Varicose vein treatment methods differ in the intensity of their impact on the pathological problem and the effect on the human body as a whole. Varicose veins are the swelling of the subcutaneous veins with severe circulatory disturbance. Venous plexuses in the affected area become tortuous and take on a bluish hue.
Compression jersey
Shapers are an integral part of varicose vein therapy at any stage. In the early stages of the development of the pathology, compression stockings can stop the progression of the disease and restore the former beauty of the legs.
There are several types of knitwear:
- Knee socks, tights, socks;
- elastic bandages.
All of them are classified according to the degree of compression, the material of production and the manufacturer. Considering that therapeutic underwear must be worn regularly, it is better for the doctor to choose the type of compression. Compression stockings and tights can be worn for prevention, especially if there is an increased risk of developing varicose veins.
Medicines
Conservative treatment refers to non-invasive methods of correction. The average course is 2-3 months. During therapy, swelling and inflammation are reduced, and venous protrusion is reduced. It is important to combine local and systemic treatment with wearing compression stockings. Medication correction allows you to remove varicose veins on the hands and feet due to the possibility of systemic effects 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 drugs are:
- blood thinners;
- anti-inflammatory;
- phlebotonics.
Local therapy
As local remedies for varicose veins, ointments, liniments and gels are used to be applied to the surface of the skin. Topical drugs are suitable for 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 glycosaminoglycans;
- based on natural ingredients (melon chestnut, sweet clover, butcher's broom);
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- hormonal.
Treatment of leeches
Hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) in phlebological practice is completely justified. The positive effect of therapy is the result of the following positive aspects:
- removal of tissue swelling;
- blood thinning;
- prevention of thrombosis;
- pain reduction;
- strengthening of vascular walls.
Implementation of venosclerosis therapy
A common method of treating varicose veins, which is used in the early stages of the disease. The effect of the procedure is visible after 1-3 sessions. There are two fundamentally different options for sclerotherapy.
Puncture method
It is an injection treatment of the veins in the affected area. In some situations, patients may be prescribed an IV. The following drugs are used for intravenous administration:
- platelet disaggregatants (for blood thinning);
- thrombolytic agents (dissolving existing blood clots);
- drugs to improve blood microcirculation.
For severe forms of varicose veins, a synthetic analog of natural prostaglandin E is used1. Not all patients require treatment with punctures and injections. The suitability of the method is prescribed by the doctor.
Radiofrequency ablation
The method was borrowed from cardiac surgery, where it is still successfully used today to improve heart rhythm in affected areas of the heart. Radiofrequency ablation literally means vaporizing a substance. The method is based on the use of power current up to 750 kHz. Current is introduced into the venous lumen using catheterization. Under the influence of electricity at a temperature of 120 ºС, the walls of the vessels stick together.
Obliteration differs from classical sclerotherapy in that 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 the affected veins:
Phlebectomy. Surgery to remove damaged veins. Duration - about 1. 5 hours, performed under general anesthesia. The recovery period can last up to 3 months. After surgery, there is a risk of permanent scarring.Electrocoagulation. The method is based on excision of tissue 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, hemorrhoids and papillomas.Cryosurgical treatment. It is a widely used treatment method. The 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. 3-5 sessions are needed to achieve the best results. It is used in reticular varicose veins (stage I), as well as in stage 2 and 3 vein disease.Scleroobliteration. A simple and effective procedure involving the puncture of varicose veins. At the site of the injury, there is a disturbance in the endothelial layer and fibrous tissue is formed. With proper compression, the damaged and fibrotic blood vessel walls grow together and the vascular lumen is completely closed. The procedure consists of 5-7 cycles, but after the 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. No marks or scars remain after the procedure.Laser treatment. An effective, very precise and safe method for removing affected veins. All treatment consists of local heating of the vein walls and their subsequent sclerosis. The advantage of the method is that only one procedure is required.
An innovative treatment can be used to treat varicose veins in children with obesity and endocrine disorders.
Traditional methods
There are several recipes that are used to improve the overall trophism of tissues and blood vessels:
- essential oils;
- Vinegar;
- applications of raw potatoes;
- aloe juice for ulcerative formations;
- cabbage leaf;
- apitherapy – treatment with bee products.
It is possible to use drugs to strengthen immunity and increase vascular elasticity. Official medicine does not recognize such drugs as therapeutic and effective.
Lifestyle
In the absence of varicose veins, it is necessary to follow a series of recommendations in order to prevent the disease. If you have varicose veins, changing your lifestyle and following your doctor's instructions will reduce the risk of the pathology spreading to healthy veins:
- active lifestyle;
- elimination of bad habits;
- charging while standing for a long period of time;
- wearing 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 for the treatment of varicose veins.
Varicose veins, when they progress without adequate therapy, can be dangerous due to the risk of blood clots, trophic ulcers, and even gangrene. Varicose veins often coexist with diabetes, so when the first symptoms of pathology appear, it would be good to visit an endocrinologist and rule out various hormonal disorders.