According to statistics, about 40% of the fair sex suffer from reticular varicose veins. The disease does not pose a serious threat to life and causes only cosmetic discomfort. The main causes, signs and methods of treating this pathology are considered in the materials of this article.
Reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities - what is it?
A disease called varicose veins has several varieties and stages of development. One of its most common forms is reticular. Pathology is accompanied by the expansion of the thin veins that are located under the skin. Young girls and women are more susceptible to it, and sometimes the representatives of the stronger sex are at risk.
At first glance, it may seem that reticular varicose veins is a dangerous and terrible disease. In fact, it is rarely accompanied by serious complications, but the symptoms bring a lot of inconvenience. Blue-red stripes on the skin make miserable millions of women around the world, because getting rid of such a defect is not easy. Pathology sometimes manifests itself not only on the legs, but also on the hips. In the later stages, the veins are so strong that they can be easily palpated. In order to avoid such consequences, treatment is recommended to be started in a timely manner.
Causes of a cosmetic defect
Reticular varicose veins of the lower extremities are familiar to many ladies. The reason for this is overly sensitive vessel walls to sex hormones. By themselves, they are very thin and large. Under the influence of sex hormones, their walls become less elastic and lose their tone. Due to these processes and taking into account daily physical exertion, the vessels expand, manifesting on the skin with a bluish net. An exacerbation of the pathology can provoke any malfunctions in the hormonal system (pregnancy, menstruation, puberty).
Also among the causes of reticular varicose veins, experts note the following:
- hereditary predisposition;
- inactive lifestyle;
- overweight;
- poor nutrition;
- excessive physical activity.
The causes of this cosmetic defect can also be attributed to professional harmfulness. The disease is most often found among stewardesses, sellers and teachers - people who spend a lot of time on their feet.
First signs of the disease
The main symptom of reticular varicose veins is a vascular pattern of a crimson shining through the skin on the legs. Most often, the venous network is located on the outer surface of the thighs and lower leg. It consists of spider veins, winding lines. In addition, a woman may be disturbed by other manifestations of the disease:
- discomfort in the legs, worse in the evening;
- severe swelling;
- convulsive contractions in the foot area at night.
Reticular varicose veins, the photo of which is presented below, may be accompanied by subcutaneous hemorrhage and severe itching. Depending on the severity of the pathological process, a characteristic pattern is present in the form of poorly distinguishable elements or extends to vast areas of the lower extremities. Venous capillaries are usually quite dense and well palpable.
Home treatment
Timely treatment of varicose veins is necessary as a measure of prevention of more serious venous changes. At the initial stage of the pathological process, water procedures are indicated. They have a hardening effect on blood vessels. After taking a shower, doctors recommend directing jets of water from the feet to the hips, while alternating the temperature. Contrast foot baths are also useful. In water, you can add decoctions of chamomile or St. John's wort.
Reticular varicose veins cannot be cured without changing the diet. You should refuse fasting and frequent breaks between meals. The ban includes alcoholic beverages, coffee, spicy dishes and fatty meat, pastries. The diet should be varied with fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals on the water. Such nutrition ensures the provision of the body with necessary useful substances, normalizes metabolism.
Exercise for varicose veins
Moderate exercise is also an excellent prevention of varicose veins. Physical activity helps to normalize blood circulation, restore lymph outflow. However, all exercises should be selected by a specialist, taking into account the development of the pathological process.
What sports are most effective? The best option is walking in the fresh air. It’s not at all necessary to sign up for the gym and daily exhaust the body by lifting weights. You can jump rope at home . This exercise stops reticular varicose veins. Treatment with folk remedies may not be required at all. In addition, jumping rope stimulates blood flow, preventing the occurrence of stagnant processes. Morning exercises are also helpful. It takes only 15-20 minutes a day, but the first results are noticeable after just a few lessons.
Help traditional medicine
Thanks to the use of natural preparations, getting rid of unpleasant symptoms is very easy. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, with the help of recipes of traditional healers, reticular varicose veins can be completely cured.
Folk remedies are divided into two types: for indoor and outdoor use. For the preparation of healing broths or rasters, a specialized education is not required, it is only important to follow the proposed instructions. However, before starting the course of treatment, it is still worth consulting a doctor. Consider the most popular recipes for folk healers.
For oral administration:
- Medium-sized nutmeg must be ground in a coffee grinder. The resulting powder should be taken on a teaspoon before meals, washed down with water. Treatment is continued until the disappearance of heaviness in the legs.
- Verbena is used to strengthen the vascular walls. You will need to pour two tablespoons of the plant's flowers with a glass of boiling water, warm it in a water bath and strain. The resulting medicine is taken in a tablespoon every three hours.
For external use it is recommended:
- Decoction of white willow for foot baths. Two tablespoons of bark must be filled with a glass of boiling water, put in a water bath. The resulting product is recommended to be added to water during medical procedures.
- You can grind. This will require 0.5 liters of vodka and the collection of birch buds. The mixture is recommended to insist in a dark place for at least 10 days, stirring occasionally. Then the infusion must be filtered and only then used as a grind.
Folk remedies have always been used in the fight against reticular varicose veins. The described recipes for many years were practiced by doctors.
Drug treatment
Progressive reticular varicose veins involves treatment with drugs. Properly prescribed therapy can reduce the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms and prevent the development of complications. For treatment, drugs from the venotonic group are usually used (Venoruton, Detralex, Antistax). They are sold in the form of tablets, ointments and gels. The dosage of the pills is selected by the doctor. With extreme caution, they should be used during pregnancy and during lactation. It is impossible to completely cure varicose veins with medications. Drug therapy can reduce swelling, provide legs with lightness and comfort.
When is surgery required?
Running reticular varicose veins with complicated course requires surgical intervention. Modern medicine offers three options for getting rid of dilated veins:
- Removal of blood vessels through micro-punctures. After the procedure, hematomas often remain on the skin, but they disappear within two weeks.
- Sclerosis of the veins. The procedure involves the introduction of a special drug. Its duration depends on the extent of the lesion. The positive effect is manifested gradually.
- Laser application. The procedure is carried out in three stages, which is absolutely painless for the patient.
After surgery, you must follow the doctor's recommendations: wear special compression underwear, lead an active lifestyle, abandon addictions, and so on.
Preventive measures
Is it possible to prevent reticular varicose veins? The treatment of this disease takes a lot of time, a woman has to give up dresses and skirts, and discomfort in her legs in the evenings interferes with a good rest. Therefore, the fair sex from an early age should think about the prevention of this pathology.
Phlebologists are primarily advised to adhere to an active lifestyle, often walk and engage in feasible sports. In addition, you need to review your daily diet in favor of healthy foods. After a long day of work, rest should be given to the legs. To do this, you can take a cool shower or make special baths. Varicose veins is an insidious disease that manifests itself gradually. Therefore, do not postpone treatment, but it is even better to do prevention.