Varicose veins are a dangerous disease that entails many pathological processes. Treatment for varicose veins in the legs begins with lifestyle changes and medical procedures. They can: relieve symptoms of varicose veins, prevent complications, improve the appearance of the lower limbs.
Your doctor may recommend that you switch to a diet and lose weight if your varicose veins in your legs aren't causing many symptoms. When there are signs of severe varicose veins in the legs, medical and surgical treatment is indicated.
Compression vest
Compression stockings for varicose veins have a beneficial effect on pressure on the veins.
Types of compression hosiery for varicose veins:
- Support pants. There is minimal pressure on the veins. They are firmly fixed on the legs and do not slip. Compression is distributed evenly.
- Knee socks. Both men and women can wear it. The compression force is evenly distributed in the lower part of the limb.
- Elastic bandage.The compression force is unevenly distributed so the pressure on the veins can be strong or weak. However, many people use this type of therapeutic hosiery because of its affordable price.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy of the legs is the most common treatment for spider veins and varicose veins. The doctor uses a needle to inject liquid chemicals into the vein. The chemical agent causes the vein walls to swell, they stick together and become sealed. This stops blood flow and the vein turns into scar tissue. After a few weeks, varicose veins will disappear. This procedure does not require anesthesia and can be performed in your doctor's office. You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Treatment for varicose veins in the legs is usually performed every 4-6 weeks. Compression stockings may be worn after sclerotherapy to aid wound healing and reduce swelling. This procedure is very effective when done correctly.
Complications that can occur after sclerotherapy:
- Burning red skin and bruising at the injection site. The spots have a brown border or a group of small red blood vessels around the treated vein.
- Blood clots enter the veins and cause inflammation. This is not dangerous. Swelling can be reduced by applying heat and taking acetylsalicylic acid. Your doctor may be able to remove the clot with a small puncture during a follow-up visit.
All complications, as a rule, disappear immediately after treatment.
There is ultrasound sclerotherapy for varicose veins (or ultrasound sclerotherapy). This method is used in ultrasound imaging to ensure accurate needle insertion. It may be useful in treating veins in the lower extremities that may not be visible on the surface of the skin.
Side effects may occur: skin ulcers, swelling or deep vein thrombosis (dangerous blood clots).
Lasers
In some cases, lasers can effectively treat spider veins and small varicose veins. Laser treatment for varicose veins in the legs sends very strong beams of light through the skin to the veins. No needles or incisions are used, but the heat from the laser can be quite painful. Cooling helps relieve pain.
Laser treatment for varicose veins in the legs lasts 15 to 20 minutes. Typically, 2 to 5 treatments are needed to get rid of spider veins in the legs. You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Laser coagulation is not effective for leg varicose veins larger than 3 mm.
Contraindicated: Not all skin types can be safely treated with lasers.
Possible side effects after laser varicose vein treatment:
- Redness or swelling of the skin immediately after treatment and disappears after a few days.
- On fair skin, side effects will disappear within 1-2 months.
- Burns and scarring from less effective laser surgery, although this is rare.
Subcutaneous injection method
Subcutaneous injection techniques have replaced surgery for most patients with severe varicose veins.
The doctor places a very small tube, called a catheter, into the vein. A small probe is placed through the tube. A device at the tip of the probe heats the inside of the vein and closes it. This device uses radiofrequency or laser energy to seal the vein. This procedure can be performed using only local anesthesia.
Healthy veins surrounding the closed vein will take care of normal blood flow. Varicose vein symptoms improved.
Work
Surgery is used primarily to treat very large varicose veins.
Types of surgery to treat varicose veins include:
Surgical intervention. In this treatment, problem veins are completely removed from the legs through small incisions in the skin. Removal of the vein does not affect blood circulation in the lower extremities. This operation requires general anesthesia and must be performed in an operating room. The process of venous recovery after surgery takes from 1 to 4 weeks. This type of surgery is generally safe. Leg pain is the most common side effect. Other possible problems include:
- Breathing problems due to anesthesia.
- Severe bleeding and hematoma.
- Wound infection, inflammation, swelling and redness.
- Damage to nerve tissue surrounding the treated vein. This damage can cause numbness, burning, or changes in sensation around the scar.
- Blood clot formation. These blood clots can travel to the lungs and heart. Anticoagulants may be used to reduce the likelihood of these dangerous blood clots forming. However, it can also cause bleeding.
Strip the PIN code. In this treatment, a device called a PIN dispenser is inserted into a vein. The tip of the PIN puller is sewn to the top of the vein, and when pulled out, the vein will be pulled out. This procedure can be performed in an operating room or at an outpatient center.
Phlebectomy procedure.During a phlebectomy, small incisions are made in the skin and hooks are used to pull the varicose veins out of the leg. Patients can return to normal activities the day after treatment. Possible side effects include mild bruising and temporary numbness.
Prevent
To prevent the first signs of varicose veins - spider veins on the legs - from appearing, there are many effective preventive measures:
- Exercise regularly to improve muscle tone, circulation and vein elasticity. Perform special vascular exercises and regularly take therapeutic walks or runs.
- Control your weight to avoid putting too much pressure on your lower limbs.
- Do not cross your legs for long periods of time when sitting.
- Try to avoid injuries that can increase your risk of varicose veins.
- Elevate your legs while resting as much as possible.
- Do not stand or sit for long periods of time. If you must stand for long periods of time, shift your weight from one foot to the other every few minutes. After sitting for a long time, you need to get up and move a little or take a short walk.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing that narrows your waist or puts pressure on your groin and legs.
- Avoid wearing high heels for long periods of time.
- Eat healthy, fiber-rich foods. Eating fiber reduces the likelihood of constipation, which can contribute to varicose veins. The diet should include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and bran. A salt-free diet will help prevent the swelling that leads to varicose veins.
Modern treatments for varicose veins and spider veins in the legs have very high success rates compared to traditional surgical methods. Ongoing treatment and prevention can help control this problem.