Methods of treating varicose veins differ in the intensity of their impact on the pathological problem and the effect on the human body as a whole. Varicose veins are swelling of subcutaneous veins with acute circulatory disorders. The venous plexuses in the affected area become tortuous and acquire a bluish tint.
Compression shirt
Shapewear is an integral part of therapy for varicose veins at any stage. In the early stages of the development of pathology, compression stockings can stop the progression of the disease and restore the legs to their previous beauty.
There are several types of meshes:
- knee socks, tights, stockings;
- elastic bandages.
All of them are classified according to the degree of compression, material of manufacture and manufacturer. Considering that therapeutic underwear must be worn regularly, it is best if the type of compression is chosen by the doctor. Compression stockings and tights can be used for prevention, especially if there is an increased risk of developing varicose veins.
Medicines
Conservative treatment refers to non-invasive correction methods. The average course is 2 to 3 months. During therapy, swelling and inflammation decrease and venous protrusion decreases. It is important to combine local and systemic treatment with the use of compression stockings. Drug correction allows you to remove varicose veins on the hands and feet due to the possibility of a systemic effect on the body.
Pills
Tablets are widely used in complex therapy. In addition to tablets, systemic treatment may include injections and capsules. Effective and well-known medicines are:
- anticoagulants;
- anti-inflammatory;
- phlebotonics.
Local therapy
As local remedies for varicose veins, ointments, liniments and gels are used for application to the surface of the skin. Local medicines are convenient to use in home therapy. Medicines relieve swelling and burning in the area of venous protrusion, reduce cyanosis and relieve pain.
The following popular drugs are distinguished:
- based on glycosaminoglycan;
- based on natural ingredients (horse chestnut, sweet clover, butcher's broom);
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- hormonal.
Leech treatment
Hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) in phlebological practice is fully justified. The positive effect of therapy is due to the following positive aspects:
- elimination of tissue swelling;
- blood thinning;
- thrombosis prevention;
- pain reduction;
- strengthening the vascular walls.
Carrying out venosclerosis therapy
Common method of treating varicose veins, used in the early stages of the disease. The effect of the procedure is noticeable after 1-3 sessions. There are two fundamentally different options for sclerotherapy.
Puncture method
It is an injection treatment into the veins of the affected area. In some situations, patients may be prescribed intravenously. The following medications are used for intravenous administration:
- platelet disaggregants (to thin the blood);
- thrombolytic agents (dissolve existing blood clots);
- medicines to improve blood microcirculation.
For severe forms of varicose veins, a synthetic analogue of natural prostaglandin E is used1. Not all patients require puncture and injection treatment. The suitability of the method is prescribed by the doctor.
Radiofrequency removal
The method was borrowed from heart surgery, where it is still used successfully to improve heart rhythm in affected areas of the heart. Radiofrequency ablation literally means evaporation of a substance. The method is based on the use of current with a strength of up to 750 kHz. Current is delivered to the venous lumen via catheterization. Under the influence of a current at a temperature of 120 ºС, the walls of the vessels stick together.
Obliteration differs from classic sclerotherapy because there is no need to introduce special adhesives.
Surgical correction
Surgical treatment is a radical method of treating varicose veins if conservative therapy is ineffective and the pathology quickly progresses to healthy areas of the lower extremities.
The following methods are used for complete restoration of affected veins:
- Phlebectomy.Surgery to remove damaged veins. Duration – about 1. 5 hours, carried out under general anesthesia. The recovery period can last up to 3 months. After surgery, there is a risk of permanent scars.
- Electrocoagulation.The method is based on tissue excision by evaporation of moisture under the influence of direct currents. The effectiveness of the method depends on the depth of exposure to high frequency currents. Coagulation is used in the treatment of blood vessels, warts, hemorrhoidal diseases and papillomas.
- Cryosurgical treatment.It is a widely used treatment method. Treatment is based on the effect of high temperatures on the affected veins. Under the influence of cold, the body begins to defend itself, which is expressed by the activation of regenerative processes in damaged tissues. For best results, 3-5 sessions will be required. It is used for reticular varicose veins (stage I), as well as for venous diseases of grades 2 and 3.
- Sclerobliteration.A simple and effective procedure that involves puncturing varicose veins. At the site of the injury, a rupture occurs in the endothelial layer and fibrous tissue forms. With adequate compression, the walls of damaged vessels with fibrous changes grow together and the vascular lumen is completely closed. The procedure consists of 5-7 courses, but after treatment the probability of complete disappearance of the affected veins increases significantly.
- Performing endoscopic dissection.The method is one of the types of subfascial ligation. In other words, the affected veins are ligated (cut) using endoscopic instruments from a remote surgical approach. After the procedure there are no marks or scars.
- Laser treatment.An effective, highly accurate and safe method for removing affected veins. All treatment consists of local heating of the venous walls and their subsequent sclerosis. The advantage of the method is that only one procedure is required.
Innovative treatment could be used to treat varicose veins in children with obesity and endocrine disorders.
Traditional methods
There are several recipes used to improve the general trophism of tissues and blood vessels:
- essencial oils;
- Apple vinegar;
- raw potato applications;
- aloe vera juice for ulcerative formations;
- cabbage leaf;
- apitherapy – treatment with bee products.
It is possible to use medications to increase immunity and increase vascular elasticity. Official medicine does not recognize such medicines as therapeutic and effective.
Lifestyle
In the absence of varicose veins, a series of recommendations must be followed to prevent the disease. If you have varicose veins, changing your lifestyle and following your doctor's instructions will reduce the risk of the condition spreading to healthy veins:
- active lifestyle;
- eliminating bad habits;
- carrying while standing for long periods of time;
- wear comfortable shoes (you can alternate heels with wedges several times a day);
- a balanced diet to prevent constipation;
- weight correction with an increase in body mass index;
- compliance with the drinking regime;
- regular exercises to treat varicose veins.
Varicose veins, when they progress and without adequate therapy, can be dangerous due to the risk of blood clots, trophic ulcers and even gangrene. Varicose veins often coexist with diabetes mellitus, so when the first symptoms of the pathology appear, it would be a good idea to consult an endocrinologist and rule out various hormonal disorders.