Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Venous insufficiency is a condition with the body’s veins ability to function properly. In the body, veins collect blood and move it around the the body and eventually back to the heart and lungs to get oxygen and be redistributed again.
For instance, when a leg muscle contracts, it pushes inward against the walls of the vein. This results in blood being squeezed upward, which in turn opens the blood valves, and moves blood toward the heart.
Within the body, veins have 1-way valves within the blood vessels that keep blood going in the right direction. When the body’s valves do not function properly, blood can leak, going backwards which can cause a variety of health maladies.
When blood backs up in the veins, especially in areas of the body where veins must work against gravity like the legs, it can lead to blood clots and other venous issues.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Venous Insufficiency?
Symptoms of Chornic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) include the following issues:
- Varicose veins in the legs
- Ulceration or vein breakdown under the skin
- Discolored skin on the leg or redness
- Swelling of the legs or edema
Some of the risk factors include venous hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure. This happens when pressure inside the veins increases over time. Additionally CVI can include:
- Blood clots that block the flow of blood in a vein, otherwise known as deep vein thrombosis
- Inflammation of a vein that causes a blood clot to form.
Other risk factors that can lead to CVI include:
- Heredity
- Weight gain or Obesity
- Pregnancy
- A Non-active lifestyle, lack of exercise
- Jobs requiring long periods of standing or sitting in one place
- Smoking
