Reticularly developed varicose veins cause the appearance of bluish vascular mesh in the lower extremities. Therefore, this form of varicose veins in humans is often called "cosmetic" or "reticular".
What does the term "reticular varicose veins" mean?
Some doctors do not consider reticular varicose veins a disease. They call for it to be treated as a cosmetic defect that does not pose a threat to the patient's health. Men with a mild form of varicose veins, as a rule, do not pay attention to it.
There is no specific term "reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities" in Western countries, and experts do not think what it is.
Other doctors disagree. Some experts believe that reticular varicose veins are the result of venous valve insufficiency, so the disease should be treated immediately. Otherwise, a patient suffering from cosmetic varicose veins will have serious complications. After all, the condition is unlikely to be limited to the defeat of superficial veins, after a long time varicose veins can spread to the deep veins of the venous system.
Symptoms of the disease
Reticular or cosmetic varicose veins have the following symptoms:
- Feeling of heaviness in the limbs.
- Swelling.
- Increased fatigue.
- Appearance of blue mesh. They consist of small-diameter vessels and capillaries with an enlarged surface.
- Cramps in the calf muscles.
- Pain in the localization of dilated vessels.
External bleeding may occur at an advanced stage of the disease.
Causes of the disease
Reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities occur under the influence of the following causes:
- Taking contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
- Overweight.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Inactive lifestyle.
Heavy physical work often causes the appearance of a vascular pattern in the limbs. Overload 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 interviewed. The doctor pays much attention to the following cases:
- Nature and localization of pain.
- Patient's working conditions.
- The presence of concomitant diseases.
- The patient's lifestyle.
- Hereditary predisposition to varicose veins.
Then the specialist conducts 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 a seal 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. At close range, small venous and capillary networks are clearly visible. With varicose veins of the lips appear a small nodule of rich red color with a slight bluish tint.
Other methods of diagnosing the disease are also used. For example, ultrasound helps to assess the condition of venous valves, detects the presence of blood clots.
In the presence of reticular varicose veins, MRI is performed only on individual indicators.
General clinical studies with varicose veins are also performed. These include primarily blood and urine tests. Thanks to general clinical studies, it is possible to assess the likelihood of developing thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. They help you choose the right tactics for your next treatment.
Classification of the disease
There is a special classification of reticular varicose veins. In addition to the six main stages, its proponents distinguish the zero stage of the disease. It is almost asymptomatic. Only a few patients experience heaviness in the legs.
In the first stage of the disease, a thin mesh of small blood vessels appears through the skin. The next stage is the dilation of blood vessels. In the third stage of the disease, edema occurs, the veins are clearly different from the surface of the skin. In the fourth stage of the disease, the color of the skin changes in the area of dilated veins. It can turn dark brown. In the next stage, trophic ulcers may begin to form. In the sixth stage of the disease, the patient's condition deteriorates sharply. It is impossible to cope with trophic ulcers with the help of drugs.
Methods of treatment of the disease
The following methods are used in the treatment of reticular varicose veins:
- Take medicine.
- Practice.
- Preparation of herbal decoctions.
- Laser coagulation or microflebectomy.
It is almost impossible to completely get rid of an obvious cosmetic defect with the help of drugs, folk remedies or therapeutic exercises. Therefore, minimally invasive treatment of the disease is used (microflebectomy, sclerotherapy).
Laser coagulation and microflebectomy in varicose veins
Microflebectomy is performed under local anesthesia. The essence of this medical manipulation is to pull out the damaged vein with varicose veins. During microflebectomy, the skin is pre-perforated with a thin medical fork. The remaining trace is almost invisible. Microflebectomy is not accompanied by discomfort, the patient quickly returns to normal life. It is recommended to wear compression stockings.
During sclerotherapy, a special solution is injected into a vein. The tool sticks to the walls of blood vessels, as a result of which all injuries heal. The duration of the rehabilitation period varies from three to ten days (depending on the patient's well-being). The patient should wear a tight-fitting bandage. It is applied instead of a puncture. 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 abstain from smoking, hot baths and alcohol for three days after sclerotherapy.
Use of drugs
Drugs are used in the treatment of reticular varicose veins in different 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 medications:
- Venotonic. Preparations eliminate discomfort in the legs, prevent the appearance of seizures and the formation of trophic ulcers.
- Medicines containing rutoside. Medications help reduce capillary permeability, help eliminate edema. The walls of the arteries are strengthened with a special drug. Rutoside-containing drugs are not only used to treat 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 amount of cholesterol in the body is reduced, and tissue swelling is reduced. Laser therapy helps the patient to give up expensive drugs designed to treat reticular varicose veins.
The following advantages of laser therapy should be emphasized:
- Positive changes are noticeable after the second procedure.
- In about 70% of cases, the affected veins shrink by up to 3 mm after the first session.
After the session, the patient may feel 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, the condition of the vascular muscle tissue improves, blood circulation improves. The average duration of a pulse magnetotherapy session is 20 minutes. Swelling of the legs is significantly reduced after the procedure.
Folk remedies for varicose veins
Treatment with folk remedies includes both the production of decoctions for internal use, and the use of ointments intended for external use.
The main advantages of alternative medicine include:
- Relatively low cost of substances available in folk medicine;
- Ease of preparation of materials. You do not need special skills to use the prescriptions of traditional doctors.
- Improving the overall well-being of the patient.
| Folk remedies | Cooking scheme |
|---|---|
| Garlic ointment | The tool normalizes blood circulation in the body. To prepare the ointment, mix grated garlic and butter in a ratio of 1: 2 in a fine grater. The mixture is applied to the affected area before bedtime. Cover with polyethylene or parchment paper. Stabilized with an elastic bandage or a thin scarf. In the morning the compress is removed, the feet are washed thoroughly |
| Sour milk compress | To make a 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 be stored for no more than 30 minutes. The procedure can be repeated up to three times a day. |
| Hop tincture | Pour 400 grams of boiling water and 30 grams of herbs. The tool insists for two hours. You should drink 50 ml three times a day. The duration of treatment is 14 days. |
| Wash your feet with cold water | Water is used during the procedure, it should be slightly colder than room temperature. During rinsing, you can add herbal solutions to the water: nettle, lemon balm, apple cider vinegar. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure. They should be dried naturally |
| Kalanchoe ointment | To prepare the ointment you need to take 0. 5 kg of fresh plant leaves. Kalanchoe is thoroughly washed with water and placed in clean glass jars. 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 protected from sunlight. The product is applied to the extremities with gentle massage 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.
- Delicious spices.
- Strongly brewed coffee.
- Sweet dough.
- Pickled vegetables.
The following products should be added to the patient's diet:
- Freshly squeezed juices.
- Dishes with berries: viburnum or hips.
- The greens.
- Fruits.
- Foods containing grains such as rye or wheat.
A person suffering from reticular varicose veins should have foods rich in vitamins A, E, C and B in their diet. These include primarily fermented milk drinks, nuts, citrus fruits, seafood dishes.
Exercises for reticular varicose veins
Therapeutic gymnastics improves lymph flow from the affected vessels. You can do this simple workout:
- The patient should stand up straight.
- He should slowly lift his heels and return to the starting position. It is forbidden to pull socks off the ground during this exercise.
Therapeutic gymnastics helps to increase the strength of the venous walls. The only contraindication to the training is the presence of trophic ulcers in the legs.
"Scissors" and "bicycle" exercises are performed in the supine position. They should be done for at least two minutes (each).
Preventive measures
Many people have heard the saying, "Prevention is easier than cure. "No one will doubt the truth of this statement.
There are the following preventive measures that reduce the likelihood of developing reticular varicose veins:
- Avoid strong brewed coffee, cigarettes and alcohol.
- Wear compression products. It is recommended to wear them every day, once a day: in the morning or in the evening.
- Refrain from strenuous physical activity.
- Regular visits to the pool.
- Carrying out special exercises designed to prevent the appearance of "cosmetic" varicose veins.