Advanced reticular varicose veins give rise to a bluish vascular mesh in the lower extremities. Therefore, among people, this form of varicose veins is often called "cosmetic" or "reticular".
What does the phrase "reticular varicose veins" mean?
Some doctors do not 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 patient's health. Men who have a mild form of varicose veins, as a rule, do not focus on it.
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, so the disease must be treated without delay. Otherwise, a patient suffering from 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:
- Feeling of heaviness in the extremities.
- Swelling.
- Increased fatigue
- The appearance of blue tights. They are formed from small-caliber enlarged superficial vessels and capillaries.
- Cramps in the calf muscles.
- Pain in the location of the dilated veins.
In 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 prevent unwanted pregnancies.
- Over weight.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Inactive lifestyle.
Hard physical work often leads to the appearance of a vascular pattern in the extremities. With excessive load on the legs, the venous walls gradually lose their elasticity, and blood circulation in the body worsens.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you suspect the presence of reticular varicose veins, the patient is interviewed. The doctor pays close attention to the following circumstances:
- The nature and location of the pain.
- Working conditions of the patient.
- The presence of concomitant diseases.
- The patient's lifestyle.
- The presence of a hereditary predisposition to varicose veins.
Then the specialist proceeds to a visual examination of the patient. During the procedure, the doctor not only examines the spider veins, but also examines the condition of the skin near them: the presence of seals or edema in the affected area. For example, varicose veins on the face often occur in the eye area. In this case, the doctor may see light purple bags under the eyes. When viewed from a closer distance, the small venous and capillary networks are clearly visible. With lip varicose veins, a small nodule of an intense red with a slight blue tone appears.
Other methods are also used to diagnose the disease. For example, ultrasound examination helps to assess the condition of the 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 done. These mainly include blood and urine tests. Thanks to general clinical studies, it is possible to assess the probability of developing thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. They help to choose the right tactics for further treatment.
Classification of diseases
There is a special classification of reticular varicose veins. Its supporters, in addition to the six main stages, also distinguish the zero stage of the disease. It is almost asymptomatic. Only a few patients experience a feeling of heaviness in the legs.
In the first stage of the disease, a thin mesh consisting of small vessels appears through the skin. The next stage is the expansion of the blood vessels. In the third stage of the disease, edema occurs, the veins stand out clearly on the surface of the skin. In the fourth stage of the disease, the color of the skin changes in the area of the dilated veins. It can turn dark brown. In the next stage, trophic ulcers can begin to form. In the sixth stage of the disease, the patient's condition drastically deteriorates. With the help of drugs, it is impossible to cope with trophic ulcers.
Disease treatment methods
In the treatment of reticular varicose veins, the following methods are used:
- Taking medicines.
- Exercise.
- Making 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 medications, folk remedies or therapeutic exercises. Therefore, the treatment of the disease is practiced with minimally invasive methods (microflebectomy, sclerotherapy).
Laser coagulation and microflebectomy for varicose veins
Microflebectomy is performed under local anesthesia. The essence of this medical manipulation is to pull out the vein damaged by varicose veins. During microflebectomy, the skin is pre-pierced with a thin medical hook. The remaining trace is almost invisible to the prying eye. Microflebectomy is not accompanied by discomfort, the patient quickly returns to normal life. You are advised to wear compression stockings.
When performing 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 bandage that fits the limb well. 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 beverages within three days after sclerotherapy.
Drug use
In the treatment of reticular varicose veins, drugs are used in various dosage forms:
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Ointments
- Creams
- Gels
Medications have a beneficial effect on the superficial vessels of the extremities. Reticular varicose veins are generally treated with the following medications:
- Venotonic. The preparations eliminate discomfort in the legs, prevent the appearance of seizures and the appearance of trophic ulcers.
- Medicines containing rutoside. Medications help reduce capillary permeability, help eliminate edema. With the help of a special drug, the vascular walls are strengthened. Medicines containing rutoside are used not only in the treatment of varicose veins. They eliminate the symptoms of hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, venous insufficiency.
The benefits of physical therapy
Laser therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Thanks to the procedure, the cholesterol content in the body is reduced, the swelling of the tissues is reduced. Laser therapy helps the patient to abandon the expensive drugs intended for the treatment of reticular varicose veins.
It is necessary to highlight the following advantages of laser therapy:
- Positive changes are noticeable after the second procedure.
- In approximately 70% of cases, the affected veins decrease in size up to 3 mm after the first session.
After the session, the patient may experience pain. In some cases, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to the patient to eliminate unwanted side effects.
Magnetic stimulation involves exposure to low-frequency magnetic pulses. After the procedure, it improves the condition of the muscle tissue of the vessels and improves blood circulation. The average duration of a pulse magnetotherapy session is 20 minutes. After the procedure, the swelling of the legs is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies against 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 present in home remedies;
- Ease of preparation of funds. To use the recipes of traditional healers, it is not necessary to have special skills.
- Improvement of 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, it is necessary to mix the garlic, grated on a fine grater, and the butter in a 1: 2 ratio. The mixture is applied to the affected area before going to bed. Cover the top with polyethylene or parchment paper. It is fixed with an elastic bandage or a thin scarf. In the morning, the compress is removed, the legs are thoroughly washed. |
| Sour milk compress | To prepare the compress, a napkin made of gauze 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 be kept for no 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 should take 50 ml of the drink three times a day. The duration of the course of treatment is 14 days. |
| Rinse your 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 clean your feet after the procedure. They should 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 1: 1 ratio. The ointment must be infused for at least 10 days in a dry room protected from sunlight. The product is applied to the extremities with gentle massages. Kalanchoe eliminates painful sensations in the legs. The duration of the course of treatment is at least three months. |
Special diet
In the presence of reticular varicose veins, the following foods are generally excluded from the daily menu:
- The spicy food.
- Sweet.
- Salty spices
- Very elaborate coffee.
- Sweet cakes.
- Pickled vegetables.
The patient's diet should be supplemented with the following products:
- Freshly squeezed juices.
- Dishes to which red fruits are added: viburnum or rose hips.
- Vegetables.
- Fruits.
- Dishes that contain 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 include, first of all, fermented milk drinks, nuts, citrus fruits, sea fish dishes.
Exercises for reticular varicose veins
Therapeutic gymnastics improves the outflow of lymph from the affected vessels. You can do this simple exercise:
- The patient must stand up straight.
- You should slowly raise your heels and return to the starting position. When performing this exercise, it is forbidden to tear your socks off the ground.
Therapeutic gymnastics helps to increase the strength of the vein walls. The only contraindication to training is the presence of trophic ulcers on the legs.
In supine position, the "scissors" and "bicycle" exercises are performed. They should be done for at least two minutes (each).
Preventive actions
Many people have heard the hackneyed phrase 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 likelihood of developing reticular varicose veins:
- Avoid coffee, cigarettes and highly elaborated alcoholic beverages.
- Use compression products. It is recommended to use them every day, once a day: in the morning or in the evening.
- Refusal of intense physical activity.
- Regular visits to the pool.
- Performing special exercises designed to prevent the appearance of "cosmetic" varicose veins.