method of treating varicose veins. The method consists of the thermal action of microwave ovens, as a result of which the venous lumen is closed. Main advantages:
- outpatient treatment;
- no need for anesthesia and incisions;
- recovery does not take long;
- the procedure is easily tolerated;
- can be done in the summer;
- There are no bruises after treatment, swelling and pain are insignificant.
Radiofrequency 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 causes the vessel walls to stick together and the lumen to close completely. It is performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. A catheter is inserted into the lumen of the vessel, through which an LED is inserted and radiation is transmitted. The procedure is lowly traumatic, complications are very rare.
Sclerotherapy
This non-surgical method is one of the most common. It is used in small vessels and as part of a complex treatment with surgery. The result is that a special drug with a sclerosing effect is injected into a vein with a thin needle. As a result, the walls of the vessel stick together, closing, and stopping blood flow. The affected vessel becomes a fibrous cord. The main advantages of the method:
- outpatient treatment;
- low invasiveness;
- ease of execution;
- the duration of the procedure is about 20 minutes;
- gives a good cosmetic effect.
When the disease begins, a complication such as deep vein thrombosis may develop.
Traditional methods
Walnut tincture
Pour the chopped unripe walnuts into a glass jar and pour olive oil on top. Put in the sun for 40 days. Lubricate the affected area and apply as needed. Continue treatment for about four months.
Cabbage leaves
Beat the cabbage leaves, apply a layer of olive oil on one side, rub this side on the sore spot, wrap and leave for a day. Continue treatment for a month.
The horse was chestnut
This is one of the most effective folk remedies. For the treatment of varicose veins, a tincture of the fruit of the plant is prepared, it is necessary to crush it, fill half of it in a glass bowl (three liters) and fill it with vodka. Remove in a dark place for a month, stirring occasionally. When ready, rub into painful areas overnight. Chestnut alcohol tincture for external and internal use with 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 arises as to whether it is possible to exercise and exercise, and what exercises are useful. Most doctors agree that physical activity is very important in such a disease, because the dynamics are beneficial for the arteries and are statically harmful. However, it is equally important to consult your doctor about what sports you can do and what loads are optimal. In addition, the patient can be shown special therapeutic exercises performed directly in the medical institution. You can also do simple but effective exercises at home that will help reduce the symptoms of varicose veins with regular exercise.
- Lie on your back, put a pillow under your feet so that it rises at an angle of 20 degrees. Close your eyes, relax completely, take a deep breath.
- In the supine position, lift your legs vertically and turn your legs in and out alternately.
- Lie on your back and move your legs as you ride a bike.
- Lying on your back, lift your legs and cross them (scissors).
- Stand up straight, lower your arms and legs together. Slowly rise to your toes, then slowly descend.
- Walk in place, do not tear socks.
- Sitting in a chair, bend your ankles towards you and move away from you, then bend your toes in the same way.
- Pour over the feet with an elastic stream of water (alternatively cool and warm).
The result
Varicose veins are an irreversible process, but they must be treated, especially in combination with several modern methods. Without treatment, there is a high risk of developing complications such as chronic venous insufficiency, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, trophic ulcers, and even a life-threatening condition such as pulmonary embolism.