Varicose veins are a dangerous disease that brings with it many pathological processes. Treatment of 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 extremities.
The doctor may recommend going on a diet and losing excess weight if varicose veins in the legs do not cause many symptoms. When there are serious signs of varicose veins in the legs, therapeutic and surgical treatment is prescribed.
Compression jersey
Compression stockings for varicose veins have a beneficial effect on the pressure on the veins.
Types of compression stockings for varicose veins:
- Supportive tights. You have the least amount of pressure in your veins. They are well fixed on the feet and do not slip. Compression is evenly distributed.
- Knee socks. They can be worn by both men and women. Compression is evenly distributed on the lower limbs.
- 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 hosiery as 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, stick together and seal. This stops the blood flow and the vein turns into scar tissue. After a few weeks, the varicose veins should disappear. This procedure does not require anesthesia and can be performed in the doctor's office. You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Treatment for varicose veins in the legs 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 where the injection was made. Outlined brown spots or a cluster of small red blood vessels around the treated vein.
- Blood clots that enter the vein and cause inflammation. This is not dangerous. Swelling can be relieved by applying heat and taking acetylsalicylic acid. The doctor may remove the blood clot with a small needle at a follow-up visit.
All complications, as a rule, go away immediately after treatment.
There is ultrasound sclerotherapy for varicose veins (or echo sclerotherapy). This method is used in ultrasound imaging to ensure correct needle insertion. It may 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).
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 into the veins. No needles or cuts are used, but the heat from the laser can be quite painful. Cooling helps reduce pain.
Laser treatment for varicose veins in the legs lasts from 15 to 20 minutes. Typically, 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 larger than 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 the treatment, which disappears within a few days.
- On exposed skin, 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 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 on the tip of the probe heats the inside of the vein and seals it off. The device uses radio frequency or laser energy to close the vein. This procedure can only be performed with local anesthesia.
Healthy veins around the closed one take over normal blood flow. Symptoms from varicose veins improve.
operation
Surgery is mainly 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. Removing a vein does not affect blood flow in the lower limb. This surgery requires general anesthesia and must be done in an operating room. Restoration of veins after surgery lasts 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.
- Heavy bleeding and blood clots.
- Wound infection, inflammation, swelling and redness.
- Damage to the nerve tissue around the treated vein. This injury may cause numbness, burning, or changes in sensation around the scar.
- Blood clot formation. These clots can travel to the lungs and heart. Anticoagulant drugs can be used to reduce the likelihood of these dangerous blood clots. But it can also cause bleeding.
PIN removal. In this treatment, an instrument called a PIN stripper is inserted into a vein. The tip of the PIN retractor is sutured to the end of the vein and when removed, the vein is retracted. This procedure may be performed in an operating room or at an outpatient center.
Phlebectomy procedure.In a phlebectomy, small cuts are made in the skin and hooks are used to pull the varicose veins out of the leg. Patients can return to normal activities one day after treatment. Possible side effects include minor bruising and temporary numbness.
Preventing
To prevent the appearance of the first signs of varicose veins - spider veins on the legs - there are many effective preventive measures:
- Exercise regularly to improve muscle tone, circulation and vein elasticity. Perform special exercises for blood vessels and regularly engage in therapeutic walking or jogging.
- Control your weight to avoid putting too much pressure on your lower extremities.
- Do not cross your legs for long periods of time when sitting.
- Try to avoid injuries that can increase the risk of varicose veins.
- Raise 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 your waist or puts pressure on your hips and legs.
- Avoid wearing high heels for long periods of time.
- Eat healthy, fiber-rich foods. Eating fiber reduces the chance of constipation, which can contribute to varicose veins. The diet should consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, 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 procedures. Ongoing treatment and prevention can help keep this problem under control.