Every valve in your veins ensures that blood flows to your heart without any interference. Unfortunately, the valves may malfunction, resulting in the backward flow of the blood. In such an instance, blood pools in your lower legs instead of flowing to your heart, a condition called chronic venous insufficiency. Various factors, including smoking and family history of CVI, increase your risk of developing the medical concern. Are your veins scaring you, and you have no idea how to deal with the problem? Consult your Kissimmee chronic venous insufficiency experts at Vascular Vein Centers for assistance.
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What symptoms are you likely to have with chronic venous insufficiency?
The seriousness of the condition and the complexity of chronic venous insufficiency are likely to increase as the condition progresses. Therefore, the healthcare provider may advise you to seek professional help when you realize you have the disease’s symptoms as the issue might not go away the more you wait for the symptoms to resolve. Therefore, the earlier your doctor diagnoses and treats CVI, the higher your chances of having severe complications. The symptoms you might have with chronic venous insufficiency include:
- Swelling on your lower legs, especially when you stand for extended periods
- Flaky and itchy skin on your legs
- Muscle spasms
- Emerging varicose veins
- Stasis ulcers
- Restless legs syndrome
- Pain that worsens when you walk and resolves when you rest
- Fatigue, especially on your legs
What happens when you do not get treatment for chronic venous insufficiency?
When you fail to contact your doctor for help, CVI can cause the swelling and pressure in your legs to increase significantly, forcing the capillaries in your legs to burst. A minor concern you might have with burst capillaries is tissue inflammation and damage. On the other hand, the worst scenario you can have when the capillaries burst is open ulcers appearing on your skin surface. Unfortunately, the stasis sores may be challenging to treat, increasing your risks of wound infection. In addition, the ulcers may spread to your surrounding tissue in instances where you cannot control the infections.
How can you manage the condition?
Chronic venous insufficiency can be easy to deal with in its initial stages. The medical professional may suggest various treatment combinations to help relieve your symptoms. The strategies might include:
- Minimize sitting or standing for extended periods
- Maintain a standard weight
- Do regular exercises
- Take antibiotics, especially when you have infections
- Elevate your legs every time you are lying down or sitting
- Wear compression socks to minimize the pressure on your feet
What are your risk factors for developing CVI?
The risk factors that make you more likely to develop the disease include:
- Age (above 50years)
- Smoking
- Standing or sitting for long
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Inactivity
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Presence of varicose veins
- Family history of the condition
Chronic venous insufficiency is not life-threatening. However, the condition can be disabling, leading to other health complications, especially when not seeking professional help. Do not let your symptoms worsen when you can contact your doctor for help.
