Venous Insufficiency

Did you know that a single dysfunction of your veins can lower the quality of your day-to-day life?

The heart relies on veins to keep moving. Consequently, your legs have veins containing valves that let blood out but not backward. Failure of these valves to function efficiently causes blood to pool in your legs, leading to venous insufficiency.

What is Venous Insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency is a condition that occurs when veins in the lower legs are unable to pump blood back to your heart effectively. This can cause blood to pool in your legs, leading to several symptoms.

For example, venous insufficiency can cause the legs to feel tired, achy, and heavy. It could also contribute to leg swelling, varicose veins, and other problems.

While venous insufficiency is not usually life-threatening, it can be uncomfortable and debilitating.

Is there a Cure for Venous Insufficiency?

There is no promising cure for venous insufficiency. But there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Venous Insufficiency?

There are several signs and symptoms associated with venous insufficiency. The most common symptoms include:

• Swelling in the legs

Leg swelling is a leading consequence of blood pooling in the legs. This causes the legs to become tender. Your legs may swell after standing or sitting for a long time.

• Cramping in the legs

Pooled blood in your legs may cause leg cramps that are extremely painful. The cramps may also manifest in violently contracting muscles. Venous cramps occur in the calf.

• Varicose veins

Increasing blood pressure in your veins eventually leads to varicose veins. Varicose veins are a condition in which the veins become enlarged, lumpy, and twisted. They can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the legs and feet. Varicose veins can be painful and can cause ulcers.

• Skin ulcers

Venous ulcers occur due to the high pressure in veins in your lower leg. This pressure usually is due to blood in these veins flowing toward your heart. At this point, you may have ulcers or sores on your legs that are slow to heal.

• Blood clots

The skin around your legs may become darker than usual. This implies that the forward blood flow through the veins is obstructed.

• A feeling of heaviness in the legs

You may feelheaviness or pain in your legs, especially after standing or sitting for long periods. You may also notice that your legs feel exhausted more often.

• Dry and itchy skin

Blood builds up in damaged vessels, eventually leaking into the skin. The leaking blood vessels may prevent enough oxygen from getting to your skin. With time, the skin over these veins becomes red and itchy. 

• Dark purple or blue color on the skin surface

Dark purple or blue color on your skin surface occurs when blood pools in the veins.

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s vital to see a doctor so you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

What are the Risk Factors for Venous Insufficiency?

There are several risk factors for developing venous insufficiency. These include:

Age: Venous insufficiency is more common in older adults. As you become older, your blood vessels may lose elasticity or weaken, which contributes to venous insufficiency.

Gender: Unlike men, women are at a higher risk for venous insufficiency. This is due to the effects of pregnancy and menopause on the vascular system. Pregnancy, for instance, may put pressure on the legs contributing to venous insufficiency.

Family background: Family history is another important risk factor. The condition can be hereditary.

Lifestyle choices: Poor lifestyle choices may manifest in obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Being overweight and obese or even sitting or standing for long may increase pressure on the legs, contributing to venous insufficiency.

Phlebitis: Phlebitis occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein. This condition can cause the vein to become inflamed, leading to venous insufficiency.

Smoking history: Smoking damages the veins and makes it more difficult for them to function correctly.

History of blood clots: When a clot forms, it can block blood flow through the veins. This can cause the veins to distend and weaken, leading to venous insufficiency.

History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT): DVT is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg.

Week blood vessels: Weak or damaged blood vessels cannot pump blood as effectively as healthy veins. Weak blood vessels can result from certain medical conditions or even pregnancy.

Veins in Our Body Have an Important Role

When the veins in our body cannot pump blood effectively, blood begins to pool in the vessels. This can cause several problems. It may cause pain, swelling, blood clots, ulcers, and even varicose veins, among other circulation problems.

Thankfully, there are treatments available that can help to improve veins’ function and prevent blood pooling.

What are the Treatment Options for Venous Insufficiency?

The treatment options for venous insufficiency include:

1. Varicose Vein Procedures

Treatment for venous disease may vary by diagnosis. But varicose veins procedures can help with the situation.

Invasive procedures can improve blood flow to the heart. The procedure closes the damaged vein and reroutes blood to the healthier veins.

Another procedure involves injecting non-formulated medical adhesives to close the damaged vein.

Additional treatment options involve using heat to close off the sick veins. These include:

• Ablation (RF ablation)

• Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLT)

• Regular Vein Treatments

Regular vein treatments such as sclerotherapy can help. So, what is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a medical treatment for varicose and spider veins. It involves injecting a chemical solution into the veins. This injection causes the vein to shrink and disappear. Sclerotherapy is safe and effective for reducing the appearance of varicose veins.

• Surgery

In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the damaged veins.

• Non-surgical Treatment Options

Other than medical treatment, there are several measures you can take at home to improve venous insufficiency. These may include lifestyle changes such as:

• Wearing compression stockings to compress the damaged veins by applying pressure to the legs. This improves blood flow and reduces swelling in the legs.

• Wearing loose-fitting clothes

• Elevating your legs when sleeping or sitting

• Avoid sitting or standing for long periods if you have varicose veins

• Practicing healthy eating habits and exercising regularly

• Avoiding smoking

Working with a qualified healthcare professional is essential for whichever treatment option you choose. This will ensure you get the best possible results in managing venous insufficiency.