Chronic vein disease–also called chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI–affects about 20 percent of American adults. Many ask, “So what’s a few varicose or spider veins?” Frankly, any form of vein disease should be evaluated at your vein clinic as they may develop serious complications.
Let’s talk about how chronic vein disease can affect people’s lives and where you can go for effective management of chronic vein diseases.
What Is Chronic Vein Disease?
Chronic vein disease occurs when the small check valves inside veins fail to open and close properly. As such, blood stagnates and collects in the lower extremities, especially in the tiny venules, superficial veins, and deep veins anywhere in the feet, ankles, legs, and even in the rectum and groin areas.
Predisposing factors include:
- Heredity
- Age over 50
- Pregnancy
- Being female
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Poor nutrition and hydration
How Can the Symptoms of Chronic Vein Disease Change People’s Lives?
The symptoms of chronic vein disease change people’s lives in many ways. If the problem is minor spider veins or small varicose veins, the effects may be merely cosmetic; simple interventions such as leg elevation, compression wear (stockings), smoking cessation, exercise, and losing weight help tremendously,
However, some cases of CVI are more pronounced, and people develop very troublesome symptoms such as:
- Leg pain
- Swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs
- Thickened, itchy, discolored skin
- Leg and foot ulcers
- Leg fatigue and a feeling of extreme restlessness
If left untreated, chronic vein disease can lead to dangerous health complications such as:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots that form in the legs and travel to other areas of the body
- Pulmonary emboli from blood clots moving to the lungs, obstructing blood flow
These conditions require immediate attention by a vein doctor as they are both life- and limb-threatening.
How Can an Experienced Vein Doctor Help?
Your vein doctor is highly specialized in diagnosing and treating chronic vein disease. Besides reviewing your medical history and discussing your symptoms, this medical specialist does a physical inspection of the legs, ankles, and feet and often uses ultrasound imaging to map the blood vessels.
This high-tech vein mapping shows how well blood flows through the vessels, reveals the shape and structure of veins, and the presence of any clots. With these findings, the vein specialist can recommend ways to treat the problem veins, reduce symptoms, and prevent complications.
Learn More About CVI At Advanced Heart & Vascular Institute in Boca Raton, FL
Two board-certified interventional cardiologists head our professional team. They are Dr. Eli Levine and Dr. Michael Schechter. They are ready to help you with your vein symptoms to have the healthy veins you need.
Call our office staff today to arrange a consultation: (561) 235-5621, or arrange your visit online by filling in our secure request form.
