Treatment of lower limb varicose veins

• Difficulty in the legs, which worsens towards the end of the day.
• Rapid fatigue of the legs during long walks.
• Leg pain.
• Appearance of a delicate vascular network on the legs.
• Swelling of the legs.
• Seizures of increasing intensity at night.
• Itching of the skin of the lower extremities.

atrophy of the muscle fibers of the surface veinsdevelops gradually, the blood vessels lengthen, dilate, become tortuous, and nodules appear above them above the skin surface. Above the enlarged veins, the skin will be bluish red, dry and hot, with ulcers appearing due to eating disorders in the tissues.

Dystrophic changes in the subcutaneous fat layer can lead to lipodermatosclerosis - a dangerous complication of leg varicose veins that can be treated with conservative methods.

To avoid the serious consequences of varicose veins, phlebologists advise their patientsto start treatment in timewhen the first signs of the disease appear.

Treatment Methods

sclerosis is extremely effective in that a special sclerosing agent is injected into the vessels using a syringe with the finest needles. The venous lumens are tightened, the edges of the breaks are soldered, thus preventing blood from infiltrating outside the blood vessels. The substance itself, performing its function, is absorbed.

This method removes all stains and gives excellent cosmetic results. But after the procedure, the therapy should be maintained with additional therapy and a compression garment should be worn.

Almost 10 years ago, laser, or rather endovenous laser coagulation, began to be used very successfully in medicine to combat varicose veins. Treat the veins as follows:

1. Using local anesthesia, a small puncture is made in a vein.
2. Insert an optical fiber into the resulting hole.
3. The laser acts on the damaged areas, closing the injuries.
4. A new fabric will then appear in the locked area.

The operation is not "blind" - the process is monitored via an ultrasonic machine, so there is virtually no risk of failure. In addition, the absence of significant incisions precludes painful sensations, bleeding, and damage to adjacent tissues.

After the procedure, you should tie the affected areas or wear compression stockings and stockings.

Radiofrequency ablation is often used, and high-frequency current successfully treats varicose veins. Here's how:

1. The vein is pierced.
2. A catheter is inserted into the hole.
3. Radiation enters the vessel through it.
4. The conductor acts at the molecular level, altering the protein molecules of the damaged vein.

The method allows rapid treatment of all venous nodes without the need for special postoperative therapy.

Methods to treat varicose veins

There are two: conservative and surgical. The patient faces an urgent question: how to treat varicose veins on the legs without surgery. When choosing the method, the doctor takes into account the signs and stage of the disease, the presence of complications, the diseases associated with it, and the age of the patient. Non-surgical methods to eliminate varicose veins in the lower extremities give good results only if the symptoms of the pathology are still poorly expressed.

Help stop the degradation of affected blood vessels:

• drug therapy;
• compression treatment;
• physiotherapy exercises;
• physiotherapy;
• massage;
• traditional medicine recipes;
• diet.

Phlebologists try to treat patients during pregnancy exclusively with non-pharmacological treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Above all, these are compression underwear, gymnastic exercises, physiotherapy, massage, diet. If medicines are still needed, only medicines for external use are prescribed.

The debate continues over whether hirudotherapy helps with varicose veins. The hirudin produced by leeches, which penetrates the venous system of the lower extremities, dilutes the thickened blood. Today, however, there are many modern medicines with the same properties. In addition, there are risk factors for the use of leeches - vascular infections, allergic reactions.

If necessary, varicose veins are treated using radical methods. This is:

• sclerotherapy;
• ozone therapy;
• cryotherapy;
• electrocoagulation;
• laser coagulation;
• surgical procedure.

Sclerotherapy - the injection of a drug into a patient's vein that 'sticks' the dilated vessel. The blood stops pumping and gradually dissolves. The maximum effectiveness of sclerotherapy is achieved in the early stages of the pathology. A similar method is ozone therapy: some of this gas is injected into the cavity of small veins with a syringe, and the vessels also “stick together”.

Cold is used in cryotherapy procedures. During electrocoagulation, a high-frequency current enters the vessels through a very thin electrode. Laser treatment of varicose veins is also an effective modern method, especially when used in conjunction with conservative methods. However, the cosmetic result is high: after a few weeks, the patient has no scar or scar.

However, surgical removal is the most effective treatment that allows radical relief of varicose veins if drug therapy does not lead to the desired result. Diseased blood vessels are removed through local subcutaneous incisions. After surgery, the leg is tightly bandaged and after three to four hours the patient can walk.

Principles of Medical Treatment for Varicose Veins

Effective treatment of varicose veins is possible only if the selected drugs prevent the mechanisms of pathology, destruction of blood vessel walls and valves.

The main tasks of treating varicose veins are:

• restoration of blood circulation;
• reinforcement of venous walls;
• increased vascular tone;
• reduction of blood viscosity;
• prevention of blood clots;
• normalize the valve system;
• elimination of inflammatory processes;
• normalization of blood circulation in capillaries.

Medications are essential in the complex treatment of the disease.

They are also widely used for preventive purposes, which is especially important for people at risk of developing the pathology.

To date, there are a large number of drugs for the treatment of varicose veins on the legs, all of which differ in composition and mechanism of action.

See a doctor

Varicose veins are a serious diseasethat can lead to a number of complications that can be dangerous to human health and life if treated or treated incorrectly.

Help. Vital vascular thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers - this is not a complete list of complications of varicose veins that pose a risk to humans.

You shouldn't even try to heal yourself in this regard.

Attempts to choose drugs at home can either make matters worse or be ineffective.

Anyway, it’s a waste of time, health and money.

Therefore, consult a phlebologist. Only a specialist can properly select medications and develop a treatment regimen to maximize the benefits to the patient.

What medications are used

Complex treatment of varicose veins consists of using several groups of drugs at the same time:

1. Phlebotonics.
2. Anticoagulants.
3. Anti-inflammatory.
4. Fibrinolytics.

Systemic and local influencingdevices are also used to enhance the therapeutic effect.

Creams, gels, ointmentsare used as topical preparations. When selecting varicose and thrombophlebitis preparations, it should be taken into account thatin the form of an ointment is characterized by the highest content of the active ingredient.

Important!Violation of skin integrity is a common contraindication to any topical treatment.

Generally, such medications are applied several times a day and the product should be rubbed in with light movements from the bottom up.

Drug groups and their effects

In the case of venous varicose veins, medicinal substances are classified according to the type of effect on thethree main groups:

• venotonic or phlebotropic agents;
• blood thinners (anticoagulants) and medicines that inhibit platelet adhesion (platelet inhibitors);
• anti-inflammatory drugs.

Research and medical practice have demonstrated the effectiveness of phlebotonics based on natural flavonoids- diosmin and hesperide. These substances not only protect the cells of the veins, but also stimulate the outflow of lymph and stabilize the work of the capillaries. Concomitant administration of combination drugs in which both flavonoids are present is particularly effective.

Phlebotropic drugs are most commonly used incourses for 2-3 months. It is important that the reception coincides with the hot season, when the load on the pots increases due to the high air temperature and the use of large amounts of water. If the varicose vein is associated with chronic venous insufficiency, phlebotonics are taken continuously at half the dose.

A patient with a diagnosis of varicose veinsshould receive systematic treatment from the outsetto prevent the development of the disease and reduce the likelihood of complications.

The second task is solved by drugs that dilute the blood (anticoagulants) and improve its flow properties, preventing the formation of thrombotic blood clots (platelet inhibitors).

The formation of blood clots, their separation from the vessel wall, and movement along the venous bed lead to an overlap of the blood vessels in the heart, lungs, and human brain. As a result, the likelihood of developing a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and ischemic stroke is very high.

Antiagretates do not cure varicose veins, but are used to prevent their serious complications- thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. We can say that these drugs save the patient’s life and minimize the risk of disability.

Action

Damaged veins in the lower extremities or parts of them are removed by incisions or punctures. At the clinic, removal of the patient's blood vessels is required if:

The veins of the legs
• are abnormally enlarged;
• the skin is affected;
• trophic ulcers appeared;
• thrombophlebitis has worsened.

Surgical treatment of leg varicose veins is contraindicated:

• in case of severe hypertension, coronary heart disease, infectious diseases, eczema;
• if the patient has reached old age;
• during pregnancy (more than 5 months).

Complementary therapy

In addition to medical and surgical treatment, adjunctive therapy is important, including a number of measures to normalize veins:

1. The wrap has a relaxing effect, removing the difficulty of the legs. When buying the necessary funds it is worth remembering that hot wraps are contraindicated for varicose veins.
2. Foot baths are another way to take stress off your feet. By using herbs and oils, you can strengthen blood vessels, get rid of swelling and redness. But the effect will only be with daily use of the method.
3. Contrast shower. 10 seconds of cold watering and 30 seconds of warm (hot water is best avoided) every morning for 5-7 minutes will help keep your blood vessels in good condition. You can use the Alekseev or Charcot shower for these purposes.

Phlebologists often involve physiotherapy in complex treatments - laser, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis.

They do not cause discomfort and pain, they are cheap and quite effective. In addition, treatment is supervised by medical professionals. The main condition is a regular visit to the literature.

Physiotherapy has a beneficial effect on the condition of venous walls, muscle tissue, and valve activity.

Compression therapy is an important element not only of treatment but also of prevention and postoperative period. The use of bandages can avoid stagnant processes, supporting damaged blood vessels and stopping the progression of the disease.

Applying bandages requires some knowledge and dexterity, as excessive tensioning can lead to deterioration and a weak bond will not achieve the desired effect. Therefore, you should consult a doctor for the correct use of bandages.

Varicose veins are not always acceptable, so only a doctor can tell you if you should use them in a particular case or not. If the method is chosen correctly, the result can be felt after the first session. This method can improve blood microcirculation, alleviate the main symptoms of the disease, including appearance.

The more advanced the disease, the harder it is to fight it, and sometimes patients arrive too late and then there is only one way out - phlebectomy. To avoid this from happening, you should not wait for complications, but should get qualified help in time.

Conservative method

In the treatment of varicose veins, phlebologists try to do it without traumatic surgeries that are not needed in the early stages of the disease. For example, this is characteristic of reticular varicose veins, the manifestation of which is limited to blue venous networks. Medications improve valves and blood vessel walls. Men, like women, should wear compression stockings. Pathology cannot be completely cured. However, conservative methods stop the development of varicose veins and protect against complications.

Tournament

Movement therapists know how to remove veins in the legs with physiotherapy exercises. This is possible if the exercise that improves blood flow to the legs is done systematically. For example:

1. When standing, the heel of the foot rises strongly alternately.
2. In the same standing position, they slowly rise on their toes and descend just as slowly.
3. While sitting in a chair, roll a small ball on the floor with your feet back and forth.

Wear special underwear

Doctors recommend combining the medical treatment of varicose veins with wearing compression underwear - these are products made from special knitwear that put pressure (compression) on the blood vessels. The degree of pressure on the canvas can be adjusted by purchasing products with different degrees of compression on the walls of the vessels.

There are a total of four types of compression: the first is used for prophylaxis and the rest for treatment. In the varicose veins of the lower extremities, pantyhose, tights, knee-length pants and trousers are worn, the doctor selects the degree of compression required.

compression underwear creates a dense, crushing frame on the legs, This results in the following effects:

• Weakened leg muscles are supported.
• The walls of the blood vessels are compressed, preventing stretching.
• Stimulate lymph flow and blood circulation.
• Stagnation stops.
• The operation of venous valves is normalized.
• Reduces the load on dilated veins.
• Thrombophlebitis is preventable.

Compression stockings are mandatory after varicose vein surgery. Underwear helps prevent the recurrence of the disease, creating additional support for the body during the rehabilitation period.

Compression sclerotherapy

Compression sclerotherapy is a modern method of treating varicose veins that consists of injecting drugs into the affected veins. As a result, sclerotherapy (adhesion) of the venous walls occurs, blood flow stops at the injection site, and the vein gradually dissolves or leaves a barely noticeable strand that does not disturb the patient at all.

Sclerotherapy is most often performed when the spider veins appear when the varicose vein is in its initial stage. With the progressive development of leg varicose veins, sclerotherapy is performed after analyzing the condition of the venous valves and vessel walls, the functional characteristics of the patient's circulatory system.

If compression sclerotherapy is decided, the patient undergoes a blood clotting test, an ultrasound examination of the veins. During sclerotherapy, the patient does not experience painful sensations because the drug is injected into a vein using a thinner needle. Upon completion of the procedure, a sterile bandage is applied to the drug delivery area and the patient wears a compression garment. In the first week after sclerotherapy, compression stockings should be worn day and night and then taken off at night.

Positive results of sclerotherapy:

• Restore efficient blood flow.
• Exclusion of blood clots in the damaged vein.
• Prevention of trophic disorders in tissues.
• Elimination of clinical symptoms of varicose veins: edema, seizures, pain.
• Excellent cosmetic effect due to the complete disappearance of dilated veins.

Dieting

To manage your varicose veins more effectively, it is important to organize your diet properly. Berries, apples, citrus fruits, which contain flavonoids, antioxidants, rutin, help to improve the condition of blood vessels. Dilution of blood ensures a sufficient daily intake of fluids (1, 5-2 liters). A varicose diet on the legs is not compatible with fatty, fried foods, hot spices, alcohol.

Folk remedies

Treating varicose veins with folk remedies at home is especially effective in the summer. The following recipes are popular:

1. 15-20 minutes of foot compression with tomato puree. It has a high lycopene content, which actively strengthens blood vessels and prevents the formation of blood clots. However, it is useful to eat fresh tomatoes every day.
2. Sweet clover, an essential herb infusion for varicose veins: Art. l. the raw materials are boiled with two glasses of boiling water, kept until cooled, filtered. They drink half a glass three times a day, the remaining amount is used as a cream.

What not to do

Lifestyle, nutrition, and sports should be considered when diagnosing varicose veins.Not allowed:

• active physical activity, running, jumping (yoga classes allowed);
• prolonged standing or longer sitting position;
• use all medicines without consulting a phlebologist;
• Long flights with the forced stationary position of the legs. In addition, at high altitudes, a sharp thickening of the blood occurs, leading to the formation of blood clots;
• hot swim, sauna visit;
Cupping and honey massage are strictly forbidden, only manual type medical massage is allowed.

Possible complications

trophic ulcersare a form of varicose complication manifested in the development and deepening of a long-term, non-healing ulcer. Usually, a separate painful ulcer develops on the lower leg, within which a "leak" is often observed in the form of the release of serous blood fluid covering the affected tissues.

Emergency medical care

Immediate medical attention is required if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Increased pain in the affected limb, inability to get out of bed or take a few steps;
• The skin of the foot is tactile, hot, swollen and tight.
• Skin color changes from pale to bluish or bluish red;
• Sudden shortness of breath, shortness of breath, sweating and severe weakness;
• Bleeding from the affected skin or varicose veins.

Medications for lower limb varicose veins should be included in the complex regimen.A variety of phlebotonic and platelet inhibitors will be needed after surgery to prevent any trophic disorders, inflammation, and complications associated with the disease.