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 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 jersey
Compression hosiery for varicose veins has a beneficial effect on the pressure on the veins.
Types of compression hosiery for varicose veins:
- Support tights. Have the least amount of pressure on the veins. They are securely fixed on the leg and do not slip. Compression is distributed evenly.
- Knee socks. Can be worn by both men and women. Compression is distributed evenly in the lower part of the limb.
- Elastic bandage.The compression is distributed unevenly, so the pressure on the vein may be strong or weak. However, many people use this type of therapeutic knitwear 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, they stick together, and the seals close. This stops the flow of blood and the vein turns into scar tissue. After a few weeks, varicose veins should disappear. This procedure does not require anesthesia and can be done 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 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 skin, bruising where the injection was given. Brown-outlined spots or a 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 applying heat and taking acetylsalicylic acid. The doctor may remove blood clots with a small puncture at a follow-up visit.
All complications, as a rule, go away 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 of 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, laser can effectively treat spider veins and small varicose veins. Laser treatment for varicose veins on 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 for varicose veins on 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 greater 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 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, in 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 using only local anesthesia.
Healthy veins around the closed one take over normal blood flow. Symptoms from varicose veins improve.
Operation
Surgery is used primarily to treat very large varicose veins.
Types of surgery for varicose veins include:
Surgical intervention. In this treatment, the problem 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 done in an operating room. Restoration of veins after surgery takes 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.
- Severe bleeding and blood pooling.
- Wound infection, inflammation, swelling and redness.
- Damage to the nerve tissue around the treated vein. This damage 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 medicine may be used to reduce the likelihood of these dangerous blood clots. But, it can also cause bleeding.
PIN stripping. In this treatment, an instrument called a PIN stripper is inserted into a vein. The tip of the PIN puller is sewn to the end of the vein, and when it is removed, the vein is pulled out. This procedure can be performed in an operating room or in an outpatient center.
Phlebectomy procedure.In a phlebectomy, tiny incisions are made in the skin and hooks are used to pull out 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 prevent the first signs of varicose veins - spider veins on the legs - from appearing, 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 running.
- Control your weight to avoid putting too much pressure on your lower extremities.
- Don't 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.
- Don't stand or sit for long periods of time. If you must 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 take 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, 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 swelling that leads to varicose veins.
Modern treatments for varicose veins and spider veins on the leg have very high success rates compared to traditional surgical procedures. Ongoing treatment and prevention can help keep this problem under control.