Varicose veins (or varicose veins) in the legs are a fairly common disease. Women between the ages of 30 and 60 are the main victims, especially if they have diabetes or are overweight and have postural problems. In addition, people with varicose veins whose work requires them to stand or sit for long periods of time. Unfortunately, the number of cases is increasing year by year. Therefore, it is important to know not only how to cure varicose veins on the legs, but also how to avoid it.
Causes
Treatment for varicose veins should first and foremost eliminate the immediate cause of its occurrence. The following are the most common in everyday life:
- Is upright or sitting for a long time;
- Overweight (obesity);
- Increased pressure in the veins of the lower extremities due to high loads associated with constipation, weight lifting and pregnancy;
- Congenital or post-traumatic absence of venous valves in the vessels of the lower limbs.
Varicose veins on the legs can only be cured after the above factors have been eliminated. Otherwise, relapse of the disease cannot be avoided.
Symptoms
One of the most important signs of varicose veins is the appearance of bulging and nodular swellings along the veins of the lower extremities. Often this is accompanied by severe pain and difficulty in the legs, an unpleasant burning sensation can occur. In severe cases, episodic leg cramps and edema may occur, usually in the late afternoon. A characteristic feature of the varicose veins is the gradual thickening and darkening of the skin of the leg.
If left untreated, the walls of the affected blood vessels become inflamed and clogged in several blood clots. Over time, ulcers may develop on the skin. In the vast majority of cases, such developments lead to quite frightening diseases such as thrombophlebitis or thrombosis.
In what situation should you see a doctor?
The varicose veins develop gradually, but sometimes they move fast enough - you can't hesitate to see a doctor. The acute course of the disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Sharp pain that reaches such an intensity that a person cannot move on their own. This is accompanied by a feeling of warmth and hardening of the skin of the feet;
- Shortness of breath, weakness and shortness of breath;
- Bleeding is localized in the immediate vicinity of the venous vessels involved or spontaneously.
Diagnostics
When the first signs of a varicose vein appear, you should ask your doctor for help. As a general rule, after performing the usual tests (examination, medical history, CBC, OAM), such patients should be referred to a vascular specialist (phlebologist) or immediately to a vascular surgeon.
In addition to the basic diagnostic procedures, you can assign to them:
- Venous ultrasound (duplex scanning);
- Contrast venography.
Management
There is no doctor against varicose veins today that would give a 100% result. Treatment should be performed in a comprehensive manner using both surgical and therapeutic techniques.
Conservative treatment
Fighting varicose veins on the legs with conservative methods is only possible in cases where the symptoms are still present and there is no need to talk about possible complications. The main components of the treatment are:
- Diet;
- A set of special exercises;
- Compression therapy;
- Medication.
Dieting
As mentioned earlier, varicose veins mainly affect overweight people. In this regard, one of the conditions for successful treatment is undoubtedly the adherence to a proper diet aimed at destroying excess pounds. There are many variations of preparing a daily diet, but none should be followed without first consulting a dietitian.
Such diets usually involve the avoidance of sweets as well as foods that are high in plant fiber.
Physical fitness
An excellent cure for varicose veins in the legs is physiotherapy exercises. There are a number of special exercises that can be performed that significantly slow down the progression of the disease and sometimes get rid of it completely. Don’t forget about outdoor walks (morning and evening) and swimming either.
Important!In case of varicose veins, refrain from visiting the sauna, bathing, do not bathe too hot and do not soar your feet. This is due to the fact that with these procedures, the blood flow to the limbs is significantly increased, where stagnation can already be observed in the case of varicose veins.
Compression therapy
Treating varicose veins at home involves the use of special jerseys in the form of golf, tights and stockings, as well as elastic bandages of various lengths. As a general rule, doctors recommend that you wear them all day and take them off just before bed.
This can significantly increase the tone of the veins and improve blood flow in the legs. This in turn helps to eliminate the symptoms of the disease. It is also a very useful foot massage against varicose veins that should be performed by a professional.
Drug therapy
Today, drugs for the treatment of the disease are widely represented in the pharmaceutical market. Moreover, anti-varicose gel, ointment and foot cream are used in combination with tablet forms. All of this can significantly reduce the rate of disease progression and even prevent the development of some complications.
However, we must not forget that any medicine should only be used as directed by your doctor. After all, almost all have quite a few contraindications, and improper use can lead to unforeseen situations.
Most commonly, for varicose veins of the lower extremities, doctors prescribe the following groups of medications:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Venotonics - medicines that help increase the tone of veins and improve venous outflow;
- Products used to reduce blood viscosity and prevent blood clots.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is the most radical method used in situations where not all alternative methods of combat give a positive result.
The most common procedure involves making small incisions in the skin and removing the affected veins through them. After surgery, the legs are tightly tied. After a few hours, patients can move on their own.
Nowadays, a technique in which abnormally altered veins are removed with the help of a laser is becoming more and more widespread. Such an operation is less traumatic, but a relapse of the disease is often observed thereafter.
Prevention
There is no doubt that, like most modern diseases, varicose veins are easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, doctors recommend the prevention of this disease from the earliest years. To do this, follow these steps:
- Be active in sports;
- You should take periodic breaks while standing (walk on your toes and then on your heels);
- After training, take a cool shower;
- Special jerseys should be worn during pregnancy, especially in later stages.