Varicose veins is a rather dangerous disease that frightens many girls. With this disease, the veins in the legs often enlarge, they become visible from the outside, which greatly impairs the aesthetic appearance. At the same time, the danger is not limited to appearance, because the disease can provoke serious consequences, therefore, an appeal to a doctor should be made immediately after the first signs of varicose veins on the legs of women. When addressing in the early stages, it is possible to eliminate the disease without the use of surgical intervention; as the severity worsens, the likelihood of treatment with conservative therapy decreases.
The reasons for the development of varicose veins
Varicose veins are considered a disease that occurs when there is a genetic predisposition to it, as well as external stimulation due to an improper lifestyle or heavy stress.The factors influencing the onset of the disease are multifaceted, therefore, 3 types of probable causes are conditionally distinguished. The first, the most common, is a genetic change that is localized in the vessels, the probable causes: thin walls, insufficient valves or they are weak. The second, hereditary factor, in people whose parents suffered from a similar ailment, the risk of occurrence is many times higher. The third reason is quite voluminous - a negative impact from the outside, but it often accompanies other listed factors.
The following external reasons can provoke the first signs of varicose veins of the legs in women:
- Prolonged stay in a standing or sitting position;
- The patient leads a measured life without physical exertion;
- Bad habits, the most dangerous are smoking and drugs, but alcohol is not inferior in negative impact;
- Pathology in the function of the valves;
- Various diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- Wrong diet;
- The negative impact of the environment;
- Obesity, overweight is one of the most dangerous factors for the development of varicose veins;
- Mechanical injuries to the legs;
- Using uncomfortable clothing that squeezes blood vessels, such as high heels;
- Chronic constipation.
The primary signs of varicose veins in the legs can be observed in people of different ages, but most often they are women over 40 years old. Every year, new average statistical minimums are established for the occurrence of varicose veins in young people. Even under the age of 20, symptoms may appear. At the same time, 70% of cases of varicose veins are recorded in women. To prevent undesirable consequences, you need to consult a phlebologist who will diagnose and prescribe treatment.
Preparations for external use
Varicose veins creams and ointments come in many different forms depending on the brand.They act on the veins in the legs and relieve puffiness, relieve pain, relieve heavy legs syndrome, tone the walls of the vessel, and thin the blood somewhat.Despite a number of positive points, it is worth noting that it is difficult to achieve complete recovery with the help of drugs, since the expansion of the walls is irreversible.
Most often, the treatment of varicose veins of the legs in women begins or is supplemented with creams:
- Phlebotonics - their main effect is to improve the tone of the membranes, which helps prevent further varicose veins. At the same time, it is possible to eliminate edema, burning sensation, convulsions, especially at night;
- Anticoagulants (blood thinning drugs) - the purpose of the drugs is to increase the fluid parameters of the blood, which prevents the formation of blood clots in the dilated vein and improves blood flow upward. Necessarily prescribed for thrombophlebitis. Additionally, they reduce the strength of edema on the legs and stimulate blood circulation;
- Anti-inflammatory. This includes non-steroidal drugs that can help reduce the inflammatory response.
Treatment with ointments as the main therapy is prescribed in the early stages of the disease, then preventing further development is the main task. At later stages, it acts as an integral part of complex therapy or accelerates rehabilitation.
Drug therapy
More often than other methods, medicines are used, since they act in a complex way and accompany almost all stages of treatment of the disease.If signs of varicose veins on the legs are found, in most cases various medical methods are prescribed, only rare exceptions can lead to surgical intervention.
Most drugs have their own characteristics of use, dosage and side effects, so self-medication is not recommended, you should consult a specialist.
Before treating varicose veins on the legs in women, it is necessary to undergo examinations to determine which methods of treatment will be most acceptable and to identify the cause of the disease.The drugs are conventionally divided into 3 categories: normalizing blood flow, preventing the risk of complications and eliminating symptoms.In order to qualitatively remove the symptoms of varicose veins of the legs in women and achieve regression of the disease, drugs should be used in a complex manner. There are such groups of drugs:
- Anticoagulants help thin the blood;
- Phlebotonics improve the quality of the vessel walls;
- Angioprotectors prevent negative effects and reduce vascular permeability;
- Antioxidants help eliminate oxidation reactions;
- Corticosteroids, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate pain, swelling and inflammation;
- Vitamins and minerals, immunomodulators contribute to the regeneration of the body's properties to resist the development of pathology.
The dosage and the choice of the drug should be carried out by the doctor. Quite often, drugs are used a little from different groups in order to have a complex effect.
Anticoagulants are indicated for use only when there is a risk of blood clots, that is, with increased blood density. Antioxidants are prescribed primarily at risk of complications. Vitamin complexes are shown to everyone, but should be selected individually based on diagnostic data.
Varicose veins are called a female disease, but it is primarily associated with the veins, therefore, in men it also manifests itself quite often. The described drugs can be used by a strong half of society.
Surgery
If it was not possible to cure varicose veins in the early stages, then a more radical method - surgical intervention - may replace conservative therapy. Today, minimally invasive methods are most common, when only a small puncture is needed through which drugs or devices are injected. The standard method of surgery is used only if there is an increased risk of a thrombus breaking.
Operations are shown in the presence of such manifestations in girls:
- Complex form of the disease;
- Pathology in the saphenous veins;
- Blood circulation is impaired, the patient's life becomes difficult;
- The occurrence of complications in the form of thrombosis or trophic ulcers;
- The rapid progress of the disease, which provokes a risk to the patient's health.
At the same time, a number of contraindications include:
- High blood pressure;
- Ischemia;
- Diseases of infectious etiology that provoke high fever;
- Elderly age;
- Erysipelas inflammation or eczema;
- II-III trimesters of pregnancy.
The standard surgery is called phlebectomy.When it is performed, the damaged vessel is completely eliminated, this applies to both large and small branches.In the process, several small incisions are made, which allows only local anesthesia to be used. Crossectomy is done in a similar way, when the vein is not removed, but only ligated.
More modern techniques - laser, sclero, ultrasound therapy. In the process, a small puncture is made with an insulin syringe or a small incision. A special substance (sclerosant) or apparatus is injected into the vessel. As a result, the vein sticks together and the blood circulation dries up in the vessel. Today, a new method of sclerotherapy has been developed, which allows the use of a foam-type drug.
Treatment with leeches
Leeches are a remedy that has long been known for its positive effect on the blood. Thanks to them, various diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, were previously treated. Despite the availability of many modern techniques, hirudotherapy is still popular.
The saliva of leeches contains a unique substance - hirudin, which prevents blood from clotting, so it becomes more liquid. In this case, the remedy helps to dissolve blood clots. So the blood is not only thinned, but also cleansed. Doctors note that after undergoing treatment, edema is eliminated, the feet and legs stop hurting, blood flow is normalized.
Hirudotherapy is prescribed at all stages of the disease. The standard course of treatment is 5-6 sessions. When taking the course, you must take a break for 3-4 months. During the procedure, 1-2 leeches and 3 more leeches are placed on the most problematic areas along the entire affected vein.
Healing exercises
Exercise and warm-up should be done every morning. Performing a complex of simple exercises, it is possible to significantly improve the quality of human health:
- Take a supine position on your back and raise your legs to a perpendicular position, you can throw them on the wall. Keep your legs in this position for 3 minutes. In this case, breathing should be slow, using the chest, not the stomach;
- Lying exercise bike. It is necessary to carry out the movement of the legs, which resembles a bicycle, the duration of the exercise is 3-5 minutes;
- In a standing position, rise on your toes, you do not need to get up high, it is enough to come off 1 cm from the surface. The action is performed about 30 times;
- Standing should be pumped to the toe with one foot, then the other. The angle of the foot should not exceed 45 °. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes; over time, the load should be increased.
It is recommended to do daily walks, at least half an hour. Swimming is an effective remedy, you should visit the pool once a week.
Other treatments
It is not necessary to focus only on the main component of the treatment, because the effect of drugs can be significantly improved with the help of aids. Thanks to additional methods, it is possible to eliminate symptoms, enhance the effect of drugs and reduce the risk of relapse.
The basic doctor's recommendation is to use the correct diet. It is possible to use folk remedies. To determine the correct diet, it is recommended to consult with a dietitian in order to select the optimal foods to normalize blood circulation. There are general principles that must be adhered to:
- Eat lots of vegetables, preferably raw;
- Eat more berries or fruits, preferably raw, but frozen or dried fruits are suitable in winter;
- Add nuts and legumes to food;
- There is a lot of seafood;
- For cooking, give preference to flaxseed or olive oil;
- Exclude fried, fatty, spicy, smoked, salty and sweet foods from the diet;
- Give up alcohol, coffee, cigarettes completely.
Lifestyle plays an important role, it is important to spend time in active rest, using cycling, walking, exercise, dancing, swimming. To maintain the normal condition of the legs, gymnastics should be done daily. When standing or sitting for a long time, it is recommended that you charge it periodically every 2 hours.
An important condition for the process of rehabilitation and prevention is the use of compression underwear. It compresses the legs, because of this, the blood supply to the legs occurs through the saphenous veins, and the load is removed from the visible vessels. There are linen of different compression levels, information on the required form will be provided by the attending physician.
Traditional medicine recipes
Folk recipes are very popular today, as some plants have a powerful effect on relieving symptoms of the disease.
The most popular folk remedies:
- Horse chestnut, almost all of its derivatives are used;
- Inflorescences of white acacia;
- Lilac flowers;
- Leaves of marsh creeper;
- Grape leaves;
- Wormwood leaves;
- Willow bark;
- The stems are celandine.
Plants are prepared in tincture form. Add 2-4 tbsp. l. selected raw materials and pour 0. 5 liters of alcohol. Insist for 2 weeks in a place inaccessible to the sun. Use strained liquid for lotions, leaving them overnight.
Treatment during pregnancy
Therapy during pregnancy should be selected only by a doctor who will give preference to drugs without contraindications during this period. Usually, preventive measures are selected: diet, gymnastics, and creams are also used.
For pregnant women, tinctures of wormwood, chamomile, hops, and calendula are recommended. They are placed as lotions or compresses at night. At the same time, it is important to avoid hot baths, saunas, and not to use alcoholic solutions inside.