Role of nurse in educating patients with varicose patients (Second Part) بالانجليزية
Nursing care for patients with varicose veins focuses on preventing complications, assessing patients' prognosis, and educating patients. Educating patients involves providing information that includes an explanation of what varicose veins are, possible causes of varicose veins, and the likelihood of progression and complications such as leg ulcers, skin changes, deep vein thrombosis, bleeding, and thrombophlebitis. Address any misconceptions the individual may have regarding the likelihood of developing complications. Also, provide guidance on treatment alternatives such as symptom relief, an explanation of interventional treatments, and the importance of compression. Discuss the anticipated benefits and drawbacks of each treatment option, the possibility of requiring more than one therapy session, as well as the fact that recurrent varicose veins are more likely to reoccur after treatment than original varicose veins. Patients are also taught about health behaviours such as modifications to their lifestyle. Lifestyle changes are essential for achieving the most thorough and long-lasting treatment response possible, including:
Wearing compression stockings are usually suggested as the first step in varicose vein care. It can help blood that has accumulated in the leg, ankle, or foot flow in the appropriate direction. They use various pressures on different regions of the legs and feet to keep blood flowing through the veins. They are useful in relieving discomfort and oedema. Increasing compression strength is used to treat larger varicosities, more severe symptoms, and chronic venous insufficiency.
Patients should be instructed to do the following:
- Put on compression stockings in the morning before getting out of bed, and remove them at night
before going to bed.
- The length of the compression stockings should be sufficient to cover all varicose veins.
- Put on socks or leggings first, then cover with compression stockings.
- Fold the top over or pull it up on the knee.
- Wear support stockings while pregnant.
- For easier donning allow at least 20 minutes of rest before putting on a support stocking.
- Change the support stockings every day. Stockings must be washed after each wear to keep the shape
and compression, or follow the manufacturer's instructions for washing and caring for them.
- Purchase new stockings when compression stockings lose their support (feeling less tight while
Putting them on).
- Do not be measured for support stockings late in the day.
Elevate the legs. Elevating legs when the person in sitting can take pressure off the veins in the legs and increase blood flow. Consider raising them with a footstool. Elevation of the feet should be to at least heart level for 30 minutes at least 4 times a day. This helps to reduce blood pooling in the veins.
Exercise regularly. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent worsening of varicose veins and maintain a healthy weight. The necessity for lower extremity activities to help the calf muscles return blood to the heart. Walking (slightly uphill if possible), tiptoe movements (standing and rising on the tips of the toes while hanging onto a bar or other kind of support), and dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the feet several times each day are all possible leg workouts. Also, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, five days a week. Avoid certain sorts of exercise, such as lifting weights, distance running, and yoga, as these might stress the veins and cause a backup of the blood
Change the position frequently. Long durations of standing or sitting can cause blood to pool in leg veins, which can worsen varicose vein symptoms. So, the patients should follow the following instructions:
- Avoid prolonged standing and sitting to relax the lower extremity veins and reduce discomfort.
- Encourage frequent breaks from sitting or standing to move the legs and promote blood flow in the
proper direction.
- Shift the weight frequently and stretch or walk every 30 minutes.
Healthy diet. A fibre-rich, low-sodium, low-fat diet can assist maintain healthy veins. Salt can cause the body to retain water. Excess fluid in the legs can cause oedema and pressure on the veins resulting in exacerbation of varicose veins. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will boost the general health and help to avoid obesity, which is a risk factor for worsening of varicose veins.
Maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight or obese places pressure on the pelvic and leg veins, So, losing weight is a critical step in slowing progression and preventing recurrence.
Avoid wearing tight clothing. Wearing tight clothing—girdles, body shapers, elastic knee socks, and even snug belts—can reduce blood flow from the legs to the heart, causing it to pool and contribute to the progression of varicose veins.
Moisturize the skin as prescribed by doctor. Keep the skin clean and apply daily moisturizer can heal dry or cracked skin resulting in improvement of the leg health.
Smoking cessation should be emphasized in patients with varicose veins.
- Inflammation or swelling in the legs
- Alterations in the skin, including redness, itching, and discoloration.
- Ulcers or open sores on the legs
- Varicose vein-related bleeding
- Engage in light to moderate physical activity.
- Avoid actions that may cause leg or foot injury, such as walking barefoot.
- Wash the lower legs and feet daily with mild soap and water.
- When shaving the legs, be very careful to avoid the thin-walled veins that are easily cut.
References
Adenan, M.S. (2020). Varicose veins. Retrieved from http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/varicose-
veins/
Akoijam, S. D., & Aathi, M. K. (2014). Prevention of varicose veins. International Journal Of
Advances In Nursing Management, 2(1).
Atalla, H.R.A., Soliman, G.H., Henedy, W.M. (2019). Evaluation of conservative nursing measures
among patients with lower limbs varicose vein. Asian J. Nursing Education and Research, 9(3),
449-459. doi: 10.5958/2349-2996.2019.00094.6
Habiba, A.I.A. (2008). The effect of hydrotherapy versus massage on lower limbs varicose veins
discomfort. Retrieved
from http://www.eulc.edu.eg/eulc_v5/Libraries/Thesis/BrowseThesisPages.aspx?
fn=ThesisPicBody&BibID=11419636&TotalNoOfRecord=94&PageNo=11&PageDirection=Next
Hamdan, A. (2012). Management of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. JAMA, 308, 2612–2621.
Mathew, C. S., Babu, B., Shaji, C., Pothan, N., Kutoor, D. S., & Abraham, E. (2016). Hydrotherapy: A
Review. International Journal Of Pharmaceutical And Chemical Science, 5(4), 196–200.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2013). Varicose veins: diagnosis and management.
Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg168/chapter/Recommendations#information-
for-people-with-varicose-veins
Nwafor, I.A., Eze, J.C., Ezemba, N., Chinawa, J.M., Idoko, L.F., & Ngene, C.N. (2017). Management
of varicose veins of the lower extremities: A 10-Year Institutional Experience. J Vasc Med Surg,
5, 309. Doi: 10.4172/2329-6925.1000309
NYU langone Health. (2024). Lifestyle changes for varicose veins. Retrieved
from https://nyulangone.org/conditions/varicose-veins/support
Piazza, G. (2014). Varicose veins. Retrieved
from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.008331
Raetz, J., Wilson, M., & Collins, K. (2019). Varicose veins: diagnosis and treatment. American Family
Physician, 99(11).
Raju, S., Hollis, K., & Neglen, P. (2007). Use of compression stockings in chronic venous disease:
patient compliance and efficacy. Ann Vasc Surg, 21, 790–795. Retrieved from www.svnnet.org
Retrieved from https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/man-using-leg-elevation-pillow-made-
2266458483
Sheorain, V.K. (2023). How to prevent varicose veins: Lifestyle changes and self-care tips. Retrieved
from https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/how-to-prevent-varicose-veins-lifestyle-
changes-and-self-care-tips
Shingler, S., Robertson, L., Boghossian, S., & Stewart, M. (2013). Compression stockings for the initial
treatment of varicose veins in patients without venous ulceration.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
12:CD008819.
The Vascular Disease Foundation.(2012). Varicose veins. Retrieved
from https://vasculardisease.org/flyers/varicose-veins-flyer.pdf
Comments
Post a Comment