Can Chronic Venous Insufficiency Be Reversed?

Chronic venous insufficiency can be a debilitating condition for many individuals. For many patients, chronic venous insufficiency can rob them of their confidence, as the painful veins can be seen bulging through the legs. After days of being on their feet all day, to come home with heavy or tired legs, they may wonder: “Can my CVI ever be reversed?”.

The answer is: Yes and no. Chronic venous insufficiency symptoms can be reversed with the right lifestyle adjustments and treatments. So, despite the hopelessness that a condition like chronic venous insufficiency can bring to individuals, there are options and resources available.

Let’s examine some chronic venous insufficiency symptoms, risk factors, and possible treatment plans for you. Additionally, we will find the ways Vein Solutions Flint can offer hope to patients who are facing CVI.

What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in your legs are damaged, leading to lack of steady blood flow to the legs. Because of this, the veins in the leg are unable to properly return blood back to the heart. Since there is a lack of adequate blood flow to the legs, the blood will settle in the legs creating high pressure within the veins.

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Some patients can go years without realizing the leg pain and discomfort they’re experiencing is from CVI. Many think it is just another sign of aging; however, these unpleasant symptoms typically are signs of a deeper issue such as chronic venous insufficiency.

Early Onset Signs of CVI:

• Achy or tired legs, without any visible signs of bulging veins
• Visible spider veins
• Visible varicose veins that are more than 3 millimeters wide

Mild to Severe Symptoms of CVI:

• Swelling in the legs (edema) with or without skin changes
• Skin texture and color change
• Burning sensation in legs
• Ulcers, healed or active

The Most Common CVI Symptoms:

• Pain when standing, but lessens when leg(s) are elevated
• Cramping of leg(s), accompanied by a feeling of heaviness or dullness in leg(s)
• A red-brown or violet-brown discoloration on the leg, also known as lipodermatosclerosis
• Red-brown patches that are shiny on the leg, also known as stasis dermatitis

It is important to note that visible varicose veins do not automatically mean you have CVI. Varicose veins can be caused by a multitude of factors, but it is vital to share with your doctor if you notice new varicose veins with accompanied pain or growth.

Some patients have even described the feeling of chronic venous insufficiency to feel as though their legs are burning

Chronic Venous Insufficiency Risk Factors

There are a few risk factors that come into play when an individual could face CVI. Some chronic venous insufficiency risk factors include:

• Medical or family history of deep vein thrombosis
• Obesity
• Individuals 50 years of age and older
• Consistent standing or sitting over a long period of time
• Pregnancy

Out of these risk factors, one that is more commonly the cause of chronic vein insufficiency is deep vein thrombosis. DVT happens when a blood clot forms in the leg’s deep vein. If you have a family, or personal history, of DVT it is important to be aware that it could trigger chronic venous insufficiency. Always consult your doctor when severe or new symptoms arise with any of these risk factors, as it could be a sign of CVI.

How Chronic Venous Insufficiency is Diagnosed

If you find yourself meeting the stated symptoms and risk factors, you will want to share this with a skilled medical provider. From here, a doctor will be able to assess your condition, and potentially diagnose you with DVI, through:

Physical Examination

If you share with your provider your current symptoms, and if your provider thinks you meet the risk factors, they may perform a physical examination for diagnostic purposes.Your provider will examine the lower extremities, and assess it for physical signs of CVI such as discoloration, swelling, or ulcers.

Vascular Ultrasound

If your provider determines that they would like more accurate results, if a physical exam is not clear enough, then they may perform a vascular ultrasound. This entails sound waves to show which veins are compromised through ultrasound imaging.

Through either examination, your provider will be able to determine whether or not you do have CVI, and from there can provide a helpful treatment plan.

Can Chronic Venous Insufficiency Be Reversed?

When a patient is diagnosed with CVI one common, and fair, question that is asked is, “can chronic venous insufficiency be reversed?” And while the answer to this question may be no, there are treatments patients can undergo to find relief from their symptoms.

Some common treatments, surgical and non-surgical, to help treat CVI include:

Compression dressings, or stockings

These are worn to reduce swelling and pain in the legs. These can come in different sizes and shapes based on the severity of swelling. In certain cases of CVI with an active wound, a provider may suggest the use of an advanced compression dressing to help with ulcers in particular.

Medication

Some providers may suggest medications to help alleviate symptoms from CVI. Medications for CVI include:

• Antibiotics to help treat ulcers on the legs
• Anticoagulants to help treat and prevent future blood clots in the leg

Sclerotherapy

This noninvasive procedure is performed by a provider who will inject a liquid solution into a spider or varicose vein to cause the vein to dissolve. And yes, your body can function with or without varicose veins!

Venous Ablation

A venous ablation is a noninvasive procedure that uses a small, plastic wire to dissolve the compromised vein through the use of radiofrequency.

Vein Bypass

For severe cases, a provider may opt for an invasive vein bypass to help with CVI and its symptoms. Vein bypasses are done by a skilled provider taking a part of one healthy vein and using it to reroute the blood around the compromised vein.

For any treatment plan, you will have to connect with a provider to find the right one for you. There are factors that come into play when selecting the right treatment, such as severity of the veins and symptoms. Ultimately, your provider will select the treatment that is going to work best to give you better comfort and ease with chronic venous insufficiency.

Lifestyle Changes to Treat CVI

In addition to in office treatments for CVI, there are lifestyle changes individuals can adapt to provide better comfort and healing with their symptoms. Some lifestyle changes include:

1. Exercise: This may seem a bit counterintuitive to include exercise to your daily habits if you’re facing leg pain from CVI. However, being active and moving your legs can help with blood circulation, which in turn helps with leg pain and cramping. Now, it does not need to be any extreme form of exercise as that may not be comfortable. But, a walk around your neighborhood or power walk in the local park can help to get the blood pumping.
2. Leg Elevation: Many patients find relief from achy or heavy legs by simply elevating their legs. When elevating legs, you’ll want to ensure they are elevated at the heart level. You can elevate your legs when you watch TV, resting, or sleeping!
3. Diet and Weight: It is always advised to engage in a healthy diet for the sake of overall health. CVI symptoms can benefit from a healthy diet and keeping weight in a healthy range. You can discuss with your medical provider what a healthy weight range is for you, as well as connecting with a nutritionist to create the right diet plan for you.

The main focus with adjusting your lifestyle is to work towards alleviating the symptoms that come from CVI. While you may not be able to heal CVI directly, these are helpful tools to manage the symptoms that can come with it.

What Aggravates Chronic Venous Insufficiency, and What to Avoid

With a diagnosis of CVI, there are a few things you may to avoid to prevent worsening of symptoms. Things that can aggravate symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency include:

• Long periods of sitting or standing
• Processed or fried foods
• Lack of movement or exercise
• Obesity

I Have a Family History of Chronic Venous Insufficiency, What Can I Do?

If you know you have a family history of chronic venous insufficiency, and want to work to prevent it, there are a few things you can do. Some ways to help lower your chances of getting CVI include:

• Maintain a healthy diet and weight
• Incorporate exercise and movement into your current schedule
• Don’t sit or stand for long periods of time
• Limit or avoid smoking/tobacco

While applying these tips to your day to day does not guarantee prevention from CVI, it can definitely help to lower the chances of getting CVI. This is helpful, especially if you have a family history of CVI.

Can You Live a Normal Life With Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

With CVI there may be certain times you’re unable to participate in the things you once could. However, CVI does not need to rob you of your daily life completely. With the right treatment plans, and dedication to those treatment plans, you can be on your way to a new sense of normalcy. Finding the right provider is your first step in gaining back your confidence from CVI.

How To Live with CVI

But, how exactly do you maintain a sense of normalcy with CVI? It is by staying up to date with your appointments, following your correct treatment plan, which includes lifestyle changes. Other ways to maintain CVI are:

• Monitoring skin changes
• Monitoring skin discoloration
• Monitoring any active ulcers
• Stay consistent with prescribed medications

Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatment at Vein Solutions Flint in Flint, Michigan

If you are currently facing chronic venous insufficiency, or believe you have the symptoms that align with CVI, contact us at Vein Solutions Flint. Located in Flint, Michigan, our team of skilled and dedicated doctors are here to help you solve any chronic venous insufficiency problem. Our aim is to walk you through treatment options and plans, all while ensuring you receive the top quality care and comfort.

For more information on treatments for chronic venous insufficiency, and other vein conditions, visit our website. While there, you can also learn more about our providers and read patient testimonies.

While a condition like chronic venous insufficiency cannot be reversed, there are treatments to help patients alleviate CVI symptoms and regain their confidence and comfort. Vein Solutions Flint is here to do just that for you. We look forward to working with you!