Treatment of leg veins: how to defeat varicose veins and its consequences

Varicose veins are one of the most common pathologies of the human vascular system. The most favorite place for varicose veins is the lower extremities. Many modern methods of treatment are aimed at combating varicose veins. Frequent medical clinics offer a variety of injection, laser and surgical procedures. And how to treat varicose veins at home?

How to treat varicose veins in women?

Female legs are at particular risk. According to statistics, in more than 70% of all cases, varicose veins affect women. Varicose veins not only negatively affect health. It significantly spoils the appearance, making the fair sex feel uncomfortable.

At the first sign of leg varicose veins (swelling, heaviness in the legs, the appearance of swollen veins and spider veins), treatment should be started immediately. How to treat varicose veins in women? Several ways:

• use venotonic ointments and gels,
• take pills to increase vein tone,
• use the advice of traditional medicine,
• to correct the functioning of the veins with the help of medical procedures (sclerotherapy, laser coagulation),
• radically solve the problem by surgery (phlebectomy).

Ointments, gels and tablets are quite effective in the initial stage of varicose veins. Traditional medicine can accompany a woman throughout the treatment period, supporting the body regardless of the methods of basic therapy. Conservative, minimally invasive methods of treatment (sclerotherapy, laser exposure) are used if varicose veins begin to actively progress. Surgical intervention is an extreme measure when the health and life of a woman is at risk due to a serious pathology of the veins.

How to treat varicose veins in men?

Men are much less likely to suffer from varicose veins of the legs. Nevertheless, a strong half of humanity also has to deal with the need to treat varicose veins. How to treat varicose veins in men? In general, the treatment method for men and women is not different. The main difference is due to the appearance of varicose venous expansion. In women, the main causes of varicose veins are pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal disruptions. In men, pathology occurs for the following reasons:

• bad habits (men more often than women have a tendency to alcoholic beverages and smoking),
• systematic weight lifting
• active loads on the legs,
• playing sports, strength physical exercises,
• inattentive attitude to their health, poor nutrition (women are much more concerned about a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition).

When drawing up therapeutic therapy, factors that led to the appearance of varicose veins should be taken into account. For example, treatment should be accompanied by a special diet and rejection of bad habits.

How to treat varicose veins quickly at home?

How to treat varicose veins quickly so that the disease does not have time to go into a more severe form? Tablets, ointments and gels are the most popular ways to treat leg varicose veins at home. Doctors say that pharmacy drugs do a pretty good job at the initial stage of varicose veins.

Several effective remedies for self-treatment of varicose veins:

• Troxerutin. Gel for external use, the absolute analogue of the advertised Troxevasinbut at times cheaper. You can buy a tube of gel approximately for 50 rubles.

The basis of the composition is the same substance troxerutin. The gel allows you to remove the symptoms of varicose veins - swelling, fatigue, pain, heaviness. Gives legs lightness. It also allows you to eliminate external defects, in particular vascular asterisks. Many consumers report that with regular use of the gel, swollen veins become less noticeable.

• Phlebodia. One of the most expensive drugs for the treatment of venous pathologies, but marked by a large number of positive reviews. Price varies from 650 to 1700 rubles, depending on the number of tablets in the package.

It tones, strengthens the walls of veins and blood vessels, normalizes blood circulation, and prevents the accumulation of blood clots in venous lumens. It is used both in the initial stages of varicose veins, and as a means of complex therapy with minimally invasive or surgical intervention.

1. Heparin Ointment. An effective remedy at a conservative price (45-50 rubles per tube with ointment) It allows you to eliminate the symptoms of varicose veins, normalize blood circulation, make the veins elastic and strong. Prevents the appearance of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. It is also used as a restorative after laser correction, sclerotherapy and phlebectomy.

Despite the fact that these drugs are intended for home treatment of varicose veins, they can be used only after consulting a doctor!

How to deal with varicose veins folk remedies?

You can cope with varicose veins folk remedies:

1. Tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes into circles, put on their feet in the problem area. Wrap with cling film, wrap on top with a warm scarf. Such a compress to do at night.
2. Chestnut. Spread a slice of black bread with butter, crumble the crushed dried chestnut on top of the butter. Put on the foot at the site of varicose veins, fix, leave a compress overnight.
3. Milk and Fern. Add fern grass to milk in such a proportion that a mixture of medium density is obtained. Fold gauze in several layers, thoroughly moisten in milk mixture. Wrap your leg in the problem area, fix with a cling film.

Apple cider vinegar: how to use with varicose veins?

Apple cider vinegar contains a large number of vitamins, macro and microelements, minerals. They have a beneficial effect on the body, helping to effectively cope with varicose veins. Apple cider vinegar is not able to harm a person, and with its regular use in a month a positive effect will be noticeable.

Some simple tipshow to treat varicose veins at home with vinegar:

• Moisten a cotton pad in vinegar, rub your feet in problem areas. Repeat the procedure as often as possible, 5-7 times a day.
• In the bath, collect warm water, pour a liter of vinegar into it. Dip your feet in the water, after half an hour, complete the water procedures. Doctors do not recommend that you dry your feet with a towel. It is better to lie on the bed, raise the legs above the head (for example, lean against the wall) and let them dry naturally.
• Fold gauze in several layers, dampen abundantly in vinegar. Put on feet in problem areas, wrap with cling film (or plastic bag), wrap in a warm scarf. After an hour, remove the compress.
• You can take apple cider vinegar inside. Stir a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of warm water, drink on an empty stomach half an hour before breakfast. It is important to remember that this recipe cannot be used in medical therapy if there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Exercise for varicose veins, video

Special exercises will help to cope with varicose veins. You can perform them at home, on your own. As a home trainer, it is recommended to use video tutorials. Exercises for varicose veins, video:

These simple exercises will improve blood flow, relieve all symptoms of varicose veins, and prevent complications such as thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.

After reading the tips on how to treat varicose veins in the legs at home, you can significantly improve the condition of your vascular system. Doctors recommend complex therapy, that is, the combination of medicines, exercises and recipes of traditional medicine. The course of treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a phlebologist.

Vein treatment: where to start?

Most people who experience manifestations of varicose veins of the legs do not take the “bells and whistles” seriously. Cosmetic flaw, no more. Or just fatigue, which by itself will pass after a full night's rest. Perhaps, even with cellulite, women fight more actively than, for example, with crawled out "spiders" of veins. Medical statistics say that in our country only 18% of people with varicose veins know that this disease, and only 8% at least somehow try to fight it. Meanwhile, if nothing is done, varicose disease smoothly flows into chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which, in turn, entails serious problems:

• trophic ulcers
• acute venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.

Despite the fact that the predisposition to varicose veins is genetically laid (if both parents in the family suffer from this disease, the probability of its occurrence in the offspring reaches 90%), the disease develops under the influence of external factors that contribute to increased pressure inside the vein. Among them:

• Static loads - work sitting or standing. But walking, on the contrary, launches a “muscle pump”, which stimulates the outflow of blood through the veins.
• Excess weight - violation of lipid metabolism provokes a number of vascular diseases, including varicose veins.
• Pregnancy and childbirth - all vital systems of the female body, including the cardiovascular system, work during pregnancy and childbirth with increased stress.
• High heel shoes - limits the work of the calf muscle, therefore, reduces the activity of the muscle pump.
• Chronic constipation - increase intra-abdominal pressure, and hence the pressure in the veins of the lower extremities.

Venous valves, which normally should provide blood flow in only one direction, from bottom to top, do not withstand a high load. The valve begins to pass blood in the opposite direction (from top to bottom), and in the area limited to it, the pressure inside the vein increases significantly: the vessel expands, a varicose node appears. The valves in this area finally cease to fulfill their function, the venous pressure becomes even higher - the vicious circle closes, and the changes begin to spread to neighboring areas.

Sooner or later, chronic venous insufficiency develops - a condition caused by constant stagnation of blood in the altered veins.

In the walls of blood vessels, chronic inflammation occurs. The venous wall becomes more permeable, and the contents of the vein, including blood cells, enter the surrounding space, causing swelling. Red blood cells, breaking down, leave hemoglobin under the skin, causing hyperpigmentation. And macrophages - cells that are designed to remove foreign proteins and damaged tissues from the body - begin to literally devour everything around, forming a trophic ulcer (or, in modern terminology, a varicose ulcer), since the tissues surrounding the vein are also damaged by inflammation .

However, phlebologists believe that varicose disease itself is not so terrible as venous thrombosis that appears against its background. Chronic inflammation in combination with impaired blood flow velocity enhances blood coagulation. Thrombophlebitis can develop - inflammation of the vein wall with the formation of a thrombus in it. From 30 to 60% of sudden deaths caused by deep vein thrombosis occurred on the background of untreated thrombophlebitis, which complicated varicose veins. The vein becomes painful and dense, turning into a swollen reddened cord. The affected limb itself swells and turns blue. This condition is deadly and requires immediate treatment.

If not only subcutaneous, but also deep veins are involved in the process, post-thrombophlebitic syndrome may occur after thrombosis. A clotted vein thrombus gradually recanalizes - partially dissolves, opening the bloodstream, but since the lumen is not fully restored, the signs of impaired blood circulation - pain, swelling, cyanosis of the extremities, the appearance of trophic ulcers - remain.

In a word, advanced varicose veins are not only ugly legs, but also serious problems. But the most unpleasant thing is that after the vein expands, there is no effective way to restore its previous state. You can only remove the entire vessel or somehow clog it - by introducing a sclerosing substance or using a laser beam.

That is why it is necessary to begin treatment of veins of the lower extremities with the very first symptoms - precursors of varicose veins, and this:

• heaviness in the legs, which appears at the end of the day,
• pain at the end of the day that disappears after a walk or if you hold your legs in an elevated position,
• swelling in the evening
• paresthesia - a feeling of goosebumps, discomfort, impaired sensitivity,
• burning in the muscles
• restless legs syndrome - discomfort in the legs prevents you from falling asleep, forcing you to fidget in search of a comfortable position,
• night cramps.

It is at this stage, when there seem to be no serious external manifestations, you should immediately contact a specialist - a phlebologist.

Diagnostics

First of all, the doctor will ask about complaints and carefully examine the patient. Sometimes the examination ends on this - if the diagnosis is not in doubt, and surgical treatment is not planned. Or instrumental studies may be prescribed.

Duplex scanning (ultrasound angioscanning) allows you to visualize the vessel and examine the state of blood flow and valve function, determine reflux (reverse blood flow). This is the main method for diagnosing varicose veins of the lower extremities, and usually it is enough to make an accurate diagnosis. In modern medical practice, an ultrasound scan of veins is carried out by the phlebologist himself, who will coordinate the treatment in the future, and not by ultrasound specialists.

If there is suspicion of obstruction of superficial or deep veins and surgical treatment is planned, use radiopaque phlebographyin which a special substance is previously introduced into the bloodstream that is impervious to x-rays (contrast).

In the same case, it is used computed tomography with contrast or magnetic resonance imaging.

The tendency to increased thrombosis is determined using a special complex blood tests:

• general blood count with cell count,
• coagulogram
• plasma homocysteine,
• polymorphism of the V factor gene (Leiden mutation),
• polymorphism 20210 in the prothrombin gene,
• activated protein C resistance (APS resistance),
• protein C activity
• protein S free antigen level

• protein S activity,
• antithrombin III activity,
• IgG and IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies,
• antibodies to β2,
• antibodies to glycoprotein-1 IgG and IgM,
• lupus anticoagulant,
• activity of factors VIII, IX, XI.

Only the doctor can recommend the whole complex in whole or selectively, as well as interpret the results. Based on the results of the examination, they are also prescribed treatment.

Therapy of venous pathologies

Treatment methods will depend on how far the process has gone.

1. Venotonics (phleboprotectors). These are medicinal substances for oral administration (in the form of tablets) or prescribed topically (in the form of ointments and gels). They are especially effective in the initial stages of the process (when visible changes in the venous wall have not yet appeared), since they help prevent the development of the disease. Proven effectiveness in the treatment of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are funds based on purified bioflavonoids (plant extracts) and horse chestnut extract. Drug therapy with drugs based on these active ingredients is the most important component in the treatment of varicose veins. Oral preparations are intended to treat the causes of varicose veins - to restore the functioning of the valves and increase the tone of the vascular wall. Topical preparations are needed to alleviate the symptoms of the disease as soon as possible: as a rule, they have a calming and refreshing effect. Moreover, according to the basic standards for the treatment of varicose veins, the appointment of venotonics must be accompanied by the appointment of drugs with antiplatelet effect: to improve blood circulation, reduce blood viscosity and prevent blood clots. Therefore, the optimal choice would be a single venotonic, possessing the whole complex of actions necessary for the treatment of varicose veins: venotonic, angioprotective and antiaggregant.
2. Compression Therapy This is a special medical jersey with different degrees of compression, which is sold by prescription. He is selected by the doctor, based on how much the venous wall is changed and whether there is a reverse blood flow. If you start wearing such tights, stockings or stockings in a timely manner and do it constantly (in combination with drug therapy), you can prevent the development of varicose veins.
3. There is only one way to completely cure varicose veins in the later stages - eliminating the changed vein. It could be surgery phlebectomy, or minimally invasive surgery - sclerotherapy, endovasal laser coagulation of veins (EVLO, EVLK). Unfortunately, none of these methods guarantees that varicose veins will not appear on other saphenous veins of the legs (the so-called false relapse, since varicose veins cannot reappear in the same place due to the absence of veins).

As for the unpleasant consequences of varicose veins, such as venous trophic ulcers, they are treated and locally using special coatings for dressing, and systemicallyprescribing antibiotics, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, surgical intervention, including minimally invasive, is considered to be a method with recognized effectiveness, since it allows you to block the blood flow in an altered vein, i.e. eliminate the root cause of its appearance.

And, of course, it is necessary to eliminate the factors that provoke the development of varicose veins: if the work is sedentary, add at least an hour's walk to the daily routine, abandon stunning heels or a completely flat sole, and also reduce weight if possible.

Varicose disease is a constantly progressing disease, the complications of which can be life-threatening, because the "rhythm" of blood flow changes throughout the circulatory system. Vein treatment without surgery is possible, but you need to start it at the earliest stages, as soon as the precursors of varicose veins appear - fatigue and pain, swelling in the evenings, fatigue of the legs. Only then, means that increase venous tone and strengthen blood vessels will be effective and will help to maintain the beauty and health of the legs for a long time.

Which medicine is better to use for the treatment of varicose veins and CVI?

Clinical recommendations for the treatment of chronic venous diseases suggest that the drugs used in the treatment of this pathology should not only improve the tone of the venous wall, but also affect the rheological properties of the blood - reducing its viscosity and, accordingly, the tendency to thrombosis. With this in mind, on the basis of the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR), the composition of the Angionorm drug was developed. The composition of the drug includes the most active angioprotectors - sources of flavonoids (extracts of hawthorn and rosehip fruits, licorice root), escin (horse chestnut seed extract) and vitamin C (rosehip extract).

Due to the special composition of the active component of Angionorm, in particular, the content of horse chestnut in the extract escin, the product has a powerful venotonic effect, and also helps to improve blood circulation, contributing to:

• increase the tone of the venous wall,
• lower blood viscosity and the risk of thrombosis,
• improving blood microcirculation in the legs and removing fluid.

In addition to pronounced anti-aggregation and antiplatelet activity, as well as angioprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, the Angionorm drug has a moderate analgesic effect, increases physical performance and exhibits stress-protective activity. In particular, this set of actions is achieved due to the presence in the active component flavonoids and due to the fact that the composition of the drug includes rosehip extract, which contains vitamin C. He takes part in the synthesis of connective tissue proteins (collagen and elastin), which are building materials, a kind of bricks for strengthening and protecting the walls of blood vessels, reducing their fragility and permeability.

The preparation also includes auxiliary substances - lactose and sucrose.

The list of contraindications for the drug is small: individual intolerance to certain active and auxiliary components, severe chronic diseases of internal organs, age up to 18 years, pregnancy and lactation.

For the course of treatment, 1 package of 100 tablets is enough, which makes the cost of a course dose of the drug extremely affordable. The drug is usually taken 1 tablet 3 times a day.

Activities aimed at strengthening the vascular wall

These methods - aimed at improving the permeability of the vascular wall of the veins, increasing its tone and elasticity - the main directions of treatment for varicose veins, including leg veins.

It includes:

1. Treatment with drugs, which include diosmin, troxerutin, escin. It is necessary to treat varicose veins with these drugs solely as prescribed by the doctor who will select the funds and determine the frequency and duration of admission.
2. Treatment with prescription drugs.
3. Reception of vitamin preparations - it is proved that vitamins have the greatest influence on the permeability of the vascular wall: rutin (vitamin P) and ascorbic acid. Therefore, for the prevention and treatment of the disease, a combination of these two vitamins is widely used (Ascorutin drug).
4. Review your diet (see more in the article below).
5. The use of ointments and gels.

Recipes of folk remedies

How to treat varicose veins at home with the help of folk remedies:

Ayurveda Recipes (Indian Medicine)

Areveda states that ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, ginseng root, and garlic possess the property of toning the vessels of the veins of the legs. Here are some recipes:

• Add 300 g of grated ginger to 1 kg of honey, mix, take 1 tablespoon 2 times a day for 1 month.
• Add a small amount (at the tip of the knife) of ginger or cardamom to 10 ml of aloe juice, take once a day 10 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 60 days.

Nutrition change

Useful products to help treat varicose veins at home:

• All types of citrus fruits. Of particular value to citrus fruits is the white layer between the upper peel and pulp - mesocarp. The content of vitamin P (rutin) citrus in the mesorkarp is no equal.
• Vegetables and fruits of dark red, blue, red-blue, purple colors: grapes, black currants, beets, rose hips and others. The red-blue color is given to them by the bioflavonoids contained in them - biologically active substances that strengthen the vascular wall.
• Foods rich in routine: apricots, cabbage, peas, walnuts, spinach, all kinds of salads, rhubarb, green tea, buckwheat,
• Seafood that contains a complex of substances that beneficially affect both the elasticity of blood vessels and the process of regeneration of damaged tissues.

Strong coffee, black tea, alcohol should be excluded from the diet of a patient with varicose veins.

Ointments and gels

Strengthening the vascular wall of the veins on the legs should be carried out not only from the inside, but also from the outside. To do this, use ointments and gels, which include troxerutin, escin, heparin.

Preparations containing troxerutin, escin, heparin

Also, alcohol lotions and compresses based on recipes of alternative medicine help to treat varicose veins:

• 50 g of chestnut flowers, fill them with 250 ml of 50% alcohol, insist in a dark place for 2 weeks, strain. Use the solution to compress the affected areas of the legs at night.
• Fill a liter jar with half washed Kalanchoe leaves, pour 70% alcohol to the top, and insist for 14 days with daily stirring. Strain the finished tincture, use the solution every evening to rub your feet.
• In its pure form, use apple cider vinegar externally - wipe it with leg sections 2 times a day. For compresses, soak a gauze in apple cider vinegar, apply legs to the affected area, wrap with cellophane, wrap with a woolen scarf and lie down with such a compress for 30 minutes, raising your legs.

It is possible to treat varicose veins on the legs with external products only with intact skin.

Measures aimed at improving venous blood flow

1. Gymnastics aimed at strengthening the walls of the venous vessels on the legs, for example, Mikulin exercise. They do it this way: rise on your toes so that the heels are 1 cm off the floor and sharply return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise 60 times, in three sets of 20 times with a break between sets of 10 seconds. Repeat exercise 5-6 times a day.
2. Wearing compression underwear. There are 5 types of compression: from zero degree (prophylactic) to fourth (therapeutic). The selection of linen according to the degree of compression is carried out by the attending physician. Wearing compression underwear prevents the further progression of the disease, facilitates venous blood flow, improves the prognosis of treatment.
3. To improve venous outflow, during the day, at home, do the following exercise: lie on your back, raise your legs so that they are above the level of the heart, and hold them in this position for 20 minutes. Repeat the exercise at least 3 times a day.
4. To prevent stagnation in venous vessels at night - put a roller or a small pillow under your feet for sleep.

Reducing the load on the venous vessels of the legs

• Optimization of working conditions, if it is associated with a long stay on your feet: take frequent breaks, during which you need to either walk or hold your legs in a raised position,
• Weight loss, if there are problems with overweight: take measures to reduce it, because it can be one of the factors that provoke the disease.

Shin Muscle Strengthening

The leg muscles are a kind of corset that keeps the venous vessels in good shape. Therefore, all physical exercises aimed at strengthening them indirectly affect the ability of the venous wall to withstand stretching. Strengthening the muscles of the lower leg is facilitated by regular walking, as well as the following sports: running, water aerobics, swimming, cycling. At the same time, patients with varicose expansion should not engage in sports associated with jumping (badminton, tennis, volleyball) and weight lifting.

The transition from a sedentary, sedentary lifestyle to an active one not only helps to strengthen the calf muscles, but also accelerates congestion, and helps to optimize venous circulation in the legs.

Treatment of varicose veins on the legs at home involves the integrated use of all these measures. Only under this condition is it effective enough and able to cure the initial stages of the disease.

The duration of such treatment is 2-3 months. After 6 months, the patient must undergo another examination with the attending physician. With an early call to specialists and a conscious approach to treatment, 1-2 courses are enough to cure varicose veins of the initial stage. It is not advisable to treat more advanced stages of the disease at home, without specialized treatment, this only leads to the progression of the disease.