Advanced reticular varicose veins lead to the appearance of 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 varicose veins to be a disease. They wish 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, don't worry about it.
In Western countries there is no special term "lower extremity reticular varicose veins", experts do not think about what it is.
Other doctors disagree on this issue. Some specialists are convinced that reticular varices are a consequence of the insufficiency of the valves of the venous vessels, therefore, the disease must be treated without delay. Otherwise, a patient suffering from cosmetic varicose veins will have serious complications. After all, the situation will hardly be limited to the defeat of the superficial veins, after a long time the varicose veins can spread to the deep vessels of the venous system.
disease symptoms
There are the following signs of reticular or cosmetic varicose veins:
- Feeling of heaviness in the limbs.
- Swelling.
- Increased fatigue.
- The appearance of blue stitches. They are formed from small-caliber 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.
disease causes
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.
Heavy 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 worsens.
disease diagnosis
If you suspect the presence of reticular varices, the patient is interviewed. The doctor pays close attention to the following circumstances:
- The nature and location of pain.
- Patient's working conditions.
- The presence of concomitant illnesses.
- The patient's lifestyle.
- The presence of a hereditary predisposition to varicose veins.
Then, the specialist will carry out 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 next to them: the presence of seals or swelling in the affected area. For example, varicose veins on the face often occur in the eye area. In that 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 the varicose veins of the lip, a small nodule appears of a rich red hue with a slight blue.
Other methods of diagnosing the disease are also used. For example, the ultrasound examination helps to assess the condition of the venous valves, reveals the presence of blood clots.
Magnetic resonance imaging in the presence of reticular varices is carried out only according to individual indications.
With varicose veins, general clinical studies are also performed. This mainly includes blood and urine tests. Thanks to general clinical studies, it is possible to assess the probability of developing thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. They help you choose the right tactics for further treatment.
disease classification
There is a special classification of reticular varicose veins. Its supporters, in addition to the six main stages, also distinguish stage zero of the disease. It's almost asymptomatic. Only a few patients feel a heaviness in their legs.
In 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 blood vessels. In the third stage of the disease, edema occurs, the veins stand out clearly above the surface of the skin. In the fourth stage of the disease, the skin color in the area of the dilated veins changes. It may turn dark brown. In the next stage, trophic ulcers can start to form. In the sixth stage of the disease, the patient's condition deteriorates sharply. With the help of medication, it is impossible to deal with trophic ulcers.
Disease treatment methods
In the treatment of reticular varices, the following methods are used:
- Taking medications.
- Exercise.
- Make decoctions based on medicinal plants.
- Performing laser coagulation or microphlebectomy.
It is almost impossible to completely get rid of a pronounced aesthetic defect with the help of drugs, folk remedies, or therapeutic exercises. Therefore, the treatment of the disease with minimally invasive methods is practiced (microphlebectomy, sclerotherapy).
Laser coagulation and microphlebectomy for varicose veins
Microphlebectomy is performed with a local anesthetic. The essence of this medical manipulation is to pull out the vein damaged by varicose veins. During microphlebectomy, the skin is pre-drilled with a thin medical hook. The remaining trace is almost invisible to prying eyes. Microphlebectomy is not accompanied by discomfort, the patient quickly returns to normal life. He is advised to wear compression stockings.
When performing sclerotherapy, a special solution is injected into the vessel. The tool glues the vascular walls together, as a result, all damage is healed. The length of the rehabilitation period varies from three to ten days (depending on the patient's well-being). The patient needs to wear a bandage that fits well 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 beverages within three days after sclerotherapy.
drug use
In the treatment of reticular varicose veins, the drugs are used in various dosage forms:
- Pills.
- Capsules.
- Ointments.
- Creams.
- Gels.
Medicines have a beneficial effect on the superficial vessels in the extremities. Reticular varices are usually treated with the following medications:
- Venotonic. The preparations eliminate discomfort in the legs, prevent the appearance of convulsions and the appearance of trophic ulcers.
- Medicines containing rutoside. Medicines help to reduce capillary permeability, help to eliminate edema. With the help of a special medicine, the vascular walls are strengthened. Rutoside-containing medications are not just used to treat varicose veins. They eliminate 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, tissue swelling is reduced. Laser therapy helps the patient to give up expensive medications intended to treat reticular varicose veins.
It is necessary to highlight 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 by 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 impulses. After the procedure, it improves the condition of muscle tissue in the vessels and improves blood circulation. The average duration of a pulse magnetotherapy session is 20 minutes. After the procedure, leg swelling is significantly reduced.
Folk Remedies for Varicose Veins
Treatment with folk remedies involves making decoctions for internal use and using ointments for external use.
The main benefits of alternative medicine include:
- The relatively low cost of ingredients present in folk remedies;
- Ease of fund preparation. To use traditional healers' recipes, you don't need to have special skills.
- Improve the patient's general well-being.
| folk remedy | kitchen layout |
|---|---|
| garlic ointment | The tool normalizes blood circulation in the body. To prepare the ointment, it is necessary to mix the grated garlic on a fine grater and the butter in a ratio of 1: 2. The mixture is applied to the affected area before bedtime. Cover the top with polyethylene or waxed paper. It is secured with an elastic bandage or a thin scarf. In the morning, the compress is removed, the legs are washed well. |
| Sour milk compress | 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 handkerchief. 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 kept for two hours. You need to drink 50 ml of the drink three times a day. The duration of the treatment course is 14 days. |
| Rinse feet with cold water | During the procedure, water is used, which should be a little cooler than room temperature. When rinsing, you can add herbal solutions 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 0. 5 kg of fresh plant leaves. Kalanchoe is washed well with water and placed in clean glasses. The plant is poured with alcohol in a ratio of 1: 1. The ointment must be infused for at least 10 days in a dry place, protected from sunlight. The product is applied to the limbs with gentle massage movements. Kalanchoe eliminates painful sensations in the legs. Duration 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:
- Spicy food.
- Candy.
- Salted spices.
- Coffee well done.
- Sweet pastry.
- Pickled vegetables.
The patient's diet must be supplemented with the following products:
- Freshly squeezed juices.
- Dishes to which wild fruits are added: viburnum or rose hips.
- 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, sea fish dishes.
Exercises for reticular varices
Therapeutic gymnastics improves the flow of lymph from the affected vessels. You can do this simple exercise:
- The patient needs to stand up.
- He should slowly lift his heels and return to the starting position. When performing this exercise, it is prohibited 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 leg ulcers.
In the supine position, the exercises "scissors" and "bicycle" are performed. They must be done for at least two minutes (each).
Preventive actions
Many people have heard the trite phrase that "a disease is easier to prevent than 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 strong coffee, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
- Using 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.