Reticular varicose veins lead to the appearance of a blue vascular plexus in the lower extremities. Therefore, among people, this form of varicose veins is often called "cosmetic" or "reticular".
What does the phrase "network varicose veins" mean?
Some doctors do not consider varicose veins to be a disease. They urge us to treat it as a cosmetic defect that does not pose a threat to the patient's health. Men who have a mild form of varicose veins, as a rule, do not focus on it.
In western countries there is no specific term "networked varicose veins of the lower extremities", experts do not think about what it is.
Other doctors disagree. Some experts are convinced that retinal varicose veins are a consequence of venous valve insufficiency, so the disease should be treated without delay. Otherwise, a patient suffering from cosmetic varicose veins will have serious complications. After all, the condition is unlikely to be limited to the defeat of superficial veins, after a long time, varicose veins can spread to the deep vessels of the venous system.
Symptoms of the disease
There are the following signs of reticular or cosmetic varicose veins:
- Feeling of heaviness in the extremities.
- Οίηση.
- Increased fatigue.
- The appearance of blue eyes. They are formed by enlarged superficially small-diameter vessels and capillaries.
- Cramps in the calf muscles.
- Pain in the location of the dilated veins.
In advanced stage of the disease, external bleeding may occur.
Causes of the disease
Network varicose veins of the lower extremities occur under the influence of the following reasons:
- Taking contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
- Overweight.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Inactive lifestyle.
Hard physical work often leads to the appearance of a vascular pattern on the extremities. With excessive load on the legs, the venous walls gradually lose their elasticity and blood circulation in the body deteriorates.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you suspect the presence of varicose veins, the patient is interviewed. The doctor pays special attention to the following cases:
- The nature and location of pain.
- Working conditions of patients.
- The presence of concomitant diseases.
- The patient's lifestyle.
- The presence of an inherited predisposition to varicose veins.
The specialist then proceeds to a visual examination of the patient. During the procedure, the doctor not only examines the spider veins, but also examines the condition of the skin near them: the presence of seals or swelling in the affected area. For example, varicose veins on the face often appear in the eye area. In this case, the doctor may see light-colored bags under the eyes. When we look at them from a closer distance, the small venous and capillary networks are clearly visible. With varicose veins of the lip, a small nodule of rich red with light blue appears.
Other methods of diagnosing the disease are also used. For example, ultrasound examination helps to assess the condition of the venous valves, reveals the presence of blood clots.
MRI in the presence of reticular varicose veins is performed only according to individual indications.
With varicose veins, general clinical studies are also performed. These mainly include blood and urine tests. Thanks to general clinical studies, it is possible to assess the possibility of thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. They help to choose the right tactics for further treatment.
Classification of diseases
There is a special classification of network varicose veins. Its proponents, in addition to the six main stages, distinguish the zero stage of the disease. It is almost asymptomatic. Only a few patients feel a feeling of heaviness in the legs.
In the first stage of the disease, a thin grid consisting of small vessels appears through the skin. The next stage is the expansion of the blood vessels. In the third stage of the disease, swelling occurs, the veins stand out clearly above the surface of the skin. In the fourth stage of the disease, the color of the skin in the area of the dilated veins changes. It can become dark brown. In the next stage, food ulcers may begin to form. In the sixth stage of the disease, the patient's condition worsens sharply. With the help of drugs, it is impossible to deal with food ulcers.
Methods of treatment of diseases
The following methods are used in the treatment of retinal varicose veins:
- Drug intake.
- Excercise.
- Preparation of decoctions based on medicinal plants.
- Laser coagulation or microvelectomy.
It is almost impossible to get rid of a severe cosmetic defect completely with the help of medicines, folk remedies or therapeutic exercises. Therefore, the treatment of the disease with minimally invasive methods is exercised (microvelectomy, sclerotherapy).
Laser coagulation and microvelectomy for varicose veins
Microlevectomy is performed with a local anesthetic. The essence of this medical procedure is to pull out the vein that has been damaged by varicose veins. During microvelectomy, the skin is pierced with a thin medical hook. The rest of the trace is almost invisible to the naked eye. Microlevectomy is not accompanied by discomfort, the patient quickly returns to normal life. It is recommended to wear compression stockings.
During sclerotherapy, a special solution is injected into the vessel. The tool sticks to the vascular walls, as a result, all lesions heal. The duration of the recovery period ranges from three to ten days (depending on the patient's well-being). The patient should wear a bandage that fits snugly on the limb. It is applied at the puncture site. The number of procedures depends on the severity of the disease. The duration of the treatment session ranges from 5 to 60 minutes. It is recommended to stop smoking, hot baths and alcoholic beverages within three days after sclerotherapy.
Drug use
In the treatment of retinal varicose veins, drugs are used in various dosage forms:
- pills.
- Capsules.
- Ointments.
- Creams.
- Gel.
Drugs have a beneficial effect on the superficial vessels of the limbs. Varicose veins are usually treated with the following medications:
- Venotonic. The preparations eliminate the discomfort in the legs, prevent the appearance of seizures and the appearance of food ulcers.
- Rutozide-containing medicines. Medications help reduce capillary permeability, help eliminate swelling. With the help of a special drug, the vascular walls are strengthened. Rutozide-containing medicines are used not only in the treatment of varicose veins. Eliminate the symptoms of hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, venous insufficiency.
The benefits of physiotherapy
Laser treatment has anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Thanks to the process, the cholesterol content in the body is reduced, the swelling of the tissues is reduced. Laser treatment helps the patient to give up expensive drugs intended for the treatment of retinal varicose veins.
It is necessary to point out the following advantages of laser treatment:
- The positive changes are noticeable after the second procedure.
- In about 70% of cases, the affected veins shrink in size by up to 3 mm after the first session.
After the session, the patient may feel pain. In some cases, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to the patient to eliminate the side effects.
Magnetic stimulation involves exposure to low-frequency magnetic stimuli. After the procedure, the condition of the vascular muscle tissue improves and the blood circulation improves. The average duration of a pulse magnetotherapy session is 20 minutes. After the procedure, the swelling of the feet is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies against varicose veins
Treatment with folk remedies includes both the preparation of decoctions for internal use and the use of ointments intended for external use.
The main benefits of alternative medicine include:
- The relatively low cost of ingredients in folk remedies.
- Ease of preparing funds. You do not need to have special skills to use the recipes of traditional healers.
- Improving the general well-being of the patient.
| Folk remedy | Cooking plan |
|---|---|
| Garlic ointment | The tool normalizes blood circulation in the body. To prepare the ointment, you need to mix the garlic, grated on a fine grater and the butter in a ratio of 1: 2. The mixture is applied to the affected area before bedtime. Cover the top with polyethylene or greaseproof paper. It is fastened with an elastic bandage or a thin scarf. In the morning, the compress is removed, the feet are washed well |
| Compress with sour milk | To prepare the compress, a gauze napkin is soaked in sour milk. The agent is applied to the affected area. From above, the affected area is carefully covered with polyethylene, the ends are wrapped in a warm handkerchief. The compress should not be held for more than 30 minutes. The procedure can be repeated up to three times a day. |
| Hop tincture | It is necessary to pour 30 grams of medicinal plant with 400 ml of boiling water. The tool insists for two hours. You should take 50 ml of the drink three times a day. The duration of treatment is 14 days. |
| Rinse feet with cold water | During the process, water is used, which should be slightly cooler than room temperature. When rinsing, you can add solutions of medicinal plants to the water: nettle, lemon balm, apple cider vinegar. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure. They must dry naturally |
| Kalanchoe ointment | To prepare the ointment, you need to take 0. 5 kg of fresh plant leaves. Kalanchoe is well washed with water and placed in clean glassware. The plant is poured with alcohol in a ratio of 1: 1. The ointment should be infused for at least 10 days in a dry room protected from sunlight. The product is applied to the extremities with gentle massage movements. Kalanchoe eliminates painful sensations in the legs. The duration of the course of treatment is at least three months |
Special diet
With the presence of varicose veins, the following foods are usually excluded from the daily menu:
- Spicy food.
- Sweet.
- Savory spices.
- Strong coffee.
- Sweet pastries.
- Pickled vegetables.
The patient's diet should be supplemented with the following products:
- Freshly squeezed juices.
- Dishes to which berries are added: viburnum or rose hips.
- Greens.
- Fruit.
- Dishes containing cereals such as rye or wheat.
The diet of a person suffering from varicose veins must definitely contain foods rich in vitamins A, E, C and B. These include, first of all, fermented milk drinks, nuts, citrus fruits, seafood dishes.
Exercises for network varicose veins
Therapeutic exercise improves the outflow of lymph from the affected vessels. You can do this simple exercise:
- The patient must stand up.
- He should slowly lift his heels and return to the starting position. When performing this exercise, it is forbidden to tear the socks off the floor.
Therapeutic exercise helps increase the strength of the venous walls. The only contraindication to training is the presence of food ulcers on the legs.
The "scissors" and "bicycle" exercises are performed in the supine position. They should be done for at least two minutes (each).
Precautions
Many people have heard the hacked phrase that "a disease is easier to prevent than to cure". No one will doubt the truth of this statement.
There are the following precautions that reduce the chance of developing varicose veins:
- Avoid coffee, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages with intense preparation.
- Wearing compression products. It is recommended to wear them every day, once a day: in the morning or in the evening.
- Denial of intense physical activity.
- Regular visits to the pool.
- Perform special exercises designed to prevent the appearance of "cosmetic" varicose veins.