A detailed description for our readers: How to cure varicose veins in the legs?on the website varicose veins-cure.rf in detail and with photos.
In the article we will talk about veins in the legs and how to treat varicose veins at home.You will find out which folk remedies can be used against varicose veins, whether massage is effective and in which cases surgery is necessary.Using our tips, you can make compresses and tinctures to relieve swelling and pain from varicose veins on the legs.You will also find a list of ointments that are effective 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 walls of superficial vessels become thinner, their lumen increases and nodular expansions form.The disease can be recognized externally by the veins in the legs protruding.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 swell, become tortuous, and protrude noticeably under the skin.Why do varicose veins develop?In the lower extremities there are saphenous veins and deep veins;they are connected by communicative veins.Through them, blood flows from the saphenous veins up to the deep veins.The muscle pump is responsible for its movement.
During physical movements, the muscles contract and push the blood upwards.Vein valves prevent blood from flowing downward.This is proper blood circulation and is only possible with normal venous tone.
If the tone of the venous wall is reduced and the valves do not fulfill their function, the blood moves not only up, but also down.This increases pressure on the vessels, provokes their swelling and expansion, and promotes the formation of nodules.
Nerve endings on the walls of blood vessels send a signal to the brain.The brain gives the command to increase venous tone.An increase in resistance further increases the load on the veins, leading to atrophy of the vein wall and death of nerve endings.
Risk factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- lack of physical activity;
- poor diet;
- Obesity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- Pregnancy;
- genetic predisposition.
Symptoms of varicose veins on the legs:
- feeling of heaviness in the legs;
- increased fatigue;
- local pain in the lower leg area;
- swelling of the legs;
- nocturnal cramps – in severe cases.
In the early stages, varicose veins are noticeable externally through the formation of spider veins on the surface of the skin.As the disease progresses, the dilatation of the veins increases and the hemodynamics become increasingly disturbed.In the final stage, the superficial veins fuse with the skin.Veins become blocked and trophic ulcers form.
A vein in the leg hurts – what to do?
If a protruding vein appears on the leg and it hurts, this indicates the development of varicose veins.The earlier you start treatment, the more successful it is and the higher the chances of stopping the progression of the disease.
Which doctor should I contact if I have varicose veins?The diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins is carried out by a phlebologist.Even at the initial stage, it is necessary to seek advice from a specialist.He will identify the main factors that influenced the development of the disease and prescribe appropriate methods of therapy and prevention.
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs
Treatment of varicose veins on the legs is carried out at home, unless the patient requires surgery or laser surgery.Doctors prescribe tablets, ointments and gels that improve venous circulation, dissolve blood clots, increase blood flow and relieve swelling and fatigue in the legs.Folk remedies can be used as additional 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 the treatment of varicose veins on the legs in women or the treatment of varicose veins on the legs in men, you can find effective folk remedies in the table.
Traditional medicine recipes for the treatment of varicose veins:
| title | How it works | Instructions for use |
| Nettle | Thins the blood and improves blood circulation, strengthens the vascular walls and prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. | Take 5 tbsp.Dry the nettle and pour 250 ml of vodka.Allow the medicine to steep in a dark place for 7 days.Use 1 tbsp tincture.3 times a day before meals. |
| lemonade | Thins the blood, eliminates swelling and heaviness in the legs, accelerates lymphatic drainage and relieves pain. | Take 1-2 tbsp.Baking soda and moisten slightly with water.Apply the mixture to the affected area and cover it with a cabbage leaf.Secure the compress with gauze and leave it overnight. You can prepare a foot bath with baking soda.To do this, dilute 200 g of baking soda in 5 liters of warm water.The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes. |
| Apple cider vinegar | Increases the tone of the vein walls, improves blood circulation, eliminates swelling and relieves pain. | Rub the affected areas with apple cider vinegar in the morning and evening after showering. You can use apple cider vinegar as a compress.Moisten the gauze with liquid and attach it to the leg.Lie down for 1 hour with your feet on a pillow so that they are 15-20 cm above the level of your heart. |
| Cabbage | Relieves swelling and redness and eliminates pain. | Take a cabbage leaf and squeeze it with a rolling pin until the juice comes out.Grease one side of the sheet with vegetable oil and apply to the sore spot.Secure the compress with a bandage.Leave it on all day or overnight. |
| Celandine | Relieves swelling, eliminates fatigue and pain in the legs. | Brew 1 tbsp.celandine in a glass of boiling water.Soak a linen towel in the broth.Wrap your feet and leave it on for 1 hour.Carry out the procedure for 7 days.Next, take a ten-day break. |
| laundry soap | Relieves inflammation and accelerates regeneration processes.Promotes the healing of cracks and wounds that aggravate the condition of varicose veins. | Rub a bar of laundry soap.Grind 10 aspirin tablets and pour in 250 ml of vodka.Add soap.Let rest for 2 days.Use the product as a lotion. |
| Treasure | Improves blood circulation, tightens the walls of blood vessels and increases their elasticity.Strengthens general and local immunity. | Take 1 tbsp on an empty stomach.Treasure 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 | Relieves inflammation, thins blood and improves blood circulation, relieves pain. | Pour 2 tbsp.dry vermouth with a glass of kefir.Soak the natural material in the mixture.Place the compress on the affected area and fix it.Leave on for 20-30 minutes. |
| Raw potatoes | Contributes to strengthening vein walls and improving blood circulation. | Grate the raw potatoes finely.Apply the paste to your feet and secure it with a bandage.Leave on for 5 hours. |
| Kalanchoe | Relieves inflammation, accelerates regeneration processes, eliminates swelling. | Wash and chop some Kalanchoe leaves.Pour in 500 ml of vodka.Let rest for 7 days.Rub the prepared tincture on the sore spots of your legs. |
Ointment for varicose veins on the legs
Ointments against varicose veins are used when one or more veins are visible.Drugs for topical use do not eliminate the disease, but only reduce the severity of the manifestations.If your vein is swollen and protruding, contact a phlebologist.The doctor will recommend the use of ointments and gels in the early stages, but the basis for controlling the disease will be the prevention and elimination of risk factors.
List of ointments for varicose veins on the legs:
- Heparin ointment- inexpensive ointment based on sodium heparin.An anticoagulant not only thins the blood but also relieves pain.
- Troxevasin— increases the tone of the vascular walls, has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant and thinning effect.Prevents the formation of blood clots.
- A drug containing leech extract.The ointment improves blood circulation, eliminates swelling and pain, and increases the tone of the blood vessel walls.
Tablets for varicose veins on the legs
In addition to ointments, tablets are also used in the early stages of varicose veins.To treat varicose veins, phlebotonics, anticoagulants, antioxidants and platelet aggregation inhibitors are used.
Tablets against varicose veins:
- Diosmin- prevents the stretching of blood vessels, increases the elasticity of the venous walls, reduces blood stagnation and contributes to the normalization of blood circulation.
- Dipyridamole— improves blood microcirculation and prevents the formation of blood clots.
In no case should you choose the drug yourself.Tablets for the treatment of varicose veins on the legs have a large number of contraindications and can only be prescribed by the attending physician.
How to relieve pain from varicose veins?For leg pain, you can use drugs with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects – diclofenac, indomethacin, nimesulide, ibuprofen, paracetamol.To prevent fatigue, lie down for a few minutes with your legs raised above heart level and a pillow underneath.
Compression clothing
When treating varicose veins, it is important to wear special compression clothing.Socks, knee socks, stockings and tights with different compression create the necessary pressure on the veins, which causes the muscle pump to push the blood up and improve blood circulation in the legs.
In addition, compression clothing puts less strain on the veins, the legs are less tired at the end of the day and there is no swelling.
You should not choose compression stockings on your own without first consulting a phlebologist.If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, contact a specialist;The doctor examines the condition of the veins and, taking into account individual characteristics, selects a compression class and product type.
Compression classes:
- Class 1 – compression no more than 23 mm Hg. Art.Prescribed in the early stages of varicose veins.
- Class 2 – compression about 33 mm Hg. Art.For the treatment of moderate varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
- Class 3 – compression about 45 mm Hg. Art.Used to treat severe venous insufficiency.
- Class 4 – compression over 50 mm Hg. Art.Prescribed for severe stages of the disease.
Massage against varicose veins
Massage is another method of treating early stage varicose veins.However, without the right technique, the procedure can cause even more damage.The massage must be carried out by a qualified specialist.
Is it possible to massage legs with varicose veins?
A foot massage for varicose veins can only be performed in the initial stages of the disease.It is forbidden to carry out the procedure for trophic ulcers, thrombophlebitis and skin diseases.General contraindications are increased body temperature, infectious diseases and inflammatory processes.If you have varicose veins, you should not do anti-cellulite massage, especially with vacuum suction.
Lymphatic drainage massage is performed to treat varicose veins.It improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, eliminates swelling, fatigue and pain.
To perform a lymphatic drainage massage, start by rubbing the skin slowly.Then advance with gentle movements from the calves to the shins, gradually increasing the pressure force.
You can also take advantage of a hydromassage with changing water temperatures.The action of cold and warm water increases the tone of the vascular walls and improves blood circulation.
Laser treatment of leg veins
The procedure for treating varicose veins with a laser is called laser coagulation.This is a modern method that prevents the downward movement of blood.The laser allows you to increase the tone of the vascular 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 vein wall, damaging it and “charring” it.The resulting blood clot is replaced by connective tissue and the passage is closed.
Contraindications to laser coagulation:
- significant expansion of the venous trunk;
- foci of inflammation in the surgical area;
- thrombophilia;
- chronic ischemia of the lower extremities;
- Diseases requiring priority treatment.
Surgery to remove varicose veins on the legs
The disease can be cured with conservative and minimally invasive therapy, but complete elimination is possible only through surgery.
The main surgical procedure to eliminate varicose veins is phlebectomy.During the procedure, damaged veins are removed, which allows blood circulation in the deep veins to be normalized.
Notes:
- 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;
- Age.
Rehabilitation after removal of a leg vein
The duration of the operation is 1-2 hours.The first time after the procedure, the patient is under medical supervision.After a few hours he is allowed to move his legs.The stitches are removed after 10 days.
In the postoperative period, the patient is prescribed to wear compression stockings and perform special exercises.During the rehabilitation period, it is important to get used to normal physical activity that ensures blood circulation but does not put a lot of strain on the veins.
Prevention of varicose veins on the legs
Prevention plays an important role in the treatment of varicose veins.In the presence of a genetic predisposition and other risk factors, as well as after laser treatment and phlebectomy, it is especially important to follow certain rules to prevent the disease from recurring.
To prevent varicose veins, you can use folk remedies and topical medications that increase the tone of the venous wall, improve blood circulation and relieve swelling and fatigue of the legs at the end of the working day.We have described all these means in the article.
Lifestyle, gymnastics and nutrition
In order to prevent the development of varicose veins, a healthy lifestyle is necessary.Give up bad habits, which include not only alcohol and smoking, but also overeating.Obesity is one of the risk factors 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 development of varicose veins, do not forget about gymnastics and light physical activity.To accelerate blood circulation in the lower extremities, the legs should be used during gymnastics.An excellent exercise to prevent varicose veins is cycling.
Wear comfortable shoes.If you are predisposed to the disease, consult a phlebologist.Your doctor will help you choose compression clothing.
Prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy
Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing varicose veins.To prevent the development of the disease during pregnancy, follow simple prevention rules:
- Wear compression socks or stockings.
- Exercise to improve blood circulation in your legs.
- Do not stand or sit in one position for long periods of time.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Sleep on your left side;In this position, you cannot pinch the vein on the right side, 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 a blood clot and obstruction of the venous lumen; pulmonary embolism;
- trophic ulcers;
- swelling of various parts of the body;
- Dermatitis;
- Densification of subcutaneous fatty tissue at the lesion site.
What you should remember
- Varicose veins are varicose veins that occur due to 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 through surgery.
- If symptoms of varicose veins appear, consult a phlebologist.He will select the appropriate treatment.
Varicose veins are a chronic disease in which the venous vessels expand or lengthen.Varicose veins occur not only in the leg veins (although this is the most common form), but can also develop in the blood vessels of other internal organs.For all forms of varicose veins, home treatment methods are very similar.
The disease is diagnosed by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon, who also determines how the disease should be treated in each individual case.Treatment of pathology is based on two methods: conservative treatment of varicose veins, which is carried out at home, and surgical intervention.
Varicose veinsDepending on the degree of development of venous pathology, treatment of varicose veins at home can be:
- The main treatment is carried out only in the early stages of the disease.If you seek medical help at the stage of mild swelling of the feet or when a vascular pattern appears on the legs, you can cure the disease at home.
- Auxiliary treatment – in advanced stages of the disease, when the developed pathology requires special therapy and home exercises to improve blood circulation are a necessary addition to the main treatment.
- A preventive measure after surgery to prevent further development of pathology.
The basis of varicose veins is the weakness of the connective tissue of the wall of the venous vessels, therefore conservative treatment of the disease is primarily aimed at strengthening this wall.This treatment approach is fundamental and allows treating varicose veins in any location: both the legs and the veins of internal organs.
Treating varicose veins on the legs at home also requires a whole range of additional measures:
| Taking medication | Strengthening the vascular wall |
| Taking vitamin supplements | |
| Change your diet | |
| Use of external medications | |
| Gymnastics for veins | Improving venous blood flow |
| Wearing compression clothing | |
| Exercises for blood circulation | |
| Sleep with your legs elevated | |
| Workflow optimization | Reducing the load on the venous vessels of the legs |
| Lose excess weight | |
| Special physical exercises | Strengthening the calf muscles |
| Lifestyle change |
Measures to strengthen the vascular wall
These methods, aimed at improving the permeability of the vascular wall of the veins and increasing their tone and elasticity, are the main directions of treatment of varicose veins, including leg veins.
It includes:
- Treatment with drugs such as diosmin, troxerutin and aescin.Varicose veins should be treated with these drugs only as prescribed by a doctor who selects the drug and determines the frequency and duration of administration.
- Treatment with products prepared according to traditional medicine recipes.
- Taking vitamin supplements – Vitamins have been proven to have the greatest influence on the permeability of the vascular wall: rutin (vitamin P) and ascorbic acid.Therefore, a combination of these two vitamins is often 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:
| Alcohol tincture of horse chestnut flowers | Take 50 g of flowers and fill them with 500 ml of ethyl alcohol at a concentration of 50%.Let the mixture steep for two weeks, shaking daily and then straining.Take 30-40 drops three times a day before meals for 30 days. |
| Infusion of nettle leaves | Take 2 tablespoons of dried nettle herb, pour 200 ml of boiling water over it and let it stand for 1 hour.Strain the infusion and take 60 ml three times a day.The duration of treatment is 30 days, break - 15 days, repeat twice. |
| Infusion of hop cones | Pour two tablespoons of dried cones into 200 ml of hot water, boil over low heat for 10 minutes, strain.Take 200 ml of infusion 2-3 times a day.Remember that it causes drowsiness. |
| Apple cider vinegar solution | Add 10 ml of apple cider vinegar to 200 ml of water and drink this drink morning and evening.The recipe is contraindicated for people with stomach ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. |
Get rid of varicose veins by running
Running with varicose veins is possible in the first and second stages.It is recommended to avoid heavy strain on the legs and give preference to jogging and walking.Jogging is not recommended if you have thrombosis or in later stages of the disease.
Only at the beginning of the disease, when the veins are not yet stretched, is it possible to get rid of varicose veins by running.At this stage there are no clinical symptoms of the disease.Therefore, the patient simply does not know that he needs to start classes.The moment the diagnosis of varicose veins is made, jogging is no longer able to completely cure the pathology.
When should you contact a phlebologist?
If you have varicose veins, you should see a doctor as early as possible.The more advanced the disease is at this point, the less likely the patient will be completely cured.It is ideal to go to the clinic when you notice the first signs: feeling of heaviness in the legs, flying pains when standing for long periods, swelling.
Nutrition, diet for varicose veins
With varicose veins, nutrition plays an important role in stabilizing the patient's condition and restoring vascular tone.
Food recommendation:
- seafood (mussels, shrimps, squid);
- Fruits rich in vitamin C (kiwi, black currant, citrus fruits);
- blood-thinning products (garlic, lemon, onion, cherry).
Dietary restrictions correspond to a generally gentle diet.It is forbidden to consume alcoholic drinks, excessively salty, spicy, sour and other foods with irritating properties.You should also not drink large amounts of coffee, tea and other drinks with a diuretic effect.
Prevention measures
The basis for preventing varicose veins is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and static stress on the legs.It is advisable to go for a short jog or walk several kilometers every day.During the working day, you should take short breaks dedicated to leg exercise.In addition, you must eat the foods described in the previous section and, if necessary, wear compression tights.Moderate compression helps improve blood flow in the superficial veins.
Despite its seeming harmlessness, varicose veins are a disease that poses a threat to human life under certain conditions.This is especially true for the later stages of pathology development, when the vascular wall becomes thinner and its integrity is very easily damaged.Therefore, therapy according to traditional recipes should be started as soon as possible.To avoid mistakes and the use of incorrect treatment methods, you should consult your doctor before starting treatment.