Detailed description for our readers: how to cure varicose veins on the legs?on the website varicose veins-cure.rf in detail and with photos.
In the article, we talk about the veins of the legs and the treatment of varicose veins at home.You can find out what folk remedies can be used to treat varicose veins, whether massage is effective, and in which cases surgery is necessary.With the help of our tips, you can make poultices and tinctures that relieve the swelling and pain caused by varicose veins on the legs.You can also find out the list of effective ointments against varicose veins.
Varicose veins on the legs, veins on the legs
Varicose veins or varicose veins of the lower extremities is a disease in which the wall of the superficial blood vessels thins, their lumen increases, and nodular dilatations develop.Externally, the disease can be detected when the veins on the legs protrude.Varicose veins occur in both women and men, but women are more susceptible to the pathology.
Causes, symptoms
Varicose veins are enlarged (swollen) veins that appear on the surface of the leg muscles.The veins become swollen and tortuous and stand out strongly under the skin.Why do varicose veins develop?In the lower limbs there are saphena and deep veins;they are connected by communication veins.Through them, blood flows upwards from the saphenous veins to the deeper ones.The muscle pump is responsible for your movement.
During physical movements, muscles contract and push blood upwards.Venous valves prevent blood from moving downward.This is possible only with adequate blood circulation and normal venous tone.
If the tone of the venous wall decreases and the valves do not perform their function, the blood moves not only up, but also down.This increases the pressure on the vessels, provokes their swelling and expansion, and promotes the formation of nodes.
Nerve endings on the walls of blood vessels send signals to the brain.The brain gives an order to increase venous tone.The increase in resistance further increases the load on the veins, leading to atrophy of the vein wall and death of the nerve endings.
Risk factors contributing to the development of varicose veins:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- lack of physical activity;
- poor nutrition;
- obesity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- pregnancy;
- genetic predisposition.
Symptoms of varicose veins on the legs:
- heaviness in the legs;
- increased fatigue;
- local pain in the leg area;
- swelling of the legs;
- night cramps - in severe cases.
In the initial stage, varicose veins are manifested externally by the formation of spider veins on the surface of the skin.As the disease progresses, the dilatation of the veins increases and the hemodynamics becomes more and more disturbed.In the final stage, the superficial veins merge with the skin.Veins become blocked and trophic ulcers develop.
A vein in your leg hurts - what to do?
If a protruding vein appears on the leg and hurts, this indicates the formation of varicose veins.The sooner you start treatment, the more successful it will be and the greater the chance of stopping the progression of the disease.
Which doctor should I see for varicose veins?Varicose veins are diagnosed and treated by a phlebologist.You should seek advice from a specialist even at the initial stage.It defines the main factors that influenced the development of the disease and prescribes appropriate therapeutic and preventive methods.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs
Varicose veins on the legs are treated at home, unless the patient requires surgery or laser surgery.Doctors prescribe pills, ointments, and gels that improve venous circulation, break down blood clots, increase blood flow, and relieve leg swelling and fatigue.Folk remedies can be used as complementary therapy.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies
In this section, we will tell you how and how to treat varicose veins on the legs at home.If you are interested in how to treat varicose veins on the legs in women or how to treat varicose veins in the legs in men, you will find effective folk remedies in the table.
Recipes of traditional medicine for the treatment of varicose veins:
| Title | How it works | Instructions for use |
| Nettle | It thins the blood and improves blood circulation, helps to strengthen the vessel walls and prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. | Take 5 tbsp.dry nettle and pour 250 ml of vodka.Infuse the medicine for 7 days in a dark place.Use tincture 1 tbsp.3 times a day before meals. |
| Soda | It thins the blood, eliminates swelling and heaviness in the legs, accelerates the outflow of lymph and relieves pain. | Take 1-2 tablespoons.of baking soda and moisten slightly with water.Apply the mixture to the affected area and cover it with a cabbage leaf.Fix the compress with gauze and leave it overnight. You can make a foot bath with baking soda.To do this, dilute 200 g of soda in 5 liters of warm water.The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes. |
| Apple cider vinegar | It increases the tone of the vein walls, improves blood circulation, eliminates swelling and reduces pain. | Rub the affected areas with apple cider vinegar in the morning and evening after showering. You can use apple cider vinegar as a poultice.Moisten the gauze with liquid and attach it to your leg.Lie down for 1 hour, put your legs on a pillow so that they are 15-20 cm above the level of the heart. |
| Cabbage | Reduces swelling and redness, eliminates pain. | Take a cabbage leaf and press it with a rolling pin until the juice comes out.Lubricate one side of the sheet with vegetable oil and apply it to the painful area.Secure the poultice with a bandage.Leave it on all day or overnight. |
| Celandine | Reduces swelling, eliminates fatigue and pain in the legs. | Brew 1 tbsp.celandine in a glass of boiling water.Soak a linen cloth in the juice.Wrap your feet and leave for 1 hour.Do the procedure for 7 days.Then take a ten-day break. |
| Laundry soap | It reduces inflammation and accelerates regeneration processes.It promotes the healing of cracks and wounds, which worsen the condition of varicose veins. | Grate a piece of laundry soap.Grind 10 aspirin tablets and pour 250 ml of vodka into it.Add soap.Leave it for 2 days.Use the product as a cream. |
| Honey | It improves blood circulation, tones the walls of blood vessels and increases their elasticity.Strengthens general and local immunity. | Take 1 tablespoon on an empty stomach.honey every day. Foot baths are made with honey.To do this, dissolve 10 g of honey in 5 liters of warm water.The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes. |
| wormwood | It relieves inflammation, thins the blood and improves blood circulation, reduces pain. | Pour 2 tbsp.dry wormwood with a glass of kefir.Soak natural material in the mixture.Apply the poultice to the affected area and fix it.Leave for 20-30 minutes. |
| Raw potatoes | It helps strengthen the vein walls and improves blood circulation. | Grate the raw potatoes finely.Apply the paste to your feet and secure with a bandage.Leave for 5 hours. |
| Kalanchoe | Reduces inflammation, accelerates regeneration processes, eliminates swelling. | Wash and cut some Kalanchoe leaves.Pour 500 ml of vodka.Leave it for 7 days.Rub the prepared tincture on the painful areas of the legs. |
Ointment for varicose veins on the legs
Varicose vein ointments are used when one or more veins are visible.Medicines intended for local use do not eliminate the disease, but only reduce the severity of the manifestations.If your vein is swollen and protruding, see a phlebologist.The doctor recommends the use of ointments and gels in the early stages, but the basis for stopping the disease is prevention and the elimination of risk factors.
List of ointments for varicose veins on the legs:
- Heparin ointment- cheap ointment based on sodium heparin.Anticoagulant not only thins the blood, but also reduces pain.
- Troxevasin— increases the tone of the vessel walls, has an anti-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory and thinning effect.It prevents the formation of blood clots.
- Medicine containing leech extract.The ointment improves blood circulation, eliminates swelling and pain, increases the tone of the walls of blood vessels.
Tablets for the treatment of varicose veins on the legs
In the early stages of varicose veins, in addition to ointments, tablets are also used.Phlebotonics, anticoagulants, antioxidants, and antiplatelet agents are used to treat varicose veins.
Tablets for varicose veins:
- Diosmin- prevents blood vessels from stretching, increases the elasticity of venous walls, reduces blood stasis, helps normalize blood circulation.
- Dipyridamol- improves blood microcirculation, prevents blood clots.
Under no circumstances should you choose the medicine yourself.Tablets for the treatment of varicose veins on the legs have many contraindications and can only be prescribed by a doctor.
How to relieve the pain of varicose veins?In case of leg pain, you can use pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs - Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Nimesulide, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol.To eliminate fatigue, lie down for a few minutes with your legs raised above the level of your heart and a pillow underneath.
Compression garments
When treating varicose veins, it is important to wear special compression clothing.Various degrees of compression socks, knee socks, stockings and tights create the necessary pressure on the veins, this helps the muscle pump to push the blood up and improves the blood circulation in the legs.
WEARING COMPRESSION REDUCES THE LOAD ON THE VEINS, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE LEGS ARE LESS TIRED, THERE ARE NO HEATING.
Do not choose compression clothing on your own without first consulting a phlebologist.If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, consult a specialist;the doctor examines the condition of the veins and selects the compression class and product type, taking into account individual characteristics.
Compression classes:
- Class 1 - compression is up to 23 mm Hg.Art.It is prescribed in the early stages of varicose veins.
- Class 2 - compression approximately 33 mmHg.Art.It is used to treat moderate varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
- Class 3 - compression about 45 mm Hg.Art.It is used to treat severe venous insufficiency.
- Class 4 - compression above 50 mmHg.Art.It is prescribed for severe stages of the disease.
Massage for varicose veins
Massage is another way to treat varicose veins in the early stages.However, without proper technique, the procedure can cause even more damage.The massage must be performed by a trained professional.
Is it possible to massage the legs with varicose veins?
Leg massage for varicose veins can only be performed in the initial stages of the disease.It is forbidden to perform the procedure in case of trophic ulcers, thrombophlebitis and skin diseases.General contraindications include elevated body temperature, infectious diseases and inflammatory processes.Do not perform anti-cellulite massage for varicose veins, especially with a vacuum cup.
To treat varicose veins, we perform a lymphatic drainage massage.It improves blood circulation and lymph outflow, eliminates swelling, fatigue and pain.
TO PERFORM THE LYMPHATIC MASSAGE, FIRST BREAK THE SKIN SLOWLY.THEN DEVELOP WITH SMOOTH MOVEMENTS FROM THE BOWL TO THE LACE, GRADUALLY INCREASING THE PRESSING FORCE.
You can also use a hydromassage with alternating water temperatures.Exposure to cold and warm water increases the tone of the vessel walls and improves blood circulation.
Laser treatment of leg veins
The procedure for laser treatment of varicose veins is called laser coagulation.This is a modern method that prevents blood from moving downward.The laser makes it possible to increase the tone of the vessel walls and normalize blood circulation.
The principle of the technique is based on the thermal effect of the laser on the inner surface of the vein and blood.Steam bubbles form in the blood.The steam comes into contact with the wall of the vein, damaging and "charring" it.The resulting blood clot is replaced by connective tissue and the passage is closed.
Contraindications for laser coagulation:
- significant expansion of the vein trunk;
- foci of inflammation in the intervention area;
- thrombophilia;
- chronic ischemia of the lower limbs;
- diseases requiring special treatment.
Surgery to remove varicose veins on the legs
The disease can be cured with conservative and minimally invasive therapy, but it can only be completely eliminated by surgery.
The main surgical operation for eliminating varicose veins is phlebectomy.During the procedure, the damaged veins are removed, which allows blood circulation in the deep veins to normalize.
Indications:
- extensive varicose veins;
- dilated saphenous veins;
- impaired blood flow;
- trophic ulcers;
- thrombophlebitis.
Contraindications:
- late stage of varicose veins;
- cardiac ischemia;
- serious infectious diseases;
- second half of pregnancy;
- old age.
Rehabilitation after leg vein removal
The duration of the operation is 1-2 hours.The first time after the procedure, the patient is under the supervision of a doctor.After a few hours, he will allow you to move your legs.Sutures are removed after 10 days.
In the postoperative period, the patient must wear compression stockings and perform special exercises.During the rehabilitation period, it is important to get used to normal physical activity, which ensures blood circulation, but does not cause severe strain on the veins.
Prevention of varicose veins on the legs
Prevention plays an important role in the treatment of varicose veins.It is especially important to follow certain rules in case of genetic predisposition and other risk factors, as well as after laser treatment and phlebectomy in order to prevent relapse of the disease.
To prevent varicose veins, you can use folk remedies and local drugs that increase the tone of the venous wall, improve blood circulation, and relieve leg swelling and fatigue at the end of the working day.All these tools are described in the article.
Lifestyle, exercise and diet
In order to prevent the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle.Give up bad habits, which include not only alcohol and smoking, but also overeating.Obesity is a risk factor for varicose veins.
Balance your diet, exclude fatty, fried, salty and overly spicy foods.Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
If you want to prevent the formation of varicose veins, do not forget about gymnastics and light exercise.In order to accelerate the blood of the lower limbs, gymnastics should use the legs.Cycling is an excellent exercise to prevent varicose veins.
Wear comfortable shoes.If you are prone to the disease, consult a phlebologist.Your doctor will help you choose a compression garment.
Prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy
Pregnant women are at greater risk of developing varicose veins.In order to prevent the development of the disease during pregnancy, follow simple prevention rules:
- Wear compression socks or stockings.
- Exercise to improve blood circulation in the legs.
- Do not stand or sit in one position for long periods of time.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Sleep on your left side;this position allows you not to pinch the right vein, which is responsible for the outflow of blood from the lower extremities.
- Do not cross your legs.
- Eat right.
- Take a walk in the fresh air.
What happens if varicose veins are not treated?
Varicose veins are a serious condition that, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous complications, including:
- thrombophlebitis;
- detachment of the blood clot and occlusion of the lumen of the vein; pulmonary embolism;
- trophic ulcers;
- swelling of various parts of the body;
- dermatitis;
- compaction of subcutaneous fat at the site of the lesion.
What to remember
- Varicose veins are varicose veins that develop as a result of reduced tone of the vessel wall.
- In the initial stages of varicose veins, you can use ointments and tablets, as well as folk remedies.The disease can only be completely cured by surgery.
- If symptoms of varicose veins appear, consult a phlebologist.He will choose the appropriate treatment.
Varicose veins are a chronic disease in which the venous vessels become stretched or elongated.Varicose veins occur not only in the veins of the legs (although this is the most common form), but can also develop in the veins of other internal organs.For all forms of varicose veins, the home treatment methods are very similar.
The disease is diagnosed by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon, who also determines how to treat the disease in a given case.Treatment of pathology is based on two methods: conservative treatment of varicose veins, which is carried out at home, and surgical intervention.
Varicose veins Depending on the degree of development of the venous pathology, home treatment of varicose veins can be:
- The main treatment is done only in the early stages of the disease.Seeking medical help at the stage of minor swelling of the legs, or when a vascular pattern appears on the legs, makes it possible to cure the disease at home.
- Complementary treatment - in the advanced stages of the disease, when the developed pathology requires special therapy, and home exercises aimed at improving blood flow are necessary for the main treatment.
- A preventive measure after surgery to prevent the further development of the pathology.
The basis of varicose veins is the weakness of the connective tissue of the walls of the venous vessels, therefore the conservative treatment of the disease is primarily aimed at strengthening this wall.This treatment approach is basic and allows the treatment of varicose veins in any place: both on the legs and in the veins of the internal organs.
In addition, home treatment of varicose veins of the legs requires a number of additional measures:
| Taking medicines | Strengthening of the vessel wall |
| Taking vitamin supplements | |
| Changing your diet | |
| Application of external drugs | |
| Exercise for the veins | Improving venous blood flow |
| Wearing a compression garment | |
| Exercises for blood flow | |
| Sleep with your feet up | |
| Workflow optimization | Reducing the load on the venous vessels of the legs |
| Losing excess weight | |
| Special physical exercises | Strengthening the calf muscles |
| Lifestyle change |
Measures aimed at strengthening the vascular wall
These methods - aimed at improving the permeability of the vein wall, increasing its tone and elasticity - are the main directions for the treatment of varicose veins, i.e. leg veins.
Includes:
- Treatment with drugs that include diosmin, troxerutin, escin.Varicose veins should be treated with these drugs only as prescribed by the doctor, who selects the drug and determines the frequency and duration of administration.
- Treatment with products made according to traditional medicine recipes.
- Taking vitamin preparations - it has been proven that vitamins have the greatest effect on the permeability of the vascular wall: rutin (vitamin P) and ascorbic acid.Therefore, the combination of these two vitamins is widely used to prevent and treat the disease.
- Use of ointments and gels.
Recipes for folk remedies
How to treat varicose veins at home with folk remedies:
| Alcoholic tincture of horse chestnut flower | Take 50 g of flowers, fill with 500 ml of ethyl alcohol at a concentration of 50%.Infuse the mixture for two weeks, shaking daily, then strain.Take 30-40 drops three times a day before meals for 30 days. |
| Infusion of nettle leaves | Take 2 tablespoons of dried nettle, pour 200 ml of boiling water, let it stand for 1 hour.Filter the infusion, take 60 ml three times a day.The course is 30 days, break - 15 days, repeat twice. |
| Hop cone infusion | Pour two tablespoons of dried cones into 200 ml of hot water, boil on low heat for 10 minutes, filter.Take 200 ml infusion 2-3 times a day.Note that it makes you drowsy. |
| Apple cider vinegar solution | Add 10 ml of apple cider vinegar to 200 ml of water, take this drink in the morning and evening.The recipe is contraindicated for people with peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract. |
Getting rid of varicose veins by running
Running with varicose veins is possible in the first and second stage.We recommend that you avoid heavy use of your legs, giving preference to jogging and competitive walking.In the presence of thrombosis and in the later stages of the disease, jogging is not recommended.
You can get rid of varicose veins only at the very beginning of the disease with the help of running, when the veins are not yet strained.At this stage, the disease has no clinical symptoms.Therefore, the patient simply does not know about the need to start classes.At the moment when the diagnosis of varicose veins is made, jogging is no longer able to completely cure the pathology.
When should we contact a phlebologist?
Varicose veins require medical attention as soon as possible.The more advanced the disease is at this point, the less likely it is that the patient will recover completely.It is ideal if a person visits the clinic at the first signs: heaviness in the legs, flying pain after standing for a long time, swelling.
Nutrition, diet for varicose veins
In the case of varicose veins, diet plays a significant role in stabilizing the patient's condition and restoring vascular tone.
It is recommended to consume:
- seafood (mussels, shrimp, squid);
- fruits rich in vitamin C (kiwi, blackcurrants, citrus fruits);
- blood thinning products (garlic, lemon, onion, cherry).
The dietary restrictions correspond to the general gentle diet.It is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages, excessively salty, spicy, sour and other irritating foods.Do not drink large amounts of coffee, tea and other drinks with diuretic properties.
Preventive measures
Prevention of varicose veins is based on a sedentary lifestyle and avoiding static loads on the legs.A short jog or several kilometers of walking is recommended every day.Leg exercises should take short breaks during the working day.You should also eat the foods described in the previous section and wear compression tights if necessary.Moderate compression improves blood flow in the superficial veins.
Despite its apparent safety, varicose veins are a disease that poses a threat to human life under certain circumstances.This is especially true in the later stages of the development of the pathology, during which the vessel wall becomes thinner and its integrity is very easily damaged.Therefore, therapy using traditional recipes should be started as soon as possible.To avoid mistakes and the use of incorrect treatment methods, consult your doctor before starting treatment.