What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. CVI causes blood to “pool” or collect in these veins, and this pooling is called stasis.
Chronic venous insufficiency starts out as venous insufficiency, a failure of the veins to adequately circulate blood from the body and limbs back to the heart. When treatment is delayed, the condition becomes chronic and symptoms manifest.
What Causes Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
The most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency is a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). As many as 30 percent of people with DVT will develop this problem within 10 years after diagnosis.
Chronic venous insufficiency may also be caused by pelvic tumors and vascular malformations.
Other risk factors for developing chronic venous insufficiency include:
Varicose veins
Injury
50 years of age or more
Obesity
Pregnancy
Sitting too often or being sedentary for prolonged periods
Smoking
Standing too often or failure to move or rest your legs for prolonged periods
What are the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency?
In the earliest stages, chronic venous insufficiency symptoms can be subtle. Sometimes understated early warning signs are dismissed. However, the seriousness of CVI, along with the complexities of treatment, increase as the disease progresses.
Seek help from a vascular specialist if you have any of the following chronic venous insufficiency symptoms:
Swelling in the lower legs and ankles, especially after extended periods of standing
Aching or tiredness in the legs
New varicose veins
Leathery-looking skin on the legs
Flaking or itching skin on the legs or feet
Stasis ulcers (or venous stasis ulcers)
Who is affected by chronic venous insufficiency?
An estimated 40% of people in the United States have CVI. It occurs more frequently in people over age 50, and more often in women than in men.
How is Chronic Venous Insufficiency treated?
Chronic venous insufficiency treatment includes lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, weight loss and exercise. Medical interventions include minimally invasive treatments and surgery.
Treatments for chronic venous insufficiency include:
Compression stockings - These snug-fitting socks support your legs and help with blood flow. This is often a first-step treatment approach used when the condition is caught early enough.
Medications - Sometimes antibiotics are used to treat skin infections. Other medications may be prescribed to help prevent blood clots or for the treatment of dermatitis, fungus or other conditions.
Sclerotherapy - An injection therapy in which a small needle is used to inject veins with medication that disrupts the lining of the vein. This helps to shut down the vein altogether and soon this vein is absorbed by the body.
Endovenous ablation - A minimally invasive therapy that uses radiofrequency or laser energy to close off the problematic veins.
If you think you might be suffering from chronic venous insufficiency or related issues, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.