Varicose veins are a dangerous disease that leads to many pathological processes. Treatment for varicose veins in the legs begins with lifestyle changes and medical procedures. They can: relieve the symptoms of varicose veins, prevent complications, improve the appearance of the lower limbs.
A doctor may recommend dieting and losing excess weight if varicose veins in the legs do not cause many symptoms. When there are serious signs of varicose veins on the legs, therapeutic and surgical treatment is prescribed.
Compression jersey
Compression hosiery for varicose veins has a beneficial effect on the pressure on the veins.
Types of compression hosiery for varicose veins:
- Support pantyhose. Have the least pressure on the veins. They are securely fixed on the leg and do not slip. Compression is evenly distributed.
- Knee high socks. It can be worn by both men and women. The compression is evenly distributed in the lower part of the limb.
- Elastic bandage.The compression is unevenly distributed, so the pressure on the vein can be strong or weak. However, many people use this type of therapeutic knitwear because it is affordable.
Sclerotherapy
Leg vein sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for spider veins and varicose veins. The doctor uses a needle to inject a liquid chemical into a vein. The chemical agent causes the walls of the veins to swell, they stick together and the seals close. This stops blood flow and the vein turns into a scar. After a few weeks, the varicose veins should disappear. This procedure does not require anesthesia and can be performed in a doctor's office. You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Varicose veins treatment is usually done every 4-6 weeks. Compression stockings may be worn after sclerotherapy to aid healing and reduce swelling. This procedure is very effective when done correctly.
Possible complications after sclerotherapy:
- Burning, red areas of the skin, bruising at the injection site. Brown outlined spots or group of small red blood vessels around the treated vein.
- Blood clots that enter a vein and cause inflammation. This is not dangerous. Swelling can be relieved by heating and taking acetylsalicylic acid. The doctor can remove blood clots with a small puncture at a follow-up visit.
All complications, as a rule, disappear soon after treatment.
There is ultrasound sclerotherapy for varicose veins (or echo sclerotherapy). This method is used in the ultrasound image to ensure correct insertion of the needle. It can be useful in treating lower extremity veins that may not be visible on the surface of the skin.
Possible side effects: skin ulcers, swelling or deep vein thrombosis (a potentially dangerous blood clot).
A laser
In some cases, the laser can effectively treat spider veins and small varicose veins. Laser treatment for varicose veins in the legs sends very strong bursts 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 reduce pain.
Laser treatment of varicose veins of the legs lasts from 15 to 20 minutes. Usually 2 to 5 treatments are needed to remove spider veins on the legs. You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Laser coagulation is not an effective method for varicose veins of the legs over 3 mm.
Contraindications: Not all skin types can be safely treated with lasers.
Possible side effects after laser treatment of varicose veins:
- Redness or swelling of the skin immediately after treatment, which disappears within a few days.
- In fair skin, the side effects disappear within 1-2 months.
- Burns and scars from poorly performed laser surgery, although this is rare.
Subcutaneous methods
Subcutaneous techniques have replaced surgery in most patients with severe varicose veins.
The doctor places a very small tube called a catheter into the vein. A small probe is inserted through the tube. A device at the tip of the probe heats the inside of the vein and closes it. The device uses radio frequency or laser energy to seal the vein. This procedure can only be performed with local anesthesia.
Healthy veins around the occluded receive normal blood flow. Varicose veins symptoms are improving.
Operation
Surgery is primarily used to treat very large varicose veins.
Types of surgery for varicose veins include:
Surgical intervention. In this treatment, the problematic veins are completely removed from the leg through small incisions in the skin. Vein removal does not affect circulation in the lower limb. This surgery requires general anesthesia and must be performed in an operating room. Recovery of veins after surgery takes from 1 to 4 weeks. This type of surgery is usually safe. Leg pain is the most common adverse reaction. Other possible problems include:
- Breathing problems due to anesthesia.
- Heavy bleeding and pooling of blood.
- Wound infection, inflammation, swelling and redness.
- Damage to the nerve tissue around the treated vein. This damage can cause numbness, burning, or changes in sensation around the scar.
- Formation of blood clots. These clots can travel to the lungs and heart. Anticoagulant medication can be used to reduce the chance of these dangerous blood clots. But it can also cause bleeding.
Delete PIN. In this treatment, an instrument called a PIN stripper is inserted into the vein. The tip of the PIN puller is sutured to the end of the vein and when removed, the vein is pulled. This procedure may be performed in an operating room or at an outpatient center.
Phlebectomy procedure. In 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 their normal activities the day after treatment. Possible side effects include slight bruising and temporary numbness.
Prevention
To prevent the appearance of the first signs of varicose veins - spider veins on the legs, there are very effective preventive measures:
- Exercise regularly to improve muscle tone, circulation and vein elasticity. Do special exercises for the blood vessels and regularly engage in therapeutic walking or jogging.
- 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 the 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 have to stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. After sitting for a long time, you should get up and move around a bit or take a short walk.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing that narrows the waist or puts pressure on the groin and legs.
- Avoid wearing high heels for long periods of time.
- Eat healthy foods high in fiber. Eating fiber reduces the likelihood of constipation, which can contribute to varicose veins. The diet should consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and bran. A salt-free diet will help prevent swelling that leads to varicose veins.
Modern treatments for varicose veins and spider veins have a very high success rate compared to traditional surgical procedures. Ongoing treatment and prevention can help keep this problem under control.