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: eliminate the symptoms of varicose veins, prevent complications, improve the appearance of the lower extremities.
If varicose veins in the legs do not cause many symptoms, the doctor may recommend dieting and losing excess weight. If there are serious symptoms of enlarged veins in the legs, therapeutic and surgical treatment is prescribed.
Compression form
Compression stockings for varicose veins have a beneficial effect on the pressure on the veins.
Types of compression stockings for varicose veins:
- Support seats. Have the least pressure in the veins. They are securely fixed to the foot and do not slip. Compression is evenly distributed.
- Knee socks. It can be worn by both men and women. Compression is evenly distributed in the lower part of the circumference.
- Elastic bandage.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 injects a liquid chemical into a vein with a needle. The chemical agent causes the walls of the blood vessels to swell, stick together and seal. This stops 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 done in the doctor's office. You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs is usually done every 4-6 weeks. After sclerotherapy, compression stockings may be worn 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 spots or a group of small red blood vessels around the treated vessel.
- Blood clots that enter a vein and cause inflammation. It is not dangerous. Swelling can be relieved by applying heat and taking acetylsalicylic acid. At a follow-up visit, the doctor can remove the blood clots with a small puncture.
All complications, as a rule, disappear immediately after treatment.
There is ultrasound sclerotherapy (or echo sclerotherapy) for varicose veins. This method is used in ultrasound examination to ensure the correct insertion of the needle. It can be useful in the treatment of veins of the lower extremities that are not visible on the surface of the skin.
Possible side effects: skin ulcers, swelling or deep vein thrombosis (potentially dangerous blood clot).
laser
In some cases, the laser can effectively treat spider veins and small varicose veins. Laser treatment of 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 in the legs lasts 15-20 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:
- Immediately after the treatment, redness or swelling of the skin disappears within a few days.
- In fair skin, side effects disappear within 1-2 months.
- Although rare, burns and scars from poorly performed laser surgery.
Subcutaneous methods
For most patients with severe varicose veins, subcutaneous methods have replaced surgery.
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 radiofrequency or laser energy to close the vein. This procedure can be done only with local anesthesia.
Healthy vessels around the occluded one take over normal blood flow. The symptoms of 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 circulation in the lower extremity. This operation requires general anesthesia and must be performed in an operating room. Vascular recovery after surgery lasts from 1 week to 4 weeks. This type of surgery is generally safe. Leg pain is the most common side effect. Other possible problems are:
- Breathing problems due to anesthesia.
- Severe bleeding and blood clots.
- Wound infection, inflammation, swelling and redness.
- Damage to the nerve tissue around the treated vessel. This injury may cause numbness, burning, or changes in sensation around the scar.
- Formation of blood clots. These clots can travel to the lungs and heart. Anticoagulant drugs can be used to reduce the possibility of this dangerous blood clot. But it can also cause bleeding.
PIN code removal. In this treatment, an instrument called a PIN stripper is inserted into the vein. The end of the PIN retractor is sutured to the end of the vein and when removed, the vein is removed. This procedure can be performed in the operating room or on an outpatient basis.
Phlebectomy procedure.In phlebectomy, small incisions are made in the skin and hooks are used to remove varicose veins from the leg. Patients can return to their normal activities one day after treatment. Possible side effects include minor bruising and temporary numbness.
Prevention
There are many effective preventive measures to prevent the first signs of varicose veins - the appearance of spider veins on the legs:
- Exercise regularly to improve muscle tone, blood circulation and vascular flexibility. Do special exercises for blood vessels and regularly engage in therapeutic walking or jogging.
- Control your weight so as not to put too much pressure on your lower limbs.
- Do not cross your legs while sitting.
- Try to avoid injuries that can increase the risk of varicose veins.
- Raise your legs as high as possible while resting.
- Do not stand or sit for a long 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 a little or take a short walk.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing that constricts your waist or puts pressure on your groin and legs.
- Avoid wearing high heels for long periods of time.
- Eat healthy, high-fiber foods. 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 the swelling that causes varicose veins.
Modern treatment of varicose veins and spider veins in the legs has a very high success rate compared to traditional surgical procedures. Regular treatment and prevention can help keep this problem under control.