Other factors the doctor may consider are the symptoms, age, how bad the condition is, and how well a person can tolerate medications or the procedures recommended. Treatment will depend on many factors, including the reason for the condition, health status and history.
Duplex ultrasounds test the speed and direction of blood flow in the veins. In a venogram, the doctor puts an intravenous (IV) contrast dye into your veins allowing them to see the veins better. These tests may include a venogram or a duplex ultrasound. There may be some imaging tests ordered to pinpoint the source of the problem. A physical examination will be done and a complete medical history will be taken to figure out if you have venous insufficiency. If you have any of these symptoms you can visit your primary physician, podiatrist or vascular surgeon.
THE FLOW EXPERIENCE DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN SKIN
Symptoms of venous insufficiency may include swelling of the legs or ankles (edema), pain that gets worse when you stand and gets better when you raise your legs, leg cramps, aching, throbbing or a feeling of heaviness in your legs, itchy legs, weak legs, thickening of the skin on your legs or ankles, skin that is changing color, especially around the ankles, leg ulcers, varicose veins, and a feeling of tightness in your calves. Other risk factors for venous insufficiency include blood clots, varicose veins, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, cancer, muscle weakness, leg injury, or trauma, swelling of a superficial vein (phlebitis), family history of venous insufficiency, inactivity (sitting or standing for long periods of time without moving can cause high blood pressure in the leg veins and increase your risk). In some cases, weakness in the leg muscles that squeeze blood forward can also contribute to venous insufficiency.Īccording to The University of Chicago Medical Center, venous insufficiency is more common in women than in men, occurring in women between ages 40 and 49 and in men between ages 70 and 79. In varicose veins the valves are often missing or not functioning and blood leaks back through these damaged valves. When forward flow through the valves in the veins is obstructed when there is a blood clot, blood builds up below the clot, which can lead to venous insufficiency. The most common causes of venous insufficiency are a history of blood clots and varicose veins. In this condition blood doesn't flow back properly to the heart, causing blood to pool in the veins in your lower legs. When the veins have trouble sending blood from the limbs to the heart, it's known as venous insufficiency. One-way valves in the veins stop the blood from flowing backward. Your veins collect this blood and carry it back to the heart to be pumped again. Remember, your arteries carry blood from your heart out to the rest of your body, like your legs. Venous insufficiency is a condition where the flow of blood through the veins is inadequate, causing blood to pool in the legs.