According to statistics, every fourth inhabitant of the planet, regardless of age and physiological data, suffers from varicose veins. Varicose veins are mainly an inherited disease, which can be caused by genetic factors. Any aspect of a disease, such as varicose veins, can be a trigger for triggering the mechanism, including an unhealthy diet, intense physical activity, or their complete absence. The clinical picture of the disease and the choice of treatment depends on the stage and shape of the varicose veins, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient.
Pathogenesis and etiology
It is now scientifically proven and proven that the main reason for the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease is heredity. Genetic defects in the transmission of genetic material, which is responsible for the elasticity and tone of the venous walls, are passed down from generation to generation and lead to the development of varicose veins.
In the case of an inherited predisposition, it is very difficult not to see the main symptoms of the disease, because almost any factor that almost every average person encounters on a daily basis can act as a kind of catalyst for a start. pathological processes. Among the most common causes of adverse effects pathology can be:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Pregnancy and postpartum period.
- Excess weight, especially with the localization of fat masses in the lower body.
- Long-term use of hormonal and strong drugs.
- An irrational approach to nutrition.
- Postural pathologies and sedentary lifestyle.
- Adherence to permanent tanning beds.
- Bad habits.
- Wear tight and tight clothes.
Thus, varicose veins are primarily a genetic defect. The above causes of varicose veins, various pathologies of the circulatory system as a result of systemic effects, including varicose veins are among the most common. However, in each individual situation, among other reasons, it can play a negative role. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate all predisposing factors.
Excess weight can cause varicose veins.
Clinical picture
Symptoms of varicose veins, regardless of the cause, can vary significantly depending on the stage and form of the disease, as well as other factors such as lifestyle and anatomical features of the structure of the venous system. Currently, there are six main stages of varicose veins, each of which is characterized by certain characteristic symptoms and causes of appearance.
The first stage. In the early stages of varicose veins are characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Tingling.
- Weight and pain in the legs.
- Burning, itching.
- Night cramps.
You can also notice the visual symptoms of varicose veins in the form of bluish stars and veins. At this stage, the patient notices the appearance of edema after physical exertion and in the evening.
The second stage. According to scientific data, true varicose veins of the lower extremities, regardless of the cause, begin in the second stage of the disease. This is due to the fact that the symptoms seen in the first two stages of varicose veins can be attributed to other diseases of the vascular system. During this period, the patient feels discomfort, tingling and pain in the legs, even after reasons such as short walks. In addition, the visual symptoms of the disease are clearly visible: a network of blood vessels, swollen veins, the formation of dense blue nodules on the skin. According to a similar picture, the third stage continues with varicose veins.
In the fourth and fifth stages, with varicose veins, trophic changes in the appearance of ulcerative areas occur due to oxygen starvation of the tissues. From varicose veins, the skin takes on a darker shade, the veins are pronounced, they are tight to the touch.
The seventh stage is characterized as the most complex and advanced form of the disease. During this period, varicose veins of the lower extremities lead to the development of irreversible tissue changes, the appearance of incurable trophic ulcers, which often lead to the death of skin areas.
Trophic ulcers appear in the advanced stages of varicose veins.
Effective treatment methods
Modern medicine offers patients several basic treatments for varicose veins. Among them are two main areas: invasive and conservative treatment of varicose veins. Each of these areas, in turn, is divided into relevant subgroups. For example, conservative treatment options include the use of external and internal medications.
Invasive treatment of varicose veins is based on the use of radical therapies for inflamed areas of the vascular system. Depending on the stage and symptoms of the disease, different treatment options can be used: from restoring the walls of damaged blood vessels to their complete or partial removal. However, the cardinal treatment of varicose veins provides a number of contraindications, the presence of which precludes the use of any appropriate procedure.
Effective treatment of varicose veins, aimed at achieving a positive dynamics in the disease, is based on a complex combination of several types of therapy. Taking medication, for example, can be combined with some types of physiotherapeutic treatments, wearing compression underwear and folk methods.
In addition, when prescribing certain treatment options to the patient, the patient should also make changes in diet, engage in moderate physical activity, as well as minimize the factors that contribute to the progression of the disease.
Medications
Medical treatment of varicose veins is mainly used in the early stages of the disease, regardless of the cause. It is also possible to take and apply drugs to varicose veins as an additional measure in the process of invasive therapy. Drugs with anti-inflammatory, restorative, therapeutic and normalizing venous flow are used to treat the symptoms of varicose veins. If there is a risk of infection of the affected tissues, treatment with antibacterial drugs is required.
In most cases, drug treatment is used in the early stages of the disease.
With severe pain, it is permissible to take painkillers, the actions of which are aimed at relieving the symptoms, but do not treat the causes of the disease. Drugs that improve the composition of the blood, examine the hemolymphs, increase the body's resistance are also used.
The use of drugs helps to reduce both the visual manifestations that characterize varicose veins of the lower extremities, as well as physiological: edema, pain, severity. However, medical treatment of varicose veins is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, not the causes of the disease. It is almost impossible to completely get rid of varicose veins and restore damaged varicose veins in this way.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an excellent addition to a single treatment complex for varicose veins. The only significant disadvantage of this type of therapy is the need to perform any procedure only in medical institutions due to its specificity. A positive effect is obtained only if you take treatment regularly.
The following types of procedures have maximum effectiveness and convenience in the treatment of the disease:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser radiation.
- Infrared radiation.
- Magnetotherapy.
However, despite all the benefits of physiotherapy prescribed to eliminate varicose veins in the legs, there are a number of contraindications, so their treatment is completely excluded. Typically, these include symptoms with trophic ulcers, necrotic tissue changes, varicose veins such as open wound surfaces.
Physiotherapy can be performed only in one medical institution.
Surgical intervention
Surgical removal of affected veins through an appropriate procedure is classified as one of the most effective methods of combating varicose veins. However, in the absence of positive dynamics in the process of using invasive and conservative methods of treatment of the disease, it is used only in the most severe and negligent cases.
Surgery is based on the complete removal of the affected vessel. The procedure requires the administration of anesthetics to a patient who is concerned about varicose veins, hospitalization, and a long rehabilitation period. Depending on the causes and indications of the disease, surgery for varicose veins can be performed both planned and urgent.
Invasive methods
A relatively new trend in phlebology is invasive treatments, the effectiveness of which is not inferior to surgical manipulations. At the same time, when performing such procedures, the patient does not need long-term rehabilitation. In addition, there are no contraindications and side effects. However, invasive methods may not be effective enough for the symptoms of advanced varicose veins.
These methods include: sclerotherapy and laser exposure. The first technique is used for the symptoms of varicose veins, both individually and as part of a medical complex. During a sclerotherapy procedure, a substance is injected into a damaged vessel to help cells and tissues regenerate faster. It is enough to perform five or six such procedures to completely get rid of varicose veins.
Laser therapy is somewhat similar to the surgical principle of therapeutic activity, which allows you to permanently get rid of the symptoms of varicose veins. Direct exposure to laser radiation during the procedure occurs through the skin. The laser partially destroys the tissue of the damaged vessel, causing it to immediately narrow. According to such a procedure, the presence of scars or scars is completely excluded.
Traditional methods
Of course, using folk remedies to get rid of varicose veins forever will not work, but it is quite possible to reduce the visual and physiological manifestations of the disease. The main feature of home therapy is regularity. Good results with varicose veins and elimination of unpleasant symptoms are possible only if the procedures are performed in accordance with daily and accepted norms.
The most effective procedures for the causes and symptoms of varicose veins, which can be performed at home, are called compresses based on various drugs and herbs. The following recipes are especially popular:
- Turn the pulp of ripe tomatoes into pulp. It is an excellent remedy for varicose veins in the early stages of the disease. Apply to inflamed veins for two to three hours a day.
- Using fresh aloe or Kalanchoe leaves can eliminate varicose veins of the lower extremities and reduce the symptoms of anxiety. To do this, the plant should be made into oatmeal and applied to the affected area overnight.
- Homemade yogurt. To prepare the compress, moisten a cotton swab or bandage with yogurt in a container and then apply to the foot.
- Infusion of hop cones. Soak a gauze stick with a saturated infusion and straighten your foot with a tight bandage. The procedure should be performed every day.
- White cabbage leaves. They are very simple to use: fry the leaves in hot water, cool and apply to the affected areas, then straighten with an elastic bandage. This method is excellent for severe pain and swelling.
- Slices of green tomatoes. Put a few slices of unripe tomatoes on the painful area and cover them with a bandage. The duration of the procedure should not exceed five hours.
- Propolis. Propolis-based drugs can be used only after obtaining a medical prescription, because the agent is classified as strong. It is possible to use tinctures and aqueous solutions of this bee product as compresses and therapeutic rubs.
The most effective way to treat the disease at home are compresses.
Before using any home remedy for varicose veins, you should make sure that there is no risk of developing an allergy to any component of the recipe. It is almost impossible to remove varicose veins in the legs using home procedures. However, the beneficial effects of the compresses described above help to eliminate its causes and symptoms, thin the blood and strengthen the venous walls, which are an important part of the therapeutic complex.
Proper nutrition
Varicose veins are often seen not only due to damage to the venous walls, but also due to thickening of the blood. To dilute hemolymph, improve metabolic processes and restore blood microcirculation, the patient must make some adjustments to his usual diet.
To get started, you need to eliminate all sweet, fatty and fried foods from the menu, as well as flour products. Low-fat meat, vegetables, fruits, fermented dairy products, cereals should be the predominant products on the table of a patient with varicose veins of the legs. On the basis of these products it is quite possible to build not only a healthy, but also a varied diet menu, in addition, such foods help to thin the blood and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.
Tips and tricks
As an additional measure for varicose veins, patients should also wear compression underwear that evenly distributes the load on the legs, preventing the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and the development of the disease. You can also replace special underwear with ordinary elastic bandages, the effect of their use is no less noticeable. The only drawback of elastic bandages is the relative discomfort in the fixation process of this device.
It is recommended to wear compression underwear to prevent and treat varicose veins.
Walking at a comfortable pace for short walks also helps to normalize blood circulation and improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues. However, this method can be used as an additional component of the medical complex only in the absence of contraindications. As an additional method to treat vascular and vascular pathologies, a contrast shower can be called. Regular use of this procedure improves blood circulation, helps to regenerate skin cells, as well as reduces swelling and pain. It should be borne in mind that for any damage to the vascular system you can take not only hot but also hot showers.
It is almost impossible to completely cure varicose veins by any means. The complex combination of only a few ways to combat the causes of varicose veins will allow you to forget about the unpleasant symptoms of this disease forever.
You should not self-medicate to prevent complications. You should consult your doctor before using any, even the most harmless agent.