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Conservative treatment of varicose veins using compression devices, or compression therapy, is very successful in patients with venous insufficiency. However, not everyone is able to use them. In some cases, there are absolute contraindications. These include certain diseases: severe heart failure, advanced atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower limbs, intolerance to compression.

Before you decide to buy knee-high socks or compression stockings, consult your doctor! Find out if such products will work for you and which ones are the best to choose?

You can prevent the onset of relapses or delay them significantly. All you need to do is introduce physical activity and a healthy diet into your daily schedule - reducing weight and inflammation in your body. Exercise regularly. Opt for general exercise. Cut out high-calorie, high-carbohydrate foods from your diet. Replace them with vegetables and fruit rich in vitamin C, fibre and flavonoids. You will feel an improvement in the functioning of your muscles, fascia and venous system. You will feel better! Take into account, however, that recurrence of varicose veins cannot always be avoided - especially if they have a genetic basis. 

Many factors are responsible for the formation of varicose veins. These include, for example, genetic predisposition, pregnancies and sedentary lifestyles, long-term therapy with hormonal and steroid drugs. 

It is possible that the lesions will reappear. Next time, however, they may involve other, previously efficient veins and their branches. In order to reduce the risk of their formation, take care of appropriate prophylaxis after varicose vein removal. 

"Spider veins" - telangiectasias visible on the skin of the legs are dilated superficial small venous vessels, they can be arranged in the form of branched, straight, twisted, bushy small vessels, their colour ranges from blue through purple to red.

They most commonly occur as a result of venous hypertension. 

This problem may or may not be the first sign of venous insufficiency and may precede the appearance of varicose veins. Do you have a feeling of heavy legs or leg pain after standing or sitting for a long time in one position? Do you experience swelling and cramps in your legs? If these complaints persist over a long period of time, see your doctor as soon as possible. The period between the appearance of "spider veins" and the onset of varicose veins can be up to several years. This is the best time for preventive action. 

Thrombosis, or thromboembolism, can affect the superficial and deep veins of the lower limbs. It occurs when the blood changes from a liquid form to a solid form - a thrombus - and stops flowing in the vein. Occasionally, part of the thrombus may break off and flow downstream into the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism - fortunately in very few patients. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are dilations of the superficial veins. Chronic venous insufficiency, of which varicose veins may be one symptom, sometimes arises secondary to deep vein thrombosis.

The most common complications of untreated lower limb varicose veins are thrombophlebitis, chronic ulceration, inflammation and discolouration of the skin, as well as bleeding from varicose veins - an immediate life-threatening condition. These may be accompanied by severe pain and swelling. With ulceration, tissue necrosis occurs, not only in the skin, but also in the deeper layers. At an advanced stage of the disease, there may also be features of generalised inflammation.

The most dangerous complication of untreated varicose veins is pulmonary embolism. It fortunately occurs in a small percentage, especially in patients with massive deep vein thrombosis. It manifests as very severe chest pain, breathlessness sometimes accompanied by haemoptysis, cold sweats and anxiety may occur. Pulmonary embolism can lead to death. 

Venous circulation problems can have many different symptoms. Initially, they are not very specific. They are easily mistaken for ordinary fatigue or attributed to other conditions. As a rule, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, muscle tension and calf cramps occur in the early stages of the disease. They can be felt especially at night. You may also experience a troublesome itching at the site of the lesions.

In the advanced form, increasingly protruding, dilated, often tortuous veins begin to become visible on the skin of the legs. At first these are known as spider veins (telangiectasias) - flat but clearly dilated subcutaneous veins of small diameter. Over time, they become thicker, twisted and strongly visible through the skin. Most patients see their doctor at this stage. The vascular lesions are already very unsightly and often cause severe pain and itching.

Long untreated varicose veins can cause skin ulceration, often the skin around the wound is brown or red, becomes hard and inflexible, and swelling sets in. Do not wait! Start treatment as soon as possible. 

The most popular methods are minimally invasive. These include various modifications of sclerotherapy, laser treatments, radiofrequency treatments, the use of tissue adhesive, and miniflebectomy. Their greatest advantage is the lower number of complications compared to surgical treatment. The recovery time after such treatment is also much shorter. 

Remember, however, that choosing the optimal treatment method depends on many factors. Start with a thorough diagnosis - during a consultation with your surgeon. After a Doppler ultrasound examination and diagnosis of the problem, the methods that can be used in your case are presented. The most beneficial one will be applied to you. This will ensure that the treatment is safe and effective and that the results are long-lasting. 

Curing varicose veins with home remedies is not possible. However, you can take care of prevention. In this way you will support the healing process and consolidate its effects. First of all, try to eliminate some of the factors that contribute to venous insufficiency. Increase physical activity. In this way, you will speed up your recovery after treatment and reduce the risk of recurrence. 

Wear circulation-enhancing compression products: compression stockings and knee socks. They are available in many sizes, designs and colours. You are sure to find something to suit you! Your doctor may also recommend taking preparations to improve blood flow in the blood vessels and improve the function of the vein wall. These contain substances such as hesperidin, horse chestnut extract, ruscus spinosus extract or diosmin and sulodexide. Take care to exercise outdoors. Take a look at your diet and introduce more healthy products into it. Then the therapy will be much more effective! Avoid carrying heavy objects. Frequently change the position in which you stand or sit. Try not to subject yourself to prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

However, always consult your doctor - you can keep in touch with him. He will tell you which activities are beneficial and which are harmful. Do not act on your own. It is easy to overestimate your own strengths and possibilities. 

Varicose veins are a nuisance. However, they can also be dangerous. Do not underestimate them! Varicose veins appearing on the skin are not only an aesthetic problem. They are primarily a symptom of dangerous chronic venous insufficiency. 

You can recognise them easily: they are convex, usually curly and wide veins clearly visible on the legs. There is also often a feeling of heaviness in the legs. If this description applies to you, don't delay! Consult your doctor and start treatment. If your legs are swollen, bluish-red in colour, you have severe pain in the calf area, and your skin is discoloured or has become hard and red - this indicates that the disease is already at an advanced stage. 

Visible varicose veins do not always hurt. However, do not give up on consulting your doctor. Only early diagnosis of the disease allows effective treatment methods to be implemented and prevents the development of the disease and avoids dangerous complications.