Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) and its effects on the Body

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Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) and its effects on the Body

The health of our body completely depends on a healthy flow of blood in the veins. Poor circulation prevents the blood from flowing freely, leading to problems such as chronic venous insufficiency.

Chronic venous insufficiency affects up to 20% of adults, and is a common cause of swelling and pain in the legs. It can also lead to other venous disorders, including spider veins and varicose veins.

Understanding Chronic Venous Insufficiency

The blood in our veins is supposed to flow in one direction. This ensures steady pressure in the veins. However, the vein valves can get damaged, causing issues with blood pressure. This makes it difficult for the lower body to pump the blood back to the heart. As a result, the veins become swollen and painful.

Effects of Chronic Vein Insufficiency on the Body

CVI can have multiple effects on the body. It can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Swelling or heaviness in the ankles and lower legs
  • Dull throbbing pain
  • Itchiness and rashes
  • Enlarged and twisted veins near the surface of the skin (varicose veins)
  • Leathery skin
  • Discoloration of the skin
  • Leg ulcers
  • Flaking of the skin

Risk Factors for CVI

While CVI can be passed on genetically, there are a number of lifestyle choices and unhealthy habits that can increase the risk of the conditions. Certain medical problems have also been known to cause chronic venous insufficiency. These include:

  • Family history
  • Habitual Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Heavy Drinking
  • High blood pressure
  • Pregnancy
  • Age, over 30 years
  • Blood clots (Deep vein thrombosis)
  • Prolonged standing or sitting
  • Heavy lifting
  • Limited physical activity
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Treating Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency can be treated by both medical and surgical treatments. Certain self-care methods and lifestyle changes can also be effective in improving the blood circulation and strengthening the vein valves. These include:

  • Reduce smoking and/or drinking
  • Staying active
  • Using compression stockings to apply slight pressure to the veins for enhanced blood flow
  • Medications that dissolve any possible blood clots and prevent the formation of more.
  • Surgical treatments and vascular procedures such as valve repair, vein stripping, or angioplasty to remove or block the damaged veins.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatment in New York:

Varicose Veins Doctors New York is one of the top vein clinics in the city. We offer customized treatment according to each client’s health needs created by leading vein physicians in NYC. We specialize in treating venous disorders such as chronic venous insufficiency using expert diagnoses and advanced treatment methods. Our services include treating conditions such as spider veins and varicose veins, leg cramps, and restless leg syndrome. 

Our treatment methods include ClariVein and laser ablation. Call 212-906-9111 today to schedule an appointment!

By |2021-02-12T14:13:57+00:00November 30th, 2019|Blog, certified vascular surgeon in NYC, expert vascular vein specialist in NYC|Comments Off on Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) and its effects on the Body

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