Everything about the treatment of varicose veins in the legs

Symptoms of varicose veins on the legs and treatment depend on each other.When varicose veins on the legs have just started to develop, they can be stopped by taking specialized medications and using creams.They will help weakened blood vessels regain their previous tone.If the signs of varicose veins in the legs start to appear stronger, e.g.if varicose veins and severe swelling appear, then it is worth resorting to hardware therapy that restores normal blood circulation.

Not all patients know how to properly treat varicose veins of the legs without surgery.Some suggest that taking herbs and using homemade ointments can help, but this is only a small part of the methods of treating varicose veins on the legs, effective in the initial stages of the disease.When the symptoms of varicose veins on the legs become permanent, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary medications and advise how to treat a particular patient.We will further consider the most popular methods of treating varicose veins of the lower extremities (VLVC).

Drug therapy

As mentioned above, the shape of varicose veins affects the features of its treatment.In the early stages, doctors try to get by with drug therapy.One of its advantages is the absence of direct surgical intervention.But even if varicose veins of the lower extremities have entered the second stage, you cannot stop taking the drugs.They will help improve blood flow in varicose veins and prevent further stretching of the vascular wall.

Ointments and gels

These remedies increase the tone of the blood vessels in the legs.They can be used to treat veins that are located near the surface of the legs.If the disease affects the deep veins, ointments and gels will not help, because they cannot penetrate the muscle barriers.Treatment of varicose veins on the legs is carried out with the following drugs:

• An ointment whose main active ingredient is a flavonoid (a derivative of rutin).Taking tablets with this active ingredient is considered the most effective, but the gel can also help cope with the initial stage of varicose veins.
• Horse chestnut medicine.Apply 2 times a day on damaged vessels.
• Gel designed to eliminate the feeling of fatigue in the legs.It has a refreshing effect.
• Another herbal preparation, the main active ingredient of which is a grape leaf extract.
• A drug containing a synthetic derivative of vitamin P. Strengthens blood vessels, reduces swelling and helps in the treatment of rosacea.

Tablets and capsules

If the dilation of the veins of the legs progresses or during the examination it is discovered that the patient has weak and thin veins, doctors prescribe tablets.

Injections

If the patient has affected small veins, treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities can be carried out by administering various drugs that have an adhesive effect on the vessels.Very often, products based on iodine or synthetic sclerosing substances are used.The advantage of these drugs is that they do not cause thrombosis, but simply burn the vascular wall.Injections with animal proteins can also be used, but are used very rarely.

Procedures

Dilation of the veins of the lower extremities cannot always be treated with injections and conventional medications.In the advanced stages of the disease, hardware intervention on the affected vessels will be necessary.The essence of all procedures is to stop or eliminate the affected vein.If the patient has contraindications to the use of lasers, nitrogen and other chemicals, the destroyed vessels are removed surgically.When treating varicose veins, the patient may be directed to:

• sclerotherapy;
• phlebectomy;
• radiofrequency ablation;
• compression therapy;
• laser coagulation;
• endoscopic 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 of the lower extremities are rarely treated with surgery.In this case the only effective way to eliminate it is to apply clips over the entire surface of the vein.The operation is very complex and is performed extremely rarely if the vasodilation puts the patient's life at risk.

Sclerotherapy

Varicose veins of the lower extremities can be treated with sclerosants.They damage the vessel, which leads to its further drying.Threads after the introduction of sclerosing form after 2-4 months, but patients notice the first benefits of the procedure 10-15 days after the operation.The most significant advantage of this procedure is the absence of incisions on the skin.There is also a downside.Not all patients have a damaged vein removed from the bloodstream.In approximately 30% of patients it regenerates and the disease continues to develop further.Phases of sclerotherapy:

1. The area where the solution is introduced is disinfected.
2. If necessary, anesthetic is administered.
3. Using a syringe with a thin needle, the phlebologist makes injections into dilated veins and varicose veins.
4. Once the procedure is completed, an elastic bandage is wrapped around the leg and the patient is sent to walk for 40 minutes.
5. The elastic bandage is removed by the doctor one day after the operation.

Phlebectomy

When conservative treatment of varicose veins of the legs does not help at all, there is a risk of developing chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the lower extremities, and minimally invasive methods of influencing the veins do not give results, doctors direct the patient to phlebectomy.This operation is performed to remove large bundles of excessively dilated areas of blood vessels.The patient should be given anesthesia.Very often doctors resort to combined phlebectomy.The operation is performed as follows:

1. Crossectomy.The patient is made a small incision in the groin area, where the base of the damaged superficial vein is located.The venous valve is cut and the vessels are tied.
2. The second incision is made in the lower leg or ankle area.Its length is 1.5 cm.Through the resulting hole, a metal probe is inserted into the damaged vein.It is attached to the opposite end of the vessel.If it is impossible to go through the entire vein to the end, several incisions are made and several probes are inserted.
3. Striptease.The damaged vein is pulled out through the incision.The edge of the tip, passed through the probes, plays the role of a knife.Free the vessel from surrounding tissue.
4. Miniphlebectomy.If the vein is generally healthy, but nodes are present, they are removed through special points marked for incisions.The veins and tributaries are linked.
5. Sewing.Then the puncture and incision sites are sutured, compression bandages are tied and the patient is transferred to the ward.

Phlebectomy can include one or more phases, or all of them.The number of procedures depends on the degree of neglect of the disease.Modern clinics practice laser phlebectomy.The very essence of the operation remains the same, but instead of specialized surgical instruments, a laser is used.The advantages of this method are obvious.The incisions themselves become smaller and the patient's rehabilitation is faster.But it cannot be used in all stages of varicose veins.

Radiofrequency ablation

To have legs without varicose veins, you don't have to sacrifice the beauty of your skin.Using radiofrequency ablation, you can eliminate damaged blood vessels in just a couple of minutes.Through a small prick, high-frequency radio waves are transmitted into the veins through a special needle.They injure the wall of the vessel, which leads to its reduction and replacement with connective tissue.The patient is in the hospital for only 1 day.

Compression therapy

This procedure is performed for varicose veins in the legs in the initial stage.The patient is put on a specialized rubber suit and then pumped with air.Artificial pressure is created on the veins, which helps restore their tone.Some patients notice that after undergoing a course of 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 seek to undergo this particular procedure.The essence of the operation is that a laser light guide is inserted into the damaged vein through a small gap, which seals it.The doctor must carefully move the device along the entire length of the vessel.After the operation there are no scars or other side effects.

Endoscopic dissection

When dilating the sural and perforator veins, this method of surgery is used.With varicose veins of the lower extremities, patients often experience trophic ulcers.By itself, damage to the sural or perforating veins cannot cause the appearance of skin disorders.This disease develops against the background of circulatory failure.To normalize it, endoscopic dissection is performed.Procedure steps:

1. The drumstick is cut in the upper third.The width of the incision is 2 cm.The surgeon also opens the fascial sheath and then, with the help of a spatula, forms a cavity into which the endoscope is inserted together with the instruments.
2. Vein isolation and removal.
   • Gas-free method.The veins are isolated and cut by the surgeon using optical control.
   • Gas method.Carbon dioxide is injected into the wounds.A cavity forms in the wound in which all the veins to be removed appear.
   • Sewing.

Cryosurgery

When treating leg veins, exposure to low temperatures can be used.The 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, not chemicals are used for the operation, but a cryoprobe.It is cooled to a certain point, which causes the ship to burn.An inexperienced doctor can damage the tissue located near the vessel during surgery.

Ozone therapy

When the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower limbs appear, some doctors recommend resorting to physiotherapy treatment.The essence of the procedure is that ozone is injected intravenously.The drug is strictly dosed, since its excess can cause damage to blood cells.The effect of ozone therapy is the same as other treatment methods that damage blood vessels.

Medical knitwear

For symptoms of varicose veins in the legs, doctors prescribe wearing compression garments for treatment.A doctor should help you choose hosiery and compression levels.For segmental varicose veins of the lower extremities, it is recommended to wear level 2 compression underwear. Your blood pressure will be 32 mmHg.If you are just thinking about how to deal with varicose veins on the legs, but you have no visible signs of the disease, then for the sake of experiment you can purchase underwear with the first degree of compression.Knitwear with 3 and 4 degrees of compression can be purchased in pharmacies only with a medical prescription.

Traditional medicine

When treating varicose veins on the legs using the prescriptions of healers, you need to be extremely careful.First, some plants and herbs thin the blood.If platelet and hemoglobin levels are normal, they cannot be treated.Secondly, no tariff can replace drug therapy.You cannot refuse to take medications.For varicose veins, the following recipes are considered effective:

• A mixture of garlic and oil.The garlic along with its peel is mashed into a paste and then mixed with 2 tablespoons of butter.The resulting composition is applied to the diseased veins at night, parchment paper is placed on top and wrapped in a scarf.
• Potato.5 raw root vegetables are peeled and then grated.The resulting pulp is used instead of ointment.It is left standing for 4 hours and then washed with warm water.
• Kalanchoe tincture.Kalanchoe leaves are washed, placed in a jar and filled with 70% alcohol solution.Infuse the composition for 14 days.After that, the resulting tincture is lubricated on the feet every day.Procedures are performed over 3-5 months.

Hirudotherapy

In the initial stages of varicose veins of the legs, patients with “thick” blood are subjected to treatment with leeches.The effect 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 another pair is attached along the entire length of the vein.The course of treatment is repeated every 3 months.

Prevention of varicose veins

First of all, absolutely all people must learn to sit correctly.The twisting of the lower extremities and the more traditional crossing of the legs lead to the fact that the flow of blood in the veins is interrupted.As a result, under the influence of physical forces, the vessels stretch and varicose veins of the lower extremities appear.The good news is that at this zero stage the progression of the disease can be reversed, but not all people are ready to abandon this habit.Methods of preventing varicose veins of the superficial veins of the lower extremities include:

• Hiking.The more a person walks, the better the blood circulation in the veins.Additionally, this method helps eliminate excess fat reserves and increase overall stamina.
• Foot and leg massage.It can be done during breaks between work.You need to slowly and lightly massage your toes, shins and thighs.Don't put too much pressure on your legs, because... if you have a congenital tendency to varicose veins, you can worsen the condition of the blood vessels.
• Contrast shower.It is beneficial for the whole body, but if you are not comfortable taking it, you can treat only the legs.
• Compresses with herbal decoctions.Chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort and other plants normalize blood flow and relieve muscle tension.
• Massages/compresses based on apple cider vinegar.This substance is found in almost all cuisines.Apple cider vinegar has an irritating effect on blood vessels.It makes them contract, which helps restore muscle cells in the walls.But this method cannot be used if you have leg injuries.Apple cider vinegar is not used pure, but mixed with water 1:1.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.You need to choose your items based on size.Don't wear jeans that are too tight or high heels with uncomfortable shapes.
• Gymnastics.Office workers can perform exercises to accelerate blood flow even while sitting in a chair.You can simply raise your legs straight or bend your knees, but it is better to walk near the workplace.

Diet and nutrition

In all stages of varicose veins it is necessary to follow a balanced diet.Foods high in cholesterol should be excluded.If the patient likes beef or pork, he should not fry them in oil.It is allowed to cook or boil fatty meat.Doctors recommend eating more foods containing protein, magnesium, calcium and selenium.These include beans, almost all types of fruit and nuts.

Therapeutic exercises for varicose veins

Non-surgical treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities involves performing certain physical exercises.You are allowed to do squats, leg swings and any exercise that involves working with your own weight.It is necessary to completely exclude from training exercises with heavy weights (50-60 kg), bending and extension of the torso on a chair and long runs.The most effective exercises for varicose veins:

• Scissors and a bicycle.Perform at a medium pace, lying on the floor.
• Rotational movements of the legs.You need to stand up, grab the support with your hand, lift one leg, take it to the side and start rotating it.5 inward and 5 outward movements are performed.
• Roll while standing from toes to heels.

Stretching and warming up always start with the upper body.You can't 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 BMI is significantly higher, it is recommended to first lose weight and then start exercising.