Varicose veins are a vascular pathology associated with the thinning of the blood vessel wall and the formation of aneurysm-like enlargements.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 drug therapy from the arsenal of traditional medicine.How are varicose veins in the legs treated with folk remedies?What is needed for this?In which cases should you stop using herbal recipes and consult a doctor?
Causes of varicose veins in the legs
The main 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 down, overloading the vessels and stretching them.Later, the muscle fibers responsible for directing the blood flow atrophy and the nerve endings innervating 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, staying in one place (surgeons, vendors, 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 likelihood of such a development of events increases significantly.
Note: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 regimen of pharmacological therapy should be discontinued 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?The first signs!
Timely diagnosis of varicose veins enables successful treatment of veins without the use of complex medical techniques.Unfortunately, the first signs of the disease often go unnoticed, which makes the patient seek help too late.
To avoid this, you should consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear:
- heaviness in the legs, worsening in an upright position;
- pain in the leg area;
- telangiectasia;
- local dilatation 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 standing in a vertical position.Visually, in the area of the ankle, paste and swelling are observed.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 skin itching, which is evidence of trophic disorders, should not rely on folk remedies and pharmacological therapy.Veins in patients are significantly enlarged, deformed and narrow-elastic.Only surgery can correct the situation here.
Stages of varicose veins in the legs
Vasodilation in the legs has 4 stages of development.In the first stage of the disease, its symptoms may not appear at all.In some cases, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, rapid fatigue and telangiectasia appear.Patients complain of periodic swelling of the legs, which, however, can be easily relieved by taking a mild diuretic.
With the beginning of the second stage, the symptoms of the disease intensify, its signs become more vivid and visible.Patients complain of the appearance of visible nodules in the veins, periodic numbness and itching in the pathological area and transient pain.When examined, swelling and adherent tissue are revealed in the leg.
In the third stage of the development of varicose veins, the patient's condition worsens significantly.Affected veins become noticeably thicker, deformed, hard and painful.The pain becomes permanent.There is a high risk of thrombosis and thromboembolism.The formation of trophic ulcers is possible.
Note:Damage to the enlarged veins in the third stage of varicose veins can cause profuse bleeding, which can be stopped only 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 provocative factors and the patient's genetic predisposition.The main ones include enlargements that occur in women during pregnancy, during standing work and obesity.The disease can also be the result of wearing very tight underwear, constricting blood vessels and interrupting normal blood flow.
Secondary varicose veins
Secondary varicose veins are the result 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 damaged.The disease of the secondary type develops after some 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 traditional medicine methods should be done 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 increase the tone of the vascular wall, relieve swelling and activate blood circulation.The drug must be handled with care, as if used incorrectly it can cause chemical burns to the skin.
To make a foot bath using apple cider vinegar, pour 10 liters of cold water into a basin and add 0.5 liters of vinegar to it.After that, you need to lower your feet in 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 in the bath should 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 soaked in the resulting solution, then taken out, squeezed until wet and applied to the feet.A plastic film is placed over the fabric 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.
Note:If a strong burning sensation or discomfort occurs during the procedure, the treatment should be stopped.Vinegar in the wrong concentration can have a negative effect on the skin, including burns.
Clay lotions and compresses
Blue or green mud is used to treat varicose veins.Before use, dilute with water to a liquid paste.The resulting composition is applied to the soft tissues and applied to the diseased areas.For convenience, you can apply a bandage over the fabric, but this is not necessary.Leave the compress for 40-80 minutes.The procedure should be performed every other day, 2-3 months or more, until a satisfactory result is achieved.
Tincture of acacia flowers
The tincture is easy to make yourself.To do this, take 8 tablespoons of dried and crushed white acacia flowers, put 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 and dark place for 10 days.For better extraction of the medicinal substances, it is recommended to shake the juice every day.The finished tincture is filtered through a layer of gauze and used to rub the feet.
The tincture should be used before going to bed, after rinsing your feet with cool water.Legs 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 the therapy course is 3 months, the frequency of treatment is daily.
Horse chestnut for varicose veins in the legs
For the treatment of varicose veins, horse chestnut is used in the form of an alcohol solution.To do this, crushed fruits are mixed with 96% ethyl alcohol in a ratio of 1:3 and injected for two weeks.After that, the product is filtered and used to apply compresses.
To apply a compress with horse chestnut solution, you need to soak a piece of soft cloth in the preparation, squeeze it completely 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 with a warm blanket.
It is recommended to perform the procedure before bedtime, every other day.The course of treatment is 1-2 months, but if necessary it can be extended.
Treatment of varicose veins with tomatoes
For the treatment of varicose veins, green tomatoes are used, which contain substances similar to acetylsalicylic acid.They have antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects.For treatment purposes, tomatoes are cut into circles, applied to the diseased areas and fixed with adhesive film.The duration of the procedure is 8-12 hours (a tomato compress is applied at night).The course of treatment is every day 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.Vegetable leaves are sprinkled with water, after which they are placed in the common room 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 the therapy course 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 vegetables should acquire the consistency of mold.The resulting product is applied to the legs and feet, spreading it over the skin.Additional fixation of the pulp on the foot is not performed.The duration of the procedure is 1 hour, the frequency is daily, the duration of the course is 2 months.
Apitherapy for varicose veins: honey, propolis, dead bees, poison
Both dead bees, 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 in the form of bee stings on the affected areas.
A compress with honey is applied in accordance with the general rules for the application of 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 secured with a bandage.A compress with propolis 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 procedure 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 drug 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 and dry place.The tincture should be taken 20 drops, 3 times a day, for a course of 2 weeks.You can repeat the course after an equal rest.
Bee venom is administered by sting.The procedure must be performed by a competent apitherapist, so 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 for the human body and increases the tone of the vascular wall.The stroke is performed directly on the areas affected by varicose veins.
Nettle decoction
Nettle decoction is prepared using fresh or dried leaves of the plant.In this case, fresh leaves are ground into a pulp, dry leaves are crushed into powder.The 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 on 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 course of treatment is 1 month.
Nutmeg stew
A decoction of nutmeg is prepared in a similar way to the preparation of decoction of nettles.The ratio of nuts and water in the mixture should be approximately 1:5.The walnut is pre-crushed.You should take the finished medicine three times a day.The course of therapy is 3-4 months or more.
Treatment with laundry soap
Laundry soap itself does not have a noticeable effect against varicose veins.However, it is actively used for the preparation of multi-component 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 is 20 procedures.
Calendula decoction
A decoction is prepared from dry calendula flowers, 2 tablespoons of which are poured into 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.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 yourself.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
Treatment of varicose veins at home is not always possible.For the therapy to be successful, you must consult a doctor and follow his instructions precisely.
Otherwise, there may be such negative consequences of treatment 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 rupture and thromboembolism, if the 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.Also, traditional medicine is not applied in case of high risk of thromboembolism, worsening of vascular insufficiency, severe course of the disease with calf muscle cramps, deposition of a large amount of blood in the affected vessels and high volume of the affected area.
Getting rid of varicose veins while running
Running with varicose veins is possible in the first and second stage.It is recommended to avoid significant stress on the legs, giving priority to running and walking in the race.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 stretched.At this stage, there are no clinical symptoms of the disease.Therefore, the patient simply does not know about the need to start classes.At the moment when the diagnosis of varicose veins is made, running is no longer able to completely cure the pathology.
When to contact a phlebologist?
Seeing a doctor about varicose veins should happen as soon as possible.The more advanced the disease is at this point, the less likely it is that the patient will fully recover.It is ideal if a person visits the clinic at the moment the first signs are detected: heaviness in the legs, flying pain when standing in place for a long time, swelling.
Nutrition, diet for varicose veins
With 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, black currant, citrus fruits);
- blood thinning products (garlic, lemon, onion, cherry).
Dietary restrictions correspond to a general bland diet.It is prohibited to take alcoholic beverages, excessively salty, spicy, sour and other foods that have irritating properties.You should also not drink large amounts of coffee, tea and other drinks that have diuretic properties.
Preventive measures
The basis for 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 run or walk a few kilometers every day.During the working day, you should take short breaks dedicated to leg exercises.In addition, you should eat the foods described in the previous section and, if necessary, wear compression stockings.A moderate degree of compression helps improve blood flow in the superficial veins.
Note:Even walking to your place of work 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 walking will save money, prevent the development of varicose veins and get a dose of good humor before the start of the work day.
Despite the 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 the pathology, during which the vascular wall becomes thinner and its integrity is easily damaged.Therefore, traditional prescription therapy should be started as soon as possible.
To avoid mistakes and using the wrong treatment methods, you should consult your doctor before starting it.