Chronic venous insufficiency is a very common disease, more common in women and the elderly, characterized by the impossibility of maintaining a balance between the blood flow that reaches the lower limbs and its return, generally caused by dysfunction of the existing valves in the veins. , and can also be associated with a venous outflow obstruction.
Depending on the severity, this disease can be quite invalidating, due to the appearance of symptoms, such as feeling heaviness and pain in the legs, swelling, tingling, itching, skin manifestations, among others.
- Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and can be done with the administration of medication.
- The use of compression stockings and in some cases it may be necessary to resort to surgery.
The most common symptoms that can occur in people with venous insufficiency are a feeling of heaviness and pain in the affected limb, itching, feeling tired, night cramps, and tingling.
In addition, some characteristic signs of chronic venous insufficiency are the appearance of varicose veins, varicose veins, swelling and pigmentation of the skin.
Venous insufficiency is caused by dysfunction of the valves present along the veins, which are responsible for the return of blood to the heart, and may also be associated with obstruction of venous flow.
When working properly, these valves open upwards, allowing blood to flow upwards and close soon after, to prevent blood from flowing again. In people with venous insufficiency, the valves lose the ability to close completely, allowing venous blood to flow back to the limbs, causing increased pressure in the legs, due to the action of gravity and when swelling occurs.
Cases where the risk of venous insufficiency is higher are
Diagnosis usually involves an evaluation of personal and family medical history, evaluation of associated risk factors, and analysis of the presence of other diseases and duration of symptoms. A physical exam is also done to look for signs such as hyperpigmentation, varicose veins, swelling, eczema, or active or scarred ulcers, for example.
In addition, the doctor can also use diagnostic methods, such as color echo Doppler, which is the main method of evaluation after the clinical examination, which allows to detect a dysfunction of the venous valves or a chronic obstruction. A technique called venous plethysmography can also be used, which can be used as a supplemental quantitative test to assess the degree of impairment of venous function.
When the diagnosis is inconclusive, an invasive exam, called a venography, may be necessary.
To avoid or alleviate the symptoms and prevent the aggravation of the disease, the person should avoid standing for many hours or staying in hot places for a long time, avoid a sedentary lifestyle, prolonged exposure to the sun, hot baths, saunas and avoid wearing heels or shoes that are too shallow.
Treatment will depend on the severity of the disease and consists of the use of compressive or elastic means, which favor the reabsorption of edema and prevent its formation, decrease the venous caliber and increase flow, reducing blood reflux when the person is permanent. Compression stockings work.
In addition, the doctor may also prescribe veinotonic remedies, such as hesperidin and diosmin, for example, mainly to relieve symptoms and reduce the inflammatory process of the valves, these remedies increase venous tone, decrease hair permeability and act on the wall and venous valves. Preventing venous reflux, they also favor the improvement of lymphatic flow and have an anti-inflammatory action.
In some cases, sclerotherapy may be necessary if the person has varicose veins and surgery, if he or she has varicose veins, to prevent the development of the disease.
For treatment to be most effective, the person should maintain a healthy weight, lift their feet while sitting, avoid standing and standing, and exercise.