Where are the varicose veins. Varicose veins of the lower extremities: causes, signs, diagnosis and treatment

Varicose veins of the lower extremities is a pathological increase in the venous lumen, in which the walls of the veins expand, and blood reflux occurs (reverse outflow). Pathology is almost always accompanied by a malfunction of the venous valves, which causes venous stasis. The slowing of blood flow leads to the appearance of symptoms typical of varicose veins: heaviness in the legs, feelings of fatigue, pain when walking. If the disease progresses, external changes appear: spider veins, tubercles, bulging veins of blue or burgundy color. The disease is diagnosed mainly in women, but the percentage of men suffering from varicose veins is also quite large - more than 66%.

The treatment of varicose veins is carried out by a vascular surgeon or phlebologist - a highly specialized specialist who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders in the functioning of various blood vessels, including veins and arteries. There are several ways to treat varicose veins in women: drug therapy, traditional medicine recipes, physiotherapy methods and exercise therapy. Before using any method, it is important to consult a specialist, since in the later stages of varicose veins, only surgical treatment gives high efficiency.

Varicose veins refers to diseases that have a slow mechanism of development and a long course. Disturbances in blood circulation through the saphenous veins can last for years, leading to a gradual decrease in vascular tone and the onset of irreversible changes. At an early stage, the only symptom may be a constant feeling of heaviness and severe leg fatigue. This symptom is especially acute in women whose professional activity is associated with a long stay on their feet (sellers, waiters, guides).

A hallmark of the pathology is swelling of the feet, which appear mainly in the evening and disappear after waking up. If the disease is started, swelling can also be observed on the surface of the legs and even thighs (along the subcutaneous venous arteries). The skin at the location of the diseased vein takes on an unnaturally pale hue, and bluish spots may appear in certain areas.

Other symptoms of varicose veins in women include:

bulge of the veins;
the appearance of a clear venous pattern under the skin (the veins may have a blue, purple or burgundy color);
spider veins (small dark pink spots with branches in the form of thin threads that form at the site of capillary rupture);
skin itching in the place where the diseased veins are located;
involuntary spasms of the calf muscles, appearing mainly at night.

Important! If any of these signs or their combination is found, you should immediately contact a phlebologist or vascular surgeon. The doctor will examine the patient, make a conclusion about the severity of the existing symptoms and the stage of the disease, and send her for the necessary examination. If this is not done at the initial stage of varicose veins, trophic ulcers and hyperpigmentation may appear on the surface of the legs.

What to do with varicose veins of the legs?

Conservative treatment of varicose veins on any part of the body is possible only with lesions of 1-2 degrees. In some cases, it is possible to cope with the disease without the use of surgical methods with grade 3 varicose veins, but the likelihood of this is very low.

Stages of varicose veins of the lower extremities

Stage of the disease	What is characterized?	Degree of disability
First	Subcutaneous lesion, which in most cases is just a cosmetic defect and does not affect the development of pathological processes. There is no blood reflux	Full functionality is maintained
Second	Segmental varicose veins, in which there is a violation of the outflow in one or more venous ducts, with a diameter exceeding 3 mm.	The ability to work is slightly reduced, but with the use of maintenance therapy, the patient can perform the usual amount of work
Third	Extensive varicose lesion with impaired venous outflow in perforating and superficial veins	The patient is able to perform professional duties for 6-8 hours, subject to constant supportive treatment.
Fourth	Deep vein dilatation with marked blood reflux	Ability to work is impaired even with the use of symptomatic and therapeutic therapy

For the treatment of varicose veins at any stage, a woman needs to adhere to a special therapeutic diet with a high content of vegetables and herbs. Cold-pressed vegetable oils are useful for varicose veins, as they contain a lot of tocopherol, which strengthens the walls of blood vessels and prevents the formation of blood clots. It is better to give preference to almond, olive, pumpkin and grape oils. Of the vegetables, cabbage, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers and carrots are especially useful.

In the daily diet for varicose veins, it is necessary to include:

fish and seafood;
dried, frozen and fresh berries and fruits;
legumes (peas, lentils, beans);
nuts;
lean meat (consumption of pork and other types of meat with a high fat content should be limited to 1 time per week);
dairy products with a fat content of not more than 5% (for cottage cheese, the fat content is allowed in the proportion of 9 g per 100 g of the product).

At any stage of varicose veins, drinks containing caffeine or ethyl alcohol, butter, margarine, smoked meats (especially industrially processed), marinades and fatty sauces are prohibited.

Important! A diet for varicose veins is the main part of complex treatment, but it must be combined with drug therapy prescribed by a doctor and alternative methods (in the absence of indications).

Effective drugs against varicose veins

Drug treatment of varicose veins of the legs gives good results with lesions of 1-2 and partially 3 degrees. Therapy is usually complex and includes topical agents and oral medications in the form of capsules and tablets.

External ointments and gels from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local anticoagulants help eliminate venous congestion, improve blood circulation, increase vascular tone and elasticity. Some of them, for example, diclofenac" or " Voltaren”, help to eliminate pain and restore the normal functioning of the affected veins. Anti-inflammatory ointments based on indomethacin and heparin have the same properties. Heparin ointment also helps to reduce swelling and relieve inflammation in complicated varicose veins.

For treatment in combination therapy, the doctor may also prescribe the following topical drugs:

"Troxevasin";
"Lyoton";
"Venolife";
"Varius".

Note! Apply gels and ointments from varicose veins 2-3 times a day on previously cleansed skin. In the presence of trophic skin lesions, increased dryness and other skin problems, only water should be used for cleansing.

If the lesion has reached the 2nd or 3rd degree, the treatment is always supplemented by the use of funds for internal use. Usually these are tablets or gelatin capsules, but some drugs may be available in the form of a powder for dissolution or suspension. These can be anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents (" diclofenac», « ibuprofen», « Next”) from the group of nonsteroidal drugs, as well as angioprotectors or phlebotonics.

Angioprotectors are a group of drugs that improve blood circulation in the vessels and arteries and reduce the permeability of the vascular wall. During the course of treatment, drugs of this group restore metabolic processes in the walls of blood vessels and help reduce pathological symptoms. Phlebotonics are drugs that improve blood flow and eliminate congestion.

Medicines with similar properties include:

"Detralex";
"Trental";
"Venoruton";
"Venarus";
"Troxevasin".

You need to take these funds 1-3 times a day, but the dosage must be specified in the instructions or with your doctor.

Note! With an increased risk of thrombosis or thromboembolism, treatment must be supplemented with anticoagulants - substances that reduce blood viscosity (" Aspirin», « Acetylsalicylic acid»).

Video - Varicose veins: causes, symptoms, treatment

Treatment of varicose veins of the legs at home: recipes

To cope with pain, reduce swelling and improve blood circulation, traditional medicine recipes will help, which can be an excellent addition to the main treatment.

Night compresses

Herbal compresses help reduce swelling of soft tissues, get rid of pain and itching. You need to do them every day for 4-6 weeks. For compress you can use:

washed, scalded with boiling water and mashed cabbage leaf (it is better to use young cabbage);
raw potato gruel (1 potato);
30 ml of Kalanchoe juice (can be mixed with aloe juice in a ratio of 1: 1);
30 g of natural laundry soap mixed with a teaspoon of warm water;
apple cider vinegar diluted with water (1-2 tablespoons).

Moisten a piece of gauze folded in several layers with juice, vinegar or other composition (or apply a gruel of soap and potatoes), apply to a sore spot and bandage. Leave on all night, in the morning rinse the skin with warm water. After the procedure, you can apply any tonic cream or gel.

soda treatment

Soda is a well-known remedy for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities, which can also be used for prevention. It can be used for lotions, compresses or rubs. To do this, dilute a spoonful of soda in 100 ml of warm water, moisten a cotton swab and wipe the area of \u200b\u200bthe leg on which the diseased veins are located. Rinse off is not required.

Compresses and lotions are performed similarly. Abundantly moisten a cotton swab or piece of gauze with soda solution and apply to the affected vein for 30-50 minutes. The procedure should be repeated 3-4 times a day for 1 month.

With widespread (extensive) varicose veins, soda baths will help to cope with pain and swelling. 4 tablespoons of soda must be dissolved in 2 liters of hot water, mix thoroughly and pour the composition into a filled bath. It takes 20 minutes to take it. You can not rinse after the procedure. Soda baths can be carried out 2 times in 7-10 days. In total, 10 procedures need to be done.

Video - How to treat varicose veins with folk remedies

Ginseng tincture

Ginseng is a tonic plant that helps fight many vascular diseases, including varicose veins. Various gels and ointments are prepared on its basis, but a more pronounced effect can be achieved by consuming it orally in the form of a tincture. Alcohol tincture of ginseng can be bought at a pharmacy or prepared at home. For this you need:

150 g of dried ginseng pour 600 ml of vodka;
put in a cool place for 14 days;
strain.

You need to take the remedy 4 times a day, 1-2 tablespoons on an empty stomach. With a tendency to neurological disorders, it is recommended to dilute the tincture with water.

Video - Treatment of varicose veins at home with folk remedies

When is an operation required?

With complicated varicose veins of the legs of the 3rd degree, a woman may be shown surgical treatment. Varicose lesions of the 4th degree always require surgical intervention. In the case of a neglected course in chronic venous insufficiency, it is necessary to undergo a course of preparatory conservative therapy before surgery.

Depending on the severity of the course and individual indications, the doctor may choose one of the following methods of treatment:

phlebectomy - excision of pathologically dilated and altered veins;
sclerotherapy - the introduction of a special solution into the diseased vein, which "glues" the venous walls and narrows the venous lumen;
laser coagulation - a method of surgical treatment by exposure to a high-frequency laser beam;
radio wave treatment is a low-traumatic method of treatment that does not require hospitalization and surgical incisions.

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Varicose veins most often affect women, which is due to many reasons. The disease has several stages of development, at each of which the symptoms of varicose veins are different. At the initial stage, they are completely absent, patients are only concerned about cosmetic disorders.

Content:

What is varicose veins?

Varicose veins (varicose disease) is a pathological process characterized by the expansion of the lumen of the veins and the violation of the outflow of venous blood from the legs. The venous system has special valves, thanks to which the blood flows in one direction (up) and does not stagnate in the legs. Violation of the work of these valves leads to the occurrence of reverse blood flow, provoking stagnation of venous blood in the lower extremities and the development of symptoms of varicose veins.

Video: Varicose veins and the mechanism of its occurrence in Malysheva's program "Live healthy!"

Signs of varicose veins

As a rule, many of us imagine varicose veins in the form of dilated, swollen and protruding blue veins-knots on the legs. This notion does refer to disease, but a similar condition occurs in cases of severely neglected disease. In addition, such a manifestation of varicose veins is accompanied by pain, heaviness and fatigue, swelling of the legs and feet. It is not worth bringing the development of the disease to such a state, since varicose nodes provoke thrombosis and frequent infection. Against this background, inflammation of the vessels often occurs, which is often complicated by blood clots (thrombophlebitis). Along the course of the venous trunks, painful seals in the form of strands form, the skin loses its elasticity and color, becomes dense and dark brown. The smallest injury can cause an ulcer. With varicose veins, a woman at the age of 40 can become disabled.

Stages of varicose veins

I stage of varicose veins - the complete absence of complaints, only cosmetic disorders cause concern;

II stage of varicose veins - there is a feeling of heaviness, fullness, convulsions are added at night;

III stage of varicose veins - there are swelling of the feet and legs, changes in the skin (seal on the skin and in the subcutaneous tissue, pigmentation);

IV stage of varicose veins - violation of tissue trophism, the formation of ulcers.

Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs

Spider veins (telangiectasias).

Curvature, elongation of dilated veins that protrude above the surface of the skin.

Skin modifications. At first, it's just excessively dry skin, then pigmented areas appear, which are soon joined by dermatitis of various nature, eczema and trophic ulcers.

Pain. Pain can be caused by a variety of reasons, and its nature can be different - this is hot throbbing pain, pain while walking, pain and aching in the legs of a general nature, itching in the muscle tissue and cramps at night, pain along the venous trunks.

Edema. Basically, they apply to the area of the feet and legs.

Feeling of fullness and heaviness in the legs.

Each stage of the development of varicose veins is characterized by its own symptoms. At the initial stage (when pathological blood flow begins through the deep and communicative veins), the disease as such is difficult to diagnose on its own, because its main symptom (varicose veins) is absent. At the same time, fatigue, a feeling of heaviness and slight pain in the legs, which are sometimes manifested, can also be symptoms of an early stage in the development of diseases such as lumbar osteochondrosis, flat feet, and arterial disease. In this situation, patients need to visit a vascular specialist, a phlebologist, as well as an additional neurologist, osteopath, and surgeon. For an accurate diagnosis, ultrasound and phlebography are prescribed.

Usually, a woman begins to sound the alarm when thin vessels begin to clearly appear under the skin of the thighs or legs, or “suddenly” ugly red or bluish streaks or patterns appear, and their appearance is not necessarily accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. In the future, the vascular pattern on the skin intensifies, the skin changes, becomes cyanotic and unattractive. In the hope of getting rid of an unpleasant cosmetic defect, women visit a specialist.

Video: How not to miss the first symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities in the "Other News" program

Only the appearance of the main symptom of the disease - protruding varicose nodes (or node) on the inner surface of the legs or thighs, begins to suggest to the woman that something is not right with her veins. But the moment has already been lost, the disease develops and progresses. Long stay on the legs during the day or long walking cause other symptoms of varicose veins - fatigue, heaviness, feeling of fullness, usually in the calf area, pain in the dilated veins of an acute or aching nature. Edema is added to these symptoms of the disease (toward evening, disappears by morning) and night cramps of the calf muscles. Initially, such symptoms occur periodically and disappear after a good rest. Hope for recovery is not worth it, the disease in the absence of treatment only progresses. In general, remember, if varicose veins have arisen, it is impossible to cure it forever, you can only prevent complications from developing and delay or prevent surgery, which, by the way, is also not a guarantee of getting rid of the disease forever, but it gives a long-term effect.

As the disease develops, all of the above symptoms begin to appear more often and are more acute, and later appear, familiar to our eyes, tortuous intradermal veins of a dark blue color, protruding above the skin of the legs and feet in the form of clusters of grapes. The pain becomes bursting, heat is felt, swelling becomes a common occurrence.

Further, changes in the skin join the symptoms of the disease, it becomes excessively dry, acquires a dark color, and somewhat later trophic disorders begin to be observed (eczema, ulcers that do not heal for a long time). Pain at this stage becomes unbearable. The disease is considered to be severely neglected, the treatment of varicose veins in the legs in this case is usually operational. Which technique will be used is decided by the phlebologist and vascular surgeon in each case individually. Non-surgical methods of treatment are used at earlier stages of development of varicose veins with minor skin changes.

Causes of varicose veins in the legs

genetic predisposition.
Gender of the patient.
Pregnancy.
Taking hormonal drugs and contraceptives.
Excessive intense or frequent physical activity.
A profession that involves sedentary work or standing for a long time.
Not a healthy diet.
Overweight, obesity.
Wearing uncomfortable, tight clothing and shoes.
Physical inactivity.
Congenital weakness of the vascular wall.
Immune and endocrine disorders.
Violations in the valve apparatus of the venous system.
Blood flow disorders.

When should you see a doctor immediately?

If you experience the following symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor:

If the pain in the leg intensifies, which makes it impossible to get up, the skin is hot to the touch.
If suddenly there was shortness of breath, not enough air, weakness appeared.
If blood oozes from the affected area of the skin.

Consequences of varicose veins on the legs

Dermatitis and eczema.

Inflammatory disease occurs against the background of venous blood stagnation in the lower extremities. It appears on the skin in the form of foci of redness, which have uneven edges and are accompanied by severe itching, as well as the appearance of minor cracks and vesicles.

Trophic ulcer.

It occurs against the background of eczema and is characterized by the appearance on the leg of a painful, long-healing single wound, at the bottom of which weeping can be observed. Heaviness in the legs increases, the patient cannot stand for a long time.

Acute thrombophlebitis.

It is expressed in inflammation of the wall of a varicose vein, accompanied by the formation of a blood clot in its lumen. The disease is characterized by severe pain in any position, redness, fever, seals along the subcutaneous vessels. Sometimes thrombi resolve, but more often it happens that the lumen of the vein is completely blocked, creating a risk of obliteration and sclerosis of the affected vein.

With further progression of the disease, prerequisites are created for the development of ascending varicothrombophlebitis and lebothrombosis, the latter affecting the deep vein system, provoking pulmonary embolism. If left untreated, the outflow of blood can stop and gangrene develops.

Rupture of a varicose vein.

It is manifested by severe bleeding, requires immediate medical attention.

What is varicose veins?

Varicose veins, or varicose veins, are pathological changes in the veins, accompanied by their saccular expansion, an increase in length, the formation of convolutions and knot-like tangles, which leads to valve failure and impaired blood flow. Varicose veins are one of the most common blood vessel problems.

Veins are blood vessels that return blood from body tissues to the heart. Arteries, on the other hand, carry blood from the heart to the body. Unlike arteries, veins have very little muscle tissue. To prevent backflow of blood, veins have a series of one-way valves that keep blood from flowing in one direction toward the heart.

Normally, valves in the veins cause a person's blood to flow upward towards the heart, so the blood doesn't pool in one place. With varicose veins, the valves are damaged or absent altogether. This causes the veins to fill with blood - especially when the person is standing.

In other words, varicose veins occur when, for various reasons, the valves in the veins become ineffective (incompetent) and allow backflow of blood. Blood accumulates in the area below the victim, causing the vein valve to enlarge and stretch. Varicose veins appear under the skin as bluish-green or blue lines that may bulge or appear twisted and distorted.

Varicose veins usually develop in the legs. The veins in the legs often stick out. The most common form of varicose veins develops in one or both of the two large veins near the surface of the leg. This condition occurs several times more often in women than in men. Varicose veins usually develop between the ages of 30 and 60 and tend to get worse with age. It develops slowly, but then quickly progresses.

Pregnancy does not cause varicose veins, but varicose veins can develop or get worse during pregnancy. This is due to increased uterine pressure on the pelvic and lower extremity veins, an increase in blood volume, and changes in hormones.

The reasons

Weakened vein walls in older people can lose their elasticity. This weakening of the venous walls can lead to their expansion.

- Valve failure. When a person's veins are stretched, the valves in the veins are damaged. If the walls of the veins are weakened and stretched, the valves move apart and can no longer hold the blood that flows upwards and can stagnate in the veins as a result.

- Vein damage. Damage can occur due to trauma, blood clots, or inflammation. If there are problems in the deep veins, then the person usually has pain and swelling in the legs. Swollen veins on the surface can be a sign of deep vein damage. Varicose veins on the surface of the legs are not associated with dangerous blood clots that can travel to the heart or lungs and cause an obstruction (embolism). Any clot that forms near the surface of the body will usually be small. It may be inflammation, but the clot does not seriously threaten a person's health.

A number of factors contribute to the development of varicose veins. These include:

Genetic predisposition to the development of varicose veins;
- hormonal factors;
- excess weight;
- pregnancy;
- cardiovascular problems - such as the formation of blood clots (thrombosis);
- trauma or inflammation of the veins;
- Chronic constipation can contribute to the development of rectal varicose veins (hemorrhoids).

Lifestyle factors also play an important role, and people who work on their feet for long periods of time are at greater risk of developing varicose veins. These are, for example, nurses, flight attendants and teachers.

Symptoms varicose veins (varicose veins)

The signs and symptoms of varicose veins are easy to recognize. As a rule, they include:

- Pain. The leg may ache, feel heavy and overburdened if the person sits or stands for a long period;

- Protrusion of veins. The veins may appear bulging or twisted in part or all of the length of the leg, or there may be only small outlines of bluish veins. If the varicose veins are severe, the skin covering the patient's legs may become swollen, dry, and irritated. And within a few years in the lower leg, it will become brownish;

- Itching. The skin over the vein becomes dry and irritated;

- Inflammation of the veins. After prolonged periods of sitting and standing, the area of the vein may become congested with blood, and the veins become swollen, hard, red, and weak. This general condition is called "phlebitis";

- Bleeding. Rarely, varicose veins can result from trauma, and when they are large, they are visible near the surface of the body and are often covered by thin skin;

- Ulcers. These are open sores that usually appear near the ankle when swelling may also be evident;

- Edema in the legs.

Common symptoms may include:

Bulging or twisted veins;
- pain in the affected areas, especially after sitting or standing for a long period;
.- feeling of heaviness and fatigue of the muscles in the legs;
- itching around the affected vein;
- leg cramps at rest;
Some women experience increased symptoms during menstruation.

Diagnostics varicose veins (varicose veins)

Doctors often diagnose varicose veins based on a physical examination of the patient alone. Sometimes tests or procedures are used to find out the extent of the problem or to rule out other conditions.
If a person has varicose veins, they may refer to a vascular surgeon (angiosurgeon). These doctors specialize in blood vessels. You can also consult a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin conditions.

- Physical examination. To check for varicose veins in the legs, the doctor will look at the legs when the person is standing, or when they are sitting and the legs are dangling. He may ask the patient about signs and symptoms, including pain.

Your doctor may recommend Doppler ultrasound to check blood flow in your veins and look for blood clots. Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to create a structural picture of the patient's body. During this test, a portable device is placed on the affected area of the patient's body. The device sends and receives sound waves. The computer converts the sound waves into a picture of the blood flow in the arteries and veins.

- Angiogram. Your doctor may recommend an angiogram to get a more detailed look at the flow of blood in your veins. For this procedure, a dye is injected into the patient's veins, which highlights the veins on x-rays. Angiography can help the doctor confirm if the patient really has varicose veins or another condition.

Treatment varicose veins (varicose veins)

Treatment may not be a medical necessity unless the symptoms are problematic. However, some people may want to be treated for varicose veins for cosmetic reasons because they are unhappy with their appearance.

- Non-surgical treatment. If the varicose veins are small, and if they do not cause too much discomfort, then elastic compression stockings may be recommended. They are worn during daily activities. They help compress the veins, keeping them from stretching and limiting any discomfort or pain.

For people with mild varicose veins, the first step is to compress the veins in the legs with support stockings. This simple measure serves to press the blood from the vein into a bloodshot, reducing the size of the vein. Some compression stockings provide more support around the ankles and lower legs (where varicose veins tend to be longest and most painful). These stockings can extend to the top of the thigh and groin, but for many people, the benefit of providing pressure to the entire leg outweighs the discomfort of these elastic stockings.

- Therapeutic treatment. If the veins are decussated, and the site where the varicose vein originates, as shown on ultrasound, is incapacitated, then the most certain is surgical treatment that will help tie the varicose vein at this intersection - most often in the upper thigh, under the knee or in the calf muscles . The operation involves making a small incision in the leg over the location of the vein associated with the varicose vein. The vein remains in place, but excess blood flow into it is prevented.

Non-invasive treatments for varicose veins (varicose veins)

The following treatments for varicose veins can be done in a consulting (not operating) doctor's office and even in a clinic. The patient will receive local anesthesia - his leg will be anesthetized. He will be awake, but will not feel pain.

- Laser treatment of varicose veins can be used on the surface of the skin. With the help of a small flash of laser light, a sclerosing process develops in the vein wall and the varicose vein disappears as if it had been removed.

- Intravenous laser coagulation of veins. A small incision is made at one end of the affected vein and ultrasound is used to guide a laser catheter into the vein. The laser is activated, and after approximately 60 seconds of exposure, the veins are destroyed. Because the entire vein is destroyed and not just the lining (as is the case with sclerotherapy), compression stockings are not required and the patient recovers very quickly (usually going to work the very next day).

Like radiofrequency ablation, intravenous laser treatment involves having a catheter in the vein and using an ultrasound scan to guide it into the correct position. A tiny laser is passed through a catheter located at the top of the varicose veins. The catheter will send intense heat into the vein. The heat will close and destroy the vein and the vein will disappear completely over time.

The laser delivers short bursts of energy that heat the veins and seal them until they close. The laser slowly connects the veins with ultrasound, allowing the entire length of the vein to be closed. Intravenous laser treatment is performed under local anesthesia. After the procedure, the patient may feel heaviness in the legs, and there may be bruising and pain in the affected areas. Nerve damage is also possible, but this is usually only temporary. This method is relatively new, but effective, with minimal side effects and complications.

- Ablation. One of the first treatment procedures is usually endothermic ablation. It is associated with the use of energy with high-frequency radio waves (radio-frequency ablation) or laser (intravenous laser treatment) - "sealing" the affected veins.

Includes heating of the wall of varicose veins using radio frequency energy. It is performed through a small incision just above or just below the knee. A narrow catheter is guided into a vein using ultrasound scanning. A transducer is inserted into the catheter and sends out a radio frequency signal. The catheter heats the vein until its walls collapse, the vein closes and is completely sealed. Once the vein is "sealed" and closed, the blood is redirected to one of the healthy veins.

Radiofrequency ablation is performed under local anesthesia. The procedure may cause some short-term side effects, such as tingling (paresthesia). The patient may need to wear compression stockings for a week after radiofrequency ablation.

- Phlebectomy. If endothermic treatments - ablation and sclerotherapy (see below) - are not suitable for a particular patient, he is usually offered a surgical procedure - "phlebectomy" - that is, the removal of veins.
Varicose vein surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is unconscious during the procedure. After the operation, on the same day, he is usually able to go home. However, in some cases it may be necessary to leave the patient overnight in the hospital, especially if they have had surgery on both legs.

- Crossectomy. Most surgeons use a technique called "crossectomy" - this is the ligation and division of the great saphenous vein, which involves tying the vein in the affected leg and then removing it.
Two small incisions about 5 cm in diameter are made. The first incision is near the groin, in the upper part of the varicose vein. The second incision is made on the lower leg - usually around the knee or ankle. The vein at the top (near the groin) is tied up and sealed. A thin, flexible wire is passed through the bottom of the vein and then gently removed and removed through the lower incision in the leg. Blood flow in the legs is not affected by surgery because the veins that are deep in the leg take on the role of damaged veins.

A crossectomy can cause pain, bruising, and bleeding. More serious complications are rare, but can lead to nerve damage or deep vein thrombosis, which occurs in one of the body's deep veins where a blood clot forms.

Very small incisions are made next to the damaged vein. The vein is then removed. One method to work uses light under the skin. This may be done along with other procedures such as ablation. In this technique, a small incision is made in the skin at one end of the affected vein, and a thin tube with a bright light is inserted under the skin behind the vein, thus shading the vein. Through another small incision at the other end of the affected vein, a special instrument is inserted, attached to a suction node under the skin. The instrument destroys and removes the affected vein.

- Venoextraction. Another common surgical technique for the treatment of superficial varicose veins is "venoextraction": the affected vein is completely removed. A small incision in the skin is made at each end of the affected vein. A flexible wire is inserted into the varicose veins and closed, and the veins are removed.
Both types of surgery can be performed under general or spinal anesthesia and may require a hospital stay.

At the end of the operation, the incisions in the skin are closed with fine stitches to minimize scarring. Bandages or elastic stockings are then applied. They gently compress and support the foot to reduce swelling on it.

- Miniphlebectomy. This method involves removing the vein through a series of tiny skin incisions, which is suitable for small varicose veins. Specialized surgical instruments are used to remove the affected vein. The incisions are so small that they usually do not require stitches.

- Endoscopic vein surgery. This method can be used for more severe cases of varicose veins. It includes several small incisions in the leg. A thin tube containing a tiny camera (endoscope) is inserted through one of the incisions into the affected vein, and small surgical instruments are inserted through the other incision. The camera allows the surgeon to see the inside of the vein on a TV monitor and perform the necessary operations.
Bandages must be worn for approximately 48 hours after the procedure. There is less discomfort, faster recovery, and less scarring than with other surgical methods.

These procedures are generally safe. We recommend that the patient ask their doctor about specific problems that may arise. Risks with any anesthesia:

Allergic reactions to drugs;
- problems with breathing;
- bleeding;
- bruises;
- infection.

Risks of varicose vein therapy:

blood clots;
- nerve damage;
- inability to close the veins;
- opening of the treated vein;
- irritation of the veins;
- bruises or scars;
- return (relapse) of varicose veins over time.

Before your procedure, always tell your doctor or nurse:

If you are pregnant;
- any medications you are taking. This includes drugs, supplements, or herbs that you bought without a prescription;
- You may need to stop taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Warfarin (Coumadin), and other medicines that prevent blood from clotting.

After minimally invasive procedures, the patient's legs are wrapped in bandages that control swelling and bleeding for 2-3 days after treatment.

The patient should be able to start normal activities within 1-2 days after treatment. He needs to wear compression stockings continuously for one week after treatment.
The doctor may check the patient's leg with ultrasound a few days after treatment to make sure that the veins are all right.

Prospects (forecasts)

These procedures reduce pain and improve the appearance of the leg. They usually cause very little scarring, bruising, or swelling. Compression stockings will help prevent the problem of varicose veins coming back.

Sclerotherapy(sclerotherapy)

When a conservative approach is not adequate, sclerosing therapy (sclerotherapy) may be considered. This safe and effective treatment involves injecting chemicals into the dilated veins, which causes them to close. The procedure can be performed in a doctor's office and does not require hospitalization. One limitation of sclerotherapy is that it is most effective on a single, small vein, especially when a varicose vein occurs below the knee. Although this treatment is used to enlarge the veins that occur in the thighs, recurrences are common at this site. For this reason, doctors tend to combine sclerotherapy with surgery or use multiple applications when varicose veins are more extensive.

Sclerotherapy is performed using a thin needle to inject a special solution into the affected veins. The solution (chemical) irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to harden (harden) and close. This prevents blood from entering the part of the vein. The blood is thus forced and unavoidable to pass through other, healthier veins. Sclerotherapy has the advantage that it can be performed without the need for anesthesia.

Basically, 3 drugs are used in sclerotherapy: thrombovar, ethoxyclerol and fibro-vein. They are highly effective, but completely safe.

After the injection, compression bandages with a sclerosing solution are applied. This prevents blood from flowing back into the treated vein. The doctor determines how long bandages are required and will recommend a group of exercises to the patient. Within a week, varicose veins will disappear and will be barely noticeable. Sometimes more than one sclerotherapy may be needed for varicose veins.

Deep varicose veins can be treated with ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. The doctor can use ultrasound to see the veins on a screen, which allows them to accurately guide a thin needle into the vein. This technique also often makes it possible to detect and treat the hidden origin of varicose veins. However, because ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a relatively new technique, its long-term efficacy has not yet been established.

Sclerotherapy can also be used to treat "spider veins" - very small veins that enlarge and look like small red (purple) lines just under the surface of the skin.

Types of sclerotherapy

- Microsclerotherapy. The simplest procedure. The doctor simply injects sclerosing drugs into the vein with a thin needle. Microsclerotherapy is carried out if the size of pathological formations does not exceed 2 mm.

echosclerotherapy. The introduction of the drug is carried out under the control of ultrasound duplex scanning, due to which the surgeon accurately finds the location of pathologically altered veins and directs the needle.

Foam-form therapy is an operation also known as foam sclerotherapy. In this case, sclerosing preparations are detergents, that is, they are able to turn into foam when mixed with air in a ratio of 1:3-1:4.

The use of an ultrasonic scanner makes it possible to accurately introduce sclerosing foam into the area of venous discharges. At the same time, not only visible veins are eliminated, but also the main causes of the appearance and progression of varicose veins. Edema, heaviness in the legs pass, venous trophic ulcers are cured. In most cases, one session of such sclerotherapy is enough to eliminate varicose veins.

Foam sclerotherapy has some advantages over conventional methods: due to the foamy state, it is possible to reduce the dose of sclerosing agents without loss of effectiveness, and the contact of the sclerosing substance with the inner surface of the venous wall improves. Foam sclerotherapy is typically used to treat very large vessels.

Side effects of sclerotherapy

Blood clots in other leg veins;
- irritation and damage to the tissues surrounding the affected veins;
- headache;
- back pain;
- discoloration of the skin - for example, brown areas over the place where the treated veins were;
- fainting;
- temporary vision problems;
- light brown streaks or discoloration over the treated vein (this disappears within a month).

However, most people who have undergone sclerotherapy have good results with minimal side effects.

Sclerotherapy is not suitable for all people. Factors such as pregnancy, pre-existing clotting disorders, and allergies are contraindications for sclerotherapy treatment.

Varicose veins should start to disappear a few weeks after sclerotherapy. Strong veins take on the role of a damaged vein and no longer fill with blood. A patient may need to be treated more than once before the varicose veins disappear completely.

Immediately after sclerotherapy, the patient should be able to walk and can return to work. He will need to wear compression stockings or bandages for a week. In rare cases, sclerotherapy is known to have a serious potential for complications, such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Transillumination sheafer phlebectomy

In a phlebectomy, one or two small incisions are made in the leg. The surgeon uses a special light - an endoscopic transilluminator - under the patient's skin so that he can see which veins need to be removed. Affected veins are excised prior to their removal through the incisions, using a suction device. Transillumination phlebectomy can be performed under general or local anesthesia. The patient may have some bruising or bleeding afterwards. Since this treatment is relatively new, there is some uncertainty about its efficacy and safety, and it is not recommended as part of a conventional treatment plan for varicose veins. However, if the physician believes it will help, the benefits and risks are explained to the patient.

Compression stockings, specially designed to permanently compress the leg, improve blood circulation. More often, they squeeze the leg more tightly at the ankle, weakening further up the leg. This stimulates blood flow upward towards the heart.

Compression stockings can help relieve pain, discomfort, and swelling in the legs caused by varicose veins. However, it is not known whether stockings help prevent varicose veins from getting worse or prevent new varicose veins.

We recommend that patients with varicose veins use only compression stockings as their long-term treatment, if all the procedures described above are not suitable for him. If this is a pregnant woman with such a diagnosis, she may be offered compression stockings throughout the entire pregnancy.

Compression stockings and tights are available in various sizes and compression (pressure). For most people with varicose veins, Class 1 (light compression) or Class 2 (medium compression) stockings are available.

The patient may have to wear compression stockings for the rest of his life if he has deep venous incompetence (vein inefficiency) - severe valve problems or blockages in the deep veins in the legs. Under these conditions, the patient must constantly wear compression stockings, even if he underwent surgery during the treatment of varicose veins.

The patient needs to learn from doctors how to wear compression stockings or pantyhose correctly so that they are comfortable and correct for him and that he gets the maximum benefit from them. You also need to learn how to care for them so that they last for three to six months (they must be changed after that).

Complications varicose veins (varicose veins)

Complications due to varicose veins may include:

The skin over affected veins may become thin and vulnerable to cuts, cuts, sores, and sores;
- inflammation of the affected veins (phlebitis) may occur;
- slightly increased risk of developing deep vein clots associated with varicose veins.

Prevention of varicose veins(varicose veins)

Because varicose veins cannot be completely cured, the best course of treatment is prevention. Tips that can help prevent varicose veins:

Avoid cross-legged and cross-legged positions when you are sitting;
- maintain a healthy body weight;
- avoid tight clothing that compresses the legs, groin or waist;
- avoid uncomfortable shoes;
- avoid constipation;
- When you stand for a long time, shift the weight from one foot to the other every 5-10 minutes.

When visiting a phlebologist, a specialist can diagnose varicose veins.

Sometimes this surprises patients, because typical signs of the disease are not observed.

Many are accustomed to the fact that with this pathology, the veins in the affected area become wide and nodules appear on them. Pathology can be deep and superficial, early and advanced stages.

At the same time, at the beginning of the development of the process, most are concerned about the appearance of a cosmetic defect, but the constant progression of the disease can lead to the development of chronic vascular damage.

Varicose veins of the internal veins of the lower extremities, the symptoms of which are not visible at the beginning of the development of the pathology, are very difficult to diagnose. The first signs are fatigue in the limbs and swelling, which are regarded as a normal state of daily overexertion. Often, pregnant women also miss the onset of the development of the disease, arguing that their condition is the main provocateur of varicose veins.

With the timely detection of the disease, it is possible to perform treatment with folk remedies, which is no less effective than the medical method of eliminating the disease.

Doctors call early signs of varicose veins:

feeling of heaviness in the legs that occurs after a long walk or wearing uncomfortable shoes;
the appearance of minor pain in the evening;
the body's tendency to fatigue quickly.

Symptoms equally occur in both men and women, while they are similar to the manifestation of diseases such as: flat feet, arterial and lumbar osteochondrosis. For differential diagnosis, you should contact a doctor who specializes in the treatment of pathologies of the vascular system, otherwise there is a risk that self-therapy will not give the desired effect.

note

If a person does not express the main symptom of varicose veins - dilated dark veins, this does not mean that there is no disease.

With the development of the initial stage, swelling always appears in the area of the affected venous bed, especially in the evening or after physical exertion. Subsequently, if treatment is not started, a person will experience convulsions, in particular during a night's sleep or when lying down, fatigue will appear in the calf area.

Doctors distinguish three stages of varicose veins, consider the characteristic features of each in more detail.

I call the first stage compensatory, when the initial symptoms of pathology develop. The duration of this process is sometimes up to several years, but in some cases the process develops rapidly and three months is enough for it. Expressed symptoms are almost always absent, only occasionally you can notice that the veins have become tortuous and formed "asterisks". A person feels slight discomfort and fatigue, slight swelling (mainly in the evening).

In the absence of treatment, the second develops - subcompensatory stage of the disease. It can also take several years, but a pronounced deformation of the veins is already developing, which provokes a violation of the normal blood circulation in the vessels, blood clots can form. Signs of varicose veins are characterized by obvious pain, constant cramps in a horizontal position of the body (especially during a night's sleep), affecting the calves of the legs, swelling in the morning no longer goes away, and the skin of the damaged area becomes hyperemic (purple-brown).

At the final stage, the third stage begins - the decompensatory stage. At this time, pronounced clinical signs of the disease can be observed: constant swelling of the affected area, varicose veins are visible to the naked eye, itching, inflammation appear. All symptoms lead to the development of trophic conditions of the skin surface: the appearance of age spots, impregnation with subcutaneous fat, ulcers.

It is very important to start treatment at the first stage, so you can protect yourself from the development of complications.

Everyone knows varicose veins of the lower extremities, but the disease can also spread to the veins of the small pelvis. Therefore, it is important to know what signs of development this varicose veins have. This pathology is often diagnosed in women during pregnancy, also in reproductive age. The cause of varicose veins of the small pelvis is the malfunction of the venous valves, which leads to the outflow of blood back through the ovarian vein. All this happens due to compression of the vessels of the small pelvis, which is observed during the bearing of the child.

In exceptional cases, the disease is diagnosed in adolescence. At this time, it usually proceeds without symptoms, but sometimes abundant vaginal discharge may begin, which will be the reason for contacting a specialist.

If you do not take into account pregnancy, then varicose veins of the small pelvis occurs under the influence of such factors:

the presence of congenital pathologies;
genetics;
severe, multiple births;
excessive physical activity and an inactive lifestyle;
lack of regular sexual life;
the presence of gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
excess estrogen in the blood of a woman.

Signs of pelvic varicose veins doctors distinguish the following:

a feeling of severe pain in the lower abdomen (intensifies with the onset of the evening, during intercourse, the first days of the menstrual cycle);
untimely development of PMS;
pain in the vagina and perineum;
copious vaginal discharge;
puffiness;
improper urination and disruptions in the menstrual cycle.

Doctors note that in each clinical case, the degree and severity of symptoms will be different. Therefore, if even the slightest symptoms occur, it is recommended to immediately contact a qualified specialist.

The first signs of varicose veins in the legs and symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities in men

The first signs of varicose veins in the legs in men can be seen from the age of 30. Pronounced signs of venous disease are visible at the age of 45, while every third man has problems of the vascular system of varying severity. If in women the legs mainly suffer, then in the stronger sex the groin area is affected.

Varicose veins of the testicles or varicocele are also diagnosed in adolescence, which is due to changes in the hormonal background of the body. Quite often, this pathology occurs without visible signs, so it is difficult to make an early diagnosis.

Signs of the disease are:

sensations of pain in the groin area;
discomfort during sexual intercourse;
heaviness in the scrotum;
groin pain, aggravated by walking.

Some men have varicose veins of the hands, in this case, the first signs are a feeling of heaviness and swelling. If active physical activity was performed during the day, then cramps often occur at night and fingers go numb.

Varicose veins in the legs are equally common in both men and women. In most cases, the first signs of varicose veins in the legs are slight fatigue and slight tension. With the development of the process, fatigue, which previously quickly passed, does not disappear even after a night's sleep, there is a pronounced edema, pain in the vascular network and bulging of the veins.

Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities are:

pain of a different nature (acute or throbbing);
itching in the affected area of the veins;
the lower limbs become heavy, as if bursting;
the skin becomes dry, then brown pigmentation appears on them, dermatitis and eczema develop, wounds heal poorly and ulcers may form;
in the area of the legs and feet, the veins protrude, twist strongly;
a visible network of vessels appears.

If you find any symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities or another area, you should contact a specialist who can choose the correct method and medicine for therapy. Pathology must necessarily be treated, and only a doctor has the right to determine the method and prescribe a medicine, which will make the therapy effective. Also, do not forget about prevention, and taking care of your health.

Modern treatment of varicose veins with timely access to a doctor brings its positive results. Many people ask the question: varicose veins - what is it? Varicose veins are called pathological expansion of the walls of peripheral veins, as a result of which varicose nodes become visible under the skin. The blood vessels themselves swell strongly and acquire a bluish tint. What causes varicose veins? As a result of the development of the disease, the blood ceases to circulate normally, it is hardly pushed up, stagnating in the vessels of the legs. This leads to even greater stretching of the walls of the veins and the appearance of a feeling of heaviness in the legs.

The initial stage of varicose veins is manifested as follows: when the wall of the venous vessel begins to increase, it is pressed against the skin. Through it, the vascular network and spider veins first appear, then the first signs of varicose veins appear: nodes and tubercles of blue color. This indicates that the vessel is weakened and without adequate treatment is no longer able to return to normal.

In our age of physical inactivity and poor ecology, varicose veins are among the ten most common pathologies in the world. Every 4 inhabitant of the planet suffers from it.

More than half of patients are unaware of the onset of varicose veins in the early (hidden) stages. Why, according to statistics, women most often suffer from varicose veins? This is due to the fact that they have insufficiently developed connective tissue due to the special course of the hormonal cycle.

How to remove varicose veins? Varicose veins cause a lot of trouble, ranging from cosmetic problems to life-threatening conditions. The disease must be recognized in time and treated in a timely manner. This will help not only to remove visible defects, but also to eliminate the complications of varicose veins.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Varicose veins are an exclusively human disease. Not a single living being on the planet suffers from dilated peripheral veins of the extremities. Causes of varicose veins:

Vertical position of the body. When walking, not only the weight of the body presses on the limbs, but also the force of gravity. There is a special compression system in the veins, thanks to which the blood rises in spite of gravity. If it fails, then varicose veins develop. At risk are those people who, on duty, are forced to stand or move a lot.
Varicose veins have a genetic predisposition. As a rule, if close relatives have it, then the risk of disease in offspring increases to 70%. If hereditary varicose veins did not develop in childhood, then following the recommendations of a specialist, you can avoid its development in adulthood.
Physical inactivity. In the world there are more and more professions related to office work. In the sitting position, the veins of the lower extremities are clamped, edema occurs, and, as a result, the walls of the peripheral veins grow. Low physical activity also does not contribute to the health of the veins - intravenous valves cease to function in a constant load mode.
Another cause of varicose veins is a disturbance in the functioning of the endocrine glands. This problem is especially true for women whose whole life is subject to monthly hormonal cycles. Any malfunction of the endocrine glands leads to stagnation of blood in the veins of the legs. Especially increases the risk of developing varicose veins during puberty, childbearing, the postpartum period, with the onset of menopause. If there is not enough estrogen in a woman's body, and corpus luteum hormones predominate, then the muscles relax, and prerequisites are created for stagnant processes in the veins. Varicose veins often accompany obesity.
The causes of varicose veins are mechanical obstacles. There is a category of diseases in which there are barriers to the normal outflow of blood: oncological pathologies, inflammation of the uterus, the formation of blood clots.
Stressful conditions, bad habits. The veins are surrounded by nerve endings that help maintain venous tone. Under the influence of nerve stimuli, nicotine, alcohol, stimulants, the walls of the veins gradually lose their tone, which leads to the growth of connective tissue.
Pressure in fistulas. In the limbs there are arterio-venous fistulas, which cause the development of varicose veins if the pressure in them is higher than the physiological norm.
There is a malfunction of the venous valves. The mechanism of blood movement in the vessels of the legs is designed in such a way that the blood, rising through the vein, cannot go down due to the closing of the vein valves. If they do not close enough, then part of the blood descends into the lower sections. Blood stasis is created, due to which the vessel wall gradually expands.

Symptoms of varicose veins

In this disease, it is important not to miss the very initial moment, when the pathological processes are reversible, and the treatment does not take much time. The main symptoms, how to determine varicose veins:

the appearance in the extremities of a spreading feeling of warmth, turning into a burning sensation;
a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which especially increases in the evening;
not immediately, but swelling may appear in the limbs, which are especially noticeable in the ankles and feet;
at night, the muscles of the legs begin to cramp;
the initial stage of varicose veins is characterized by the fact that the skin on the legs darkens, when palpated, seals are felt;
in places of seals, the skin may ulcerate, trophic ulcers may appear at the site of wounds.

As the disease progresses, varicose veins increase in symptoms:

pulling pains appear that cover the popliteal fossa and the back surface of the lower leg; men have thicker skin with well-defined hairiness, so this symptom is less pronounced in them;
the vein along its length from the ankle to the knee begins to be well palpable, the affected vessels appear tortuous;
a vascular network may appear on the limbs, which has a purple-blue tint, the color intensity decreases if you take a prone position and slightly raise your legs;
in the evening, dull pains, a burning sensation and convulsions join the symptoms, they are especially acute after many hours of standing;
there may be swelling of the limbs to the point that your favorite shoes can no longer be worn.

If the disease is not treated properly, then the upper layer of the skin of the extremities becomes dry, dense and cyanotic, pigmentation often appears on it. Further malnutrition of the skin leads to the formation of trophic ulcers. If fever, weakness and chills are added to this group of symptoms, then the course of varicose veins is complicated.

Complications of varicose veins

Varicose veins can be complicated by more severe pathological processes in the veins of the lower extremities:

Acute thrombophlebitis. Subcutaneous veins become painful to the touch, the skin acquires a red tint, severe pain appears. The acute stage is associated with the fact that a blood clot blocks the lumen of the vessel. If the vein becomes sclerosed, then there is a risk of gangrene.
Trophic ulcer. Wounds appear on the skin, from which ichor constantly oozes. Pathogenic microbes often enter the wound, and the course of varicose veins is complicated by a secondary bacterial infection. Trophic ulcers practically do not scar due to malnutrition of cells in the upper layers of the epidermis.
Bleeding from varicose veins. The wall of the vein protrudes and becomes thinner so that with minor damage, it perforates and begins to bleed.

Varicose veins are terrible because inflammation of the upper veins can spread to the deep vein system. Small blood clots can break away from the walls of deep veins and cause pulmonary embolism.

Types of varicose veins

At the present stage of development of phlebology, experts have developed a classification of varicose veins. According to her, the types of varicose veins are distinguished:

intradermal varicose veins, which is manifested by spider veins on the skin;
varicose veins of the large and small external veins in the form of nodes and seals;
various subcutaneous types of varicose veins in the form of a vascular network.

This classification applies only to vessels that lie shallow from the surface of the body.

In the same way, the disease is determined depending on the stage of varicose veins:

The stage of varicose veins is compensation. The patient does not yet feel symptoms such as pain, heaviness, swelling. At this stage, he is concerned about cosmetic problems: spider veins and meshes on the lower leg and thighs. There are no external skin changes. The defeat of deep veins at this stage of varicose veins can only be detected by the method of instrumental diagnostics.
The stage of varicose veins is subcompensation. The phenomena of chronic venous insufficiency are growing, pastosity and swelling of the ankle appears, which subsides during sleep. The legs get tired quickly, the color of the skin of the limbs changes, the patient is tormented by itching. The skin loses its elasticity, becomes dry and often injured.
The stage of varicose veins is decompensation. Trophic ulcers that do not heal for a long time appear in the ankle area. They form rough scars that often ulcerate again. At this stage, varicose veins are complicated by bacterial infections. The dilated vein thickens along its entire length, varicose nodes increase.

The degree of development of the disease

Varicose veins from the stage of mild venous insufficiency can cause disability and death. Since the disease is quite common, you should know the degree of varicose veins:

Manifestation of varicose veins

Varicose veins of the 1st degree. Pregnancy, excess weight, improper body position for a long time can lead to the development of initial symptoms of damage to the veins of the lower extremities. Many patients ignore grade 1 varicose veins, attributing heaviness and swelling of the legs to fatigue. At this time, varicose veins are well treated with conservative methods, physiotherapy exercises and foot massage.
Varicose veins of the 2nd degree. The veins enlarge and become visible. Varicose veins in this degree are especially painful in the summer heat. There is a risk of thrombophlebitis. Treatment of the 2nd degree is also conservative, but longer. Its goal is to stop the further development of varicose veins and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
Varicose veins of the 3rd degree. Symptoms of varicose veins increase and do not go away over time. The disease takes on serious forms and is often complicated. Methods of conservative treatment are often powerless, one has to resort to surgical intervention.
What is grade 4 varicose veins? Advanced degree with skin lesions and persistent trophic ulcers. Only surgical treatment is indicated.

Varicose veins last for years, there comes a time when the disease becomes apparent. It is important to carefully consider your own health and seek help from a phlebologist who will prescribe the right treatment. This will not only protect the veins from further protrusion of the walls, but may also save your life.

Treatment of varicose veins

How to treat varicose veins? Depending on the type and degree of development of varicose veins, experts distinguish the following traditional methods of treating varicose veins:

compression stockings;
drug therapy;
hirudotherapy;
surgical treatments.

With varicose veins of the 1st and 2nd degree, traditional medicine, physiotherapy exercises and massage help well.

Compression stockings

How to get rid of varicose veins with compression stockings? In the complex treatment and prevention of varicose veins, great importance is attached to wearing compression underwear. Golfs, stockings and tights perform a number of functions:

Compression stockings

support and compress the wall of the dilated venous vessel, forcing the blood flow to be redistributed between healthy and diseased veins, removing excessive load from them;
improve tissue trophism by eliminating congestion;
contribute to the strengthening of the muscle pump - pushing blood up during physical exertion;
properly selected underwear minimizes the development of blood clots in the affected veins;
long-term wearing allows you to return the normal physiological functions of the venous blood flow (at 1-2 degrees).

Compression underwear is a more effective method than elastic bandages to treat varicose veins.

Putting on underwear does not take much time, always properly supports diseased veins, forcing them to function. The disadvantages of compression underwear include a number of contraindications, in which its wearing is prohibited, as well as the fact that this method is prohibited for deep vein varicose veins.

There are 4 degrees of compression that underwear provides when worn:

The first class of compression is more used for the prevention of varicose veins. It is prescribed to patients at risk: pregnant women, those who have spider veins and meshes, persons who, on duty, have to sit or stand a lot.
The second class of compression is the most popular among doctors and patients. Underwear is used at different stages of venous insufficiency, varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
The third class of compression is used for severe forms of venous insufficiency and varicose veins complicated by trophic ulcers.
The fourth and higher compression classes are prescribed extremely rarely when there is a violation of the lymphatic outflow.

Medical therapy

How to deal with varicose veins with medication? Drug therapy for varicose veins is part of a comprehensive conservative treatment. It includes:

oral administration of tablets and capsules;
drug injections;
the use of external agents: ointments, creams, gels.

The phlebologist selects the course of treatment and the type of drug for the patient. He assesses the degree of development of the disease and the patient's condition.

What to do with varicose veins? As a rule, several main groups of drugs form the basis of drug treatment.

Phlebotropic agents. Their main purpose is to restore the tone of the wall of the venous vessel. Treatment of varicose veins with phlebotonics in the early stages of the development of the disease can reduce the process of vein deformation, remove spider veins and spider veins. In most cases, varicose veins are prescribed:

Detralex is a drug that increases the tone of the venous wall, reduces the degree of vasodilation, relieves swelling.
Aescusan relieves swelling of the legs, prevents the development of atherosclerotic processes and the deposition of plaques in the vessels.
Troxevasin relieves inflammation from the affected vessel, reduces the protrusion of its walls. It is used for chronic venous insufficiency, varicose dermatitis and pain symptoms. It is indicated in the postoperative period for the speedy restoration of the conductive function of the veins.

Can varicose veins be cured with these drugs? Venotonics cannot eliminate varicose veins, but they can effectively eliminate disturbing symptoms.

Blood thinners (anticoagulants). How to cure varicose veins with these remedies? The task of drugs in this group is to maintain normal blood counts, reduce the threat of blood clots, and improve peripheral circulation. The drugs are taken according to the scheme determined by the doctor. During the course of treatment, he makes adjustments based on the patient's condition and positive dynamics.

Aspirin promotes blood thinning and several times reduces the risk of developing blood clots in diseased veins. In addition, drugs in this group relieve swelling and pain in the legs.
Treatment of varicose veins with Fenilin. Anticoagulant, which slows down blood clotting, prevents platelets from sticking together in places of curvature of the wall of the venous vessel.
Lyoton 1000 is an external drug that thins the blood, relieves inflammation and itching of the skin.
Warfarin is used for severe varicose veins complicated by the development of thrombophlebitis. Effective in pathologies of external and deep veins.

Anticoagulants can be taken strictly as prescribed by a doctor. An overdose may cause bleeding.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as a method of treating varicose veins, are used in the symptomatic treatment of varicose veins: they relieve pain, eliminate cramps, increase blood flow and reduce inflammation of damaged veins.

Diclofenac is applied externally and in the form of intramuscular injections. It is especially effective for varicose veins in the early stages of development.
Ibuprofen relieves inflammation and pain.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs successfully treat varicose veins and are used as a prevention of complications of varicose veins.

Hirudotherapy in the treatment of varicose veins

Hirudotherapy

Currently, the fight against varicose veins by the method of hirudotherapy is recognized as traumatic, but the method is used at advanced stages, when signs of thrombophlebitis increase. Methods for the treatment of varicose veins with leeches should be carried out exclusively in medical institutions where there are appropriate permits and conditions for aseptic staging of leeches.

It should be remembered that hirudotherapy for varicose veins can provoke allergic reactions and the development of trophic ulcers.

Operative treatments

Varicose veins and surgical treatment is used in cases where:

the disease has flowed into an advanced stage;
there is a pathological growth of the walls of the veins;
revealed a violation of blood flow, which leads to the appearance of pain, changes in the structure of the skin, the development of trophic ulcers;
The course of the disease was complicated by thrombophlebitis.

In the absence of contraindications, phlebologist surgeons perform operations on the affected veins. There are several methods currently in use:

EVLK (endovasal laser coagulation). A revolutionary method for the treatment of varicose veins, which is characterized by low trauma. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis within half an hour. Its essence lies in the fact that the phlebologist seals diseased veins with a laser beam, and the blood flow starts through healthy vessels.
Sclerotherapy. It also refers to minimally invasive operations, when the result is achieved in a few minutes with simple manipulations. A similar property has and varicose disease treatment with the help of radio frequencies. With a special syringe with a very thin needle, a drug is injected into the wall of the affected vessel, which forms foam and closes the lumen. The blood flow is directed to a healthy vein. The drug is absorbed and excreted from the body through the kidneys.
Phlebectomy. This is a surgical treatment by removing the affected veins, which is prescribed for grade 3 varicose veins, when trophic ulcers and other types of complications already appear. Without surgery, the consequences of varicose veins can be fatal.

The phlebologist prescribes surgical treatment when conservative treatment at the last stage of varicose veins no longer makes sense, or will not be so effective.

Alternative methods of treatment of varicose veins

Alternative methods of treatment are effective as a prophylactic, but they can alleviate the course of the disease. If you have varicose veins, what should you do? It is worth trying several recipes to evaluate their effectiveness:

A decoction of nutmeg. A few whole nutmegs need to be ground in a coffee grinder. Take 1 tsp. powder without a slide and pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. After that, add 1 tsp to the decoction. honey and drink half an hour before breakfast. To enhance the effect, the decoction can be drunk again 2 hours after breakfast. Nutmeg can be treated throughout the year. It well heals wounds after trophic ulcers, helps restore blood flow and damaged epithelial tissues. It must be remembered that nutmeg is poisonous, so you can not put more than 1 tsp. on a glass.
Cut a green tomato into circles and tie them with a bandage to a diseased vein. This can be done year round. Green tomatoes contain a powerful dose of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the walls of blood vessels, eliminates varicose veins and reduces the risk of blood clots.
Take a half-liter jar, pour 50 g of horse chestnut flowers and pour vodka. Let it brew for 14 days, strain and take 1 tbsp. l., drinking water. After a week of admission, take a break of 14 days. You can take several courses.
Take a stack of dope seeds, grind on a coffee grinder, pour a bottle of vodka and put in a dark place for 14 days. During infusion, the liquid should be shaken. After that, take 15 drops of tincture per 100 g of water, moisten gauze, apply to the affected vein, cover with cellophane and wrap with a bandage. Keep the compress for 30 minutes. Increase the dose of tincture by 1-2 drops per day and bring it up to 25 drops, then continue treatment for 30 days.

Mikulin exercise

What can not be done with varicose veins? During this disease, it is desirable to give more rest to the legs and do various exercises. A simple exercise effectively cleans the vessels, restores blood flow. It is performed on a flat floor with bare feet. It is necessary to stand in an arbitrary position with support on the entire foot, tear off the heels 1 cm from the floor and land sharply on them. Repeat the exercise 30-50 times slowly, in a calm mode. During the day, it is recommended to do 3-4 more approaches. More than 60 heel strikes are not recommended. Treatment of varicose veins with the help of such exercises is very effective.

Exercise makes the muscles of the lower leg work and squeeze the blood up through the veins.