How To Spot Chronic Venous Insufficiency

In order to avoid chronic non-healing wounds, like we talked about last month, educating patients on how to spot symptoms that might lead to wounds is integral. While there are many indicators of non-healing wounds, education on what to look out for can help our patients prevent worsening their conditions by "waiting them out." This week, we will be focusing on how to spot Chronic Venous Insufficiency! 

Chronic Venous Insufficiency is often the first indicator of issues with lower extremities. Leg veins are usually supposed to act as a lazy river, bringing the blood around the body from the heart and back to the center. With Chronic Venous Insufficiency, leg vein valves stop bringing the blood back up to the heart, resulting in varicose veins, swelling of the blood vessels and lower extremities and discolored or thickened skin the legs, pain, cramping, or leg discomfort. Some of our patients characterize symptoms as "heavy legs," which indicates that blood that should be circulating is getting stuck in the lower extremities. 

It is vital to be aware of these early-stage symptoms because the digression of Chronic Venous Insufficiency can result in ulcers, or sores, which can lead to those pesky non-healing wounds which take much longer to heal. Treatment can vary from wearing compression socks to surgery for lower extremities, but the sooner the diagnosis it's made, the less invasive procedure will be. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make your health a priority, and visit Central Valley Vein and Wound Center!