What You Need To Know About Venous Insufficiency

Blood pumped to the heart needs to return from various organs for circulation to be complete. However, this is not always the case in patients suffering from venous insufficiency. Valves in leg veins fail to function as they should, which makes it hard for blood to return from the lower body to the heart. This could have severe consequences, including the development of related vascular conditions. Consult experts at Vascular Vein Centers for any question and treatment of chronic venous insufficiency in Rockledge. Here is everything you need to know about this condition.

What are the causes of venous insufficiency?

Most venous insufficiency cases result from varicose veins or blood clots in the lower part of the body. Valves in leg veins are essential to prevent the backflow of blood. When blood does not keep flowing forward, vein walls get weak and eventually damaged. Patients with this condition have their veins filled with blood, especially in vertical positions.

The risk factors of venous insufficiency include pregnancy and obesity, which increase the weight in your lower back. You are also at risk if there is a history of the condition in your family. Additionally, smoking and damage to the leg are also known to cause venous insufficiency.

What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency?

It is easier to treat mild conditions of venous insufficiency compared to more complex conditions. Therefore, you should seek treatment immediately when you begin developing signs to increase the chances of recovery.  Even if you wait, the condition will not go away independently, but rather it will keep on getting complicated. The symptoms of venous insufficiency include:

·       Swelling in the ankles and lower legs after prolonged standing

·       Tiredness and aching affecting your legs

·       Presence of varicose veins

·       Itching and flaking on the feet or legs

·       Stasis ulcers that are difficult to treat

You should get evaluated further because these symptoms may resemble other common health conditions. The doctor can perform a physical examination to make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment of venous insufficiency

There are various options when treating this condition. The doctor looks at your medical history, age, the severity of the situation, signs, and overall health before deciding. They may also check how well you deal with various treatments and medications to avoid complications. After considering these factors, treatment may include either of the following:

·       Improve flow: You will be advised to keep your legs elevated to facilitate blood flow. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe compression socks and exercise to improve your leg’s blood flow.

·       Medicines: Compression therapy sometimes needs to be combined with medicines to increase blood flow and heal swelling and ulcers.

·       Radiofrequency ablation (RFA):  This is a minimally invasive treatment option that heats the vein and closes to minimize blood pools.

·       Surgery: Surgery is only an option in severe cases. It is done to tie the affected vein to prevent blood flow through it again.

Consult Vascular Vein Centers if you experience symptoms that signal a problem with blood flow in your lower body parts. They treat varicose veins, lower leg swelling, spider veins, and any other conditions caused by venous insufficiency. Consult them for further questions and treatment.