Reticular advanced varicose veins lead to the appearance of a bluish vascular network in the lower extremities. Therefore, this type of varicose veins among the people is often called "cosmetic" or "reticular".
What does the term "reticular varicose veins" mean?
Some doctors do not consider reticular varicose veins to be a disease. They call for treating 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 usually do not focus on it.
In Western countries, there is no particular term "reticular varicose veins in 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 insufficiency of the valves in 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, it is unlikely that the situation is 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 limbs.
- Swelling.
- Increased fatigue.
- The appearance of blue masks. They are formed by enlarged superficial small caliber vessels and capillaries.
- Cramps in the calf muscles.
- Pain in the localization of the dilated veins.
At an advanced stage of the disease, external bleeding may occur.
Causes of the disease
Reticular varicose veins in the lower extremities occur under the influence of the following causes:
- Take birth control pills 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 vein walls gradually lose their elasticity and the blood circulation in the body deteriorates.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you suspect the presence of reticular varicose veins, the patient will be interviewed. The doctor is very aware of the following conditions:
- The nature and location of pain.
- Patients' working conditions.
- The presence of concomitant diseases.
- The patient's lifestyle.
- The 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 veins of the spider, 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 on the lip, a small nodule of a rich red hue with a light blue appears.
Other methods of diagnosing the disease are also used. For example, ultrasound examination helps assess the condition of the venous valves, revealing 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 examinations are also performed. These primarily include blood and urine samples. Thanks to general clinical studies, it is possible to assess the likelihood of developing thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. They help choose the right tactics for further treatment.
Classification of disease
There is a special classification of reticular varicose veins. Its adherents, 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 of small vessels appears through the skin. The next step is the dilation of the blood vessels. In the third stage of the disease edema occurs, the veins are 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 may turn dark brown. At the next stage, trophic ulcers may begin to form. In the sixth stage of the disease, the patient's condition deteriorates sharply. With the help of medicine, it is impossible to cope with trophic wounds.
Methods of treating disease
The following methods are used to treat reticular varicose veins:
- Taking medicine.
- Exercise.
- Manufacture of decoctions based on medicinal plants.
- Perform laser coagulation or microflebectomy.
It is almost impossible to completely get rid of a pronounced cosmetic defect with the help of drugs, folk medicine or therapeutic exercises. Therefore, the treatment of the disease is practiced with minimally invasive methods (microphlebectomy, sclerotherapy).
Laser coagulation and microflebectomy for varicose veins
Microflebectomy is performed with local anesthesia. The essence of this medical manipulation is to pull the vein damaged by varicose veins outward. During microflebectomy, the skin is pre-pierced with a thin medical hook. The remaining trace is almost invisible to the curious eye. Microflebectomy 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, as a result of which all damage is healed. The duration of the rehabilitation period varies from three to ten days (depending on the patient's well-being). The patient should wear a bandage that fits snugly to 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.
The use of drugs
For the treatment of reticular varicose veins, drugs are used in various dosage forms:
- Pills.
- Capsules.
- Salver.
- Cremer.
- Geler.
Medicine has a beneficial effect on the superficial vessels of the extremities. Reticular varicose veins are usually treated with the following medications:
- Venotonic. The preparations eliminate discomfort in the legs, prevent the appearance of seizures and the occurrence of trophic wounds.
- Medicines containing rutoside. Medication helps reduce capillary permeability, helps eliminate edema. Using a special drug strengthens the vascular walls. Medicines containing rutoside are not only used to treat 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, tissue swelling is reduced. Laser therapy helps the patient abandon expensive drugs intended for the treatment of reticular varicose veins.
It is necessary to highlight the following benefits of laser therapy:
- Positive changes are noticeable after the second procedure.
- In about 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, the condition of the vascular muscle tissue improves and the blood circulation improves. The average duration of a pulse magnetotherapy session is 20 minutes. After the procedure, the swelling of the legs is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies for varicose veins
Treatment with folk medicine involves both the preparation 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 ingredients present in folk medicine;
- Easy preparation of funds. To use traditional healer recipes, you do not need to have any special skills.
- Improving the patient's general well-being.
| Folk remedy | Cooking scheme |
|---|---|
| Garlic ointment | The tool normalizes blood circulation in the body. To prepare the ointment, mix the garlic, grated on a fine grater and butter in a ratio of 1: 2. Apply the mixture to the affected area before bedtime. Cover the top with polyethylene or parchment paper. It is fastened with an elastic bandage or thin scarf. In the morning, remove the compress, wash the legs thoroughly |
| Sour milk compaction | 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 gently covered with polyethylene, the limbs are wrapped in a warm scarf. The compress should not be stored 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 should take 50 ml of the drink three times a day. The duration of the treatment is 14 days. |
| Rinse 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: stinging nettle, lemon balm, apple cider vinegar. Do not dry your feet after the procedure. They need to dry naturally |
| Kalanchoe ointment | To prepare the ointment, take 0, 5 kg of fresh plant leaves. Kalanchoe is washed thoroughly with water and placed in clean glass. The plant is poured with alcohol in the ratio 1: 1. The ointment should be infused 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 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.
- Tasty spices.
- Heavily brewed coffee.
- Sweet cakes.
- 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.
- Fruits.
- Dishes containing grains such as rye or wheat.
The diet of a person suffering from reticular varicose veins should definitely include foods rich in vitamins A, E, C and B. These include primarily 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 should stand upright.
- He should slowly raise 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 strength of the vein walls. The only contraindication to exercise is the presence of trophic wounds on the legs.
In the supine position, the exercises "scissors" and "bicycle" are performed. They should be done for at least two minutes (each).
Preventive actions
Many people have heard the hasty phrase that "a disease is easier to prevent than to cure. " No one will doubt the correctness of this statement.
There are the following preventative measures that reduce the likelihood of developing 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.
- Rejection of intense physical activity.
- Regular visits to the pool.
- Performing special exercises designed to prevent the appearance of "cosmetic" varicose veins.