Venous insufficiency is a chronic condition involving the valves within your veins. These valves help to regulate the flow of blood to and from the heart. When they fail to work properly, they can cause uncomfortable symptoms and may result in blood pooling in the vein beneath the skin’s surface. This pooling causes varicose veins, those unsightly red, blue, and purple lines that often appear on the legs and feet.
If you are experiencing varicose veins or other symptoms of venous insufficiency, it is important to know you are not alone. It is a common condition that can be easily addressed through safe, proven effective treatments at Advanced Vein Therapy.
Millions Suffer From Venous Insufficiency
Veins regulate blood flow to the heart. In the legs, the veins are working against gravity and rely on both your muscles and a series of valves within the veins themselves to assist in the process. Unfortunately, these valves can become damaged for a number of reasons and may fail to function correctly.
Improper functioning of the veins is referred to as venous insufficiency. When blood pools within the veins due to problems with the valves, blood pools in these veins, and over time varicose veins appear
Venous insufficiency and varicose veins are common problems that affect millions of people each year and, as common with many other chronic health conditions, the risks generally increase as you age:
- 41 percent of women are likely to suffer varicose veins by the time they reach 50;
- 42 percent of men are likely to experience uncomfortable symptoms of venous insufficiency by the time they are in their 60s.
- A total of more than 40 million people suffers from vein issues.
Unfortunately, despite how common venous insufficiency is and the discomfort it can cause, less than five percent of sufferers, or an estimated 1.9 million people, end up seeking treatment.
Venous Insufficiency: Know The Symptoms
While older adults are among those most likely to suffer from venous insufficiency and varicose veins, other factors can put you at risk. Vein issues tend to run in families and are common among people who either stand on their feet for hours at a time as part of their job or who are seated for long periods. They are also common both among pregnant women and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or struggle with their weight.
If you fall into any of these categories, you may want to check your legs and feet periodically for the appearance of varicose veins. These are blue, red, or purple lines that may either bulge or be visible just below the skin surface. You will also want to be alert for subtle symptoms that point to venous insufficiencies, such as:
- Pain
- Numbness and tingling in the legs or feet;
- Swelling;
- Discomfort that gets worse when standing or raising the legs;
- Cramping or feelings of heaviness or throbbing;
- Itching in spots, particularly near varicose veins;
- Thickening of skin and discoloration.
Treating Venous Insufficiency
People who suffer from venous insufficiency and varicose veins often suffer in silence and feel isolated and alone in dealing with the problem. Self-consciousness regarding the effects varicose veins have on their appearance may prevent them from wearing shorts, skirts, swimsuits, or other revealing attire. Hopefully, now that you know about venous insufficiency and how many people suffer from varicose veins and other venous issues, it will provide some comfort while prompting you to discuss the problem with your doctor.
At Advanced Vein Therapy, we offer safe, effective, and minimally-invasive treatments for varicose veins and venous insufficiency that can have you looking and feeling better in no time at all. These include:
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) which relies on radio waves to treat venous insufficiency.
- Sclerotherapy, which uses a foamy medical solution to shrink varicose veins, causing them to close off.
- Venaseal, which uses a type of medical glue to seal your saphenous veins and divert blood flow to healthy veins
Let Us Help You Today
You do not have to struggle on your own in dealing with venous insufficiency and varicose veins. At Advanced Vein Therapy, we are here to help. Call or contact our Boise office online and request a consultation today.