Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a chronic disease, accompanied by a group of varicose veins of the legs. The main causes of varicose veins are hereditary predisposition, excessive load or sedentary lifestyle. Women are more prone to this disease, especially after childbirth. In men, varicose veins in the legs may be due to the presence of arterio-venous communications.
At the first signs of varicose veins, visible changes in the nodules in the blood vessels, pain and swelling of the legs and feet, it is advisable to consult a doctor. After examination and accurate diagnosis, the doctor will determine how to treat varicose veins in each case.
Conservative therapy
Conservative therapy for varicose veins is very diverse and can only reduce the manifestations of the disease, but can not cure the cause.
Diet and compression
Special exercises for varicose veins that anyone can do at home. They are aimed at strengthening the muscles of the legs, which help keep the arteries in good condition. Among the most effective:
"Cycling" training
- Cycling: Lying on your back, move your legs in a circular motion.
- Roll a tennis or baseball ball on the floor with your feet. If you use a special massage ball, you can improve microcirculation.
- When standing on the toes, the calf muscle is well trained, which compresses the varicose veins.
- Swimming with the board will help to bring all the muscles of the legs into excellent physical shape with minimal stress.
A diet designed to reduce excess weight, rich in plant fiber and limiting the intake of animal fats and carbohydrates, allows you to reduce the load on the legs and can be used successfully to treat varicose veins at home.
Knitwear (knee socks, stockings) for the treatment of varicose veins differs in the degree of compression. You often need to use special devices to wear it properly at home. You need to wear underwear during the day, just take it off at night. The principle of action is based on the external compression of varicose veins of the legs and the improvement of blood flow. To treat varicose veins, instead of medical knitwear, you can use an ordinary elastic bandage wrapped in a spiral with a heel grip from the fingertips to the middle of the thigh. It is important that the new queue overlaps with the previous one by at least half.
A pneumatic massager, consisting of several cuffs that include air under pressure, can be effective in treating varicose veins in the early stages of the disease. In this case, the compression method is used, which improves blood circulation and reduces swelling. You can use this device at home.
Medications
It is recommended to treat varicose veins in the legs only at the beginning of the disease or with the development of complications with the help of ointments and tablets.
The main classes of drugs include:
- Verotonics increase vascular tone, eliminate swelling and improve peripheral blood flow.
- Drugs that improve microcirculation are effective when taken orally or in the form of drops.
- Antiplatelet agents that prevent blood clotting. These include heparin ointments.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling in varicose veins.
The use of all medications should be agreed with the doctor, as side effects are possible.
It is not possible to treat varicose veins using traditional methods, you can only slow down the process and delay the appearance of serious complications such as thrombophlebitis.
When is the operation shown?
Surgical treatment of varicose veins does not always involve open surgery. Thanks to modern advances, there is an opportunity for outpatient removal of varicose veins in the legs. The following radical treatments are most commonly used:
- Sclerotherapy is based on the insertion of a substance into the lumen of the affected vessel, which connects it and removes it from the systemic circulation. This method is suitable for small diameter vessels in the early stages of the disease. The recurrence rate reaches 30%.
- Radiofrequency ablation and laser removal are modern and effective treatments that destroy the lining of blood vessels. It is performed under local anesthesia and does not leave any marks on the skin.
- Phlebectomy is the direct removal of a vein through small incisions. This method allows you to treat varicose veins, but because the operation is very traumatic and the rehabilitation period is long, it gradually fades into the background.
How traditional medicine can help
Varicose veins of the legs are a very common problem, and traditional methods of treatment are contraindicated among pregnant women. Therefore, many recipes for folk remedies have been created at home to alleviate the manifestations of this disease:
- A decoction of ordinary hops is taken in a glass three times a day. To prepare it, take a tablespoon of crushed cones and pour boiling water over them.
- When treating with apple cider vinegar, you need to rub your feet every day for a month and at the same time dissolve a teaspoon in water.
- Sliced green tomatoes or grated raw potatoes can be squeezed overnight.
- The substances that make up horse chestnut have a tonic effect on the arteries. To prepare a liter tincture need to pour 50 g inflorescences with vodka for two weeks. Drink 2 tablespoons three times a day.
- To prepare an effective ointment, take a teaspoon of dry St. John's wort, coltsfoot, chamomile, meadow and chicory, pour 100 ml of water, bring to a boil and mix with badger oil. Apply under a plastic bandage three times a day for a week.
Our grandmothers' recipes are not always effective, but they allow you to treat varicose veins at home when there is no other option. Do not abuse it, it is better to contact a vascular surgeon for examination and treatment.
Hereditary factors, unhealthy lifestyle and excessive stress on the legs play an important role in the development of varicose veins. You can do special exercises and diet to reduce the likelihood of this disease and slow the development of symptoms. However, varicose veins can be treated surgically only after a thorough examination.