Varicose veins are a vascular pathology associated with thinning of the wall of blood vessels and the formation of aneurysm-like enlargements.The disease occurs in both young and old people, more often in women.The main method of treatment for varicose veins is surgical.However, the operation is performed only in patients with severe forms of pathology.The initial stages of varicose veins can be treated with medications and with drugs from the arsenal of traditional medicine.How are varicose veins in the legs treated with home remedies?What is needed for this?In which cases should you stop using herbal recipes and consult a doctor?
Causes of varicose veins in the legs.
The fundamental cause of varicose veins is the weakening of the venous valves of the vascular network of the legs and a decrease in the muscle tone of the vascular wall.The described phenomenon leads to the fact that part of the blood in the venous vessels begins to flow downward, overloading the vessels and stretching them.Subsequently, the muscle fibers responsible for directing blood flow atrophy and the nerve endings that innervate the tone of the veins die.The disease reaches a stage that is incurable through therapeutic methods.
Varicose veins do not develop spontaneously, without exposure to provoking factors.
The latter include:
- overweight (BMI 27 kg/m2 and above);
- long-term static loads, stops in one place (surgeons, sellers, loaders);
- genetic predisposition and congenital weakness of the venous valve mechanism;
- thrombophlebitis;
- chronic alcoholism;
- hormonal disorders, including those that occur in women during pregnancy;
- constipation;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Of course, the presence of a provoking factor does not guarantee the appearance of symptoms of the disease.However, the probability of such a development of events increases significantly.
Note:Varicose veins can also be iatrogenic.Changes occur under the influence of hormonal drugs that are used in the treatment of osteoporosis, as well as during menopause.If signs of varicose veins appear in such a situation, the existing drug therapy regimen should be discontinued and a new one selected.Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to correct the condition of the veins.
How to recognize varicose veins in time?First signs!
Timely diagnosis of varicose veins allows for successful venous treatment without the use of complex medical techniques.Unfortunately, the first signs of the disease often go unnoticed, causing the patient to seek help too late.
To avoid this, it is advisable to consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear:
- heaviness in the legs, which worsens in an upright position;
- pain in the shin area;
- telangiectasias;
- The local expansion of the veins, which at this point still have a soft consistency, easily collapse when pressed.
At a later stage of the disease, patients note the appearance of transient pain, which intensifies after long walks and prolonged standing in an upright position.Visually, pastiness and swelling are noted in the ankle area.At this stage, conservative therapy is still possible, but it does not stop the process, only slows it down.
People who have constant heaviness and pain, leg cramps and itchy skin, which is evidence of trophic disorders, should not rely on folk remedies and drug therapy.The patients' veins are significantly dilated, deformed and very elastic.Only surgery can correct the situation here.
Stages of varicose veins in the legs.
Vasodilation in the legs has 4 stages of development.In the first stage of the disease, its symptoms may not appear at all.In some cases, there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, rapid fatigue, and telangiectasias appear.Patients complain of periodic swelling of the legs, which, however, can be easily relieved by taking a mild diuretic.
At the beginning of the second stage, the symptoms of the disease intensify, its signs become more vivid and noticeable.Patients complain of the appearance of noticeable nodes in the veins, periodic numbness and itching in the pathological area, and transient pain.When examined, swelling and doughy tissue is revealed in the legs.
At the third stage of the development of varicose veins, the patient's condition worsens significantly.Affected veins become significantly thicker, deformed, hard and painful.The pain becomes permanent.There is a high risk of thrombosis and thromboembolism.The formation of trophic ulcerations is possible.
Note:Damage to the dilated veins in the third stage of varicose veins can cause heavy bleeding, which can only be stopped in a medical organization.
Primary varicose veins
Primary varicose veins are a form of disease in which vascular changes develop independently, under the influence of provoking factors and the patient's genetic predisposition.The main ones include enlargements that occur in women during pregnancy, when working on their feet, and obesity.The disease can also result from wearing underwear that is too tight, pinching blood vessels and disrupting normal blood flow.
Secondary varicose veins
Secondary varicose veins are a consequence of another disease, as a result of which the structure of the venous valve, its tone, as well as the structure and muscular layers of the vascular wall are disturbed.The secondary type of disease develops after certain infectious processes, with tumors or vascular lesions.
Treatment of varicose veins with home remedies at home.
As mentioned above, home remedies for varicose veins are effective only in the initial stages (stage 1-2) of the disease.The use of traditional medicine methods should be carried out after consultation with the attending physician and a qualified assessment of the effectiveness of the chosen medication.Today, herbalists consider the following herbal remedies to be the best:
Apple cider vinegar for swollen feet
To eliminate swelling, vinegar is used topically, in the form of a compress or bath.The product helps to increase the tone of the vascular wall, relieve swelling and activate blood circulation.The medication must be handled carefully, as if used incorrectly it can cause chemical burns to the skin.
To make a foot bath with apple cider vinegar, pour 10 liters of cold water into a container and add 0.5 liters of vinegar.After that, you need to immerse your feet in the resulting solution.The duration of the procedure is 7 minutes, the frequency is daily.The course of treatment can be 2 to 3 months or more.The water temperature for baths should not be lower than 20°C.
To apply a compress, vinegar is diluted with cold water in a ratio of 1:4 (vinegar: water).A soft cloth or gauze is dipped in the resulting solution, then taken out, wrung until damp and applied to the pimples.A plastic film is placed over the cloth and a bandage is applied.The duration of the procedure does not exceed one hour.The compress should be applied every other day for 1 to 2 weeks.
Note:If a strong burning sensation or discomfort occurs during the procedure, treatment should be discontinued.Vinegar in the wrong concentration can have a negative effect on the skin, including causing burns.
Clay lotions and compresses.
Blue or green clay is used to treat varicose veins.Before use, it is diluted with water until a liquid mass is obtained.The resulting composition is applied to soft tissues and applied to diseased areas.For added comfort, you can apply a bandage to the fabric, but this is not necessary.Leave the compress for 40 to 80 minutes.The procedure should be performed every other day, for 2-3 months or more, until a satisfactory result is achieved.
Acacia flower tincture
The tincture is easy to make yourself.To do this, take 8 tablespoons of dried and crushed white acacia flowers, place them in a container of sufficient size and pour 20 ml of vodka.The resulting mixture is closed tightly with a lid and placed in a dry, dark place for 10 days.For better extraction of medicinal substances, it is recommended to shake the liquid daily.The finished tincture is filtered through a layer of gauze and used for rubbing the feet.
The tincture should be used before going to bed, after rinsing your feet with cold water.Pimples and other areas where there are varicose veins are rubbed well with the composition and left to dry.After this, it is recommended to place the limbs on the roller so that they are in an elevated position.The duration of the therapy course is 3 months, the frequency of treatment is daily.
Horse chestnut for varicose veins in the legs.
To treat varicose veins, horse chestnut is used in the form of an alcohol tincture.To do this, crushed fruits are mixed with 96% ethyl alcohol in a ratio of 1:3 and infused for two weeks.The product is then filtered and used to apply compresses.
To apply a compress with horse chestnut tincture, it is necessary to soak a soft cloth in the preparation, squeeze it well and apply it to the affected area.After that, the fabric is covered with polyethylene and several layers of cotton or thick fabric are applied on top.The compress is kept for 30-40 minutes, after which the legs are wrapped in a warm blanket.
It is recommended to perform the procedure before going to bed, every two days.The course of treatment is 1 to 2 months, but if necessary it can be extended.
Treatment of varicose veins with tomato.
Green tomatoes are used to treat varicose veins, which contain substances similar to acetylsalicylic acid.They have antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects.For treatment, tomatoes are cut into circles, applied to diseased areas and fixed with cling film.The duration of the procedure is 8-12 hours (a compress with tomatoes is applied overnight).The course of treatment is daily before bedtime, until the external manifestations of the disease disappear (usually no more than 3 months).
Cabbage treatment
Cabbage, like tomatoes, has some vasoprotective effects.The leaves of the vegetable are sprayed with water and then placed in the common chamber of the refrigerator for a day.After the required period, the product is applied to the legs and fixed with polyethylene.The duration of the procedure is 5 to 6 hours, the frequency is daily.The duration of the therapy course is 1 month.
Treatment with potatoes
To eliminate the symptoms of varicose veins, several large potato tubers are peeled, washed and grated on a fine grater.The vegetable should acquire the consistency of porridge.The resulting product is applied to the legs and feet, spreading it over the skin.No additional fixation of the pulp is performed on the legs.The duration of the procedure is 1 hour, the frequency is daily, the duration of the course is 2 months.
Apitherapy for varicose veins: honey, propolis, dead bees, poison.
Both dead bees and honey, propolis and other bee products contain anti-inflammatory and heparin-like substances that help thin the blood.To treat varicose veins, honey and propolis are used topically, dead fruit internally, and poison in the form of bee stings in the affected areas.
A compress with honey is applied according to the general rules for applying compresses.To do this, the substance is applied to a cloth or gauze, applied to the affected area and covered with polyethylene.The bandage is then insulated with cotton and secured with a bandage.A compress with propolis does not differ in technique from a honey compress.The medicinal composition is prepared by mixing propolis and vodka in a ratio of 1:5.The duration of the honey procedure is 2 hours, once a day;with propolis – 40 minutes once a day.The frequency of manipulation is every other day for 2-3 months.
Dead bees are used in the form of an alcohol tincture.To prepare it, you need to take 1 tablespoon of the medicine and mix it with 200 ml of 70% ethanol or vodka.After that, the medicine is left to infuse for 3 weeks in a dark, dry place.The tincture should be taken 20 drops, 3 times a day, for a 2-week cycle.You can repeat the course after an equal break.
Bee venom is administered by sting.The procedure must be performed by a competent apitherapist, so it is not advisable to consider the details of its implementation in the format of this article.Bee venom thins the blood, contains more than 50 substances useful for the human body and increases the tone of the vascular wall.The bite is performed directly on the areas affected by varicose veins.
Nettle decoction
Nettle decoction is prepared from fresh or dried leaves of the plant.In this case, the fresh leaves are ground into a pulp and the dried leaves are ground into a powder.Prepared raw materials are poured with boiling water.The ratio of solid and liquid fractions of the composition should be 1:8.The mixture is placed on low heat and boiled for 3-5 minutes.After this, it is cooled, filtered and taken orally, 1/3 cup (70 ml) three times a day.The course of treatment is 1 month.
Nutmeg decoction
A decoction of nutmeg is prepared in a similar way to the preparation of a decoction of nettles.The ratio of nuts and water in the mixture should be approximately 1:5.The nut is pre-crushed.You need to take the finished medicine three times a day.The course of therapy is 3 to 4 months or more.
Laundry soap treatment
Laundry soap itself does not have a noticeable anti-varicose effect.However, it is actively used for the preparation of multicomponent ointments.
The following recipe is considered the most effective:
- Mix laundry soap, Vishnevsky ointment, honey, aloe juice, ichthyol ointment, onion juice and lard in equal quantities.
- The resulting mass is heated to body temperature and applied to the affected areas;
- The applied ointment is covered with polyethylene and the limb is insulated with cotton or a blanket.
The duration of application of the drug is 10 hours, the frequency of treatment is daily.The course of therapy is 20 procedures.
Calendula decoction
A decoction is prepared from dried calendula flowers, 2 tablespoons of which are poured into 400 ml of boiling water, put on fire and boiled for 15 minutes.The product is then allowed to cool, filtered and taken 4 times a day, 100 ml.The course of treatment is until the symptoms of the disease disappear.It is recommended to use calendula decoction as an auxiliary method of therapy.
Treatment of varicose veins with leeches - hirudotherapy
With the help of hirudotherapy, it is possible to reduce the level of blood viscosity, improve its fluidity and prevent the formation of blood clots.Leeches are applied by a hirudotherapist.You should not use this treatment method on your own.The therapy course consists of 5 sessions, after which it is necessary to take a break of 2 months.
Possible consequences of home therapy, contraindications.
It is not always possible to treat varicose veins at home.For the therapy to be successful, it is necessary to consult a doctor and strictly follow his instructions.
Otherwise, the treatment can have negative consequences such as:
- ineffectiveness of therapy and deterioration of veins;
- allergic reactions and intolerance to the products used;
- skin burns due to improper application of compresses with burning substances;
- vascular ruptures and thromboembolism, if treatment is carried out against the background of existing contraindications.
Contraindications for the treatment of varicose veins include the third and fourth degree of pathology.In this case, the disease can only be removed surgically.In addition, traditional medicine is not applicable in case of high risk of thromboembolism, exacerbation of vascular insufficiency, severe course of the disease with cramps in the calf muscles, deposition of a large amount of blood in the affected vessels and a large volume of the affected area.
Get rid of varicose veins by running
Running with varicose veins is possible in the first and second stages.It is recommended to avoid significant strain on the legs, giving preference to jogging and athletic walking.In the presence of thrombosis, as well as in the later stages of the disease, jogging is not recommended.
It is possible to get rid of varicose veins by running only at the beginning of the disease, when the veins have not yet stretched.At this stage, there are no clinical symptoms of the disease.Therefore, the patient simply does not know the need to start classes.By the time varicose veins are diagnosed, jogging can no longer completely cure the pathology.
When to contact a phlebologist?
You should see a doctor for varicose veins as soon as possible.The more advanced the disease is at this point, the less likely the patient will be completely cured.Ideally, a person goes to the clinic at the moment when the first signs are detected: heaviness in the legs, stabbing pain when standing for a long time, swelling.
Nutrition, diet for varicose veins.
In the case of varicose veins, diet plays an important role in stabilizing the patient's condition and restoring vascular tone.
Recommended to eat:
- seafood (mussels, shrimp, squid);
- fruits rich in vitamin C (kiwi, black currant, citrus);
- Anticoagulant products (garlic, lemon, onion, cherry).
Dietary restrictions correspond to a general mild diet.It is prohibited to drink alcoholic beverages, excessively salty, spicy, acidic and other foods that have irritating properties.You should also not drink large amounts of coffee, tea and other drinks that have diuretic properties.
Preventive measures
The basis for the prevention of varicose veins is the abandonment of a sedentary lifestyle and static stress on the legs.It is recommended to take a short jog or walk several kilometers every day.During the work day it is advisable to take short breaks dedicated to leg exercise.In addition, you must eat the foods described in the previous section and, if necessary, wear compression stockings.A moderate degree of compression helps improve blood flow in the superficial veins.
Note:Even walking to your workplace will help prevent varicose veins, if it is within 2 to 5 kilometers of your place of residence.Giving up a vehicle for hiking will save money, prevent the development of varicose veins and get a dose of good mood before starting the workday.
Despite its apparent safety, varicose veins are a disease that, under certain conditions, poses a threat to human life.This is especially true in the later stages of the development of pathology, during which the vascular wall becomes thinner and its integrity is very easily damaged.Therefore, therapy with traditional recipes should be started as soon as possible.
To avoid mistakes and the use of incorrect treatment methods, you should consult your doctor before starting it.