Treatment of varicose veins at home: what is the danger?
Most patients with varicose veins of varying severity do not treat the venous disease or treat it at home. This leads to sad consequences: complications develop, the patient loses the ability to move on his own legs and becomes disabled. Avoiding disorders is actually not difficult: you just need to treat varicose veins as soon as they are detected, without triggering the disease.
There are several methods to treat venous diseases; an experienced doctor will tell you which one is best for you.
Many people write about how to treat varicose veins on the legs using folk remedies, but not everyone talks about the dangerous consequences. It should be remembered that traditional methods were developed when there simply were no other methods of treating veins. Now they exist and the problem can be solved much faster and easier.
- Apple cider vinegar treatment.Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular home remedies for treating varicose veins. On the Internet, readers are encouraged to dilute vinegar with honey and drink on an empty stomach, dilute with water and wipe their feet. But remember that apple cider vinegar is an acid. Taking it orally can negatively affect digestion. External use also raises questions, because with varicose veins, the skin becomes dry and the acid dries it out even more. This can worsen the course of the disease, especially if your legs itch due to varicose veins.
- Chestnut fruit treatment.It is also recommended to take chestnut tinctures orally and rub them into the affected areas to eliminate pain and itching due to varicose veins. Only the horse chestnut is toxic. Under no circumstances should it be consumed raw. Even when taking a tincture prepared from the fruits of this plant, signs of intoxication (vomiting, nausea, weakness) and cramps in the lower extremities may appear. In addition, chestnut tincture increases blood pressure. External use of an alcohol solution dries the skin of the legs, which is not very good for varicose veins and is simply unacceptable in advanced stages of varicose veins.
- Treatment with leeches.Leeches bite the skin and introduce into the human body a mixture of useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the blood, thin it and have an antibacterial effect. However, it is better not to place leeches at home, but to entrust it to a certified specialist, because you need to know exactly where leeches can be placed and where not. In the first days after treatment of veins with leeches, itching is often observed. The bite sites itch a lot, the person cannot stand it and begins to scratch the itchy area, which can lead to the formation of an ulcer. In addition, after leech bites, small triangular scars remain on the legs. For some, for life.
- Folk remedies that a doctor can prescribe.At the initial stage of venous insufficiency, the doctor may prescribe contrasting foot baths for the patient's veins. The alternating action of cold and hot water relaxes and tightens the veins of the legs. This type of gymnastic effect strengthens blood vessels, improves microcirculation and eliminates itching. The method can be used at home as often as you like. Especially if it is not possible to visit the swimming pool. The varicose veins stop progressing and your legs stop hurting.
And, for example, clay can help to cope well with tired legs, eliminate itching and minor swelling in the initial stage of varicose veins. A large tablespoon of pharmaceutical clay is diluted with water to make a thick paste. Then the paste is applied to the shins using a brush or cotton pad. It is important not to let the clay dry out; you must constantly add a new layer or moisten the existing layer with water. After an hour, the clay should be washed off thoroughly and your feet should be allowed to dry without wiping them with a towel. Course – 12 sessions, which can be repeated monthly.
But before treating varicose veins at home, consult your doctor. It is better not to waste time on procedures of dubious effectiveness. Rather, it will be possible not to cure the legs, but to wait until the severity worsens and complications develop.
Effective conservative treatment
It's ingrained in people's minds: if your legs hurt, if your veins are bulging, if your veins are very itchy (itchy), then you need to prepare for surgery. In fact, it all depends on the stage of the disease, which is determined not only by the degree of swelling of the veins or the severity of the venous network of the lower extremities. In most cases, the doctor tries to cope with the disease using conservative treatment methods and without surgical intervention. For this, an integrated approach is used: physical activity, dietary changes, medications and physiotherapeutic treatments are prescribed; compression garments are selected.
Physical activity.Modern man is sedentary: he sits at work and at home, goes to the office by sitting in the metro or on the bus. All this leads to physical inactivity and venous incompetence. The veins in the legs weaken and can no longer do their job, and varicose veins develop. It is therefore important to return the patient to an active lifestyle. The doctor may prescribe walking at least two hours a day, Nordic walking, swimming in a pool or classes in a recreational sports training group. It is best to avoid leg work at any stage of the disease.
Diet.It is not about diet, but about good nutrition by limiting the consumption of certain food groups. Animal fats, margarines, mayonnaise and fast carbohydrates (candies, pies, cakes) are prohibited. It is recommended to consume more liquid and plant foods. Meals should be balanced, at least five times a day. Eating well is important to fully control your weight. Extra pounds put additional pressure on the leg veins and increase the risk of worsening chronic venous insufficiency at any stage of varicose veins.
Medical treatment.If the situation is not advanced and the varicose veins progress without complications, drug treatment is used, most often at home. Typically, drugs from several groups are used:
- Venotonics (phlebotonics) are used in the form of tablets, ointments or gels. They help maintain the tone of the vein walls, thus facilitating the circulation of blood through them. Particularly good for minor illnesses.
- Antiplatelet agents prevent blood components from coming together into a clot, minimizing the risk of blood clots forming in the lower extremities.
- Anticoagulants generally contain or are based on glycosaminoglycan. Maintains optimal blood viscosity - dilutes it slightly so that it moves freely through the vessels of the legs.
- Angioprotectants protect the walls of veins, making them more elastic and invulnerable to internal damage.
- Anti-inflammatories prevent the appearance of inflammatory reactions on the walls of blood vessels, especially at an advanced stage, and have an analgesic effect.
- Products based on plant components (horse chestnut, lilac, sweet clover, white acacia, etc. ) replace traditional herbal medicine.
Pharmacological forms differ in their targeted action and predictable effect. They have practically no contraindications. Used as part of complex therapy to reduce swelling and pain in the legs. Medicines are prescribed by the doctor after a proper examination of the patient. He selects not only suitable products, but also the form of release: injections, tablets, ointments, gels, foot compresses. The phlebologist recommends treating varicose veins at home or in the hospital, depending on the stage of the disease and the degree of development of complications.
Physiotherapeutic treatment (PTL).For varicose veins, physiotherapeutic devices help drugs to penetrate the area of affected vessels more quickly and enhance the effect of drugs. As a result, the duration of treatment is significantly reduced, the doctor has the opportunity to transfer the patient from therapeutic to maintenance doses and cancel certain medications. Basic FTL methods:
- electrophoresis helps deliver medication to varicose veins through the action of a weak electric current;
- darsonvalization increases the tone of the veins, reduces the stagnation of interstitial fluid, and therefore the itching linked to varicose veins;
- Magnetic therapy improves blood flow in veins, significantly reduces tissue swelling;
- pneumomassage of the lower extremities increases the tone of the vein walls, reduces swelling, itching and improves blood circulation;
- laser therapy reduces the severity of inflammatory reactions, improves blood microcirculation and has a venoprotective effect;
- cryotherapy (cold) tones blood vessels, improves lymphatic drainage and relieves itching;
- hydrotherapy (water treatment) tones and has a general strengthening effect;
- Mud therapy strengthens the walls of blood vessels in the legs and has a beneficial effect on the skin, promoting its regeneration and minimizing itching.
Physiotherapeutic treatment cannot be prescribed for certain pathologies. Additionally, different stages of varicose veins require different treatments. FTL is therefore prescribed by two doctors at the same time: a phlebologist and a physiotherapist. Certain interventions, particularly in the event of an initial vascular lesion, can be carried out at home; many FTL devices are now sold in pharmacies. We recommend a pocket electrostimulator for venous outflow, which helps to quickly and effectively cope with the symptoms of varicose veins.
Compression jersey
An auxiliary method that facilitates the circulation of blood in the veins. The compression jersey is available for men and women.
Products may take the form of stockings, socks or tights and vary in color, size and degree of compression. Outwardly, they resemble ordinary ones, but they have a pronounced therapeutic and prophylactic effect. It's all about special elastic threads and a well-thought-out knitting pattern.
As a result, the veins receive external support and begin to do their job. Pain, itching and swelling of the lower extremities decrease, the disease stops progressing.
The doctor recommends compression stockings depending on the stage of the varicose veins. It also tells you how to put it on correctly and how long to wear it.
The correct use of the leg shirt determines its effectiveness. We consider Swiss compression knits to be the most reliable and high quality.
Surgical treatment methods
When conservative treatment does not help, surgical treatment is resorted to. The doctor has the opportunity to choose the most suitable method, which will be the most effective and least traumatic at a certain stage of varicose veins.
- Sclerotherapy.The doctor injects a special solution into the lumen of the affected vein, which causes the walls to stick together and stops blood flow through the treated vessel. The vein stops protruding above the surface of the skin and is gradually replaced by connective tissue.
- Endovasal laser therapyknown by two names: EVLO (endovenous laser venous obliteration) and EVLC (endovasal laser venous coagulation). The essence is the same: with the help of a laser pulse, the affected vein is sealed and stops working. The procedure does not affect the surrounding tissues of the lower limbs and does not require general anesthesia. Can be performed on an outpatient basis. Recovery is rapid and leaves no marks on the leg. Laser therapy is possible at any stage of varicose veins, except those accompanied by complications.
- Phlebectomy.A standard surgical procedure used for serious illnesses and performed under general anesthesia. The affected section of the vein is removed. After the operation, scars about half a centimeter long remain, almost invisible on the skin. The recovery period after phlebectomy is long. The patient spends about two weeks in the hospital. During this time, he wears support stockings, takes medication and goes to a physiotherapy room. Once the stitches are removed, the patient is discharged to continue treating their varicose veins at home. Complications are rare.
Surgical operations aimed at eliminating varicose veins of the lower extremities are carried out only when the patient has preserved blood flow in the deep veins. After the operation, the blood must flow freely into the bypass vessels to avoid any complications.
Prevention of varicose veins on the legs after treatment
After successful treatment of varicose veins on the legs, the patient should not lose alertness. If the cause that led to the disease is not eliminated, another vein may develop and everything will happen again. First of all, you need to give up bad habits, eat right, lead an active lifestyle, wear compression stockings during increased physical activity, choose shoes with low heels, periodically visit your doctor for a preventive examination and followits recommendations.
The tips are simple and easy to follow. If you follow them, you are unlikely to experience complications from varicose veins and the need to stay in the hospital. And if someone from your family joins you, it will benefit them too. And remember: the best treatment for varicose veins is prevention. If you have suspicious symptoms or are at risk, contact your doctor immediately!