A detailed description for our readers: how to cure varicose veins in the legs?on the website varicose veins-cure.rf with details and photos.
In the article we talk about leg veins and we talk about the treatment of varicose veins at home.You will learn which folk remedies can be used for varicose veins, if massage is effective and in which cases surgery is necessary.Using our tips, you can make compresses and tinctures to relieve swelling and pain from varicose veins in the legs.You will also find a list of ointments that are effective against varicose veins.
Varicose veins in the legs, veins in the legs
Varicose veins or varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease in which the walls of superficial vessels thin, their lumen increases and nodular expansions are created.From the outside, the disease can be detected if the veins in the legs protrude.Varicose veins occur in both women and men, but women are more susceptible to the pathology.
Causes, symptoms
Varicose veins are enlarged (swollen) veins that appear on the surface of the leg muscles.The veins are swollen and tortuous, and protrude strongly under the skin.Why do varicose veins appear?In the lower extremities there are saphenous and deep veins;they are connected to the communicating veins.Through them, blood flows upward from the saphenous veins to the deep ones.The muscle pump is responsible for its movement.
During physical movements, muscles contract and push blood upwards.Venous valves prevent the downward movement of blood.This is proper blood circulation and is possible only with normal venous tone.
If the tone of the venous wall decreases and the valves do not perform their function, the blood moves not only up, but also down.This increases the pressure on the vessels, provokes their swelling and expansion and promotes the formation of nodes.
Nerve endings located in the walls of blood vessels send a signal to the brain.The brain gives the command to increase venous tone.An increase in resistance further increases the load on the veins, leading to atrophy of the venous wall and the death of nerve endings.
Risk factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- lack of physical activity;
- poor nutrition;
- obesity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- pregnancy;
- genetic predisposition.
Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs:
- heaviness in the legs;
- increased fatigue;
- local pain in the lower leg;
- swelling of the legs;
- night cramps - in severe cases.
In the initial stages, varicose veins are manifested externally with the formation of spider veins on the surface of the skin.As the disease progresses, venous dilatation increases and hemodynamics become more and more disrupted.In the final stages, the superficial veins fuse with the skin.The veins are blocked and trophic ulcers are created.
A vein in the leg hurts - what to do?
If a protruding vein appears on the leg and it hurts, this indicates the development of varicose veins.The sooner you start treatment, the more successful it will be and the higher the chances of stopping the progression of the disease.
Which doctor should I contact for varicose veins?Diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins is carried out by a phlebologist.Even in the initial stages, it is necessary to seek advice from a specialist.He will identify the main factors that influenced the development of the disease and will describe adequate methods of therapy and prevention.
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs is carried out at home, unless the patient needs surgery or laser surgery.Doctors prescribe tablets, ointments and gels that improve venous circulation, break blood clots, increase blood flow and relieve swelling and fatigue in the legs.Folk remedies can be used as additional therapy.
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs with folk remedies
In this section we will tell you how and how to treat varicose veins in the legs at home.If you are interested in how to treat varicose veins in the legs in women or how to treat varicose veins in the legs in men, you will find effective folk remedies in the table.
Recipes of traditional medicine for the treatment of varicose veins:
| TITLE | How it works | Instructions for use |
| nettles | It thins the blood and improves blood circulation, helps to strengthen the vascular walls and prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. | Take 5 tbsp.dry nettle and pour 250 ml of vodka.Infuse the medicine for 7 days in a dark place.Use tincture 1 tablespoon.3 times a day before meals. |
| Soda | It thins the blood, eliminates swelling and heaviness in the legs, accelerates the outflow of lymph and relieves pain. | Take 1-2 tbsp.baking soda and lightly moistened with water.Apply the mixture to the affected area and cover with a cabbage leaf.Cover the compress with gauze and leave it overnight. You can make a foot bath with baking soda.To do this, dilute 200 g of soda in 5 liters of warm water.The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes. |
| Apple cider vinegar | It increases the tone of the venous walls, improves blood circulation, eliminates swelling and reduces pain. | Rub apple cider vinegar on the affected areas in the morning and evening after showering. You can use apple cider vinegar as a compress.Moisten the gauze with liquid and place it on the leg.Lie down for 1 hour, placing your feet on a pillow so that they are 15-20 cm above the level of your heart. |
| wrong conceptions | Relieves swelling and redness, eliminates pain. | Take a cabbage leaf and press it with a rolling pin until the juice comes out.Coat one side of the sheet with vegetable oil and apply it to the injured area.Secure the compress with a bandage.Leave it on all day or overnight. |
| Celandine | It relieves swelling, eliminates fatigue and pain in the legs. | Make 1 tbsp.celandine in a glass of boiling water.Soak a linen cloth in the broth.Wrap your feet and leave for 1 hour.Carry out the procedure for 7 days.Then, take a ten-day break. |
| Laundry soap | It relieves inflammation and accelerates regeneration processes.It promotes the healing of cracks and wounds that worsen the condition of varicose veins. | Grate a bar of laundry soap.Grind 10 Aspirin tablets and pour 250 ml of vodka into them.Add soap.Leave it for 2 days.Use the product as a lotion. |
| Beloved | It improves blood circulation, tones the walls of blood vessels and increases their elasticity.Strengthens general and local immunity. | Take 1 tablespoon on an empty stomach.honey every day. Foot baths are made with honey.To do this, dissolve 10 g of honey in 5 liters of warm water.The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes. |
| wormwood | It relieves inflammation, thins the blood and improves blood circulation, reduces pain. | Pour 2 tbsp.dry wormwood with a glass of kefir.Soak the natural fabric in the mixture.Apply the compress to the affected area and secure it.Leave it for 20-30 minutes. |
| Raw potatoes | It helps to strengthen the venous walls and improve blood circulation. | Finely grate the raw potatoes.Apply the paste to your feet and secure with a bandage.Leave it for 5 hours. |
| Kalanchoe | Eases inflammation, accelerates regeneration processes, eliminates swelling. | Wash and chop some Kalanchoe leaves.Pour in 500 ml of vodka.Leave it for 7 days.Rub the prepared tincture on the sore areas of your feet. |
Ointment for varicose veins in legs
Ointments for varicose veins are used when one or more veins are visible.Medicines for topical use do not eliminate the disease, but only reduce the severity of the manifestations.If your vein is swollen and elongated, contact a phlebologist.The doctor will advise the use of ointments and gels in the early stages, but the basis for stopping the disease will be its prevention and the elimination of risk factors.
List of ointments for varicose veins in the legs:
- Heparin ointment- cheap ointment based on sodium heparin.An anticoagulant not only thins the blood, but also reduces pain.
- Troxevasin— increases the tone of the vascular walls, has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant and thinning effect.Prevents the formation of blood clots.
- A medicine containing leech extract.Ointment improves blood circulation, eliminates swelling and pain and increases the tone of blood vessel walls.
Tablets for varicose veins in the legs
In addition to ointments, tablets are also used in the early stages of varicose veins.Phlebotonics, anticoagulants, antioxidants, and antiplatelet agents are used to treat varicose veins.
Tablets for varicose veins:
- Diosmin- prevents the stretching of blood vessels, increases the elasticity of venous walls, reduces blood stagnation and helps to normalize blood circulation.
- Dipyridamole— improves blood microcirculation, prevents the formation of blood clots.
Under no circumstances should you choose the medicine yourself.Tablets for the treatment of varicose veins in the legs have a large number of contraindications for use and can only be prescribed by the attending physician.
How to relieve pain from varicose veins?For leg pain, you can use drugs with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects - Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Nimesulide, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol.To eliminate fatigue, lie down for a few minutes with your legs raised above the level of your heart and a pillow under them.
Compression garments
When treating varicose veins, it is important to wear special compression garments.Socks, knee socks, stockings and tights with different degrees of compression create the necessary pressure on the veins, this helps the muscle pump to push the blood up and improves blood circulation in the legs.
IN ADDITION TO THE COMPRESSION WEAR, IT REDUCES THE LOAD ON THE VEINS, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE LEGS ARE LESS TIRED AND THERE IS NO SWELLING.
You should not choose compression garments yourself, without first consulting a phlebologist.If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, contact a specialist;the doctor will examine the condition of the veins and, taking into account the individual characteristics, will choose a compression class and the type of product.
Compression classes:
- Class 1 - compression no more than 23 mm Hg.Art.Described in the early stages of varicose veins.
- Class 2 - compression about 33 mm Hg.Art.It is used for the treatment of moderate varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
- Class 3 - compression about 45 mm Hg.Art.It is used in the treatment of severe venous insufficiency.
- Class 4 - compression above 50 mm Hg.Art.Prescribed for severe stages of the disease.
Massage for varicose veins
Massage is another method for treating varicose veins in the early stages.However, without proper technique, the procedure can cause even more damage.The massage should be performed by a qualified specialist.
Is it possible to massage legs with varicose veins?
Leg massage for varicose veins can be done only in the initial stage of the disease.It is forbidden to perform the procedure for trophic ulcers, thrombophlebitis and skin diseases.General contraindications include elevated body temperature, infectious diseases and inflammatory processes.You should not do anti-cellulite massage for varicose veins, especially with vacuum cups.
Lymphatic drainage massage is performed for the treatment of varicose veins.Improves blood circulation and lymph flow, eliminates swelling, fatigue and pain.
TO PERFORM THE LYMPHADRAINAGE MASSAGE, FIRST WE PRESS THE SKIN SLOWLY.THEN DRIVE FROM THE CALVES TO THE ANIMAL WITH A LIGHT MOVEMENT, GRADUALLY INCREASING THE FORCE OF THE PRESS.
You can also use hydromassage with alternating water temperatures.Exposure to cold and warm water increases the tone of the vascular walls and improves blood circulation.
Laser treatment of leg veins
The procedure for treating varicose veins with a laser is called laser coagulation.This is a modern method that prevents the downward movement of blood.The laser allows you to increase the tone of the vascular walls and normalize blood circulation.
The principle of the technique is based on the thermal effect of the laser on the inner surface of the vein and blood.Steam bubbles form in the blood.The steam comes into contact with the wall of the vein, damages it and "carbonizes" it.The resulting blood clot is replaced by connective tissue and the passage is closed.
Contraindications for laser coagulation:
- significant expansion of the trunk of the vein;
- foci of inflammation in the intervention area;
- thrombophilia;
- chronic ischemia of the lower extremities;
- diseases that require priority treatment.
Surgery to remove varicose veins in the legs
The disease can be cured using conservative and minimally invasive therapy, but it can be completely eliminated only through surgery.
The main surgical operation for the elimination of varicose veins is phlebectomy.During the procedure, the damaged veins are removed, this allows blood circulation in the deep veins to normalize.
Indications:
- wide varicose veins;
- dilated saphenous veins;
- impaired blood flow;
- trophic ulcers;
- thrombophlebitis.
Contraindications:
- late stage of varicose veins;
- cardiac ischemia;
- serious infectious diseases;
- second half of pregnancy;
- old age.
Rehabilitation after removal of leg veins
The duration of the operation is 1-2 hours.The first time after it is performed, the patient is under the supervision of doctors.After a few hours he is allowed to move his legs.Sutures are removed after 10 days.
In the postoperative period, the patient is prescribed to wear compression stockings and perform special exercises.During the rehabilitation period, it is important to get used to normal physical activity, which will ensure blood circulation, but will not cause severe strain on the veins.
Prevention of varicose veins in the legs
Prevention plays an important role in the treatment of varicose veins.It is especially important to follow certain rules if there is a genetic predisposition and other risk factors, as well as after laser treatment and phlebectomy to prevent the disease from returning.
To prevent varicose veins, you can use folk remedies and local medications that increase the tone of the venous wall, improve blood circulation and relieve swelling and fatigue of the legs at the end of the working day.We have described all these tools in the article.
Lifestyle, gymnastics and diet
To prevent the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle.Give up bad habits, which include not only alcohol and smoking, but also overeating.Obesity is one of the risk factors for varicose veins.
Balance your diet, exclude fatty, fried, salty and excessively spicy foods.Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
If you want to prevent the development of varicose veins, do not forget about gymnastics and light exercises.To accelerate the blood in the lower extremities, gymnastics should use the legs.An excellent exercise for preventing varicose veins is cycling.
Wear comfortable shoes.If you are predisposed to the disease, contact a phlebologist.Your doctor will help you choose compression garments.
Prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy
Pregnant women are more at risk of developing varicose veins.To prevent the development of the disease during pregnancy, follow the simple rules of prevention:
- Wear compression stockings or socks.
- Exercise to improve blood circulation in your legs.
- Do not stand or sit in one position for a long time.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Sleep on your left side;this position will allow you not to catch the vein on the right side, which is responsible for the flow of blood from the lower extremities.
- Do not cross your legs.
- Eat properly.
- Take a walk in the fresh air.
What happens if varicose veins are not treated?
Varicose veins are a serious disease that, if left untreated, can cause dangerous complications, including:
- thrombophlebitis;
- detachment of a blood clot and blockage of the lumen of the vein; pulmonary embolism;
- trophic ulcers;
- swelling of different parts of the body;
- dermatitis;
- compression of subcutaneous fat at the site of the lesion.
What to remember
- Varicose veins are varicose veins that occur as a result of a decrease in the tone of the vascular wall.
- In the initial stages of varicose veins, you can use ointments and tablets and folk remedies.The disease can be completely cured only through surgery.
- If symptoms of varicose veins appear, consult a phlebologist.He will choose the right treatment.
Varicose veins are a chronic disease in which the venous vessels are stretched or elongated.Varicose veins occur not only in the veins of the legs (but this is the most common form), they can also develop in the blood vessels of other internal organs.For all forms of varicose veins, the methods of its treatment at home are very similar.
The diagnosis of the disease is carried out by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon, who also determines how to treat the disease in a particular case.Treatment of the pathology is based on two methods: conservative treatment of varicose veins, which is performed at home, and surgical intervention.
Varicose veins Depending on the degree of development of venous pathology, the treatment of varicose veins at home can be:
- The main treatment is only in the early stages of the disease.Seeking medical help at the stage of small swelling of the legs or when a vascular pattern appears on the legs allows you to cure the disease at home.
- Auxiliary treatment - in the advanced stages of the disease, when the developed pathology requires specialized therapy, and home exercises aimed at improving blood flow are a necessary addition to the main treatment.
- A preventive measure after surgery to prevent the further development of pathology.
The basis of varicose veins is the weakness of the connective tissue of the wall of the venous vessels, therefore the conservative treatment of the disease is mainly aimed at strengthening this wall.This approach to treatment is essential and allows you to treat varicose veins of any location: both in the legs and in the veins of internal organs.
Also, the treatment of varicose veins in the legs at home requires a number of additional measures:
| Taking medications | Strengthening the vascular wall |
| Taking vitamin supplements | |
| By changing your diet | |
| Use of external drugs | |
| Gymnastics for the veins | Improvement of venous blood circulation |
| Wearing compression garments | |
| Exercises for blood circulation | |
| Sleeping with legs up | |
| Workflow optimization | Reducing the load on the venous vessels of the legs |
| Losing excess weight | |
| Special physical exercises | Strengthening the calf muscles |
| Lifestyle change |
Measures aimed at strengthening the vascular wall
These methods - aimed at improving the permeability of the vascular wall of the veins, increasing its tone and elasticity - are the main directions of treatment for varicose veins, including leg veins.
It includes:
- Treatment with medications that include diosmin, troxerutin, escin.Varicose veins should be treated with these drugs only as prescribed by a doctor, who will choose the drug and determine the frequency and duration of administration.
- Treatment with products made according to traditional medicine recipes.
- Taking vitamin preparations - it has been proven that vitamins have the greatest impact on the permeability of the vascular wall: rutin (vitamin P) and ascorbic acid.Therefore, a combination of these two vitamins is widely used for the prevention and treatment of the disease.
- Use of ointments and gels.
Recipes for folk remedies
How to treat varicose veins at home using folk remedies:
| Alcohol tincture of horse chestnut flowers | Take 50 g of flowers, fill them with 500 ml of ethyl alcohol at a concentration of 50%.Infuse the mixture for two weeks, shaking daily, then strain.Take 30-40 drops 3 times a day before meals for 30 days. |
| Infusion of nettle leaves | Take 2 tablespoons of dry nettle herb, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour.Strain the infusion, take 60 ml 3 times a day.The course of treatment is 30 days, rest - 15 days, repeated twice. |
| Infusion of hop cones | Pour two tablespoons of dry cones into 200 ml of hot water, boil on low heat for 10 minutes, drain.Take 200 ml of infusion 2-3 times a day.Remember that it causes drowsiness. |
| Apple cider vinegar solution | Add 10 ml of apple cider vinegar to 200 ml of water, take this drink in the morning and in the evening.The recipe is contraindicated for people with peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract. |
Getting rid of varicose veins while running
Running with varicose veins is possible in the first and second stage.It is recommended to avoid significant stress on the legs, giving priority to running and walking in the race.In the presence of thrombosis, as well as in the later stages of the disease, running is not recommended.
It is possible to get rid of varicose veins with the help of running only at the beginning of the disease, when the veins have not yet stretched.At this stage, there are no clinical symptoms of the disease.Therefore, the patient simply does not know about the need to start classes.At the moment when the diagnosis of varicose veins is made, running is no longer able to completely cure the pathology.
When to contact a phlebologist?
Seeing a doctor about varicose veins should happen as soon as possible.The more advanced the disease is at this point, the less likely it is that the patient will fully recover.It is ideal if a person visits the clinic at the moment the first signs are detected: heaviness in the legs, flying pain when standing in place for a long time, swelling.
Nutrition, diet for varicose veins
With varicose veins, diet plays an important role in stabilizing the patient's condition and restoring vascular tone.
It is recommended to eat:
- seafood (mussels, shrimp, squid);
- fruits rich in vitamin C (kiwi, black currant, citrus fruits);
- blood thinning products (garlic, lemon, onion, cherry).
Dietary restrictions correspond to a general bland diet.It is prohibited to take alcoholic beverages, excessively salty, spicy, sour and other foods that have irritating properties.You should also not drink large amounts of coffee, tea and other drinks that have diuretic properties.
Preventive measures
The basis for the prevention of varicose veins is the abandonment of a sedentary lifestyle and static loads on the legs.It is recommended to go for a short run or walk a few kilometers every day.During the working day, you should take short breaks dedicated to leg exercises.In addition, you should eat the foods described in the previous section and, if necessary, wear compression stockings.A moderate degree of compression helps improve blood flow in the superficial veins.
Despite the apparent safety, varicose veins are a disease that, under certain conditions, poses a threat to human life.This is especially true for the later stages of the development of the pathology, during which the vascular wall becomes thinner and its integrity is easily damaged.Therefore, traditional prescription therapy should be started as soon as possible.To avoid mistakes and using the wrong treatment methods, you should consult your doctor before starting it.