Varicose veins are a vascular pathology associated with thinning of the blood vessel wall and the formation of aneurysm-like extensions.The disease occurs in both young and old people, more often in women.The main method of treating varicose veins is surgical.However, the operation is performed only in patients with severe forms of pathology.The initial stages of varicose veins are suitable for drug therapy and therapy with medications from the arsenal of conventional 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 on the legs
The 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 causes part of the blood in the venous vessels to flow downwards, thereby overloading and stretching the vessels.Later, the muscle fibers responsible for controlling blood flow atrophy, and the nerve endings that innervate the tone of the veins die.The disease reaches a stage that is incurable with therapeutic methods.
Varicose veins do not develop spontaneously without exposure to provoking factors.
The latter include:
- Overweight (BMI 27 kg/m2 and more);
- 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 is not a guarantee that symptoms of the disease will appear.However, the likelihood of such a development of events increases significantly.
A notice:Varicose veins can also be iatrogenic.Changes occur under the influence of hormonal drugs used to treat osteoporosis, as well as during menopause.If signs of varicose veins appear in such a situation, the existing pharmacological therapy should be stopped and a new one chosen.Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to correct the condition of the veins.
How do you recognize varicose veins in time?First signs!
Timely diagnosis of varicose veins allows successful vein treatment without the use of complex medical techniques.Unfortunately, the first signs of illness often go unnoticed, meaning the patient seeks help too late.
To avoid this, you should consult a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs, which worsens in an upright position;
- pain in the shin area;
- telangiectasia;
- Local dilations of the veins, which at this point still have a soft consistency, collapse easily under pressure.
At a later stage of the disease, patients note the appearance of temporary pain, which increases after long walks and prolonged standing in an upright position.Visually, pastes and swelling can be seen in the ankle area.At this stage, conservative therapy is still possible, but it does not stop the process, but only slows it down.
People suffering from constant heaviness and pain, leg cramps and skin itching, which indicates trophic disorders, should not rely on folk remedies and pharmacological therapy.The patients' veins are significantly dilated, deformed and taut and elastic.Only surgery can help here.
Stages of varicose veins on the legs
Vascular dilatation in the legs has 4 stages of development.In the first stage of the disease, symptoms may not appear at all.In some cases there is a feeling of heaviness in the legs, rapid fatigue and telangiectasia.Patients complain of periodic swelling of the legs, but this 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 clearer and more noticeable.Patients complain of the appearance of noticeable nodules in the veins, periodic numbness and itching in the pathological area, and temporary pain.Examination reveals swelling and pasty tissue on the legs.
In the third stage of the development of varicose veins, the patient's condition worsens significantly.The 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.
A notice:Damage to dilated veins in the third stage of varicose veins can lead to severe 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 ones include enlargements that occur in women during pregnancy, standing work and obesity.The disease can also be caused by underwear that is too tight constricting 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 disease of the secondary type develops after certain infectious processes with tumors or vascular injuries.
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 conventional medical methods should be carried out after consultation with the treating doctor and a qualified assessment of the effectiveness of the chosen drug.Today, herbalists consider the following herbal remedies to be the best:
Apple cider vinegar for swollen feet
To eliminate swelling, vinegar is used externally 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 should be handled carefully as it can cause skin burns if used incorrectly.
To do a foot bath with apple cider vinegar, pour 10 liters of cold water into a bowl 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 duration of treatment can be 2-3 months or longer.The water temperature when swimming should not be below 20°C.
To create 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, wrung out until moist and applied to the shins.A plastic sheet is placed over the fabric and a bandage is applied.The duration of the procedure is a maximum of one hour.The compress should be applied every other day for 1-2 weeks.
A notice:If severe burning or discomfort occurs during the procedure, treatment should be stopped.Vinegar in the wrong concentration can have a negative effect on the skin and, among other things, lead to burns.
Lotions and compresses made from clay
Blue or green clay is used to treat varicose veins.Before use, it is diluted with water to form a liquid dough.The resulting composition is applied to soft tissues and applied to diseased areas.For convenience, you can put a bandage over the fabric, but this is not necessary.Leave the compress on for 40-80 minutes.The procedure should be carried out every two days, 2-3 months or longer 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 sufficiently large container and pour 20 ml of vodka.The resulting mixture is tightly closed with a lid and stored in a dry, dark place for 10 days.For better extraction of the 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 bedtime, after rinsing the feet with cold water.The shins and other areas with varicose veins are thoroughly 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 therapy is 3 months, the frequency of treatment is daily.
Horse chestnut for varicose veins on 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, you need to soak a piece of soft cloth with the preparation, squeeze it thoroughly and apply to the affected area.The fabric is then 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 every other day before bedtime.The duration of treatment is 1-2 months, but can be extended if necessary.
Treating varicose veins with tomatoes
Green tomatoes, which contain substances similar to acetylsalicylic acid, are used to treat varicose veins.They have an antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effect.For treatment, tomatoes are cut into circles, applied to diseased areas and secured with cling film.The duration of the procedure is 8-12 hours (a compress with tomatoes is applied overnight).Treatment is carried out daily before bedtime until the external manifestations of the disease disappear (usually no more than 3 months).
Cabbage treatment
Like tomatoes, cabbage has a certain vascular protective effect.The leaves of the vegetable are sprayed with water and then placed in the common compartment of the refrigerator for a day.After the required time, 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 therapy 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 vegetables should take on the consistency of porridge.The resulting product is applied to the legs and feet and distributed over the skin.There is no additional fixation of the pulp on the legs.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 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 externally, dead fruits are used internally, and poison is used in the form of bee stings on the affected areas.
Applying a compress with honey is carried out 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 wool and fixed with a bandage.A compress with propolis is technically no different from a honey compress.The medicinal composition is prepared by mixing propolis and vodka in a 1:5 ratio.The duration of treatment with honey 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.The medication is then left to steep in a dark, dry place for 3 weeks.The tincture should be taken 20 drops three times a day for a period of 2 weeks.You can repeat the course after an equal break.
Bee venom is administered by stinging.The procedure must be carried out by a competent apitherapist, therefore 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 stitch is performed directly on the areas affected by varicose veins.
Nettle decoction
Nettle decoction is prepared from fresh or dried leaves of the plant.Fresh leaves are ground into pulp and dry leaves are crushed into powder.The prepared raw materials are poured with boiling water.The ratio of the solid and liquid parts of the composition should be 1:8.The mixture is placed on low heat and cooked 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 similar way to a decoction of nettle.The ratio of nuts and water in the mixture should be about 1:5.The nut is pre-crushed.You need to take the finished medicine three times a day.The duration of therapy is 3-4 months or longer.
Treatment with laundry soap
Laundry soap itself has no noticeable effect against varicose veins.However, it is actively used for the production 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 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 insulated with cotton wool or a blanket.
The duration of use of the drug is 10 hours, the frequency of treatment is daily.The course of therapy includes 20 procedures.
Calendula decoction
A decoction is prepared from dried marigold 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 100 ml 4 times a day.The course of treatment lasts until the symptoms of the disease disappear.Calendula decoction is recommended as an additional method of therapy.
Treatment of varicose veins with leeches – hirudotherapy
With the help of hirudotherapy it is possible to reduce blood viscosity, improve its fluidity and prevent the formation of blood clots.Leeches are used by a hirudotherapist.You should not use this treatment method alone.The course of therapy consists of 5 sessions, after which a break of 2 months is required.
Possible consequences of home therapy, contraindications
Treating varicose veins at home is not always possible.In order for therapy to be successful, you must consult a doctor and strictly follow his instructions.
Otherwise, treatment may cause 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 thromboembolisms, if treatment is carried out against the background of existing contraindications.
Contraindications to the treatment of varicose veins are the 3rd and 4th degrees of pathology.In this case, the disease can only be eliminated surgically.Conventional medicine is also not applicable if there is a high risk of thromboembolism, worsening of vascular insufficiency, severe course of the disease with cramps in the calf muscles, deposition of large amounts 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 heavy strain on the legs and give preference to jogging and walking.Jogging is not recommended if you have thrombosis or in later stages of the disease.
Only at the beginning of the disease, when the veins are not yet stretched, is it possible to get rid of varicose veins by running.At this stage there are no clinical symptoms of the disease.Therefore, the patient simply does not know that he needs to start classes.The moment the diagnosis of varicose veins is made, jogging is no longer able to completely cure the pathology.
When should you contact a phlebologist?
If you have varicose veins, you should see a doctor as early as possible.The more advanced the disease is at this point, the less likely the patient will be completely cured.It is ideal to go to the clinic when you notice the first signs: feeling of heaviness in the legs, flying pains when standing for long periods, swelling.
Nutrition, diet for varicose veins
With varicose veins, nutrition plays an important role in stabilizing the patient's condition and restoring vascular tone.
Food recommendation:
- 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 generally gentle diet.It is forbidden to consume alcoholic drinks, excessively salty, spicy, sour and other foods with irritating properties.You should also not drink large amounts of coffee, tea and other drinks with a diuretic effect.
Prevention measures
The basis for preventing varicose veins is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and static stress on the legs.It is advisable to go for a short jog or walk several kilometers every day.During the working day, you should take short breaks dedicated to leg exercise.In addition, you must eat the foods described in the previous section and, if necessary, wear compression tights.Moderate compression helps improve blood flow in the superficial veins.
A notice:Just walking to work prevents varicose veins if it is 2-5 kilometers away from your home.Foregoing a car in favor of hiking saves money, prevents the development of varicose veins and puts you in a good mood before the start of the work day.
Despite its seeming harmlessness, varicose veins are a disease that poses a threat to human life under certain conditions.This is especially true for the later stages of pathology development, when the vascular wall becomes thinner and its integrity is very easily damaged.Therefore, therapy according to 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 treatment.