Venous insufficiency, otherwise known as venous reflux, is a condition that affects roughly 5% of adults. When left untreated, it can lead to some pretty serious problems. If you suspect you suffer from venous insufficiency, you should seek a diagnosis as quickly as possible so you can get on an effective treatment plan. Today, our vascular experts at North Texas Fibroids in Flower Mound, TX are discussing the importance of venous reflux treatment.
What Happens If Venous Reflux Is Not Treated?
There are a number of complications that can occur if you fail to get venous reflux treatment in a timely manner. Superficial thrombophlebitis is just one example. This condition presents as an extremely hot, tender, thickened area that extends across the insufficient vein. If this condition is left untreated, it can propagate into the common femoral vein. If this happens, there is a risk of pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal condition.
Hemorrhage is another potential complication of untreated venous reflux disease. The chance of hemorrhage is greatest in the elderly due to vein walls thinning over time. If you feel faint or feel like blood is running down your leg, compress the area and elevate your leg as quickly as possible. Ulceration can also occur if venous reflux disease is not treated quickly. If ulcers are not treated aggressively, leg amputation may be necessary in the future.
How Is This Condition Treated?
Sometimes, wearing compression garments is an effective venous reflux treatment method. If you have chronic venous insufficiency in your lower leg blood vessels, you should look for compression stockings with a compression between 20 and 30 mg Hg. It is advisable to consult with an expert if you want to try using compression stockings to treat your condition. It is crucial that the stockings fit well and do not exert too much pressure.
Note that the severity of venous reflux disease affects the ideal treatment plan for you. The more severe your venous reflux is, the more likely it is you will need such treatments as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, laser vein ablation, or radiofrequency ablation. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is a more popular venous reflux treatment method than traditional sclerotherapy because the foam allows for a more even sclerosant distribution, providing better results.
Am I a Good Candidate for Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy?
To determine if you’re a good candidate for ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, you need to attend an initial consultation. Due to the minimally-invasive nature of this treatment, it is considered safe and effective for most adults with CVI who are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding.
However, it is usually recommended for smaller disordered veins that are located close to the skin. Before a determination can be made regarding your candidacy for this treatment, the size and location of your disordered veins must be evaluated. Moreover, we will discuss your medical history, lifestyle, and personal preferences to ensure ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is the ideal treatment method for you.
Am I a Good Candidate for Ablation?
There is a good chance you will be considered a good candidate for laser- or radiofrequency-based ablation if your disordered veins are very large. During this treatment, a laser fiber is inserted into the diseased vein. The smaller your diseased veins are, the more likely it is that the catheter will not fit inside the vein.
You should be aware that laser vein ablation is better for straight disordered veins rather than twisted disordered veins. Moreover, to be considered a good ablation candidate, you should be free from blood clots. You also should not be pregnant. Additionally, you should remember that an ideal candidate for this treatment is not wheelchair-bound. Walking is an essential part of the recovery process.
Are There Lifestyle Changes I Can Make to Manage My Condition?
Yes, there are lifestyle changes you can make to manage your condition. It is extremely important to lose weight if you are overweight or suffering from obesity. If you have a normal body mass index, take steps to ensure your BMI remains between 18.5 and 24.9. If you have a sedentary job and lifestyle, make a point to walk at least 30 minutes daily, most days per week. You can also benefit from toe raises and other calf exercises.
If you lift very heavy weights to build muscle mass, consider doing many reps of light weights to achieve muscle failure and growth. When you sit, your feet should be elevated above your thighs. You should not sit with your legs crossed or with one leg over the other. When you lie down, your feet should be elevated above your heart. At the very least, elevating your feet above your thighs while sitting should occur three to four times a day to manage swelling.
What Causes Venous Reflux?
Venous reflux disease can be caused by any condition that weakens or damages valves in the major leg veins or blocks major leg veins. Some of the most common conditions that cause the development of venous reflux disease include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), unusual growths or tumors, and lacking vein valves from birth. Blood clots in the leg, vein blockages in the groin or pelvic region, and vein wall weakness can also cause venous reflux disease.
Will This Condition Come Back After Treatment?
Recurrence following chronic venous insufficiency treatment can be as high as 37%, depending on the severity of the disease. The more severe the disease is when it is treated, the more likely it is that it will recur in the future. Note that recurrence is a possibility regardless of whether treatment was achieved through conservative methods or surgery. Here are some steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Regardless of your weight, it is very important that you maintain a healthy diet to reduce the likelihood that veins will become diseased after CVI treatment. Even if you have a normal body mass index, a poor diet can result in excessive venous pressure. If you have high blood pressure and don’t want to take blood pressure medication, try to reduce your sodium, caffeine, and alcohol intake and increase your consumption of hydrating fluids and potassium.
If you are struggling with your weight, it will significantly benefit you to reduce your intake of highly processed foods and increase your intake of nutrient-dense whole foods.
Exercise Seven Times Weekly
You can also reduce the likelihood of recurrence by getting at least five cardio sessions and two anaerobic sessions weekly.
What Are the Most Significant Risk Factors for This Disease?
Certain genetic markers significantly increase the risk that you will develop disease. Furthermore, having two X chromosomes puts you at far greater risk of developing this disease. However, there are also several controllable risk factors for the development of this disease. Among these factors are:
- Having chronic constipation
- Standing for long periods
- Lifting heavy weights regularly
- Suffering from obesity
- Being overweight
- Being pregnant, especially multiple times
- Having high blood pressure
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
What Symptoms Are Associated With This Disease?
If you have mild venous reflux disease, you may not experience any symptoms. The longer blood pools in your lower legs and increases vein pressure, the more likely it is that you will start to experience symptoms. Often, people who suffer from this disease experience varying pain levels in their legs, feet, and ankles throughout the day based on what they are doing. Other symptoms often associated with this disease include:
- Hard, thickened skin or scarring
- Very scaly, dry, or rough skin
- Ulcers
- Itchiness
- Sensations of fullness or heaviness
- Skin discoloration
- Varicose veins
Edema is another symptom commonly associated with this disease. Most of the time, it starts in the ankles or feet and progresses upwards. You also may experience muscle cramps, unexplained exhaustion, or restlessness in your legs. Moreover, it is not uncommon for people suffering from this disease to experience burning, throbbing, or aching in the lower legs.
Learn More About Venous Reflux Treatment Today
Timely venous reflux treatment is important because chronic venous insufficiency can result in such complications as superficial thrombophlebitis, hemorrhages, and ulcerations. To find out the ideal treatment method for you, contact us now at North Texas Fibroids in Flower Mound, TX to schedule your initial consultation. We also have offices located conveniently in Dallas, TX and Cedar Hill, TX. Appointments at any office can be made by calling 972-619-7260.
