What is chronic venous insufficiency?
Your veins have tiny valves that help keep blood moving forward toward your heart. Chronic venous insufficiency develops when weakness in these valves and the walls of your veins inhibits your circulation. Your blood might move slowly, flow backward, or pool in sections of your veins. The condition can occur anywhere in your body, but it’s most common in your legs.
Many factors contribute to your risk of developing chronic venous insufficiency. As you age, the valves in your veins naturally weaken. This process is compounded if you spend several hours every day sitting in one position or if you have a career that requires you to be on your feet all day.
Additionally, deep vein thrombosis — the clinical term for having a blood clot inside one of your deep veins — contributes to chronic venous insufficiency.
What are the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency?
Varicose veins are the most common symptom of chronic venous insufficiency. Varicose veins form when blood pools in a weakened section of your vein, causing it to swell and become visible on the outside of your skin. Other signs of chronic venous insufficiency include:
- Swelling in your ankles and lower legs
- Aching or fatigue in your legs
- The skin on your legs looks leathery or shiny
- Flakey or itchy skin on your lower legs
- Ulcers on your lower legs, ankles, or feet
If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment at Dallas Vein Institute to confirm what’s causing your symptoms and get the expert treatment you need to restore your vein health.
How is chronic venous insufficiency treated?
Treatment begins with a thorough exam and diagnosis. Dallas Vein Institute uses state-of-the-art testing to assess your vein health. They check your pulse and blood pressure in your ankles and lower legs and look for externally visible symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. They also use vascular ultrasound to examine your veins for blood clots and areas of weakness.
Then depending on the severity of your condition, Dallas Vein Institute provides customized treatments that could include:
- Compression stockings
- Lifestyle modifications
- Sclerotherapy
- ClosureFast™ thermal vein closure
- VenaSeal™
If you’re concerned about chronic venous insufficiency, call Dallas Vein Institute or make an appointment online today.
