Treatment regimen for varicose veins of the lower extremities

Varicose veins are a danger to modern humanity. But often the treatment of varicose veins, the scheme of which is selected individually, ends successfully. Sometimes bypassing the issue only therapy and medications are done, but sometimes the situation is only surgically resolved. What are the ways to get rid of this unpleasant and serious disease?

Varicose veins - Basic information

Varicose veins are a pathological condition characterized by damage to the venous blood vessels.

There are special valves in the veins, which act as a kind of closure, which prevents the flow of blood (venous blood flows from the bottom to the top of the legs).

Valve system failure causes blood to back up and swell.As a result of these processes, the veins weaken, stretch and deform, unable to cope with increasing blood pressure.

The result is a familiar symptom to many - rash veins on the surface of the skin, indicating the dynamic development of pathology.

The whole insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that in the initial stage it manifests itself usually in fatigue and heaviness in the legs.

Therefore, many are in no hurry to see a doctor and they start waking up when blue threads appear on the skin, which spoils the appearance of the foot.

Learn more about the symptoms of early varicose veins here.

The reasons for the development of this pathology are very diverse.This includes congenital anomalies of the vascular system and several provoking factors: sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, uncomfortable shoes, professional activities associated with prolonged standing.

Treatment of the disease is always carried out in a comprehensive way.The necessary scheme is chosen by a specialist based on the stage of development of the disease and the individual characteristics of the organism.

Which doctor treats veins?

Varicose veins are not only varicose veins, but also serious disorders of the valves and circulatory failure, which cause serious complications in the body. And if the first symptoms appear - swelling of the veins, muscle cramps, constant heaviness in the legs - you should immediately appoint a phlebologist.

Depending on the severity of the case, the cause of the disease, and the state of health, the physician will select the appropriate course of treatment from the options available today.

Symptoms of menace

The main causes of varicose veins are: heredity, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, sitting or standing, hormonal imbalance in the body. According to statistics, 40% of adult women and 20% of men have signs of varicose veins.

Phlebologist diagnoses the disease, you should contact himif such symptoms appear:

• Heaviness in the legs that gets worse at the end of the day.
• Rapid fatigue of the legs during long walks.
• Pain in the legs.
• Appearance of a thin vascular network on the legs.
Swelling of the legs.
• Convulsions that increase in intensity at night.
• Itching of the skin of the lower extremities.

Atrophy of the superficial venous muscle fibersdevelops gradually, the blood vessels lengthen, dilate, become acute, nodules appear on the surface of the skin. The skin of the enlarged veins becomes bluish-red, dry and hot, ulcers appear due to tissue nutrition disorders.

Dystrophic changes in the subcutaneous fat may lead to lipodermatosclerosis - a dangerous complication of varicose veins in the legs, which can be treated with conservative methods.

To prevent severe consequences of varicose veins, phlebologists advise their patientsto start treatment on timewhen the first signs of the disease appear.

Treatment methods

Sclerosis is very effective, which consists in inserting a special sclerosing substance into the vessel using a syringe with the best needle. The venous lumens tighten, the edges of the rupture close, thus stopping the leakage of blood vessels out of the arteries. The substance itself, which has performed its function, is absorbed.

This method removes all stains and gives an excellent cosmetic result. But after the procedure it is necessary to maintain the condition of the veins with additional therapy and wearing compression garments.

Almost 10 years ago, the use of lasers, or rather endogenous laser coagulation, began very successfully in medicine in the fight against varicose veins. Veins are treated as follows:

1. A small puncture is made into a vein using local anesthesia.
2. Optical fiber is inserted into the resulting hole.
3. The laser acts on the damaged areas, sealing the damage.
4. Then a new fabric appears on the sealed area.

The operation is not performed "blindly" - the process is monitored by ultrasound, so there is virtually no accident. In addition, the absence of a significant wound eliminates painful sensations, hemorrhage, and disruption of adjacent tissues.

After the procedure, the injured areas should be cut or compression stockings and tights.

Radiofrequency ablation techniques are often used and high-frequency current successfully treats varicose veins. This is done as follows:

1. The vein is punctured.
2. Insert the catheter into the hole.
3. Radiation enters the vessel through it.
The
4. conductor acts at the molecular level, replacing the damaged venous protein molecules.

The

method allows you to quickly cure all venous nodules and does not require special postoperative therapy.

Methods of treatment of varicose veins

There are two of them: conservative and surgical. The patient faces an urgent question: How to treat varicose veins without surgery on the legs. When choosing a method, the doctor takes into account the signs, the stage of the disease, the presence of complications, concomitant diseases, the age of the patient. Non-surgical methods of removing varicose veins of the lower extremities give good results only when the symptoms of the pathology are still weakly expressed.

Help stop the degradation of affected ships:

• drug therapy;
• compression treatment;
• Physiotherapy exercises;
• physiotherapy;
• massage;
• Recipes of traditional medicine;
• diet.

Phlebologists try to select patients during pregnancy with only non-drug treatment for varicose veins of the lower extremities. First of all, these are compression underwear, gymnastics exercises, physiotherapy, massage, diet. If medications are still needed, medications are prescribed for external use only.

The debate continues over whether hirudotherapy helps with varicose veins. The hirudin produced by the lakes, as a result of penetration into the venous system of the lower extremities, thickens the thickened blood. However, today there are many modern drugs that have the same properties. In addition, there are risk factors for the use of the lake - vascular infection, allergic reactions.

If necessary, treatment of varicose veins is carried out using radical methods. This:

• Sclerotherapy;
• Ozone therapy;
• cryotherapy;
• electrocoagulation;
• laser coagulation;
• Surgical intervention.

Sclerotherapy - an injection into a disease vein that "sticks" to an enlarged vessel. It shuts off the blood pump and gradually disintegrates. Maximum effectiveness of sclerotherapy is achieved in the early stages of pathology. A similar method is ozone therapy: a portion of this gas is injected into a small venous lumen with a syringe and the vessel is "attached".

Cold is used during cryotherapy procedures. During electrocoagulation, high frequency current is supplied to the vessels by means of a very thin electrode. Laser treatment of varicose veins is also an effective modern method, especially when it is used in conjunction with conservative methods. At the same time, the cosmetic result is high: after a few weeks, the patient has no scars and scars.

However, surgical removal is the most effective treatment that can radically relieve varicose veins when drug therapy does not produce the desired result. Sick vessels open with local subcutaneous wounds. After surgery, the leg is tightly bandaged and after three to four hours the patient can walk.

Principles of medical treatment of varicose veins

Effective treatment of varicose veins is possible only if the selected drugs interfere with the mechanisms of development of pathology, destruction of blood vessel walls and valves.

The main tasks of medical treatment of varicose veins are:

• restore blood circulation;
• Strengthen venous walls;
• increased vascular tone;
• Decreased blood viscosity;
• thrombosis prevention;
• normalize the valve system;
• Elimination of inflammatory processes;
Normalize blood circulation in the capillaries.

Medications are essential for the complex treatment of the disease.

They are also widely used for prophylactic purposes, which is especially important for people at risk of developing pathology.

There are currently a large number of drugs used to treat varicose veins in the legs, and they all vary in composition and mechanism of action.

Visit doctor

Varicose veins are a serious diseasewhich, if not treated properly, can endanger various health and life-threatening complications.

Help. Vascular thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers - this is not a complete list of complications of varicose veins that pose a threat to humans.

In this regard, you should not even try self-employment.

Home experiments with drug selection may make the situation worse or ineffective.

In any case, it's a waste of time, health and money.

Therefore, you should contact a phlebologist. Only a specialist will be able to select the right medication and create a treatment regimen so as to get the maximum benefit for the patient.

What medications are used

Complex treatment of varicose veins involves the simultaneous use of several groups of drugs:

1. Phlebotonics.
2. Anticoagulants.
3. Anti-inflammatory.
4. Fibrinolytics.

is ​​also used to enhance the therapeutic effectSystemic and local means of influence.

Creams, gels, ointments are used for topical creams. When choosing a treatment for varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, we must take into account that it is anagent in the form of an ointment, which is characterized by the highest content of the active ingredient.

Important!A common contraindication to all topical remedies is a violation of skin integrity.

Typically, such medications are used several times a day and the product should be massaged with light movements from bottom to top.

Drug groups and their actions

Treatment of venous varicose veins is divided into three main groups according to the type of action:

• venotonic or phlebotropic drugs;
• Blood thinners (anticoagulants) and drugs that inhibit platelet adhesion (antiplatelet agents);
• Anti-inflammatory drugs.

Research and medical practice have proven the effectiveness of phlebotonics based on the natural flavonoids- diosmin and hesperide. These substances not only protect the cells of the veins, but also stimulate the outflow of lymph and regulate the work of capillaries. Concomitant use of both medicines containing both flavonoids is especially effective.

Most often phlebotropic drugsare taken in courses of 2 to 3 months. It is important that the intake coincides with the hot season, when the load on the ships increases due to high air temperatures and the use of large amounts of water. If varicose veins are accompanied by chronic venous insufficiency, phlebotonics are constantly taken at half the dose.

A patient diagnosed with varicose veinsshould receive systemic treatment from the outsetto prevent the development of the disease and to reduce the likelihood of complications.

The second task is to stop the blood (anticoagulants) and improve its flow properties, which prevents the formation of thrombotic thrombi (antiplatelet agents)

The formation of blood clots, their separation from the blood vessel wall and movement along the venous bed causes the heart, lungs and human brain vessels to overlap. As a result, the likelihood of developing a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and ischemic stroke is very high.

Antiaggregants are not a cure for varicose veins, but are used as a means of preventing its serious complications- thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. We can say that these drugs save the patient's life and reduce the risk of disability to a minimum.

operation

Damaged veins of the lower extremities or parts of them are removed through wounds or holes. Removal of diseased vessels at the clinic is necessary if:

• The veins in the legs are abnormally enlarged;
• acts on the skin;
• trophic ulcers appeared;
• Thrombophlebitis has worsened.

Surgical treatment of varicose veins of the legs is contraindicated:

• In case of acute hypertension, coronary artery disease, infectious diseases, eczema;
• If the patient has already reached old age;
• During pregnancy (more than 5 months).

Additional therapy

In addition to medical and surgical treatment, great therapy is very important, including many measures to bring the veins back to normal:

1. The packaging has a relaxing effect, relieving the feeling of heaviness in the legs. When purchasing the necessary funds, we must remember that hot packing of varicose veins is contraindicated.
2. Foot baths are another way to help relieve stress. Using herbs and oils can strengthen blood vessels, eliminate swelling and redness. But the effect will be only in the case of daily use of the method.
3. Contrast shower. 10 seconds of cold drizzle and 30 seconds of warm (avoiding hot water is best) for 5-7 minutes each morning will help keep the veins in good shape. You can use an Alexeyev or Charcot shower for these purposes.

Phlebologists often conduct physiotherapy in complex treatments - laser, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis.

They do not cause discomfort and pain, cheap and quite effective. In addition, treatment is performed under the supervision of medical professionals. The main condition is a regular visit to the office.

Physiotherapy has a beneficial effect on the activity of venous walls, muscle tissue and valves.

Compression therapy is an important component of not only treatment but also prevention and the postoperative period. The use of bandages will prevent stagnant processes, promote damaged vessels and stop the progression of the disease.

Laying bandages requires some knowledge and convenience, as excessive attraction can lead to deterioration, while a weak bandage will not give the desired effect. Therefore, it is worth consulting a doctor for the correct use of bandages.

Varicose vein massage is not acceptable in all cases, so only a doctor can say whether it is worth using it in a particular case or not. If the method is selected correctly, you can feel the result after the first session. This method can improve blood microcirculation, relieve the main symptoms of the disease, including external.

The more advanced the disease, the harder it is to fight it and sometimes patients come too late, and then there is only one solution - phlebectomy. To avoid this, you should not wait for complications, but get qualified help in a timely manner.

Conservative method

Phlebologists try to treat varicose veins without traumatic surgery, which is not necessary in the early stages of the disease. For example, it is characteristic of reticular varicose veins, the manifestation of which is limited to blue venous networks only. Medications help to improve the condition of the walls of the valves and vessels. Men, like women, should wear compression stockings. It is impossible to completely cure the pathology. However, conservative methods stop the development of varicose veins and protect against complications.

in gymnastics

Exercise Therapists know how to remove veins in the legs by performing physiotherapy exercises. This is possible provided that the exercise, which improves blood circulation in the legs, is done systematically. For example:

1. Standing, vigorously lift your heels alternately.
2. In the same queue position, they slowly pull on the fingers and run just as slowly.
3. Sit on a chair, spread a small ball on the floor, legs back and forth.

Wearing special underwear

Doctors recommend varicose vein treatment to wear compression underwear - these are products made from a special type of knitted fabric that puts pressure (compression) on the veins. The degree of linen pressure on the walls of the vessel can be regulated by purchasing products with different degrees of compression.

There are a total of four degrees of compression: the first is used for prophylaxis and the rest for treatment. With varicose veins of the lower extremities, wearing tights, socks, above the knees and leggings, the doctor selects the required degree of compression.

Compression underwear creates a dense crushing frame on the legs,this develops the following effects:

• Supports weakened leg muscles.
• The walls of blood vessels are compressed, which prevents them from stretching.
• Stimulates lymph flow and blood circulation.
• stagnation is eliminated.
• The function of the venous valves is normalized.
• The load on the varicose veins is reduced.
• Thrombophlebitis is prevented.

It is mandatory to wear compression jewelry after varicose vein surgery. Underwear helps to prevent recurrence of the disease, creates additional support for the body during the rehabilitation period.

Compression sclerotherapy

Compression sclerotherapy is a modern method of treating varicose veins that involves injecting medication into the affected veins. As a result, sclerosis (glue) of the venous walls occurs, blood circulation at the injection site is stopped, and the vein gradually disintegrates or leaves a barely noticeable layer that does not bother the patient at all.

Sclerotherapy is most often given when spider veins appear when the varicose veins are in the early stages. With the progressive development of varicose veins of the legs, sclerotherapy treatment is carried out after analyzing the condition of the walls of venous valves and blood vessels, the functional characteristics of the patient's circulatory system.

If a decision is made to perform compression sclerotherapy, the patient undergoes a blood coagulation test and an ultrasound examination of the veins. The patient does not experience any painful sensations during sclerotherapy, as the drug is injected intravenously using the thinnest needle. After the procedure, a sterile bandage is applied to the area where the medication is taken, and the patient wears a compression bandage. For the first week after sclerotherapy, compression jewelry should be worn for hours, after which it is allowed to remove it overnight.

Positive results of sclerotherapy

:

• Restores effective blood flow.
• Exclusion of thrombus in damaged vein.
• Prevention of trophic disorders in tissues.
Elimination of clinical symptoms of varicose veins: edema, convulsions, pain.
• Excellent cosmetic effect due to the fact that varicose veins disappear completely.

diet

For more effective treatment of varicose veins in the legs, it is important to organize nutrition properly. Berries, apples, citrus fruits, which contain flavonoids, antioxidants, rutin, help to improve the condition of blood vessels. Thin blood provides a sufficient amount of fluid (1, 5-2 liters) daily. Diet with varicose veins on the legs is incompatible with fatty, fried foods, hot spices, alcohol.

Folk remedies

It is especially effective to treat varicose veins with folk remedies at home in the summer. The following recipes are popular:

1. 15-20 minute foot compresses with tomato paste. It has a high content of lycopene, which actively strengthens blood vessels and prevents the formation of blood clots. At the same time, it is beneficial to eat fresh tomatoes every day.
2. Sweet clover, an infusion of grass that is indispensable for varicose veins: Art. Lnedleuli brewed in two cups of boiling water, stored until cooled, filtered. They drink half a cup 3 times a day, the rest of the volume is used as lotions.

What not to do

When diagnosing varicose veins, you should pay attention to lifestyle, diet and exercise.Not allowed:

• Active physical activity, running, jumping (yoga lessons allowed);
• long standing or long sitting position;
• Use of all medications without consulting a phlebologist;
• Long flights with forced movement of the legs. In addition, at high altitudes there is a sharp thickening of the blood, which leads to the formation of blood clots;
• Take a hot bath, visit the sauna;
• It is strictly forbidden to massage dishes and honey, only manual medical massage will be allowed.

Possible complications

Trophic ulcersis ​​a form of complication of varicose veins that manifests itself in the development and exacerbation of a long-term healing ulcer. Usually, a separate painful ulcer develops in the lower leg, inside of which there is often a "leak" in the form of a serious bloody discharge that covers the affected tissues.

Emergency medical care

Immediate medical attention is needed if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Pain in the affected limb, inability to get out of bed or take a few steps;
• The skin of the foot is hot, swollen and firm to the touch.
• skin color changes from pale bluish or bluish to red;
• Sudden shortness of breath, shortness of breath, sweating and severe weakness;
• Bleeding from the affected skin or varicose veins.

Necessary medications for varicose veins of the lower extremities should be included in the complex treatment regimen.Even after surgery, several courses of phlebotonic and platelet medications are neededto prevent possible trophic disorders, inflammation, and disease-related complications.

Many multicomponent drugs against varicose veins act in combination, have several functions. The effectiveness of such medications is more pronounced.Optimal treatment with dosing courses calculated by phlebologist, compression therapy, yoga classes, pool swimming and herbal medicine

Conclusion

Complex treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities involves the use of various therapeutic methods.

In addition to medical treatment, physiotherapy, special exercises, massage, etc. are prescribed. Sh. .