Reticular, advanced varicose veins lead to the appearance of a bluish vascular network in the lower extremities. Therefore, among people, this form of varicose veins is often referred to as "cosmetic" or "reticular. "
What does the term "reticular varicose veins" mean?
Some doctors do not consider reticular varicose veins to be a disease. They urge that it be treated as an aesthetic defect that does not endanger the patient’s health. Men with a mild form of varicose veins usually do not focus on it.
In Western countries, there is no specific term for "reticular varicose veins in the lower extremities, " experts do not think about what it is.
Other doctors disagree on this issue. Some experts are convinced that reticular varicose veins are the result of insufficiency of the venous valves, so the disease should be treated immediately. Otherwise, the patient with cosmetic varicose veins will have serious complications. After all, the situation is probably not limited to the defeat of superficial veins, after a long time the varicose veins can spread to the deep veins of the venous system.
Symptoms of the disease
Reticular or cosmetic varicose veins have the following signs:
- Feeling of difficulty in the limbs.
- Puffiness.
- Increased fatigue.
- Appearance of blue nets. They are formed from enlarged superficial small-caliber vessels and capillaries.
- Cramps in the calf muscle.
- Pain in the localization of dilated veins.
External bleeding may occur in the advanced stages of the disease.
Causes of the disease
Reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities occur for the following reasons:
- Taking contraception to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
- Overweight.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Inactive lifestyle.
Hard physical work often leads to the appearance of a vascular pattern in the limbs. When the legs are overloaded, the venous walls gradually lose their elasticity and the blood circulation in the body deteriorates.
Diagnosis of the disease
If the presence of reticular varicose veins is suspected, the patient is asked. Your doctor will pay special attention to the following conditions:
- The nature and localization of pain.
- Working conditions of patients.
- Presence of concomitant diseases.
- The patient's lifestyle.
- Presence of hereditary predisposition to varicose veins.
The specialist then examines the patient. During the procedure, the doctor not only examines the spider veins, but also the condition of the skin near them: the presence of seals or edema in the affected area. For example, varicose veins on the face often occur in the eye area. In this case, the doctor may see light purple bags under his eyes. On closer inspection, the small venous and capillary networks are clearly visible. With the varicose veins of the lips, a small lump of rich red hue appears slightly blue.
Other methods are used to diagnose the disease. For example, an ultrasound will help assess the condition of the venous valves, revealing the presence of blood clots.
MRI in the presence of reticular varicose veins is performed only according to individual indications.
General clinical trials are also performed for varicose veins. These include primarily blood and urine tests. The likelihood of developing thrombophlebitis and thrombosis can be assessed through general clinical trials. They help you choose the right tactics for further treatment.
Classification of the disease
There is a special classification of reticular varicose veins. In addition to the six main stages, his supporters also distinguish the zero stage of the disease. Almost asymptomatic. Only a few patients experience difficulty with their legs.
In the first stage of the disease, a thin network of small blood vessels appears through the skin. The next stage is the dilation of the blood vessels. In the third stage of the disease, edema occurs, with the veins clearly protruding above the surface of the skin. In the fourth stage of the disease, the skin changes in the area of dilated veins. It may turn dark brown. In the next stage, trophic ulcers may develop. In the sixth stage of the disease, the patient's condition worsens sharply. Medications make it impossible to cope with trophic ulcers.
Disease treatment methods
The following methods are used to treat reticular varicose veins:
- Taking medication.
- Exercise.
- Making decoctions based on herbs.
- Perform laser coagulation or microflebectomy.
It is almost impossible to completely get rid of a pronounced cosmetic defect with the help of medications, folk remedies, or therapeutic practices. Therefore, treatment of the disease with minimally invasive methods (microflebectomy, sclerotherapy) is practiced.
Laser coagulation and microflebectomy for varicose veins
Microflebectomy is performed under local anesthesia. The essence of this medical manipulation is to pull the vein damaged by the varicose veins outwards. During microflebectomy, the skin is pre-pierced with a thin medical hook. The remaining trace is almost invisible to the curious eye. Microflebectomy is not accompanied by discomfort, the patient quickly returns to normal life. It is recommended to wear compression stockings.
During sclerotherapy, a special solution is injected into the vessel. The device glues the vessel walls together, as a result of which any damage is healed. The duration of the rehabilitation period varies between three and ten days (depending on the well-being of the patient). The patient should wear a bandage that fits snugly around the limb. It is applied to the puncture site. The number of procedures depends on the severity of the disease. The duration of treatment varies from 5 to 60 minutes. It is recommended to stop smoking, hot baths and alcoholic beverages within three days after sclerotherapy.
Drug use
In the treatment of reticular varicose veins, the drugs are used in various dosage forms:
- Pills.
- Capsules.
- Ointments.
- Creams.
- Gels.
The drugs have a beneficial effect on the superficial blood vessels in the limbs. Reticular varicose veins are usually treated with the following drugs:
- Venotonic. The preparations eliminate the discomfort in the legs, prevent the appearance of seizures and the occurrence of trophic ulcers.
- Medicines containing rutoside. Medications help reduce the permeability of capillaries, help eliminate edema. With the help of a special medicine, the walls of the blood vessels become stronger. Medicines containing rutoside are not only used to treat varicose veins. They eliminate the symptoms of hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, venous insufficiency.
Benefits of physiotherapy
Laser therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Thanks to the procedure, the body's cholesterol content is reduced and tissue swelling is reduced. Laser therapy helps the patient to give up expensive medications to treat reticular varicose veins.
It is important to highlight the following benefits of laser therapy:
- Positive changes are noticeable after the second procedure.
- In 70% of cases, the size of the affected veins may decrease by up to 3 mm after the first treatment.
After the session, the patient may feel pain. In some cases, the doctor will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to the patient to eliminate unwanted side effects.
Magnetic stimulation involves the effect of low-frequency magnetic pulses. After the procedure, the condition of the muscle tissue in the blood vessels improves, and blood circulation improves. The average duration of pulsed magnetic therapy is 20 minutes. After the procedure, the swelling of the legs is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies for varicose veins
Treatment with folk remedies involves both the preparation of decoctions for internal use and the use of ointments for external use.
The main benefits of alternative medicine are:
- The relatively low cost of ingredients present in folk remedies;
- Ease of preparation of funds. No special skills are required to use the recipes of traditional healers.
- Improving the patient's general well-being.
| Folk medicine | Cooking scheme |
|---|---|
| Garlic ointment | The device normalizes blood circulation in the body. To make the ointment, mix the grated garlic and butter in a 1: 2 ratio. The mixture should be applied to the affected area before going to bed. Cover the top with polyethylene or baking paper. Fasten with an elastic bandage or a thin scarf. In the morning, the compress is removed and the feet are washed thoroughly |
| Wrap sour milk | To make the compaction, a gauze napkin is soaked in sour milk. The drug is applied to the affected area. From above, the affected area is carefully covered with polyethylene and the limbs are wrapped in a warm scarf. The compress should be kept for a maximum of 30 minutes. The procedure can be repeated up to three times a day. |
| Hop tincture | Pour 30 grams of herb with 400 ml of boiling water. Hold the device for two hours. Drink 50 ml three times a day. The duration of treatment is 14 days. |
| Rinse your feet with cold water | The process uses water, which should be slightly colder than room temperature. When rinsing, you can add herbal solutions to the water: nettle, lemongrass, apple cider vinegar. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure. Of course, they have to dry |
| Kalanchoe ointment | To make the ointment, take 0, 5 kg of fresh plant leaves. Wash the Kalanchoe thoroughly with water and place in a clean glass jar. The plant is poured with alcohol in a ratio of 1: 1. The ointment should be infused for at least 10 days in a dry place protected from sunlight. Apply the product to the limbs with gentle massaging movements. Kalanchoe eliminates painful feelings in the legs. The duration of treatment is at least three months |
Special diet
In the case of reticular varicose veins, the following foods are usually excluded from the daily menu:
- Spicy food.
- Sweetness.
- Delicious spices.
- Heavily brewed coffee.
- Sweet pastries.
- Pickled vegetables.
The patient's diet should be supplemented with the following products:
- Freshly squeezed juices.
- Foods to which berries are added: viburnum or rosehip.
- Greens.
- Fruits.
- Foods containing grains such as rye or wheat.
The diet of a person with reticular varicose veins must include foods rich in vitamins A, E, C and B. These include, above all, fermented milk drinks, nuts, citrus fruits and seafood.
Exercises for reticular varicose veins
Therapeutic gymnastics improves the outflow of lymph from the affected vessels. You can do this simple exercise:
- The patient must stand up straight.
- You must slowly raise your heels and return to your starting position. It is forbidden to tear the socks off the floor during the exercise.
Therapeutic gymnastics helps to increase the strength of the venous walls. The only contraindication to training is the presence of trophic ulcers on the legs.
In the supine position, the "scissors" and "bike" exercises are performed. These should be done for at least two minutes (each).
Preventive measures
Many have heard the trite sentence that "a disease is easier to prevent than to cure. "No one will question the truth of this claim.
The following preventative measures reduce the likelihood of developing reticular varicose veins:
- Avoid heavily brewed coffee, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
- Wearing compression products. It is recommended to wear it every day, once a day: morning or evening.
- Refusal of intense physical activity.
- Regular visits to the pool.
- Perform special exercises to prevent the appearance of "cosmetic" varicose veins.