Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a chronic disease accompanied by bundle dilation of the vessels of the legs. The main causes of varicose veins are hereditary predisposition, overwork or sedentary lifestyle. Women are more susceptible to this disease, especially after childbirth. In men, varicose veins of the legs may be due to the presence of arteriovenous communications.
When the first signs of varicose veins appear, which include visible 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 treatment for varicose veins is quite diverse and can only reduce the symptoms of this disease, but 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 helps keep the veins in good shape. Among the most effective are:
Wheel Exercise
- Bicycle: lie on your back, move your legs in a circle.
- Spin tennis or baseball on the floor with your feet. If you use a special massage ball, you can improve microcirculation.
- When straightening the fingers, the calf muscle is well trained, which compresses the varicose veins.
- Swimming with a board will help you bring all the muscles of the legs in excellent physical shape with minimal strain on them.
A diet designed to reduce excess weight, rich in plant fiber and limit the intake of animal fats and carbohydrates, allows you to reduce the load on the legs and can be successfully used to treat varicose veins at home.
Knitwear (socks, stockings) for the treatment of varicose veins differs in the degree of compression. To properly place it at home, you often need to use special devices. It is necessary to wear underwear throughout the day, removing only at night. The principle of action is based on the external compression of the dilated vessels of the legs and the improvement of blood flow. Instead of medical jersey, for the treatment of varicose veins, you can use a simple elastic bandage, which is wound in a spiral from the fingertips to the middle of the thigh with a heel grip. It is important that the new turn overlaps the previous one at least in half.
A pneumatic massager, which consists of several cuffs that supply compressed air, can be effective in treating varicose veins in the early stages of the disease. In this case, the compression method is used, due to which the blood circulation is improved and the swelling is reduced. You can use this device at home.
Medications
It is recommended to treat varicose veins of the legs with the help of ointments and tablets only at the beginning of the disease or with the development of complications.
The main classes of drugs include:
- Verotonics increase the tone of the veins, relieve swelling and improve the outflow of peripheral blood.
- Drugs that improve microcirculation are effective when taken orally or in the form of droppers.
- Antiplatelet agents that prevent blood clots. These include heparin ointments.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling in varicose veins.
The use of all drugs should be agreed with the doctor, as there is a possibility of side effects.
It is impossible to treat varicose veins with traditional methods, you can only slow down the process and delay the onset of serious complications such as thrombophlebitis.
When is surgery indicated?
Surgical treatment of varicose veins does not always involve open surgery. Thanks to modern achievements there is a possibility for outpatient removal of varicose veins of the legs. The following methods of radical treatment are most often used:
- Sclerotherapy is based on the introduction into the lumen of the affected vein of a substance that clings to it and excludes 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 methods of treatment that lead to destruction of the inner lining of the vein. It is performed under local anesthesia and leaves no traces on the skin.
- Phlebectomy is the direct removal of a vein through small incisions. This method allows you to treat varicose veins, but gradually fades into the background, as the operation is quite traumatic and the rehabilitation period is long.
How traditional medicine can help
Varicose veins of the legs are a fairly common problem, including among pregnant women for whom treatment with conventional methods is contraindicated. That is why so many recipes for folk remedies to alleviate the manifestations of this disease at home have been created:
- Decoction of common hops is taken in a glass three times a day. To prepare it, you need to take a tablespoon of crushed cones and pour boiling water over it.
- In the treatment of apple cider vinegar it is necessary to rub their feet daily for a month and at the same time to drink a teaspoon of it dissolved in water.
- Sliced green tomatoes or grated raw potatoes can be applied to the compacted bumps overnight.
- The substances that make up horse chestnut have a tonic effect on the veins. To prepare a liter of tincture, you need to pour 50 g of inflorescences with vodka for two weeks. Drink 2 tablespoons three times a day.
- To make an effective ointment, you need to take a teaspoon of dried St. John's wort, coltsfoot, chamomile, meadow and chicory, pour 100 ml of water, bring to a boil and mix with badger fat. Apply three times a day for a week under a plastic bandage.
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 lifestyles and excessive strain on the legs play an important role in the development of varicose veins. To reduce the likelihood of this disease and slow down the development of symptoms, you can perform special exercises and diet. But it is possible to treat varicose veins only surgically after a complete examination.