Treatment methods for varicose veins differ in the intensity of their impact on the pathological problem and their effect on the human body as a whole. Varicose veins are swelling of the subcutaneous veins with a sharp circulatory disorder. The venous plexuses in the affected area become tortuous and acquire a bluish tint.
Compression jersey
Shapewear is an integral part of therapy for varicose veins at any stage. In the early stages of pathology development, compression hosiery can stop the progression of the disease and restore the former beauty of the legs.
There are several types of knitwear:
- knee socks, tights, stockings;
- elastic bandages.
All of them are classified according to the degree of compression, material of manufacture and manufacturer. Considering that therapeutic underwear must be worn regularly, it is better if the type of compression is selected by a doctor. Compression stockings and tights can be worn for prevention, especially if there is an increased risk of developing varicose veins.
Medications
Conservative treatment refers to non-invasive correction methods. The average course is 2-3 months. During therapy, swelling and inflammation decrease, and venous protrusion decreases. It is important to combine local and systemic treatment with wearing compression stockings. Drug correction allows you to remove varicose veins on the hands and feet due to the possibility of a systemic effect 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 for application to the surface of the skin. Local medications are convenient to use in home therapy. The drugs relieve swelling and burning in the area of venous protrusion, reduce cyanosis, and relieve pain.
The following popular drugs are distinguished:
- based on glycosaminoglycan;
- based on natural ingredients (horse chestnut, sweet clover, butcher's broom);
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- hormonal.
Treatment with leeches
Hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) in phlebological practice is completely justified. The positive effect of therapy is due to the following positive aspects:
- elimination of tissue swelling;
- blood thinning;
- prevention of thrombosis;
- pain reduction;
- strengthening vascular walls.
Carrying out venosclerosis therapy
A common method of treating varicose veins, used in the early stages of the disease. The effect of the procedure is noticeable after 1-3 sessions. There are two fundamentally different options for sclerotherapy.
Puncture method
It is an injection treatment of veins in the affected area. In some situations, patients may be prescribed IVs. The following drugs are used for intravenous administration:
- platelet disaggregants (for blood thinning);
- thrombolytic agents (dissolving existing blood clots);
- drugs to improve blood microcirculation.
For severe forms of varicose veins, a synthetic analogue of natural prostaglandin E is used1. Not all patients require puncture and injection treatment. The appropriateness of the method is prescribed by the doctor.
Radiofrequency ablation
The method was borrowed from cardiac surgery, where it is still successfully used to improve heart rhythms in the affected areas of the heart. Radiofrequency ablation literally means evaporation of a substance. The method is based on the use of current with a force of up to 750 kHz. The current is delivered into the venous lumen using catheterization. Under the influence of current 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 rapidly progresses to healthy areas of the lower extremities.
The following methods are used for the complete restoration of 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, hemorrhoidal disease, 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. To achieve best results, 3-5 sessions will be required. It is used for reticular varicose veins (stage I), as well as for venous disease of degrees 2 and 3.
- Scleroobliteration.A simple and effective procedure that involves puncturing varicose veins. At the site of injury, a disruption occurs in the endothelial layer and fibrous tissue is formed. With proper compression, damaged and fibrous-changed vessel walls grow together and the vascular lumen is completely closed. The procedure consists of 5-7 courses, but after treatment the likelihood of complete disappearance of the affected veins increases significantly.
- Carrying out 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. After the procedure there are no marks or scars left.
- Laser treatment.An effective, highly accurate and safe method for removing affected veins. All treatment consists of local heating of the venous walls and their subsequent sclerosis. The advantage of the method is that only one procedure is required.
Innovative treatment can be used to treat varicose veins in children with obesity and endocrine disorders.
Traditional methods
There are several recipes used to improve the overall trophism of tissues and blood vessels:
- essential oils;
- apple cider vinegar;
- raw potato applications;
- aloe juice for ulcerative formations;
- cabbage leaf;
- apitherapy – treatment with bee products.
It is possible to use drugs to enhance immunity and enhance vascular elasticity. Official medicine does not recognize such drugs as therapeutic and effective.
Lifestyle
In the absence of varicose veins, a number of recommendations should be followed 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;
- eliminating bad habits;
- charging while standing for long periods of time;
- wearing comfortable shoes (you can alternate heels with wedges several times a day);
- a balanced diet to prevent constipation;
- weight correction with increased body mass index;
- compliance with the drinking regime;
- regular exercises to treat varicose veins.
Varicose veins, when progressing and without adequate therapy, can be dangerous due to the risk of blood clots, trophic ulcers, and even gangrene. Varicose veins often coexist with diabetes mellitus, so when the first symptoms of pathology appear, it would be a good idea to visit an endocrinologist and rule out various hormonal disorders.