Diagnosis of a vein weakness
Due to the good development of ultrasound, vein function tests, in which the veins are assessed, for example by congestion in the legs, are now only used very rarely. The most important examination to diagnose a vein weakness is the so-called Doppler sonography. This is an ultrasound examination that can show the blood flow in the veins.
It can be used to show whether sufficient blood is flowing towards the heart and how much blood can flow back through the venous valves. Furthermore, there is the possibility to perform a phlebography. This is an X-ray examination in which the blood vessels become visible through a contrast medium. However, since an X-ray always involves radiation exposure, it is used if thrombosis of the leg veins must be ruled out.
Treatment of a vein weakness
There are various possibilities for the therapy of vein weakness. A doctor should decide what form of therapy is necessary based on the severity of the disease. For mild symptoms, a therapy with compression stockings and local cold treatments is usually sufficient.
Lymphatic drainage is also frequently used for venous weakness. If the blood is already backed up in smaller veins, these can be closed off therapeutically. To do this, a liquid that is toxic to the tissue is injected into the respective vein.
This damages the tissue and forms a scar that closes the vein. If the vein weakness is more pronounced, the larger veins may need to be sclerosed. This should prevent the blood from accumulating in the legs and restore normal blood flow.
Sclerotherapy can be done by means of laser therapy or so-called radiofrequency obliteration. A further therapy option is surgery, in which the diseased vein sections are removed. This can also restore a normal blood flow.
Surgery is performed in case of severe symptoms, complications or for cosmetic reasons. There are some homeopathic remedies that can be used in chronic venous insufficiency, depending on the type and severity of the symptoms. For example, varicose veins can be treated with Aesculus or Acidum hydrofluoricum.
If the affected veins become inflamed, however, Melilotus officinalis is more likely to be used. Flor de piedra can help with severely swollen legs and itching. In general, it is very important to consult a physician in case of long-lasting, highly pronounced complaints.
Some home remedies can help with venous weakness. These may include tight wrapping of the legs, bandages or compression stockings. They compress the veins dilated by the blood accumulation and thus promote the closing of the venous valves and the correct blood flow.
Cold rising from the feet can also be helpful. In cold temperatures, the blood vessels automatically contract to lose less heat. This mechanism can contribute to improved blood flow from the legs to the heart.
For example, you can take a cold shower, or bathe your legs in cold water starting from your feet. It is also important to ensure sufficient exercise and avoid prolonged standing or sitting.Horse chestnuts belong to the natural medicinal plants and can be helpful in the treatment of vein weakness. When ingested with food, its ingredients cause some changes in the body.
For example, the veins contract more and hold more tension. Horse chestnuts counteract the dilation of the leg veins. In addition, the vessel is sealed, which means that less blood flows back into the legs and accumulates there.
If a weakness of the veins is suspected, you can first consult your family doctor. The doctor will assess the severity of the disease and see if there is a need for therapy. Especially in the case of minor complaints, the therapy can be ordered by the family doctor. If the vein weakness is severe or if there is a need for surgical therapy, the family doctor can refer the patient to a vein specialist called a phlebologist.
