Varicose veins are a vascular pathology associated with a thinning of the blood vessel wall and the formation of aneurysm-like hypertrophies.The disease occurs both in young people and in the elderly, more often in women.The main method of treating varicose veins is surgical.However, the operation is performed only on patients with severe forms of the pathology.The early stages of varicose veins are amenable to drug treatment and treatment with drugs from the arsenal of traditional medicine.How are varicose veins of 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 on the legs
The primary 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, overloading the vessels and stretching 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 an incurable stage by therapeutic methods.
Varicose veins do not develop spontaneously, without exposure to provoking factors.
These include:
- overweight (BMI 27 kg/m2 and above);
- long-term static loads, standing in one place (surgeons, sellers, loaders);
- genetic predisposition and congenital weakness of the venous valve mechanism;
- thrombophlebitis;
- chronic alcoholism;
- hormonal disorders, including those occurring 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 likelihood of such a development of events increases significantly.
Noticed :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 appear in such a situation, the existing pharmacological treatment regimen should be interrupted 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!
Rapid diagnosis of varicose veins allows successful vein treatment without resorting to complex medical techniques.Unfortunately, the first signs of the disease very often go unnoticed, leading the patient to seek help too late.
To avoid this, you should consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear:
- heaviness in the legs, worse in an upright position;
- pain in the shin area;
- telangiectasia;
- The local expansion of the veins, which at this stage still have a soft consistency, easily collapses when squeezed.
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, a pasty appearance and swelling are noted at the ankle.At this stage, conservative treatment is still possible, but it does not stop the process, but only slows it down.
People who suffer from constant heaviness and pain, leg cramps and itchy skin, signs of trophic disorders, should not rely on folk remedies and pharmacological therapy.Patients' veins are significantly dilated, deformed and very elastic.Here, only surgery can correct the situation.
Stages of varicose veins on the legs
Vasodilation of the legs has 4 stages of development.At the first stage of the disease, its symptoms may not appear at all.In some cases, a feeling of heaviness in the legs is observed, rapid fatigue and telangiectasias appear.Patients complain of periodic swelling of the legs, which, however, can be relieved quite easily by taking a mild diuretic.
At the beginning of the second stage, the symptoms of the disease intensify, its signs become brighter and more visible.Patients complain of the appearance of visible lymph nodes in the veins, periodic numbness and itching in the pathological area, and transient pain.On examination, swelling and pasty tissue are revealed on the legs.
At the third stage of development of varicose veins, the patient's condition deteriorates significantly.Affected veins become noticeably thicker, distorted, hard and painful.The pain becomes permanent.There is a high risk of thrombosis and thromboembolism.The formation of trophic ulcerations is possible.
Noticed :Damage to 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 the disease in which vascular changes develop independently, under the influence of provoking factors and the patient's genetic predisposition.The main problems include hypertrophies that occur in women during pregnancy, during standing work and obesity.The condition can also result from wearing underwear that is too tight, which pinches blood vessels and disrupts 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 muscle layers of the vascular wall are disrupted.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 early stages (stages 1-2) of the disease.The use of traditional medicine methods should be done after consultation with the attending physician and qualified assessment of the effectiveness of the chosen drug.Today, herbalists consider the following medicinal plants 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 drug should be handled with care, because if used incorrectly, it can cause chemical burns to the skin.
To make a foot bath with cider vinegar, pour 10 liters of cold water into 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 intervention is 7 minutes, the frequency is daily.The duration of treatment may last 2 to 3 months or more.The temperature of the water in the baths must 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 into the resulting solution, then removed, squeezed out until damp and applied to the shins.Plastic film is placed over the tissue and a dressing 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.
Noticed :If a strong burning sensation or discomfort occurs during the procedure, the treatment should be discontinued.Poorly concentrated vinegar can have a negative effect on the skin, even causing burns.
Clay-based lotions and compresses
Blue or green clay is used to treat varicose veins.Before use, it is diluted with water to obtain a liquid paste.The resulting composition is applied to soft tissues and applied to diseased areas.For convenience, you can apply a bandage to the fabric, but this is not necessary.Leave the compress to act for 40 to 80 minutes.The procedure should be performed every other day, every 2-3 months or more, until a satisfactory result is achieved.
Acacia flower tincture
The tincture is easy to prepare 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 for rubbing the feet.
The tincture should be used before bedtime, after rinsing your feet with cold water.The shins and other areas where varicose veins are found 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 treatment is 3 months, the frequency of treatment is daily.
Horse chestnut for varicose veins of 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 made from horse chestnut tincture, you must soak a piece of soft cloth in the preparation, wring it out carefully 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 carry out the procedure before bedtime, every other day.The duration of treatment is 1-2 months, but if necessary, it can be extended.
Treatment of varicose veins with tomatoes
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 8-12 hours (a tomato compress is applied overnight).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 vasoprotective effects.The leaves of the vegetable are sprinkled with water, after which they are 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 5-6 hours, the frequency is daily.The duration of treatment 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 product obtained is applied to the legs and feet by spreading it over the skin.Additional fixation of the pulp on the legs is not carried out.The duration of the intervention is 1 hour, the frequency is daily, the duration of the course is 2 months.
Apitherapy against varicose veins: honey, propolis, dead bees, poison
Dead bees, honey, propolis and other bee products contain anti-inflammatory and heparin-like substances that help thin the blood.In order to treat varicose veins, honey and propolis are used topically, dead fruits are used internally, and poison is used in the form of bee stings on the affected areas.
A 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.Then the bandage is insulated with cotton wool and fixed with a bandage.A propolis compress is no different 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 procedure with honey is 2 hours, once a day;with propolis – 40 minutes once a day.The frequency of manipulations is every other day for 2-3 months.
Dead bees are used in the form of an alcoholic 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 at a rate of 20 drops, 3 times a day, for 2 weeks.You can repeat the course after an equal break.
Bee venom is administered by sting.The procedure should be carried out by a competent apitherapist, therefore it is not recommended 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 injection is carried out 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, fresh leaves are ground into pulp, dry leaves are ground into 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 over low heat and boiled for 3-5 minutes.After that, it is cooled, filtered and taken orally, 1/3 cup (70 ml) three times a day.The duration of treatment is 1 month.
Nutmeg decoction
A decoction of nutmeg is prepared in a manner similar to the preparation of a decoction of nettles.The ratio of nuts to water in the mixture should be around 1:5.The nut is pre-crushed.You need to take the finished medicine three times a day.The duration of treatment lasts 3-4 months or more.
Treatment with laundry soap
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 wool or a blanket.
The duration of application of the drug is 10 hours, the frequency of treatment is daily.The therapy course includes 20 procedures.
Calendula decoction
A decoction is prepared from dried calendula flowers, 2 tablespoons of which are poured with 400 ml of boiling water, put on fire and boiled for 15 minutes.After that, the product is allowed to cool, filtered and taken 4 times a day, 100 ml.Treatment lasts until the symptoms of the disease disappear.It is recommended to use calendula decoction as an auxiliary therapeutic method.
Treatment of varicose veins with leeches - hirudotherapy
Thanks to hirudotherapy, it is possible to reduce the level of viscosity of the blood, improve its fluidity and prevent the formation of blood clots.Leeches are applied by a hirudotherapist.You should not use this treatment method yourself.The course of therapy includes 5 sessions, after which it is necessary to take a break of 2 months.
Possible consequences of home therapy, contraindications
Treating varicose veins at home is not always possible.For the therapy to be successful, you must consult a doctor and strictly follow his instructions.
Otherwise, the treatment may have negative consequences such as:
- ineffectiveness of treatment and deterioration of veins;
- allergic reactions and intolerances to the products used;
- skin burns due to improper application of compresses containing burning substances;
- vascular ruptures and thromboembolism, if treatment is carried out against the background of existing contraindications.
Contraindications to the treatment of varicose veins include the 3rd and 4th degrees of pathology.In this case, the disease can only be eliminated surgically.In addition, traditional medicine is not applicable in cases 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 high volume of the affected area.
Get rid of varicose veins while running
Running with varicose veins is possible in the first and second stages.It is recommended to avoid heavy stress on the legs, favoring jogging and fitness walking.In the presence of thrombosis, as well as in later stages of the disease, jogging is not recommended.
It is possible to get rid of varicose veins by running only at the very beginning of the disease, when the veins are 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.When the diagnosis of varicose veins is made, jogging is no longer able to completely cure the pathology.
When to contact a phlebologist?
Seeing a doctor for varicose veins should take place as soon as possible.The more advanced the disease is at this stage, the less likely the patient is to be completely cured.It is ideal for a person to go to the clinic at the moment when the first signs are detected: heaviness in the legs, flying pain when standing there 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.
It is recommended to eat:
- seafood (mussels, shrimp, squid);
- fruits rich in vitamin C (kiwi, blackcurrant, citrus fruits);
- anticoagulant products (garlic, lemon, onion, cherry).
Dietary restrictions correspond to a general gentle diet.It is forbidden to take alcoholic drinks, excessively salty, spicy, sour foods and other foods with irritating properties.You should also not drink large amounts of coffee, tea and other drinks with diuretic properties.
Prevention measures
The basis of the prevention of varicose veins is the abandonment of a sedentary lifestyle and static loads on the legs.It is recommended to go for a short jog or walk several kilometers every day.During the working day, you should take short breaks dedicated to leg exercises.Additionally, you should eat the foods described in the previous section and, if necessary, wear compression tights.A moderate degree of compression helps improve blood circulation in the superficial veins.
Noticed :Even walking to your workplace will help prevent varicose veins, if it is located at a distance of 2-5 kilometers from your place of residence.Ditching a vehicle in favor of hiking will save money, prevent the development of varicose veins, and get a dose of good mood before starting the working day.
Despite their apparent safety, varicose veins are a disease that, under certain conditions, pose 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 very easily damaged.Therefore, therapy using traditional recipes should be started as early as possible.
To avoid mistakes and the use of incorrect treatment methods, you should consult your doctor before starting.