Varicose veins are a dangerous disease that brings with it many pathological processes. Treating varicose veins in the legs begins with lifestyle changes and medical procedures. They can: alleviate the symptoms of varicose veins, prevent complications, improve the appearance of the lower extremities.
The doctor may recommend switching to a diet and losing excess weight if varicose veins in the legs do not cause many symptoms. When there are serious signs of dilated veins in the legs, therapeutic and surgical treatment is prescribed.
Compression shirt
Compression stockings for varicose veins have a beneficial effect on pressure in the veins.
Types of compression stockings for varicose veins:
- Support socks. Have the least amount of pressure on your veins. They are firmly fixed on the leg and do not slip. Compression is evenly distributed.
- Knee socks. Can be used by men and women. Compression is evenly distributed across 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 mesh 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 scar tissue. 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.
Treatment for varicose veins in the legs is usually done every 4-6 weeks. Compression stockings may be used after sclerotherapy to help with healing and reduce swelling. This procedure is very effective when done correctly.
Possible complications after sclerotherapy:
- Burning of red areas of the skin, bruising at the injection site. Spots with brown outlines or a group 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. Your doctor may 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 ultrasound imaging to ensure correct needle insertion. It may be useful in treating veins in the lower extremities 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 and into the veins. No needles or incisions 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 15 to 20 minutes. Typically, it takes 2 to 5 treatments to remove spider veins on the legs. You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Laser coagulation is not an effective method for leg varicose veins larger than 3 mm.
Contraindications: 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, which disappears within a few days.
- On fair 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 at the tip of the probe heats the inside of the vein and closes it. The device uses radiofrequency or laser energy to seal the vein. This procedure can be done with local anesthesia only.
Healthy veins around the closed vein assume normal blood flow. Varicose vein symptoms improve.
Operation
Surgery is mainly used to treat very large varicose veins.
Types of surgery for varicose veins include:
Surgical intervention. In this treatment, 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 limb. This operation requires general anesthesia and must be performed in an operating room. Vein restoration after surgery takes 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 accumulation 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 medications 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 remover is inserted into a vein. The tip of the PIN extractor is sewn to the end of the vein and when removed, the vein is pulled out. This procedure can be performed in a surgical center 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 normal activities the day after treatment. Possible side effects include minor bruising and temporary numbness.
Prevention
To avoid 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 your blood vessels and regularly go for therapeutic walks or runs.
- Control your weight to avoid putting too much pressure on your lower extremities.
- Do not cross your legs for long periods when sitting.
- Try to avoid injuries that may 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 need 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 need to get up and move around a little or go for 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 consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and bran. A salt-free diet will help prevent the swelling that causes 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 the problem under control.