Varicose veins, or simply varicose veins, are a dangerous vascular disease that mainly affects the veins of the lower extremities. The pathology occurs in most women, especially during pregnancy, when the load on the legs increases significantly. It develops as a result of thinning of the walls of blood vessels and the appearance of aneurysms caused by increased blood pressure. The disease is caused by the following factors: sedentary lifestyle, prolonged standing, constant movement of the ankles, heredity, some internal pathologies. In men, it is often associated with bad habits, overweight and heavy physical labor.
If left untreated, the disease can cause serious complications. As a rule, doctors approve of a combination of drug treatment and folk remedies.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of varicose veins of the lower extremities depend on the stage of the disease:
- Phase I is characterized by small changes and is generally ignored. The following symptoms appear at this stage: swelling and heaviness in the legs, rare night cramps, minor pain in the legs. One of the most important symptoms is the appearance of spider veins in the legs, which is why a woman should consult a phlebologist.
- In stage II, the symptoms become more pronounced, the pain and swelling of the lower extremities become permanent and do not disappear even after a long rest. Painful knots in the legs and severe itching in the affected areas of the skin, occasionally there is a feeling of numbness in the legs. Conservative treatment is possible at this stage.
- Stage III is characterized by enlargement and compression of the venous nodes, swelling above the level of the skin. The patient is accompanied by constant pain at the sites of nodules, their risk of injury increases significantly and causes bleeding. This degree is characterized by the short-term or ineffective use of special ointments and creams.
- In stage IV, all symptoms worsen, accompanied by trophic ulcers in the legs. Blood vessels stop the supply of blood to the tissues, which leads to necrotic processes.
- Stage V is characterized by persistent and incurable trophic ulcers.
- In stage VI, the patient has difficulty moving, trophic ulcers spread to healthy tissues, and infection is possible.
Only the first two stages are suitable for conservative treatment. Neglected forms of the pathological condition require surgical intervention.
Methods of treatment
There are several ways of treatment: conservative drug treatment, surgery and the use of folk remedies.
The conservative method consists of the use of venotonics, blood thinners, vitamin complexes in the form of ointments and tablets. Drugs are used as a therapy in the formation of trophic ulcers. As a rule, prescribe antiseptics for topical use, drugs from the group of antibiotics, immunostimulants, vitamins, substances that promote tissue regeneration.
Folk remedies for varicose veins are now widely used in the complex treatment of pathology. Distinguish external agents, therapeutic baths and compositions for internal use.
Formulas for external use
The following recipes are the most popular among the external methods of traditional medicine:
- The use of red and green tomatoes has long been considered an effective way to reduce swelling and heaviness in the legs. To do this, you need to cut the fruit into rings, completely cover the legs and tie with a tight bandage. The duration of action of the agent reaches 1 to 2 hours. The compress should then be removed and the procedure repeated several times. The duration of the course is 2 weeks.
- Treatment with apple cider vinegar in the early stages of varicose veins is considered one of the most effective methods. The application consists of lubricating the affected areas twice a day with a cotton swab dipped in natural apple cider vinegar.
- In the early stages of the disease, wraps using honey are allowed. The procedure should be performed every month for four consecutive days. Lubricate problem areas with plenty of natural honey and wrap with a compression bandage, leave for 2 hours. Spend a session at night.
- Simple potatoes will help in the stage of appearance of trophic ulcers. The essence of the method is to apply grated raw tubers to the foci of trophic changes for 5 hours and fasten the compress with a bandage. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the skin condition.
- One of the simplest recipes involves the use of fresh cabbage leaves as a therapeutic compress. They should be rubbed on the diseased limbs every day for a month and fixed with a bandage. It is better to perform the procedure at night and leave the compress until the morning.
- Homemade peanut oil is an effective remedy for varicose veins. To get the composition, you need to take unripe fruits, chop and pour olive oil to completely cover the raw material. Heat the mixture over low heat and pour into a glass jar, leave to infuse for a month. After that, the agent should be applied daily to lubricate the veins.
- A mixture of equal amounts of aloe juice, olive oil and sea buckthorn oil will help reduce itching and irritation in painful areas. The tool should be used in the morning and evening to treat the epidermis of the feet.
- St. John's wort oil fights ulcerative lesions of the lower extremities. It is not difficult to prepare at home. Pour 100 g of dry raw material with 400 ml of sunflower oil and heat on low heat for 6 hours. Then filter the composition and apply a compress directly to the ulcer area.
- It is also allowed to supplement pharmaceutical products with natural ingredients. Ichthyol ointment and Vishnevsky's ointment should be taken 10 g each, add 10 g of lard, aloe juice and honey. Heat a little and treat ulcer lesions, fix the compresses with a bandage. Need to change once a day.
- Fresh lilac leaves will help eliminate swelling and heaviness in the legs. To do this, you need to put them on your feet, fix them with a bandage and leave for 2 hours. Repeat the procedure several times a day.
- Fresh maple leaves will help treat varicose veins at home. To do this, you need to find tall bags, fill them with raw materials and put your feet inside. When the muscles sweat a lot, you need to finish the session. Next time, you will need fresh leaves. As a rule, 2-3 procedures are enough to get rid of swelling and heaviness in the legs.
- The use of fresh wormwood is allowed in the spring. It is necessary to cut several branches of the plant, wash, dry, chop and mix with the same amount of yogurt. Distribute the composition on napkins made of natural fabric and wrap the affected limbs, leave for 30 minutes. It is recommended to stretch the legs with the legs raised during the exposure to the agent. This recipe should be used daily for a month.
Medicinal plants in the form of decoctions and tinctures have long been used to treat varicose veins. The following recipes have proven themselves:
- A decoction of hop cones is used for compresses. It should be prepared from 2 tablespoons of crushed raw materials and 500 ml of water. The composition should be boiled for 15 minutes, filtered and cooled. It is recommended to moisturize a napkin made of natural fabric and soothe the limbs.
- Alcohol tincture of white acacia flowers effectively fights knots in the lower extremities. For 100 ml of vodka you will need 80 g of dried crushed flowers. It should be infused over 10 days and used daily to treat the affected areas until the condition improves.
- It is allowed to use celandine broth for compresses. Preparation of the composition is very simple: 4 tablespoons of dry raw material should be boiled in a liter of water for 20 minutes, infused for 12 hours and filtered. Moisten a linen napkin in the resulting liquid and wrap it around your lower leg, leaving it for an hour, previously covered with a bandage. After removing the bandage, it is recommended to lubricate the legs with sunflower oil. The duration of treatment is one week, then it is recommended to take a break for 10 days and repeat. You need 2-3 courses to fully recover.
- Kalanchoe tincture used for rubbing and massage has healing properties. Preparation is very simple: fill a half-liter jar with chopped plant leaves, pour vodka to fill the entire container. Insist for a week in a dark place, pat dry. Use the product daily before going to bed, rubbing your feet from knee to toe with light massage movements.
- Treatment of varicose veins in the stage of trophic ulcers can be carried out with the help of a decoction of herbs: chamomile, calendula, yarrow, St. John's wort, horsetail. Mix the ingredients in equal amounts, take a tablespoon of the mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, boil for a few minutes. Use a ready-made composition to compress or wash wounds.
Many herbs and folk remedies have contraindications and side effects, so it is advisable to consult your doctor before use.
Healing baths
The use of natural remedies as therapeutic baths significantly alleviates the patient's condition. Compositions for the procedure can be prepared according to the following recipes:
- Decoction of willow and oak bark effectively combats edema of the lower extremities. Preparation is very simple: take 50 g of dry raw materials, boil in 5 liters of water for a few minutes, cool for 20 minutes and put your feet in the composition.
- Chestnut baths are an effective tool against varicose veins. Pour 100 g of chestnut peel with 2 liters of boiling water, boil for 15 minutes, leave for 6 hours and add to a cup of water. Lower extremities 20 minutes.
The use of hot therapeutic baths is strictly contraindicated in patients prone to thrombosis or diagnosed with thrombophlebitis.
Products for indoor use
Taking alternative medicine strengthens the walls of blood vessels from the inside and promotes rapid healing. Effective formulas can be prepared on the basis of the following recipes:
- Both fresh and dried carrot tops can be used to make medicinal teas. To do this, you need to insist an hour in a teaspoon of raw material in a glass of boiling water. You should take the composition three times a day.
- A recipe based on garlic and puppies has long been used to treat blood vessels. Chop 700 g of garlic into porridge, combine it with one kilogram of honey and eat a tablespoon of the mixture before the main meal.
- It is recommended to drink the infusion of dried nettle 125 ml 3 times a day. Preparation is very simple: take 2 tablespoons of grass for 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour.
- It is recommended to take 25 drops of fresh chestnut flowers dissolved in a glass of water in the morning and evening.
- Shilajit is allowed to take 1 tablet previously dissolved in water in the morning and evening.
- Alcohol tincture can be prepared on the basis of coconut. To do this, pour 200 g of crushed raw materials in a liter of high-quality vodka and leave for 14 days. Drink 20-30 drops until the end of the product.
- The infusion of hazelnut leaves effectively fights the disease. A tablespoon of dry raw material should be insisted in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Drink 100 ml 4 times a day.
Internal remedies not only help to cure the disease, but also strengthen the body, which is needed during therapy.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a serious condition. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to serious consequences. It is not worth starting the disease, because the only treatment option in the later stages is surgery.