Medication
The first line of treatment for chronic venous insufficiency is to try non-surgical strategies. The goal is to promote normal flow of blood through the veins and reduce the pooling of blood in your legs. These conservative strategies may include: wearing compression stockings avoiding standing or sitting for long periods,
Procedures
Endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This is a minimally invasive procedure. A tube (catheter) puts heat right into the affected vein. This closes the vein. Once the vein is closed, less blood pools in the leg. Overall blood flow is improved. Sclerotherapy. This may be used if your case is more serious.
Self-care
Dec 04, 2020 · Treatments for Chronic Venous Insufficiency The first methods that are often used to noninvasively treat chronic venous insufficiency include compression therapy (such as wearing compression socks) and medication to improve blood flow in the veins.
How serious is venous insufficiency?
Compression therapy with medical compression stockings is the gold standard in the noninvasive treatment of symptomatic venous diseases, possibly supplemented by anti-inflammatory drugs. A varicose vein should be eliminated whenever possible.
Is venous insufficiency really that serious?
A series of small incisions are made, a small hook is inserted below the skin and used to pull the vein out, and then it is surgically removed. In trained, skilled hands, this is an excellent procedure option to treat chronic venous insufficiency. This procedure must be performed by extensively trained physicians.
How do compression socks help venous insufficiency?
Sclerotherapy can eliminate the pain and discomfort of these veins and helps prevent complications such as venous hemorrhage and ulceration. It is also frequently performed for cosmetic reasons. Endovenous thermal ablationis a newer technique that uses a laser or high-frequency radio waves to create intense local heat in the affected vein.
What do you need to know about venous insufficiency?
Oct 07, 2020 · Most insurances do cover procedures for venous insufficiency. Some of your options for treatment may include: Sclerotherapy Venous ablations Phlebectomy Venoplasty Venous stenting A vascular healthcare provider that specializes in vein disease can help you determine what types of procedures, if any, would be right for you.
Can venous insufficiency be cured?
When a vein is damaged and affected by chronic venous insufficiency, it cannot be “repaired”. The way to treat varicose vein disease is to close the damaged veins, causing the blood to divert to normal, healthy veins.
How serious is venous insufficiency?
Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don't work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs. Chronic venous insufficiency is not a serious health threat.
What is the most common cause of venous insufficiency?
The most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency is a current or past blood clot (called deep vein thrombosis, DVT). A lump in the deep veins can cause significant harm to the leg veins. Even if you are unaware of the damage, you may see symptoms of CVI develop.
What happens if venous insufficiency is left untreated?
Left untreated, these damaged veins can cause serious complications, such as ulcers, bleeding, and a potentially fatal condition called deep vein thrombosis. If the blood pools in the legs long enough, the cells can begin to clump together, forming a blood clot.Mar 17, 2021
Can I live a normal life with venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency affects millions of Americans, but the good news is that people with this condition can find relief from pain, avoid the complications, and lead a normal life by making lifestyle changes that include: Exercising. Keeping your salt intake to a minimum. Drinking plenty of water.Oct 16, 2020
Is walking good for venous insufficiency?
Your doctor may recommend that you walk, ride a stationary bicycle, or jog for 30 minutes several times a week. Being active helps improve circulation and tones muscles in your legs. This can help pump blood toward the heart. Stretching your calf and thigh muscles can also help improve blood flow.
Can venous insufficiency affect the heart?
So, to sum up, venous insufficiency doesn't affect the heart or cause heart problems to progress. On the other hand, existing heart problems, especially congestive heart failure, can make vein problems in the legs much worse depending on the degree of the heart issue.
Can venous insufficiency cause shortness of breath?
It can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a cough that brings up pinkish-red fluid. Varicose veins commonly cause a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which occurs when blood pools in the veins of your legs, making it difficult for blood to circulate from your legs to your heart.
What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency?
Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may include: Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
What is a varicose vein?
Varicose veins. Leg ulcers that are sometimes hard to treat. Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) Painful leg cramps or muscle spasms (charley horse) The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions.
What happens if your legs are not treated?
If this condition is not treated, you may have: Pain. Swelling. Cramps. Skin changes. Varicose veins. Leg ulcers.
Can aspirin help with ulcers?
Aspirin can also be used to help ulcers heal. Medicines that draw excess fluid from the body through the kidneys (diuretics) are not often used. But they may be used if other conditions such as heart failure or kidney disease are also linked to the swelling. Endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
What is the best treatment for varicose veins?
For moderate to severe varicose veins, endovenous thermal ablation may be more effective. Endovenous ablation uses either laser energy or high-frequency radio waves to produce heat that is designed to destroy the problem veins.
What is the procedure to remove twisted veins?
For veins that are too bulgy and twisted for endovenous ablation or sclerotherapy, the vein doctor may recommend that you have a microphlebectomy. In this procedure, the doctor makes tiny incisions to remove the problematic vein.
1. Lifestyle changes
Adjusting your normal routine can keep varicose and spider veins from getting worse, ease your symptoms, and lower your risk of developing new vein problems. We recommend that all patients:
2. Compression therapy
Compression therapy involves the use of special garments that put external pressure on the leg to push valves closer together, increasing their efficiency. Compression socks and stockings provide support and apply graduated compression.
3. Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves injecting chemicals into affected veins to seal them closed and prevent blood from flowing through them. Over time, the treated veins turn to scar tissue and fade away as the body redirects blood flow to healthier veins.
4. Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into the dysfunctional vein. At the end of the catheter is a heating element that heats up and seals off the vein from the inside.
5. Microphlebectomy
Veins that are too small for ablation or too big for sclerotherapy can be treated with this outpatient procedure. The surgeon will make precise 2-3mm incisions in your skin to remove troublesome veins. No stitches are required, though you'll need to wear an elastic bandage or compression socks for a few days to support healing.
What causes venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when these valves become damaged, allowing the blood to leak backward. Valve damage may occur as the result of aging, extended sitting or standing or a combination of aging and reduced mobility. When the veins and valves are weakened to the point where it is difficult for the blood to flow up to the heart, ...
How to diagnose CVI?
To diagnose CVI, your doctor will perform a complete medical history and physical exam. During the physical exam, the doctor will carefully examine your legs.A test called a vascular or duplex ultrasound may be used to examine the blood circulation in your legs.
What is CVI in a patient?
What is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)? 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.
What is the cause of CVI?
CVI most commonly occurs as the result of a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs, a disease known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). CVI also results from pelvic tumors and vascular malformations, and sometimes occurs for unknown reasons.
What are the symptoms of CVI?
New varicose veins. Leathery-looking skin on the legs. Flaking or itching skin on the legs or feet. Stasis ulcers (or venous stasis ulcers) If CVI is not treated, the pressure and swelling increase until the tiniest blood vessels in the legs (capillaries) burst.
How long does it take for a DVT to develop?
As many as 30 percent of people with DVT will develop this problem within 10 years after diagnosis.
Why do the muscles in the feet contract with each step?
Calf muscles and the muscles in the feet need to contract with each step to squeeze the veins and push the blood upward. To keep the blood flowing up, and not back down, the veins contain one-way valves. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when these valves become damaged, allowing the blood to leak backward.
Why do veins stop working?
Insufficient veins cease to perform this function efficiently due to weak valves which slow the movement of blood, allowing it to pool in the legs. At times, the blood may actually flow toward the feet, instead of toward the heart.
What are some ways to improve blood circulation?
Water- staying well hydrated improves the viscosity of blood. Anti-inflammatory diets- Certain foods are known to be inflammatory and could, in theory, interfere with optimal circulation. Foods to avoid if you are attempting an anti-inflammatory diet include animal products, processed food, and fried food.
What is horse chestnut extract?
Horse Chestnut- One promising ingredient in the fight against venous insufficiency is horse chestnut extract. This natural supplement is probably not in your medicine cabinet yet, but if you have venous insufficiency, maybe it should be. Clinical trials have found horse chestnut to help reverse symptom of venous insufficiency like leg swelling and itching. It may even help reverse skin damage and discoloration caused by chronic venous insufficiency. Horse chestnut extract can be found over-the-counter at specialty vitamin stores, and also prescribed under the brand name Vasculera, although insurance coverage is limited, as it generally is for most other supplements.
How does elevation affect your legs?
When you elevate your legs, you allow gravity to naturally bring blood back toward your heart. This will likely make your legs feel less achy and swollen, and feels especially good at the end of a long day. Even people with mild cases of venous insufficiency may get substantial reversal of symptoms after just a few minutes of elevation. Ideally, your legs should be above the level of your heart, but any elevation is better than none. You can purchase special leg elevation pillows if you want to maximize your results.
What are compression socks?
Compression socks/stockings. Graduated compression socks are part of the treatment plan for every patient diagnosed with venous insufficiency, and I know, you HATE them. But allow me to humbly suggest you just haven’t found the right pair yet. The right pair of compression socks should help to reverse symptoms like leg heaviness, achiness, fatigue, ...
What are the symptoms of a swollen leg?
Common symptoms include some or all of the following: Spider and/or varicose veins of the legs, groin, or private areas. Leg pain. Leg heaviness. Leg tiredness.
How to get rid of inflammation in the body?
Instead, focus on eating naturally derived, whole foods prepared at home. The more colorful the plate, the better. Other supplements- there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that supplements like Omega 3 and turmeric can “thin the blood” and decrease inflammation in the body, aiding in proper circulation.
Common, Effective Treatments
Preventative Measures
Trust The Experts at Center For Vein Restoration