Varicose veins: what to do and what not to do?

causes of varicose veins

Treatment of any disease is accompanied by the patient's search for answers to questions regarding lifestyle, nutrition, medicines. The success of the entire therapy depends on this.

To get rid of such a common disease as pathological varicose veins, you should know what you can and cannot do with varicose veins. Some restrictions will allow the patient to quickly get rid of the pathology and exclude a relapse.

The main methods of treating varicose veins

After visiting a phlebologist, the patient will be given a number of recommendations regarding his treatment.

The following drugs may be prescribed:

  • Venotonic and angioprotective agents;
  • Ointments and gels - are used as a complex treatment, as well as to get rid of mild manifestations in the form of spider veins;
  • Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, external forms of drugs based on them are necessary for the treatment of advanced forms of varicose veins;
  • NSAIDs - to relieve pain and relieve inflammation in phlebitis;
  • Medicines that prevent blood clotting and dissolve existing blood clots are prescribed for venous thrombosis.

Unfortunately, medication is not always enough. In advanced stages, the doctor may suggest considering the possibility of surgical treatment. Removal of the affected vein is one of the types of surgery. This difficult operation is sometimes the only way to get rid of the pathology. Minimally invasive techniques include sclerotherapy and laser exposure to blood vessels.

Since varicose veins involve an increase in the diameter of the vascular branches, their mechanical compression significantly improves the well-being of patients. All patients need to wear compression hosiery. It is selected by a doctor based on the stage of the disease. Additionally, the doctor may recommend exercise therapy, massage and physiotherapy procedures.

What can you do at home?

methods of treating varicose veins

Varicose veins are often accompanied by swelling and pain in the legs in the evening. You can quickly get rid of the symptoms. You should lie on your back, raise your legs above body level (you can lean on the edge of a chair or sofa). You should be in this position for at least 20 minutes. You need to perform the exercise daily if varicose veins are detected and suspected.

To improve blood flow, you can do the "bike" lying on your back for 1 minute, 3 sets. To activate the work of the calf muscles, leg veins will allow walking on toes. This allows you to roll from your heel to your toes.

Other exercises for varicose veins:

  • bending toes and arms at the same time
  • flexion / extension of the foot,
  • stop rotation,
  • squats,
  • alternating knee lifts to the body,
  • walking on the outer and inner surfaces of the feet.

Walk daily to lose weight without harming your veins. The distance should be increased gradually. It is better to start with a short distance, which will take a maximum of 15 minutes at a slow pace. For a walk, you should prepare comfortable shoes, water and compression garments. You shouldn't be dehydrated, so take a small bottle of water with you.

It is important to remember that walking without anti-varicose jersey can make the disease worse. Sportswear and footwear should not hinder movement, as well as pull the skin with rubber bands.

If you have a treadmill at home, you can set a distance of 1 km at a pace of no more than 5 km / h without incline. During the first week it is best not to increase the load. When you become confident in your abilities, you should slightly lengthen the distance.

Traditional methods of treating varicose veins

Traditional medicine can be used to treat varicose veins. They are safer than drugs, but still require prior discussion with your doctor.

  1. Rinse Kalanchoe leaves, chop, pour into a glass container with a capacity of 500 ml. Half a jar or bottle should be filled. The remaining space should be filled with vodka. Remove the infusion in a dark place for 1 week. Shake the solution periodically. After a week, you can use a healing infusion to wipe the affected areas with varicose veins.
  2. 50 g of horse chestnut flowers should be poured with 500 ml of vodka, infused for 2 weeks. The resulting solution should be drunk 30 drops 3 times before meals. The course of treatment is 1 month.
  3. Squeeze juice from fresh potatoes, moisten a bandage of natural fibers with it, apply a bandage to varicose veins at night.
  4. Compresses for the night from milk whey.
  5. Pour the white acacia flowers into a bottle, fill them with vodka to the brim, insist. The solution should be used to treat swollen varicose veins.
  6. In the same way, an infusion of birch buds is prepared. It will take 10 days for the solution to be saturated with useful substances.
  7. Ointment for feet: take 10 grams of crushed chamomile flowers, the same amount of sage leaves, 50 g of chestnut fruit (grind beforehand), 5 g of ordinary starch. Mix everything, add 200 grams of heated chicken fat. The resulting mass should be heated in a water bath for 2. 5 hours. After that, it is necessary to cool everything and let it brew overnight. The ointment can be used several times a day to defeat varicose veins for a long time.

It is important to remember that traditional methods of treatment work only in combination with traditional medicine. Lifestyle changes and weight loss may be required.

What is prohibited for varicose veins?

what is forbidden with varicose veins

There are a number of restrictions on the identified disease. Firstly, heavy lifting should be avoided. This also applies to those wishing to engage in sports related to power loads. In this case, the aggravation of the condition is possible.

Girls with varicose veins cannot use the following types of cosmetic procedures:

  • shugaring, hair removal with hot wax;
  • enzymatic and quantum types of hair removal;
  • plucking hairs with tweezers;
  • hot wraps in the SPA, it is better to replace them with hydromassage or cold types of wraps;
  • tattoo in the area of ​​the affected veins.

Since varicose veins can be found in any part of the body, including the small pelvis, women should not have abortion. This can be dangerous due to the high risk of bleeding.

If varicose veins are treated at home, then you should exclude procedures associated with heating the extremities: hot compresses, baths. It is better to use a rubdown with tinctures, a contrast shower.

Those who monitor their physical condition will have to give up some exercises: jumping rope, squatting with a load, long running, aerobics, shaping, cycling, dancing. Walking and swimming are useful.

Cosmetic massage can also be harmful for varicose veins. During the procedure, redistribution of blood flow to other veins and their involvement in the pathological process is possible. Therefore, massage courses should be carried out only in a medical institution after medical appointments.

A diet for varicose veins excludes foods high in animal fats, spicy and salty foods, vinegar, and a large amount of coffee. You should adhere to a rational balanced diet, which you can choose together with a nutritionist based on your anthropometric data.