Advanced reticular varicose veins lead to the appearance of a bluish vascular mesh in the lower limbs. Therefore, among people, this form of varicose veins is often referred to as "cosmetic" or "reticular".
What does the expression "reticular varicose veins" mean?
Some doctors don't consider reticular varicose veins to be a disease. They urge to treat it as a cosmetic defect that does not pose a threat to the health of the patient. As a rule, men who have a mild form of varicose veins do not focus on them.
In Western countries there is no special term "reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities", experts do not think about what it is.
Other doctors disagree on this issue. Some experts are convinced that reticular varicose veins are a consequence of the insufficiency of the valves of the venous vessels, therefore, the disease should be treated without delay. Otherwise, a patient with cosmetic varicose veins will have serious complications. After all, the situation is unlikely to be limited to the defeat of the 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:
- Sensation of heaviness in the limbs.
- Swelling.
- Increased fatigue.
- The appearance of blue meshes. They are made up of small caliber enlarged superficial vessels and capillaries.
- Cramps in the calf muscles.
- Pain in the localization of dilated veins.
At an advanced stage of the disease, external bleeding may occur.
Causes of the disease
Reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities occur under the influence of the following reasons:
- Take contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
- Overweight.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Inactive lifestyle.
Heavy physical work often leads to the appearance of a vascular pattern in the limbs. 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 reticular varicose veins, the patient is questioned. The doctor pays particular attention to the following circumstances:
- The nature and location of the pain.
- Working conditions of patients.
- The presence of concomitant diseases.
- The patient's lifestyle.
- The presence of a hereditary predisposition to varicose veins.
Then the specialist performs a visual examination of the patient. During the procedure, the doctor not only examines spider veins, but also examines the condition of the nearby skin: the presence of seals or edema in the affected area. For example, varicose veins on the face often appear at eye level. In this case, the doctor may see light purple bags under the eyes. When viewed up close, small venous and capillary networks are clearly visible. With varicose veins of the lip, a small nodule of a rich red tint with a slight blue appears.
Other methods of diagnosing the disease are also used. For example, ultrasound examination makes it possible to assess the condition of 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 conducted. These mainly include blood and urine tests. Through general clinical studies, it is possible to assess the likelihood of developing thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. They help to choose the right tactics for further processing.
Classification of diseases
There is a special classification of reticular varicose veins. Its supporters, in addition to the six main stages, also distinguish zero stage of the disease. He is almost asymptomatic. Only a few patients experience a feeling of heaviness in the legs.
At the first stage of the disease, a fine mesh made up of small vessels appears through the skin. The next step is the expansion of the blood vessels. In the third stage of the disease, edema appears, the veins protrude 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 turn dark brown. At the next stage, trophic ulcers may begin to form. At the sixth stage of the disease, the patient's condition deteriorates sharply. With the help of drugs, it is impossible to cope with trophic ulcers.
Methods of treating diseases
In the treatment of reticular varicose veins, the following methods are used:
- To take pills.
- Exercise.
- Make decoctions based on medicinal plants.
- Performing laser coagulation or microflebectomy.
It is almost impossible to completely get rid of a pronounced cosmetic defect with the help of drugs, folk remedies or therapeutic exercises. Therefore, the treatment of the disease with minimally invasive methods is carried out (microflebectomy, sclerotherapy).
Laser coagulation and microflebectomy for varicose veins
Microflebectomy is performed under local anesthesia. The essence of this medical manipulation is to pull the vein damaged by varicose veins outward. During the microflebectomy, the skin is pre-pierced with a thin medical hook. The remaining trace is almost invisible to prying eyes. Microflebectomy is not accompanied by discomfort, the patient quickly returns to normal life. It is advisable to wear compression stockings.
During sclerotherapy, a special solution is injected into the vessel. The tool sticks the vascular walls, as a result, all damage is healed. The duration of the rehabilitation period varies from three to ten days (depending on the well-being of the patient). The patient should wear a well-fitting bandage on the limb. It is applied to the puncture site. The number of procedures depends on the severity of the disease. The duration of the treatment session varies from 5 to 60 minutes. It is recommended to stop smoking, hot baths and alcoholic drinks within three days of sclerotherapy.
Drug use
In the treatment of reticular varicose veins, drugs are used in various dosage forms:
- Pills.
- Capsules.
- Ointments.
- Creams.
- Gels.
The drugs have a beneficial effect on the superficial vessels of the extremities. Reticular varicose veins are usually treated with the following drugs:
- Venotonic. Preparations eliminate discomfort in the legs, prevent the appearance of seizures and the appearance of trophic ulcers.
- Medicines containing rutoside. Medicines help to reduce capillary permeability, help to remove edema. With the help of a special drug, the vascular walls are strengthened. Medicines containing rutoside are not used only in the treatment of varicose veins. They eliminate the symptoms of hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, venous insufficiency.
The benefits of physiotherapy
Laser therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Thanks to the procedure, the content of cholesterol in the body is reduced, the swelling of the tissues is reduced. Laser therapy helps the patient to give up expensive drugs for the treatment of reticular varicose veins.
It is necessary to emphasize the following advantages of laser therapy:
- Positive changes are noticeable after the second procedure.
- In about 70% of cases, the affected veins decrease in size to 3 mm after the first session.
After the session, the patient may feel pain. In some cases, the doctor prescribes the patient with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate unwanted side effects.
Magnetic stimulation involves exposure to low frequency magnetic pulses. After the procedure, the condition of the muscle tissue of the vessels improves, and blood circulation improves. The average duration of a pulsed magnetotherapy session is 20 minutes. After the procedure, the swelling of the legs is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies for varicose veins
Treatment with folk remedies involves both the manufacture 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 the ingredients in folk remedies;
- Ease of preparation of funds. To use the recipes of traditional healers, you don't need to have any special skills.
- Improve the general well-being of the patient.
| Folk remedy | Cooking scheme |
|---|---|
| Garlic ointment | The tool normalizes blood circulation in the body. To prepare the ointment, you need to mix the grated garlic on a fine grater and butter in a ratio of 1: 2. The mixture is applied to the affected area before bedtime. Cover the top with polyethylene or parchment paper. It is fixed with an elastic bandage or a thin sling. In the morning, the compress is removed, the legs are thoroughly washed |
| Compress of curdled 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 limbs are wrapped in a warm scarf. The compress should not be kept 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 a medicinal plant with 400 ml of boiling water. The tool is insisted for two hours. You need to take 50 ml of the drink three times a day. The duration of treatment is 14 days. |
| Rinse the feet with cold water | During the procedure, 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 washed thoroughly 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 away from sunlight. The product is applied to the limbs with gentle massaging movements. Kalanchoe eliminates painful sensations in the legs. The duration of treatment is at least three months |
Special diet
In the presence of reticular varicose veins, the following foods are usually excluded from the daily menu:
- Spicy food.
- Sweets.
- Salty spices.
- Strongly brewed coffee.
- Sweet pastries.
- Pickled vegetables.
The patient's diet should be supplemented with the following products:
- Freshly squeezed juice.
- Dishes to which berries are added: viburnum or rose hips.
- Green vegetables.
- Fruits.
- Dishes containing cereals such as rye or wheat.
The diet of a person suffering from reticular varicose veins should certainly contain foods rich in vitamins A, E, C and B. These are, first of all, fermented milk drinks, nuts, citrus fruits, fish dishes. sea.
Exercises for reticular varicose veins
Therapeutic gymnastics improves the outflow of lymph from the affected vessels. You can do this simple exercise:
- The patient should stand up straight.
- 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 gymnastics helps to increase the resistance of the venous walls. The only contraindication to training is the presence of trophic ulcers on the legs.
While lying down, the "scissors" and "bike" exercises are performed. They should be performed for at least two minutes (each).
Preventive actions
Many people have heard the hackneyed expression that "a disease is easier to prevent than to cure. "No one will doubt the veracity of this statement.
There are the following preventive measures that reduce the risk of developing reticular varicose veins:
- Avoid heavily brewed coffee, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages.
- Wear compression products. It is recommended to wear them every day, once a day: in the morning or in the evening.
- Refusal of intense physical activity.
- Regular visits to the swimming pool.
- Perform special exercises designed to prevent the appearance of "cosmetic" varicose veins.