Varicose veins are a vascular pathology associated with the thinning of the blood vessel walls and the formation of dilations similar to aneurysms.The disease occurs in both young and old people, more often in women.The main method of treating varicose veins is surgery.However, the operation is performed only on patients with severe forms of the pathology.The initial stages of varicose veins are amenable to drug therapy and therapy with drugs from the arsenal of traditional medicine.How are varicose veins on the legs treated with folk remedies?What is needed for this?In what cases should you stop using herbal recipes and consult a doctor?
Causes of varicose veins in the legs
The root cause of varicose veins is the weakening of the venous valves in the vascular network of the legs and the decrease in muscle tone in the vascular wall.The phenomenon described causes part of the blood in the venous vessels to begin flowing downwards, overloading the vessels and distending them.Later, 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 by 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, standing in one place (surgeons, salespeople, 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.
Notice:Varicose veins can also be iatrogenic.Changes occur under the influence of hormonal drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis, as well as during menopause.If signs of varicose veins occur in such a situation, the existing pharmacological therapy regimen should be discontinued and a new one should be 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 treatment of veins without the use of complex medical techniques.Unfortunately, the first signs of the disease often go unnoticed, which means the patient seeks help too late.
To avoid this, you should consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear:
- heaviness in the legs, worsening in the upright position;
- pain in the shin region;
- telangiectasia;
- 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 notice the appearance of transient pain, which intensifies after long walks and prolonged stay in an upright position.Visually, pastiness and swelling are observed in the ankle region.At this stage, conservative therapy is still possible, but it does not stop the process, but 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 pharmacological therapy.The patients' veins are significantly dilated, deformed and very elastic.Only surgery can correct the situation here.
Stages of varicose veins on the legs
Vasodilation in the legs has 4 stages of development.In the first stage of the disease, your 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 in the legs, which, however, can be easily relieved by taking a mild diuretic.
At the beginning of the second phase, the symptoms of the disease intensify, its signs become more vivid and noticeable.Patients complain about the appearance of visible nodules in the veins, periodic numbness and itching in the pathological area, and transient pain.When examined, swelling and pasty tissue on the legs are revealed.
At the third stage of 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.
Notice:Damage to the dilated veins in the third stage of varicose veins can cause profuse bleeding, which can only be stopped by a medical organization.
Primary varicose veins
Primary varicose veins are a form of the disease in which vascular changes develop independently, under the influence of provoking factors and the patient's genetic predisposition.The main ones include increases that occur in women during pregnancy, during standing work and obesity.The disease can also be the result of wearing underwear that is too tight, compressing blood vessels and disrupting normal blood flow.
Secondary varicose veins
Secondary varicose veins are a consequence of another disease, in which the structure of the venous valve, its tone, as well as the structure and muscular layers of the vascular wall are disturbed.Secondary type disease develops after certain infectious processes, with tumors or vascular lesions.
Treatment of varicose veins with folk remedies at home
As mentioned above, folk 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 medicine.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 medicine must be handled with care, as if used incorrectly it can cause chemical burns to the skin.
To make a foot bath with apple cider vinegar, place 10 liters of cold water in a basin and add 0.5 liters of vinegar.After that, you need to lower your feet into the resulting solution.The duration of the procedure is 7 minutes, the frequency is daily.The course of treatment can be 2-3 months or more.The water temperature for bathing should not be less than 20°C.
To apply the compress, the vinegar is diluted in cold water in a ratio of 1:4 (vinegar:water).A soft cloth or gauze is dipped into the resulting solution, then removed, wrung out until damp and applied to the shins.Plastic wrap is placed over the tissue and a bandage is applied.The duration of the procedure does not exceed one hour.The compress should be applied every other day for 1-2 weeks.
Notice:If a strong burning sensation or discomfort occurs during the procedure, the treatment must be stopped.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 convenience, you can apply a bandage over the fabric, but it is not necessary.Leave the compress on for 40-80 minutes.The procedure must be carried out every other day, for 2 to 3 months or more, until a satisfactory result is obtained.
Acacia flower tincture
The dye 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 tightly closed 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 to rub the feet.
The tincture should be used before bed, after rinsing your feet with cold water.The shins and other areas where there are varicose veins are carefully rubbed with the composition and allowed to dry.After that, it is recommended to place the limbs on the roller so that they are in an elevated position.The duration of the course of therapy 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 alcoholic tincture.To do this, crushed fruits are mixed with 96% ethyl alcohol in a ratio of 1:3 and infused for two weeks.After that, the product is filtered and used to apply compresses.
To apply a compress with horse chestnut tincture, you need to dip a piece of 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 wool 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 carry out the procedure before going to sleep, every other day.The course of treatment is 1 to 2 months, but if necessary it can be extended.
Treatment of varicose veins with tomato
To treat varicose veins, green tomatoes are used, which contain substances similar to acetylsalicylic acid.They have antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects.For the purpose of treatment, tomatoes are cut into circles, applied to diseased areas and fixed with cling film.The duration of the procedure is 8 to 12 hours (a compress with tomato 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 course of therapy is 1 month.
Potato treatment
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.Additional fixation of the pulp on the legs is not performed.The duration of the procedure is 1 hour, the frequency is daily, the course duration is 2 months.
Apitherapy for varicose veins: honey, propolis, dead bee, venom
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 fruits are used internally and venom is used in the form of a bee sting in the affected areas.
The honey compress is applied in accordance with 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.Next, the dressing is isolated with cotton and secured with a bandage.A propolis compress 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 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 2 weeks.You can repeat the course after an equal break.
Bee venom is administered via sting.The procedure must be carried out by a competent apitherapist, therefore it is not advisable to consider the specifics of its implementation in the format of this article.Bee venom thins the blood, contains more than 50 substances useful to 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 turned into powder.Prepared raw materials are poured with boiling water.The ratio of solid and liquid fractions in the composition should be 1:8.The mixture is placed on low heat and boiled for 3-5 minutes.It is then cooled, filtered and taken orally, 1/3 cup (70 ml) three times a day.The course of treatment is 1 month.
Nutmeg decoction
A nutmeg decoction is prepared in a similar way to preparing a nettle decoction.The proportion of nuts and water in the mixture should be approximately 1:5.The walnut is pre-crushed.You need to take the finished medicine three times a day.The course of therapy is 3-4 months or more.
Washing powder treatment
Laundry soap itself does not have a noticeable anti-varicose effect.However, it is actively used to prepare multicomponent ointments.
The following recipe is considered the most effective:
- Mix laundry soap, Vishnevsky ointment, honey, aloe vera juice, ichthyol ointment, onion juice and lard in equal amounts.
- 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 isolated with cotton or a blanket.
The duration of application of the medicine 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, brought to a boil and boiled for 15 minutes.After that, the product is allowed to cool, filtered and taken 4 times a day, 100 ml.The course of treatment is until the symptoms of the disease disappear.Calendula decoction is recommended to be used 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 alone.The course of therapy consists of 5 sessions, after which it is necessary to take a break for 2 months.
Possible consequences of home therapy, contraindications
It is not always possible to treat varicose veins at home.For therapy to be successful, you must consult a doctor and strictly follow his instructions.
Otherwise, there may be negative consequences of the treatment such as:
- ineffectiveness of therapy and deterioration of veins;
- allergic reactions and intolerance to the products used;
- skin burns due to inappropriate 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 3rd and 4th degree of pathology.In this case, the disease can only be eliminated surgically.In addition, traditional medicine is not applicable in case of a high risk of thromboembolism, exacerbation of vascular insufficiency, a 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 stress on the legs, giving preference to running and athletic walking.In the presence of thrombosis, as well as in the later stages of the disease, running is not recommended.
It is possible to get rid of varicose veins with the help of running only at the beginning of the disease, when the veins have not yet been distended.At this stage, there are no clinical symptoms of the disease.Therefore, the patient simply does not know about the need to start classes.Once the diagnosis of varicose veins is made, running is no longer capable of completely curing the pathology.
When to contact a phlebologist?
Seeing a doctor for varicose veins should happen as early as possible.The more advanced the disease is at this point, the less likely it is that the patient will be completely cured.Ideally, the person should go to the clinic when the first signs are detected: heaviness in the legs, flying pains when standing still for a long time, swelling.
Nutrition, diet for varicose veins
With varicose veins, diet plays a significant role in stabilizing the patient's condition and restoring vascular tone.
Recommended to eat:
- seafood (mussels, shrimps, squid);
- fruits rich in vitamin C (kiwi, black currant, citrus fruits);
- blood thinning products (garlic, lemon, onion, cherry).
Dietary restrictions correspond to a general bland diet.It is prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages, excessively salty, spicy, sour foods and other foods that have irritating properties.You should also not drink large amounts of coffee, tea and other drinks that have diuretic properties.
Prevention measures
The basis for preventing varicose veins is the abandonment of a sedentary lifestyle and static loads on the legs.It is recommended to go for a short run or walk several kilometers every day.During the workday, you should take short breaks dedicated to leg exercises.Additionally, you should consume the foods described in the previous section and, if necessary, wear compression tights.A moderate degree of compression helps improve blood flow in superficial veins.
Notice:Even walking to your place of work will help prevent varicose veins if it is located within 2 to 5 kilometers of your place of residence.Ditching the vehicle in favor of walking will save money, prevent the development of varicose veins and give you 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 for the later stages of the development of pathology, during which the vascular wall becomes thinner and its integrity is 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.