Chronic Venous
Insufficiency

Those interested in living long, healthy lives often focus on ensuring they’re combatting the big picture conditions and checking in with their healthcare providers.

Often, though, healthy living consists of smaller, more consistent efforts. This refers, specifically, to daily activity, blood circulation, and a healthy diet. 

Statements like this one are especially true when it comes to non-life threatening but uncomfortable conditions like chronic venous insufficiency. 

This condition is essentially a health issue that means the veins in your body–and often specifically in your legs–are not functioning the way they’re supposed to. Venous insufficiency impacts the venous walls in a way that makes walking uncomfortable and circulation highly irregular. 

If the walls of your veins aren’t functioning as intended, that means blood that’s being pumped from the heart isn’t circulating to its appropriate areas. As mentioned, this condition typically impacts the venous walls of the legs, and often, this means blood is pooling in these areas. 

What Causes Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Unfortunately, one of the typical culprits of this condition is a sedentary lifestyle. That being said, there are a few different causes of the chronic venous insufficiency condition. 

Some common causes include: 

Being Overweight

Suffering from an injury or damage to the venous wall

Blood clots

deep vein thrombosis

High blood pressure
in the legs over time

Being overweight

Suffering from an injury or damage to the venous wall

Blood clots

Deep vein thrombosis

High blood pressure
in the legs over time

What are the Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Though chronic venous insufficiency will manifest in a variety of ways depending on the severity, many people who experience this condition will face symptoms like:

  • Constant leg pain and discomfort 
  • Itching or burning sensation around the ankles 
  • Mild-to-severe swelling of the legs, feet, and ankles 
  • Varicose veins 
  • Leg ulcers and infections 
  • A tight, uncomfortable feeling when walking 
  • Discolored skin in areas where blood pools 

These symptoms, of course, are just some of the ways this condition can manifest itself. Those who might be experiencing differing but related symptoms could still be suffering from chronic venous insufficiency. It’s best to consult with a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. 



What are Treatment Options for Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Treatment options will depend on the advice of your doctor. While some symptoms can be treated as simply as wearing compression stockings, adopting a more active lifestyle, or elevating the legs, sometimes more is needed. When conservative management as above is not enough, further treatments may be necessary. 

Depending on the severity of your venous disease, many doctors will recommend other treatment options such as:

  • Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA)
  • Varithena Foam Sclerotherapy
  • Phlebectomy

For treatment options, diagnosis, and symptom evaluation, reach out to your doctor and schedule an appointment to discuss the chronic venous insufficiency condition.