According to statistics, every fourth resident of the planet, regardless of age and physiological data, suffers from varicose veins. Varicose veins are a mostly hereditary disease, which can be provoked by genetic factors. Any aspect of the disease such as varicose veins can be a trigger to trigger the mechanism, including an unhealthy diet, intense physical activity, or complete absence. The clinical picture of the disease and the choice of treatment methods depend on the stage and shape of varicose veins, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient.
Pathogenesis and etiology
Currently, it has been proven and confirmed by scientific data that the main reason influencing the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease is heredity. Genetic deficiencies, expressed in the transfer of genetic material responsible for the elasticity and tone of the venous wall, are passed down from generation to generation, provoking the development of varicose veins.
With the presence of hereditary predisposition, it is very difficult to avoid the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease, because any factor that almost every ordinary person faces on a daily basis can be the reason, as a kind of catalyst for the launch. of pathological processes. Among the most common causes, negative effects that can cause pathology, are called:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Pregnancy and postpartum period.
- Overweight, especially with the localization of fat mass in the lower body.
- Long -term use of hormonal and efficacious drugs.
- Irrational dietary approach.
- Postural pathology and inactive lifestyle.
- Commitment to regular tanning beds.
- Bad habits.
- Wear tight and tight clothing.
Therefore, varicose veins are primarily a genetic defect. The above causes of varicose veins, the result of systematic effects of various pathologies of the circulatory system, including varicose veins, are among the most common. However, in each individual situation, other reasons, among others, can play a negative role. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate all predisposing factors.
Being overweight can cause varicose veins to appear.
Clinical picture
The 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 a specific set of characteristic symptoms and causes of appearance.
First stage. In the early stages of formation, varicose veins are characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- A tingling sensation.
- Heaviness and pain in the legs.
- Burning, itching.
- Night cramps.
You can also notice visual symptoms of varicose veins in the form of stars and bluish veins. At this stage, patients noted the appearance of edema after physical exercise and in the evening.
The second level. According to scientific data, the actual varicose veins of the lower extremities, regardless of the cause, start exactly from the second stage of the formation of the disease. This is due to the fact that the symptoms that appear in the first two stages of varicose veins can be associated with other diseases of the vascular system. During this period, patients feel discomfort, tingling and pain in the legs, even after some reason such as short walks. In addition, the visual symptoms of the disease are clearly visible: vascular network, swollen veins, the formation of dense bluish nodes on the skin. Consistent with the same picture, the third stage is continued with varicose veins.
In the fourth and fifth stages, with varicose veins, due to tissue oxygen starvation, trophic changes occur, expressed in the appearance of ulcerative areas. The skin from varicose veins takes on a dark shade, the veins become clear, dense to the touch.
The seventh stage is characterized as the most complex and advanced form of the disease. During this period, the lower varicose veins provoke the development of irreversible tissue changes, the appearance of unhealed tropical ulcers, which are often the cause of death of the skin area.
In advanced stages of varicose veins, trophic ulcers appear.
Effective therapy
Modern medicine offers patients several basic treatments for varicose veins. Among them, there are two main areas: invasive and conservative treatment of varicose veins. Each of these instructions, in turn, is divided into corresponding 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 therapy methods for inflamed areas of the vascular system. Depending on the stage and symptoms of the disease, a variety of treatment options can be used: from restoring the damaged vein wall to complete or partial removal. But the cardinal treatment of varicose veins provides some contraindications, the presence of which does not include the use of any appropriate procedures.
Effective treatment of varicose veins, aimed at obtaining 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 type of physiotherapeutic treatment, wearing compression underwear, and folk methods.
In addition, when prescribing specific treatment options for patients, patients should also make changes in diet, practice moderate physical activity, and also minimize the factors that contribute to disease progression as much as possible.
Medications
Medical treatment of varicose veins is used mainly in the early stages of disease formation, regardless of the cause. Also, it is possible to take and use medication for varicose veins as an additional step in the process of carrying out invasive therapy. To treat the symptoms of varicose veins, medications are used that have anti-inflammatory, regenerative, healing properties and normal venous outflow. If there is a risk of infection in 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 painful sensations, it is permissible to take painkillers, actions aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but not treating the cause of the disease. It is also practiced the use of drugs that improve blood composition, thinning hemalimph, increase immunity.
The use of drugs helps to reduce both the visual manifestations that characterize varicose veins on the lower legs, and physiology: edema, pain, severity. However, medical treatment of varicose veins aims to eliminate the symptoms, and not the cause 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 addition to a complex of treatments for varicose veins. The only significant drawback of this type of therapy is the need to perform any procedure exclusively in a medical institution because of its specificity. Positive effects are achieved only if treatment is taken regularly.
The following types of procedures have maximum efficiency and convenience in the treatment of diseases:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser beam.
- Infrared radiation.
- Magnetotherapy.
But, although all the benefits of physiotherapy are prescribed to eliminate varicose veins on the legs, there are some contraindications, from which their treatment is completely excluded. As a rule, these include symptoms such as varicose veins as trophic ulcers, changes in necrotic tissue, open wound surfaces.
Physiotherapy can only be carried out in medical institutions.
Surgical intervention
Surgical removal of the affected vein through an appropriate procedure is classified as one of the most effective ways to deal with varicose veins. But it is used only in the most severe and neglected cases, provided there are no positive dynamics in the process of using invasive and conservative methods to treat the disease.
Surgical intervention is based on complete removal of the affected vein. This procedure requires the introduction of an anesthetic to patients concerned about varicose veins, hospitalization and a long recovery period. Depending on the cause of the disease and the symptoms, surgery for varicose veins can be performed as planned and as an emergency.
Invasive methods
A relatively new trend in the field of phlebology is invasive treatment methods, the effectiveness of which is not inferior to surgical manipulation. At the same time, when performing such a procedure, the patient does not require a long recovery period. In addition, there are no contraindications and side effects. However, invasive methods may not be effective enough for advanced varicose vein symptoms.
These methods include the following: sclerotherapy and laser exposure. The first technique is used for varicose vein symptoms, both separately and as a component of a medical complex. During sclerotherapy procedures, substances are injected into damaged veins that promote rapid cell and tissue regrowth. To completely eliminate varicose veins, it is enough to carry out five to six such procedures.
Laser therapy is quite similar to the surgical principle of therapeutic action, which allows you to get rid of the symptoms of varicose veins permanently. During the procedure, direct exposure to laser radiation occurs through the skin. The laser partially destroys the damaged vein tissue, thus triggering immediate contraction. The presence of scars or scarring as a result of such a procedure is completely excluded.
Traditional methods
Of course, it will not work to get rid of varicose veins forever through the use of folk methods, but it is quite possible to reduce the visual and physiological manifestations of the disease. The main aspect of home therapy is regularity. It is possible to achieve good results and eliminate unpleasant symptoms with varicose veins only if the procedure is performed daily and in accordance with accepted norms.
As the most effective procedure for the causes and symptoms of varicose veins, which can be carried out at home, compresses based on various drugs and herbs are called. The following recipes are very popular:
- Tomato pulp is cooked, ground into pulp. An excellent remedy for varicose veins in the early stages of the disease. Apply on inflamed veins for two to three hours daily.
- Varicose veins on the lower legs can be eliminated and annoying symptoms can be reduced by using fresh aloe or Kalanchoe leaves. To do this, the plant should be ground into a porridge and applied on the affected area overnight.
- Homemade yogurt. To prepare the compress, moisten a cotton ball or bandage profusely in a container with yogurt, and then apply on the feet.
- Absorption of hop cones. Soak the gauze with a saturated infusion and attach it to the foot with a tight bandage. The procedure should be performed daily.
- White cabbage leaves. It is quite easy to use: burn the leaves with boiling water, cool and apply to the affected area, and then fasten it with an elastic bandage. This method is great for severe pain and swelling.
- Slices of green tomatoes. Apply a few slices of unripe tomatoes to the sore spot and fix with a bandage. The duration of the procedure should not exceed five hours.
- Propolis. Propolis -based preparations can be used only after receiving a medical prescription, because the agent is classified as strong. It is possible to use tinctures and aqueous solutions of these bee breeding products as compresses and therapeutic swabs.
The most effective way to treat illness at home is to compress.
Before using any home remedy for varicose veins, you should make sure that there is no risk of allergies to any of the components of the recipe. It is almost impossible to get rid of varicose veins on the legs using a procedure performed at home. But the beneficial effects of compresses described above help eliminate its causes and symptoms, thin the blood and strengthen the walls of veins, which are important components in the therapeutic complex.
Proper nutrition
Varicose veins often appear not only due to damage to the walls of the veins, but also due to thickening of the blood. To dilute the hemalymph, improve metabolic processes and restore blood microcirculation, patients need to make certain adjustments to their usual diet.
For starters, you should exclude from the menu all sweet, fatty and fried foods, as well as flour products. Low-fat meats, vegetables, fruits, fermented dairy products, cereals should be available as a prevalent product on the table of patients with varicose veins in the legs. Based on this product, it is very possible to build not only a healthy diet menu, but also a variety, in addition, such dishes help thin the blood and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.
Tips & Tricks
As an additional measure for varicose veins, patients should also wear compression underwear, which 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 a regular elastic bandage, the effect of its use is no less obvious. The only drawback of the elastic bandage is the relative difficulty in the process of fixing this device.
For the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, it is recommended to wear compression underwear.
Walking at a leisurely pace for short walks also helps normalize blood circulation and increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues. But this method can be used as an additional component of medical complexes only if there are no contraindications. As an additional method of treating pathology of veins and blood vessels, a contrast shower can be called. Regular use of this procedure improves blood circulation, promotes the recovery of skin cells, and also reduces swelling and pain. It should not be forgotten that for any damage to the vascular system, you can only take a warm bath, but not a hot bath.
It is almost impossible to completely cure varicose veins through treatment with any one technique. Just a complex combination of several ways to combat the causes of varicose veins will allow you to forget about the unpleasant symptoms of this disease forever.
To avoid complications, you cannot cure yourself. Before using any, even the most harmless agent, you should consult your doctor.