Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs and treatment depend on each other.When varicose veins in the legs first begin to develop, they can be prevented by taking specialized medications and using topical creams.They will help weakened blood vessels regain their previous tone.If the signs of varicose veins in the legs begin to appear stronger, i.e.If spider veins and severe swelling appear, then you should use hardware therapy to restore normal blood circulation.
Not all patients know how to properly treat varicose veins without surgery.Some say that taking herbs and using homemade ointments can help, but this is only a small part of the treatments for varicose veins on the legs, which are effective in the early stages of the disease.When the symptoms of varicose veins in the legs become permanent, you need to consult a doctor, who will prescribe the necessary medications and advise on treatment for each specific patient.We will further review the most common treatments for varicose veins of the lower extremities (VLVC).
Treatment with medication
As we mentioned earlier, the type of varicose veins affects its treatment characteristics.In the early stages, doctors try to treat it with medication.One of its advantages is that it does not require direct surgical intervention.But even if varicose veins of the lower limbs have entered the second stage, you cannot stop taking the medicine.They will help improve blood flow in varicose veins and prevent further stretching of the vessel walls.
Ointments and gels
These remedies increase the tone of blood vessels in the legs.They can be used to treat veins located near the surface of the legs.If the disease affects the deep veins, then ointments and gels will not help because they cannot penetrate muscle barriers.Treatment of varicose veins in the legs is carried out with the following drugs:
- The ointment has the main active ingredient flavonoid (a derivative of rutin).Taking pills with this active ingredient is considered the most effective, but the gel can also help cope with the initial stages of varicose veins.
- Medicine based on horse chestnut.Apply 2 times a day to damaged vessels.
- The gel is designed to eliminate the feeling of fatigue in the legs.Has a cooling effect.
- Another herbal preparation, the main active ingredient of which is grape leaf extract.
- A drug containing a synthetic derivative of vitamin P. Strengthens blood vessels, reduces swelling and helps treat rosacea.
Tablets and capsules
If varicose veins in the legs progress or an examination finds that the patient has weak and thin veins, the doctor will prescribe medication.
Injectable drugs
If the patient is affected by small veins, then the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities can be carried out using a variety of drugs that act on the vessels.Most often, products based on iodine or synthetic sclerosants are used.The advantage of these drugs is that they do not cause thrombosis but only burn the vessel walls.Animal protein injections can also be used, but they are used very rarely.
Procedure
Varicose veins of the lower limbs cannot always be cured with injections and regular medications.In the advanced stages of the disease, hardware intervention will be required in the affected vessels.The essence of all procedures is to block or eliminate the affected vein.If the patient has contraindications to the use of lasers, nitrogen and other chemicals, the destroyed vessels will be surgically removed.When treating varicose veins, the patient may be referred:
- sclerotherapy;
- phlebectomy;
- radiofrequency ablation;
- compression therapy;
- laser coagulation;
- laparoscopic dissection;
- cryosurgery;
- ozone therapy.
Each treatment method has positive and negative characteristics and is only suitable for a specific type of varicose veins.Hidden varicose veins in the lower extremities are rarely treated surgically.In this case, the only effective way to remove it is to clamp the entire surface of the vein.The surgery is very complicated and is extremely rarely performed if the telangiectasia threatens the patient's life.
Sclerotherapy
Varicose veins of the lower extremities can be treated with sclerotherapy.They damage the vessel, leading to further drying out.The fibers appear after 2-4 months, but the patient notices the first advantages of the procedure 10-15 days after surgery.The most significant advantage of this procedure is that there are no incisions in the skin.There is also a minus.Not all patients have venous lesions removed from the bloodstream.In about 30% of patients, it regenerates and the disease continues to develop further.Stages of sclerotherapy:
- The area where the solution is introduced is disinfected.
- If necessary, anesthesia is performed.
- Using a syringe with a thin needle, the phlebologist will inject into varicose veins and spider veins.
- Once the procedure is complete, an elastic bandage is wrapped around the leg and the patient is taken for a 40-minute walk.
- Your doctor will remove the elastic bandage one day after the procedure.
Removal of veins
When conservative treatment of varicose veins in the legs does not help at all, there is a risk of developing chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the lower limbs, and minimally invasive methods of manipulating the veins do not bring results, doctors refer the patient to surgical phlebectomy.This operation is performed to remove large bundles of overly dilated blood vessels.The patient must be anesthetized.Usually, doctors use combined phlebectomy.The operation is performed as follows:
- Diagonal cut.The patient has a small incision made in the groin area, where the base of the damaged superficial vein is located.The venous valve is cut and the blood vessels are ligated.
- The second incision is made in the lower leg or ankle area.Its length is 1.5 cm.Through the hole formed, a metal probe is inserted into the damaged vein.It is fixed at the opposite end of the vessel.If it is not possible to go through the entire vein to the end, several incisions will be made and several probes inserted.
- Deprivation.The damaged vein is pulled out through the incision.The edge of the tip passing through the probe acts as a knife.It frees the vessel from surrounding tissues.
- Removal of small veins.If the veins are generally healthy but knotted, they will be removed through special points marked with incisions.The veins and branches are reconnected.
- Stitch.After that, the puncture sites and incisions are sutured, bandaged and the patient is transferred to the ward.
Phlebectomy may include one or more stages or all of them.The number of procedures depends on the degree of neglect of the disease.Modern clinics perform laser phlebectomy.The essence of the operation remains the same, but instead of using specialized surgical instruments, lasers are used.The advantages of this method are obvious.The incisions themselves become smaller and the patient's recovery is faster.But it cannot be used at all stages of varicose veins.
Radiofrequency ablation
To get varicose-free legs, you don't have to sacrifice the beauty of your skin.Using radiofrequency ablation, you can remove damaged blood vessels in minutes.Through a small puncture, high-frequency radio waves are transmitted through a special needle into the vein.They damage the vessel walls, leading to their reduction and replacement by connective tissue.The patient was only hospitalized for 1 day.
Compression therapy
This procedure is performed for varicose veins in the legs in the early stages.A specialized rubber suit is put on the patient, then air is pumped into the patient.Artificial pressure is created on the veins, helping to restore their tone.Some patients note that after undergoing a compression therapy, the amount of cellulite on their body has decreased.
Laser coagulation
This is a modern method of treating leg veins.It is characterized by low tissue trauma, so many patients try to do this particular procedure.The essence of this operation is that a laser light guide is inserted into the damaged vein through a small size to seal it.The doctor must carefully move the device along the entire length of the vessel.After surgery, there were no scars or other side effects.
Laparoscopic dissection
When dilating superficial veins and perforations, this method of surgical intervention is used.When suffering from varicose veins of the lower limbs, patients often have trophic ulcers.Injuries to superficial veins or perforated veins themselves cannot cause skin disorders.This disease develops against the background of circulatory failure.To normalize it, laparoscopic dissection is performed.Stages of the procedure:
- The drumstick is cut at the top.The width of the incision is 2 cm.The surgeon also opens the fascia capsule, then uses a spoon to create a cavity to insert the endoscope along with the instruments.
- Isolate and remove veins.
- Method without using gas.The veins are isolated and excised by the surgeon using optical control.
- Gas method.Carbon dioxide is injected into the wound.A cavity is formed in the wound, in which all the veins that need to be removed appear.
- Stitch.
Cryosurgery
When treating veins in the legs, low temperature exposure can be used.This method is considered completely safe, but is rarely used because... There is no guarantee that varicose veins will completely disappear after such therapy.Contrary to popular belief, this activity does not use any chemicals but uses refrigerators.It is cooled to a certain extent, causing the jar to burn.An inexperienced doctor can damage tissue adjacent to blood vessels during surgery.
Ozone therapy
When the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities occur, some doctors recommend resorting to physiotherapy treatment.The essence of the procedure is that ozone is injected into the vein.The drug is strictly dosed because its excess can lead to blood cell damage.The effectiveness of ozone therapy is the same as other treatments that damage blood vessels.
Medical knitwear
For symptoms of varicose veins in the legs, doctors prescribe compression garments for treatment.Your doctor will help you choose hosiery and compression level.For segmental varicose veins in the lower extremities, a level 2 compression underwear is recommended. His blood pressure will be 32 mmHg.If you are just thinking about how to treat varicose veins on your legs, but there are no obvious signs of the disease, then as an experiment you can first buy compression underwear.You can buy 3- and 4-degree compression hosiery in pharmacies only with a doctor's prescription.
Traditional medicine
When treating varicose veins in the legs according to the prescription of a traditional healer, you need to be extremely careful.First, certain plants and herbs thin the blood.If your platelet and hemoglobin levels are normal, treatment is not possible.Second, there is no substitute for medical treatment.You cannot refuse to take medication.For varicose veins, the following recipes are considered effective:
- Mixture of garlic and oil.Garlic with its peel is ground into a paste, then mixed with 2 tablespoons of butter.The resulting composition is applied to the diseased veins overnight, put parchment on top and wrap with a scarf.
- Potato.5 types of raw vegetables, peeled and pureed.The resulting pulp is used instead of ointment.It is kept on your feet for 4 hours and then washed off with warm water.
- Kalanchoe tincture.Wash the Kalanchoe leaves, put them in a jar and fill it with 70% alcohol solution.Infuse the preparation for 14 days.The resulting tincture is then lubricated on the feet daily.The procedure is carried out in 3-5 months.
Hirudo therapy
In the early stages of varicose veins in the legs, patients with “thick” blood are referred to treatment with leeches.The effects of the procedure will not appear immediately.It is necessary to complete at least 5-6 sessions to notice the first improvement.2 leeches are placed on the area most damaged by varicose veins, then a few more leeches are attached along the entire length of the vein.The treatment is repeated every 3 months.
Prevention of varicose veins
First of all, everyone needs to learn how to sit properly.The more traditional twisting of the lower limbs and crossing of the legs results in interrupted blood flow in the veins.As a result, under the influence of physical force, blood vessels stretch and varicose veins appear on the lower limbs.The good news is that at this stage 0, the progression of the disease can be reversed but not everyone is ready to give up this habit.Methods for preventing varicose veins in the lower extremities include:
- Take a long walk.The more a person walks, the better the blood circulates in the veins.Additionally, this method helps eliminate excess fat stores and increase overall endurance.
- Massage your feet and legs.It can be done during breaks between work hours.You need to slowly and gently massage your toes, legs and thighs.Don't put too much pressure on your legs, because... if you have a congenital tendency to varicose veins, you may aggravate the vascular condition.
- Contrast bath.It benefits the whole body, but if you don't feel comfortable taking it, you can just treat your feet.
- Compress with herbal decoction.Chrysanthemum, calendula, St.John's wort and other plants help normalize blood flow and reduce muscle tension.
- Apple cider vinegar based rub/wrap.This substance is found in most kitchens.Apple cider vinegar has the effect of stimulating blood vessels.It causes them to contract, helping to restore the muscle cells in the wall.But this method cannot be used if you have a leg injury.Apple cider vinegar is not used in its pure form but mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.You need to choose items according to size.Don't wear jeans that are too tight or high heels that feel uncomfortable.
- Gymnastics.Office workers can perform exercises to speed up blood circulation even while sitting in a chair.You can simply straighten your legs or bend your knees, but it's better to walk near your workplace.
Diet and nutrition
At all stages of varicose veins, a balanced diet must be followed.Foods with high cholesterol content should be excluded.If the patient likes beef or pork, they should not fry it in oil.It is allowed to grill or boil fatty meat.Doctors recommend eating more foods containing protein, magnesium, calcium and selenium.These include beans, most fruits, and walnuts.
Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins
Non-surgical treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities includes performing certain physical exercises.Squats, leg swings, and any exercises that involve working out with your own weight are allowed.It is necessary to completely exclude from training exercises with large weights (50-60 kg), bending, stretching on a chair and long runs.The most effective exercises for varicose veins:
- Scissors and a bicycle.Perform at a medium speed, lying on the floor.
- Leg rotation.You need to stand up, grab the stand with your hands, lift one leg, move it to the side and start rotating.5 movements facing inward, 5 movements facing outward.
- Roll while standing from toe to heel.
Stretching and warming up always start from the upper body.You cannot immediately start active training or just warm up your legs, because... this will not help improve the condition of the vascular system.You can also walk on site.If your body mass index is significantly higher, you should first lose weight and then start exercising.