According to statistics, one in every fourth inhabitant of the planet, regardless of age and physiological data, suffers from varicose veins. Varicose veins is a predominantly hereditary 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 unhealthy diet, intense physical activity, or its complete absence. The clinical picture of the disease and the choice of treatment method depend on the stage and form of the varicose veins, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient.
Pathogenesis and Etiology
Currently, it is proven and confirmed by scientific data that the main reason that predisposes to 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 walls, are passed from generation to generation, causing the development of varicose veins.
In the presence of an inherited predisposition, it is extremely difficult to avoid the appearance of the main symptoms of the disease, as any factors that almost all ordinary people encounter on a daily basis can serve as a reason, as a kind of catalyst for the launch of pathological processes. Among the most common reasons, whose negative impact can cause pathology, are called:
- Lack of physical activity.
- The period of pregnancy and subsequent childbirth.
- Excess weight, especially with the location of masses of fat in the lower body.
- Prolonged use of hormonal and potent drugs.
- Irrational approach to diet.
- Postural pathologies and sedentary lifestyle.
- Commitment to regular tanning beds.
- Bad habits.
- Wear tight, tight clothing.
Thus, varicose veins are primarily a genetic defect. The above causes of varicose veins, whose systematic effect are various pathologies of the circulatory system, including varicose veins, are among the most common. However, in each individual situation, other reasons, among other things, can play a negative role. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate all predisposing factors.
Excess weight can cause varicose veins to appear.
Clinical condition
Symptoms of varicose veins, regardless of the reason, can vary significantly depending on the stage and form of the disease, in addition to other factors such as lifestyle and anatomical characteristics of the structure of the venous system. There are currently six main stages of varicose veins, each of which is characterized by a particular set of characteristic symptoms and causes of onset.
First step. In the initial stage of formation, varicose veins are characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Tingling.
- Heaviness and pain in the legs.
- Burning, itching.
- Night cramps.
You may also notice the visual symptoms of varicose veins in the form of stars and bluish veins. At this stage, the patient notices the appearance of edema after physical exertion and at night.
Second stage. According to scientific data, true varicose veins in the lower limbs, regardless of the reasons, start precisely from the second stage of disease formation. This is because 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 legs, even after reasons such as short walks. Furthermore, the visual symptoms of the disease are clearly visible: the vascular network, the swollen veins, the formation of dense bluish nodules in the skin. According to a similar picture, the third stage proceeds with varicose veins.
In the fourth and fifth stage, with varicose veins, due to the lack of oxygen in the tissues, trophic changes occur, expressed in the appearance of ulcerative areas. The skin of varicose veins acquires a dark tone, the veins become pronounced, dense to the touch.
The seventh stage is characterized as the most complex and advanced form of the disease. During this period, varicose veins in the lower limbs cause the development of irreversible tissue changes, the appearance of trophic ulcers that do not heal, which often become the cause of death in areas of the skin.
In the advanced stages of varicose veins, trophic ulcers appear.
effective therapies
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 directions, in turn, is divided into corresponding subgroups. For example, a conservative treatment option includes the use of external and internal medications.
Invasive treatment of varicose veins is based on the use of radical methods of therapy for inflamed areas of the vascular system. Depending on the stage and symptoms of the disease, several treatment options can be used: from the restoration of the walls of damaged veins to their total or partial removal. But cardinal treatment of varicose veins presents a series of contraindications, the presence of which precludes the use of any appropriate procedure.
The effective treatment of varicose veins, aiming to obtain a positive dynamic in the disease, is based on the complex combination of several types of therapy. Taking medication, for example, can be combined with some types of physical therapy treatment, wearing compression underwear, and popular methods.
In addition, when prescribing certain treatment options for the patient, the patient also needs to make dietary changes, engage in moderate physical activity and also minimize as much as possible the factors that contribute to the progression of the disease.
Medicines
Medical treatment of varicose veins is mainly used in the early stages of disease formation, regardless of its cause. In addition, it is possible to take and apply drugs in varicose veins as an additional measure in the process of conducting invasive therapy. For the treatment of varicose vein symptoms, drugs with anti-inflammatory, regenerating, healing and venous flow normalizing properties are used. If there is a risk of infection of the affected tissues, treatment with antibacterials is necessary.
In most cases, drug treatment is used in the early stages of the disease.
In the case of intense painful sensations, the use of analgesics is allowed, whose action is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but not treating the causes of the disease. It is also practiced the use of medications that improve the composition of the blood, thinning the hemalymph, increasing the body's resistance.
The use of medications helps to reduce both the visual manifestations that characterize varicose veins in the lower limbs, as well as the physiological ones: edema, pain, severity. However, medical treatment for varicose veins aims to eliminate the symptoms and not the causes of the disease. It is almost impossible to completely get rid of varicose veins and regenerate the damaged varicose veins in this way.
Physiotherapy
Physical therapy is an excellent complement to a unique treatment complex for varicose veins. The only significant disadvantage of this type of therapy is the need to perform any procedure exclusively in medical institutions due to its specificity. The positive effect is only achieved if the treatment is done regularly.
The following types of procedures are most effective and convenient in treating the disease:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser radiation.
- Infrared radiation.
- Magnetotherapy.
But despite all the benefits of physical therapy prescribed to eliminate varicose veins in the legs, there are a number of contraindications, for which its treatment is totally excluded. As a rule, this includes symptoms with varicose veins such as trophic ulcers, necrotic tissue changes, open wound surfaces.
Physiotherapy can only be performed in a medical institution.
Surgical intervention
Surgical removal of the affected veins through a proper procedure is ranked as one of the most effective ways of treating varicose veins. But it is used only in the most severe and neglected cases, as long as there is no positive dynamic in the process of using invasive and conservative methods of treating the disease.
Surgical intervention is based on complete removal of the affected vein. The procedure requires the introduction of anesthetics in a patient who is concerned about varicose veins, hospitalization and a long period of rehabilitation. Depending on the causes of the disease and the indications, the operation for varicose veins can be performed as planned and on an emergency basis.
invasive methods
A relatively new trend in the field of phlebology is the invasive methods of treatment, whose effectiveness is not inferior to that of surgical manipulations. At the same time, when performing such procedures, the patient does not need a long period of rehabilitation. Also, there are no contraindications and side effects. However, invasive methods may not be effective enough for symptoms of advanced varicose veins.
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 the sclerotherapy procedure, a substance is injected into the damaged vein that promotes the rapid regeneration of cells and tissues. To completely get rid of varicose veins, you only need to perform five to six of these procedures.
Laser therapy is somewhat similar to the surgical principle of therapeutic action, which allows you to permanently get rid of varicose vein symptoms. During the procedure, direct exposure to laser radiation occurs through the skin. The laser partially destroys the tissue in the injured vein, causing its immediate contraction. The presence of scars or scars due to such a procedure is totally excluded.
traditional methods
Of course, it won't work to get rid of varicose veins forever using popular methods, but it is perfectly possible to reduce the visual and physiological manifestations of the disease a little. The main aspect of home therapy is regularity. It is possible to obtain good results and eliminate unpleasant symptoms with varicose veins only if the procedures are performed daily and according to accepted norms.
As the most effective procedures for the causes and symptoms of varicose veins, which can be performed at home, are called compresses based on various medicines and herbs. The following recipes are especially popular:
- The pulp of ripe tomatoes, transformed into pulp. An excellent remedy for varicose veins in the early stages of the disease. Apply to inflamed veins for two to three hours daily.
- Varicose veins in the lower extremities can be eliminated and the troublesome symptoms can be reduced by using fresh aloe vera leaves or Kalanchoe. To do this, the plant must be turned into porridge and applied to the affected area overnight.
- Homemade yogurt. To prepare the compress, moisten a cotton swab or dressing liberally in a container of yogurt and apply to the leg.
- Infusion of hop cones. Wet a gauze swab with a saturated infusion and secure it to the leg with a tight bandage. The procedure must be performed daily.
- White cabbage leaves. It's quite simple to use: blanch the leaves with boiling water, cool and apply to the affected areas, then secure with an elastic bandage. This method is great for severe pain and swelling.
- Green tomato slices. Apply several slices of green tomatoes to the wound and fix them with a bandage. The duration of the procedure should not exceed five hours.
- Propolis. Propolis-based preparations can only be used with a prescription, as the agent is classified as potent. It is possible to use dyes and aqueous solutions of this bee product as compresses and therapeutic massages.
The most effective way to treat the condition at home is with compresses.
Before using any home remedy for varicose veins, you should make sure there is no risk of developing an allergy to any component of the prescription. It is nearly impossible to eliminate varicose veins in your legs through home procedures. But the beneficial effect of the compresses described above helps to eliminate its causes and symptoms, thin the blood and strengthen the venous walls, an important component of the therapeutic complex.
proper nutrition
Varicose veins usually appear not only due to damage to the venous walls, but also due to thickening of the blood. To liquefy hemalymph, improve metabolic processes and restore microblood circulation, the patient needs to make some adjustments to their normal diet.
To start with, you should exclude all sweet, fatty and fried foods, as well as floury products from the menu. Low-fat meat, vegetables, fruits, fermented dairy products, cereals should be present as predominant products on the table of a patient with varicose veins in the legs. Based on these products, it is perfectly possible to build not only a healthy food menu, but also a varied one, in addition, these dishes help to thin the blood and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.
tips and tricks
As an additional measure for varicose veins, patients also need to wear compressive underwear, which 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 ordinary elastic bandages, the effect of wearing them is just as clearly noticeable. The only disadvantage of elastic bandages is the relative inconvenience in the process of fixing this device.
For the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, the use of compression underwear is recommended.
Walking at a slow pace for short walks also helps to normalize blood circulation and improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues. But this method can be used as an additional component of the medical complex only if there are no contraindications. As an additional method of treating pathologies of veins and blood vessels, it can be called a contrast bath. Regular use of this procedure improves blood circulation, promotes skin cell restoration, 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, not a hot bath.
It is almost impossible to completely cure varicose veins through treatment with either technique. Only a complex combination of various ways to fight the causes of varicose veins will allow you to forget the unpleasant symptoms of this disease forever.
To avoid complications, you should not self-medicate. Before using any agent, even the most innocuous, you should consult your doctor.