Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Do you suffer from Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Chronic Venous Insufficiency occurs when the valves in your veins stop operating properly. Your veins have one-way valves that allow blood to travel up toward the heart, without gravity causing it to flow back toward your feet. When these one-way valves and vein walls become damaged and thin, blood can pool in the veins in the legs, causing those veins to become larger, pushing on the structures inside the leg. This will then cause pain, itching, dry skin, swelling, and redness. Left untreated, the skin can eventually break down, and an ulcer may form.

Although CVI is not life- or limb-threatening, patients with CVI have an increased risk of developing blood clots, varicose veins and skin changes that can lead to other complications.

What are the Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

There is usually a slow onset of pain in the legs, including heaviness, cramping or restless legs. Swelling is the most common symptom. Skin changes, including dry, itchy skin, can also be present. This can progress to redness and eventually darkening of the skin. Symptoms are usually worse at the end of the day, after work, or after long periods of standing or sitting. Your legs may also feel worse during pregnancy when veins become larger and begin to show on the skin as spider veins or varicose veins.

What Causes Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

There are several factors that can lead to the development of CVI, such as:

Genetics
Pregnancy
Long periods of standing or sitting
Injury to the legs
History of clots in the deep veins or in the superficial veins in the legs

How Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency Diagnosed?

At Alaska Vein Care we use the latest in ultrasound technology to examine veins and make a diagnosis. If you have chronic venous insufficiency, we will recommend that you wear compression stockings and consider treatment.

To learn more about Varicose and Spider Vein Care:

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To learn more about our Varicose Vein Specialists:

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Call us at (907) 334-3347 to schedule a 10-minute complementary screening or schedule online

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