Advanced reticular varicose veins lead to the appearance of a bluish vascular network in the lower extremities. Therefore, in folklore, this form of varicose veins is often called "cosmetic" or "reticular".
What does the expression "veins with reticular varicose veins" mean?
Some doctors do not consider varicose veins as a disease. They call for it to be treated as a cosmetic defect that does not pose a risk to the patient’s health. Men who have a mild form of varicose veins, as a rule, do not concentrate on it.
In western countries there is no specific term "veins with reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities", experts do not think what it is.
Other doctors disagree on this issue. Some experts are convinced that reticular varicose veins are a consequence of insufficient venous valve valves, so the disease should 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 loss of 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 veins with reticular or cosmetic varicose veins:
- Feeling of heaviness in the limbs.
- Bounce.
- Added fatigue.
- The emergence of blue nets. They are formed by enlarged superficial vessels of small caliber and capillaries.
- Cramps in the calf muscles.
- Pain in the localization of varicose veins.
At an advanced stage of the disease, external bleeding may occur.
Causes of the disease
Veins with reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities occur under the influence of the following reasons:
- Taking contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
- Overweight.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Inactive lifestyle.
Hard physical work often leads to the appearance of a vascular pattern in the limbs. With an 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 veins with reticular varicose veins, the patient is interviewed. The doctor pays attention to the following circumstances:
- Nature and localization of pain.
- Patient working conditions.
- Presence of concomitant diseases.
- The patient's lifestyle.
- Presence of an inherited predisposition to varicose veins.
The specialist then 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, small venous and capillary networks are clearly visible. With varicose veins of the lip, a small nodule of a rich red color with a light blue appears.
Other methods are also used to diagnose the disease. For example, ultrasound examination helps to assess the condition of venous valves, detects the presence of blood clots.
MRI in the presence of veins with reticular varicose veins is performed only according to individual indications.
General clinical studies are also performed with varicose veins. These mainly include blood and urine tests. Thanks to general clinical studies, it is possible to assess the possibility of developing thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. They help to choose the right tactics for further treatment.
Classification of the disease
There is a special classification of veins with reticular varicose veins. Its proponents, 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 network consisting of small vessels appears through the skin. The next stage is the dilation of blood vessels. In the third stage of the disease, edema appears, veins appear clearly on the surface of the skin. In the fourth stage of the disease, the skin color in the area of the varicose veins changes. May turn dark brown. In the next stage, trophic ulcers may begin to form. In the sixth stage of the disease, the patient's condition worsens significantly. With the help of medication, it is impossible to cope with trophic ulcers.
Disease treatment methods
In the treatment of veins with reticular varicose veins, the following methods are used:
- Taking medication.
- 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 medicines, folk remedies or therapeutic exercises. Therefore, the treatment of the disease is practiced with minimally invasive methods (microlebectomy, sclerotherapy).
Laser coagulation and microphlebectomy for varicose veins
Microflebectomy is performed under local anesthesia. The essence of this medical manipulation is the withdrawal of the damaged vein from the varicose veins from the outside. During microlebectomy, the skin is pierced in advance with a thin medical blow. The remaining trace is almost invisible to the prying eye. Microflebectomy is not associated with discomfort, the patient quickly returns to normal life. He is advised to wear compression stockings.
During sclerotherapy, a special solution is injected into the vessel. The tool sticks to 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 tightly to the limbs. Applied to the drilling 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.
Use of drugs
In the treatment of veins with reticular varicose veins, drugs are used in different dosage forms:
- Pill.
- Capsule.
- Pomadat.
- Creams.
- Xhele.
Medications have a beneficial effect on the superficial vessels of the extremities. Veins with reticular varicose veins are usually treated with the following medications:
- Venotonic. The preparations eliminate foot discomfort, prevent the onset of seizures and the appearance of trophic ulcers.
- Rutoside-containing medicines. Medications help reduce capillary permeability, help eliminate edema. With the help of a special medicine, the vascular walls are strengthened. Rutoside-containing medicines are used not only in the treatment of varicose veins. They eliminate the symptoms of hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, venous insufficiency.
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, tissue swelling is reduced. Laser therapy helps the patient to abandon expensive drugs intended for the treatment of veins with reticular varicose veins.
It is necessary to emphasize the following advantages of laser therapy:
- Positive changes are evident after the second procedure.
- In about 70% of cases, the affected veins shrink in size by up to 3 mm after the first session.
After the session, the patient may experience pain. In some cases, the doctor prescribes the patient non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate unwanted side effects.
Magnetic stimulation involves exposure to low-frequency magnetic pulses. After the procedure, the condition of the vascular muscle tissue improves, and blood circulation improves. The average duration of a pulse magnetotherapy session is 20 minutes. After the procedure, the swelling of the feet is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies against varicose veins
Treatment with folk remedies includes both the production of decoctions for internal use and the use of oils intended for external use.
The main benefits of alternative medicine include:
- Relatively low cost of ingredients present in folk remedies;
- Ease of preparing funds. To use the recipes of traditional doctors, you do not need to have special skills.
- Improving the overall well-being of the patient.
| Popular medicine | Cooking scheme |
|---|---|
| Garlic ointment | The tool normalizes blood circulation in the body. To prepare the ointment, you need to mix the finely grated garlic and butter in a 1: 2 ratio. The mixture is applied to the affected area before 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 feet 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 held no longer than 30 minutes. The procedure can be repeated up to three times a day. |
| Hop tincture | It is necessary to pour 30 grams of medicinal plants with 400 ml of boiling water. The tool is insisted on for two hours. You should take 50 ml drink three times a day. The duration of the course of treatment is 14 days. |
| Rinse feet with cold water | During the procedure, water is used, which should be slightly cooler than room temperature. During rinsing, you can add to water solutions of medicinal plants: nettle, lemon balm, apple cider vinegar. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure. They should dry naturally |
| Kalanchoe ointment | To prepare the oil, you need to take 0, 5 kg of fresh leaves of the plant. Kalanchoe is washed well with water and placed in clean glass containers. The plant is poured with alcohol in a ratio of 1: 1. The ointment should be injected for at least 10 days in a dry room protected from sunlight. The product is applied to the limbs with gentle massaging movements. 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 veins with reticular varicose veins, the following foods are usually excluded from the daily menu:
- Spicy food.
- Sweets.
- Delicious spices.
- Strong roasted coffee.
- Sweet pastries.
- Pickled vegetables.
The patient's diet should be supplemented with the following products:
- Freshly squeezed juices.
- Dishes to which berries are added: viburnum or rose.
- Greens.
- Fruits.
- Dishes containing grains 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, seafood dishes.
Exercises for veins with reticular varicose veins
Therapeutic gymnastics improves lymph flow from the affected vessels. You can do this simple exercise:
- The patient should stand up straight.
- He should slowly raise the heel and return to the starting position. While performing this exercise, it is forbidden to tear socks off the floor.
Therapeutic gymnastics helps increase the strength of the venous walls. The only contraindication to exercise is the presence of trophic ulcers on the legs.
The "scissors" and "bicycle" exercises are performed in the supine position. They should be done for at least two minutes (each).
Preventive actions
Many people have heard the strange 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 veins with reticular varicose veins:
- Avoid heavily brewed coffee, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
- Wearing compression products. It is recommended to wear them every day, once a day: in the morning or in the evening.
- Refusal from intense physical activity.
- Regular visits to the pool.
- Performing special exercises designed to prevent the appearance of veins with "cosmetic" varicose veins.