Chronic Venous Insufficiency Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) often referred to as Venous Reflux Disease, Chronic Venous Disease (CVD), or Venous Stasis, is a condition of inadequate blood flow from the legs back to the heart. A combination of muscle activity and a series of one-way valves normally keep blood flowing upward from the lower extremities to the heart. With CVI, blood circulation is severely hampered, the valves become weak and ineffective allowing blood to pool in the lower legs.
CVI affects more than 30 million Americans which makes it ten times more prevalent than Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Unfortunately, less than two million Americans get treated annually, most likely because Vein Disease is not usually lethal. The likelihood of death from Venous Insufficiency is extremely low but a decrease in quality of life caused by this condition is extremely high. CVI occurs in 17% of men and 40% of women in the United States.
"Just leaving the clinic and feel so confident with the results, can't wait until winter to do my additional treatment.
Thanks to Jilanne Rose for her time and friendly stuff.
Blessings"
Reyes Lopez Advanced Vein Institute Patient
Symptoms of Venous Insufficiency
There are many symptoms from easily recognized venous disorders like varicose veins to general leg pain and leg fatigue. It is a substantial problem throughout the country. In fact, physical disability related to CVI affects productive work hours with an estimated loss of 2 million productive workdays per year. That is a lot of down time for workers and employers to deal with, especially considering how straightforward and successful in-office treatment can be.
The most common symptoms include:
Varicose veins and spider veins
Edema (Leg swelling)
Pigmentation (change in skin color)
Venous ulcers (leg sores)
Aching legs
Heavy legs
Leg numbness
Burning, throbbing or swelling legs
Muscle cramps
Leg fatigue
Bulging veins
Itching veins
Restless legs
Leg pain after sitting or standing long periods
Bleeding veins
Patient Testimonial
"Dr. Rose and her staff are excellent. I would highly recommend them. They were both professional and friendly, and brought me back to good vein health."
Jim J. in Mesa, AZ Advanced Vein Institute Patient
What Causes Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
CVI can be caused by several factors with the most common being family history. If parents have or have had CVI, there is a high likelihood that their children will suffer from it as well. Additional major causes of Venous Reflux Disease include age, hormones and pregnancy. Occupations which require prolonged standing and sitting are associated with a higher prevalence of CVI.
The following are found to be the most common causes:
There is no cure for venous insufficiency although some relief from symptoms can be achieved with CVI treatment including compression stockings, increased exercise and elevation of the legs above the heart. Cooler weather can provide some relief as summer heat can cause veins to dilate and become weaker, a problem which is particularly prevalent in Arizona.
Your provider may also recommend Vasculera, an FDA approved Medical Food Product. Vasculera is indicated for the clinical dietary management of CVI and its complications. Vasculera is a prescription medical food product and, as such, is neither a drug nor a dietary supplement. This product is intended to manage the metabolic processes that underlie CVI and its complications.
As these conservative treatments cease to provide relief, there are a few minimally invasive in-office treatment options available to treat the affected veins for the longer term. Advanced Vein Institute of Arizona patients get back to their lives and can begin doing what they enjoy with the confidence that comes from receiving excellent care.
A full exam and Duplex Ultrasound by a board certified Vein Specialist will enable the proper measurement of blood flow back to the heart as well as a proper diagnosis of overall vein health. At that time, following a physical examination and your medical history is reviewed, an individualized treatment plan can be recommended based on your specific needs.
Laser treatment to eradicate spider veins and small varicose veins with a unique wavelength of light is now possible. This non-invasive laser vein treatment utilizes a long pulse of light laser energy to destroy the defective vein altogether. The wave energy targets the area under the skin’s surface so that the top layer of skin is left completely intact and untouched. The vein absorbs the laser energy and then immediately collapses, with an immediate visible washing out of the vessel.
Advanced fluorescence technology (AFT) and cutting-edge laser technology make it possible to reduce and even eliminate your problematic veins, sometimes in just one sitting. Depending on the severity of your case, Dr. Rose may recommend up to three sessions, but the results are immediate and long-lasting. Fight the signs of aging the easy way and eliminate ugly or painful varicose or spider vein abnormalities with the most effective laser treatment. Our laser vein treatment is safe for all skin types, pain-free, and non-invasive with virtually no side-effects!
Spider Vein Treatment Cost
Starting at $250
What is the cost of sclerotherapy? Very simple, Sclerotherapy costs start at $250 per leg. Touch-up or follow-up is $100.
Sclerotherapy is a very popular procedure used to treat deficient blood vessels. Medicine is injected, using a very small gauge needle, into the veins that act as an irritant of the inner vein walls, causing closure of the treated spider vein. Most patients require multiple sessions, however, the number of treatments is based on your specific condition.
Over time, the appearance of spider veins fade from sight, leaving you with clearer, healthy looking legs. Your spider vein specialist is able to treat more than one vein at the same time.
Together we’ll get you to love your legs!
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Pigmented Lesions Laser Treatment
Our state-of-the-art Pulsed Dye Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) delivers an intense but gentle burst of light into selectively targeted areas of the skin. The light is absorbed by specific blood vessels or melanin pigmented areas in the dermis depending on the condition being treated. Factors such as the age, color and type of lesions, as well as the location on the body, all determine whether lesions can be removed. The Harmony DYE VL we utilize will help fade vascular lesions to look like normal skin.
Port Wine Stains Laser Treatment
Geneticists recently identified the genetic marker that causes port wine stains, or birthmarks. Occurring in about 3 out of every 1,000 births, port wine stains are enlarged capillaries that produce purplish-red stains on the skin. Rarely causing an health issues, port wine stains occasionally grow thicker or bumpy over time. Laser treatments are now a routine procedure for the removal of many types of vascular lesions, including hemangiomas, vascular malformations such as port-wine stains, telangiectasias, venous lakes and angiomas. Multiple treatments are required for optimal results. On average, most patients with port wine stains need at least 12 treatments, some need 18, and we’ve treated many patients with more than 25 treatments. It is rare to completely clear the stain.
What to expect after laser vein treatment
Some redness, slight swelling may be present in the area that has been treated, however this should subside within a few hours. Bruising may also occur.
You will be given instructions on post treatment care, including keeping the treated area clean, using at least an SPF 15 sunscreen when you go outdoors.
Face Veins Laser Treatment
Occasionally, spider veins will appear on the face, called Facial Telangiectasia. These are small, red or purple blood vessels that can be caused by a number of skin conditions, including sun damage, heredity, rosacea, hot and spicy food, exercise or emotions. Our new laser penetrates deep down and is absorbed by the cells in the vessel wall and the blood causing coagulation and seals off the blood flow. The vessel walls then collapse and eventually dissolve.
Vascular Lesion Laser Treatment
Varicose and spider veins are blood vessels that become enlarged and visible due to weakened valves, which cause blood to pool rather than flow to the heart. Our new vascular treatments offer effective, non-invasive solutions that close these veins and reduce or even eliminate their appearance. A variety of technologies are used to target the affected blood vessels beneath the skin, leaving you with smooth, clear skin and renewed confidence. The treatments are safe and effective and provide reliable, long term results.
Testimonials Disclaimer
Testimonials found on Advanced Vein Institute of Arizona have been sent to us by actual patients and may not reflect the typical patient’s experience and are not intended to represent or guarantee that everyone will achieve the same or similar results. The testimonials are meant to be a showcase of the best results our practice has produced, and should not be taken as the results all patients will get.
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