Blood is pumped from the heart to all body parts and limbs. The human body veins are responsible to carry the used and deoxygenated blood back from the body parts to the heart. All veins have one-way valves that direct the blood to flow to the heart and restrict its backward movement.
The blood in the leg veins must flow upward, against the pull of the gravity to reach the heart. Venous insufficiency occurs when the leg vein valves do not function as desired and restrict the blood’s movement to the heart. As a result of this, the blood flows back to the leg veins. These malfunctioning valves force the blood to remain collected in the leg veins thus causing blood pooling.
If this medical ailment is left untreated, the condition becomes chronic and the symptoms get worse leading to a disorder that is referred to as Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) in medical terms. CVI is also accompanied by extremely high blood pressure in the affected leg veins which may also result in stasis ulcers and other severe health complications.
Causes of Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Women are more probable to suffer from CVI than men. It usually occurs in people over 50 years of age and there are more than a handful of reasons that can lead to chronic venous insufficiency. Let us have a look at the risk factors below:
- Presence of blood clots in the deep veins of legs that cause Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) which is responsible for damaging the venous walls and the vein valves
- Pelvic tumors and vascular malformations
- Any leg injury
- Pregnancy or being pregnant again with not enough time gap in between
- A family history of CVI or varicose veins
- A poor lifestyle that includes an absence of regular exercise and lack of a balanced diet
- Excessive smoking or chewing tobacco
- Being obese or inactive
- Standing for prolonged hours at a stretch that raises the blood pressure in the leg veins and weakens the valves
Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency
There are subtle symptoms in the earlier stages of chronic venous insufficiency but if you pay attention to the appearance and sensation in your legs, it will not be very difficult for you to understand and evaluate the urgent need to visit a vascular specialist.
Given below are some of the major warning signs of CVI :
- Constant itching on the legs
- Lower leg skin color changing to brown and the skin looking dull
- Leg cramps and restlessness
- Severe leg pain when walking or resting
- Swelling around the ankle and/or lower leg area
- Wounds that do not heal and lead to leg ulcers
- Tightening in calves
- New development of varicose veins
- Skin commences to look and feel like leather
Treatment for Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency is 100% treatable. If you notice any early symptoms, you must immediately consult a vascular expert as delayed treatment may have serious ill-consequences.
Following is a list of the feasible treatments that the vascular expert might undertake :
- Antibiotic oral medicines to cure dermatitis or skin infections with steroid-based ointments for direct application on the skin. A medical wrap may also be suggested for the affected leg area
- Medication to prevent the possibility of blood clots
- Sclerotherapy – the medical procedure where a thin needle is used to inject medicines directly into the affected veins. These medicines disrupt the lining of the vein and completely shut it off. The dead vein is later absorbed by the body itself.
- Endovenous ablation – this is an invasive process that uses laser light or laser fiber to dissolve the problematic veins
- Surgery – this is comparatively a much more complicated process where the vein is either repaired or cut and tied off so that blood no longer flows through it.
- Compression stockings – These stockings offer support to the legs and improve blood circulation. Available in multiple sizes, tightness, lengths, and style, your doctor will be able to guide you with the right pair of compression stockings as per your need
- Lifestyle changes – This undoubtedly is the most important form of self-care and the most effective treatment for CVI. Regular exercise, weight loss, giving up on cigarettes, and not standing or sitting for too long will aid in the recovery of CVI
Though the treatment offered to a patient depends on the age, the severity of the symptoms and a few other factors, all doctors will first attempt to curb the swelling in the legs and prevent the formation of leg ulcers.
Dr. Rajah V Koppala, the vascular specialist at Avis Vascular Centre has successfully treated thousands of patients suffering from varicose veins, leg ulcers, and CVI. Schedule a consultation to avail his expert medical assistance today!
