According to statistics, one in four people on the planet suffers from varicose veins regardless of age and physiological data. Varicose veins are predominantly an inherited disease that can be triggered by genetic factors. Any aspect of the disease, such as varicose veins, can be the cause of the mechanism, including unhealthy eating, intense physical activity, or a complete lack of it. The clinical picture of the disease and the choice of treatment method depend on the stage and form of varicose veins and the individual characteristics of the patient.
Pathogenesis and etiology
It is currently proven and confirmed by scientific data that the main cause that tends to appear in the main symptoms of the disease is heredity. Genetic deficiencies, expressed in the transfer of genetic material responsible for the elasticity and tone of venous walls, are passed down from generation to generation, provoking the development of varicose veins.
In the presence of an inherited predisposition, it is incredibly difficult to avoid the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease, because any factor that almost every average person encounters on a daily basis can serve as a cause, a kind of catalyst, to trigger the disease. pathological processes. The most common causes of adverse effects that can cause pathology include:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Period of pregnancy and subsequent childbirth.
- Overweight, especially with the localization of fat masses in the lower body.
- Long-term use of hormonal and potent drugs.
- An irrational approach to diet.
- Posture pathologies and sedentary lifestyle.
- Commitment to regular tanning beds.
- Bad habits.
- Wearing tight and tight clothing.
Thus, varicose veins are primarily a genetic defect. The above causes of varicose veins, which result in various systemic pathologies of the circulatory system, including varicose veins, are the most common. However, other factors may play a negative role in some situations. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate all predisposing factors.
Being overweight 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 and other factors such as lifestyle and anatomical features of the structure of the venous system. There are currently six main stages of varicose veins, each of which is characterized by characteristic symptoms and causes of onset.
First phase. In the early stages of development, varicose veins are characterized by the following symptoms:
- Tingling.
- Difficulty and pain in the legs.
- Burning, itching.
- Night cramps.
You can also observe the visual symptoms of varicose veins in the form of bluish stars and veins. At this stage, the patient notes the appearance of edema after physical exertion and in the evening.
Second stage. According to scientific data, real varicose veins in the lower extremities, regardless of the cause, start right from the second stage of the disease. This is due to the fact that the symptoms that appear 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 leg, even after reasons such as short walks. In addition, the visual symptoms of the disease are clearly visible: the formation of a vascular network, swollen veins, dense bluish nodules on the skin. Similar to the similar picture, the third stage continues with the varicose veins.
In the fourth and fifth stages, varicose veins undergo trophic changes due to oxygen depletion of the tissues, which are expressed in the appearance of ulcerated areas. The skin of varicose veins takes on a dark tint, the veins become accentuated and dense to the touch.
The seventh stage is the most complex and advanced form of the disease. During this period, varicose veins in the lower extremities cause irreversible tissue changes and the appearance of incurable trophic ulcers, which often lead to death in skin areas.
Trophic ulcers appear in the advanced stage of varicose veins.
Effective therapies
Modern medicine offers a number of basic treatments for patients to treat varicose veins. There are two main areas: invasive and conservative treatment of varicose veins. Each of these directions is divided into appropriate subgroups. For example, the conservative treatment option involves the use of external and internal drugs.
Invasive treatment of varicose veins is based on the application of radical therapies to inflamed areas of the vascular system. Depending on the stage and symptoms of the disease, there are several treatment options: from restoring the walls of damaged veins to removing them completely or partially. But cardinal treatment of varicose veins has a number of contraindications, the presence of which precludes the use of an appropriate procedure.
The effective treatment of varicose veins, aimed at the positive dynamics of the disease, is based on a complex combination of several therapies. For example, taking medication can be combined with certain types of physiotherapy treatments, wearing compression underwear, and folk methods.
In addition, when prescribing certain treatment options to a patient, the patient should change their diet, exercise moderate physical activity, and minimize the factors that contribute to the progression of the disease.
Medicines
Medical treatment for varicose veins is used primarily in the early stages of the disease, regardless of its cause. In addition, medications for the treatment of varicose veins may be taken and used as an adjunct to invasive therapy. Drugs that have anti-inflammatory, regenerative, curative, and normalizing venous outflow properties are used to treat the symptoms of varicose veins. If there is a risk of infection of the affected tissues, antibacterial medication is required.
In most cases, medication is used in the early stages of the disease.
In case of severe pain, it is permissible to take painkillers to eliminate the symptoms, but not to treat the causes of the disease. It is also practiced the use of drugs that improve the composition of the blood, thin the hemalimphot, increase the body's resistance.
The use of drugs helps to reduce both the visual manifestations of the lower extremity varicose veins and the physiological symptoms: edema, pain, severity. However, medical treatment for 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 regenerate damaged varicose veins in this way.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an excellent complement to a single complex treatment for varicose veins. The only significant disadvantage of this type of therapy is that the procedures, due to their specific nature, have to be performed only in health care institutions. The positive effect can only be achieved with regular treatment.
The following types of procedures provide maximum effectiveness and convenience in the treatment of the disease:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser radiation.
- Infrared radiation.
- Magnetotherapy.
But despite all the benefits of physiotherapy prescribed to eliminate varicose veins in the legs, there are a number of contraindications that make their treatment completely out of the question. These usually include symptoms of varicose veins such as trophic ulcers, necrotic tissue lesions, and open wound surfaces.
Physiotherapy can only be performed in a health care institution.
Surgical intervention
Surgical removal of the affected veins with an appropriate procedure is one of the most effective ways to treat varicose veins. But it is used only in the most severe and neglected cases, provided there is no positive dynamics in the use of invasive and conservative treatments for the disease.
Surgery is based on the complete removal of the affected vein. The procedure requires the introduction of anesthetics in a patient concerned with varicose veins, requires hospitalization, and a long rehabilitation period. Depending on the causes and indications of the disease, varicose vein surgery can be performed as planned and as an emergency.
Invasive methods
In the field of phlebology, a relatively new trend is invasive treatment methods, the effectiveness of which is not inferior to surgical manipulations. However, when performing such procedures, the patient does not need a long rehabilitation period. In addition, there are no contraindications and side effects. However, invasive methods may not be effective enough to treat the symptoms of advanced varicose veins.
These methods include sclerotherapy and laser exposure. The first technique is applied to the symptoms of varicose veins, both separately and as part of a medical complex. During the sclerotherapy procedure, a substance is injected into the damaged vein that promotes the rapid regeneration of cells and tissues. Five to six such procedures are sufficient to completely eliminate varicose veins.
Laser therapy is somewhat similar to the surgical principle of therapeutic effect, which allows you to get rid of the symptoms of varicose veins permanently. During the procedure, it is exposed to direct laser radiation through the skin. The laser partially destroys the tissue of the damaged vein, causing an immediate contraction. The presence of scars or scars due to such a procedure is completely ruled out.
Traditional methods
Of course, folk methods cannot get rid of varicose vein forever, but the visual and physiological manifestations of the disease can be somewhat reduced. The main aspect of home therapy is regularity. Good results and the elimination of unpleasant symptoms with varicose veins can only be achieved if the procedures are performed daily and in accordance with accepted standards.
Compresses based on various medications and herbs are called the most effective treatment for the causes and symptoms of varicose veins that can be performed at home. The following recipes are especially popular:
- Ripe tomato pulp, ground into a pulp. An excellent cure 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 in the lower extremities and reduce bothersome symptoms. To do this, the plant should be ground into oats and applied to the affected area overnight.
- Homemade yogurt. To make the compress, dampen a cotton ball or bandage in a bowl of yoghurt and apply to your feet.
- Hop cone infusion. Soak a gauze swab in a saturated infusion and secure it to the leg. The procedure should be performed daily.
- White cabbage leaves. They are quite simple to use: boil the leaves with boiling water, cool and apply to the affected areas, then fix with a flexible bandage. This method is great for pain and swelling.
- Slices of green tomato. Apply several slices of unripe tomatoes to the sore spot and secure with a bandage. The duration of the procedure shall not exceed five hours.
- Propolis. Propolis-based preparations should only be used after a prescription as the drug is potent. Tinctures and aqueous solutions of this bee product can be used as compresses and therapeutic rubs.
Compresses are the most effective way to treat the disease at home.
Before using any home remedies to treat varicose veins, make sure there is no risk of developing an allergy to any of the ingredients in the prescription. It is almost impossible to eliminate varicose veins in the legs with procedures performed at home. But the beneficial effects of compresses described above help to eliminate its causes and symptoms, thin the blood and strengthen the venous walls, which is an important component of the therapeutic complex.
Proper nutrition
Varicose veins often occur not only due to damage to the venous walls, but also due to thickening of the blood. In order to liquefy the hemolymph, improve metabolic processes, and restore blood microcirculation, the patient must make certain adjustments to their usual diet.
Initially, you should exclude sweet, fatty and fried foods and flour products from the menu. Low-fat meat, vegetables, fruits, fermented dairy products, and cereals should be present on the table of patients with varicose veins as predominant products. Based on these products, not only a healthy but also a varied diet menu can be built, and such foods help to dilute 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 onset of unpleasant symptoms and the progression of the disease. You can also replace special underwear with standard elastic bandages, the effect of their use is no less obvious. The only disadvantage of flexible joints is the relative inconvenience of attaching the device.
Compression underwear is recommended for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins.
A slow-paced walk also helps to normalize blood circulation and improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues for short walks. But this method can only be used as an adjunct to the medical complex if there is no contraindication. A further method of treating the pathologies of veins and blood vessels is a contrast shower. Regular use of the procedure improves blood circulation, helps skin cells recover, and reduces swelling and pain. It should not be forgotten that in the event of any damage to the vascular system, we can only take a hot but hot shower.
It is almost impossible to completely cure varicose veins with a single technique. Only a complex combination of several methods to combat the causes of varicose veins will allow you to forget about the unpleasant symptoms of this disease forever.
To avoid complications, do not self-heal. Before using any, even the most innocuous, consult your doctor.