What does reflux in a vein mean?
Venous reflux occurs when venous valves don’t function adequately, leading to reversal of blood flow through the valves during standing or sitting. Venous reflux most commonly occurs when vein valves weaken due to genetic influences or multiple pregnancies, among other factors.
Is vein reflux serious?
Venous reflux disease can lead to a life-threatening condition. In fact, venous disease, which generically refers to a number of conditions, results from the backward flow of blood (reflux) in a weakened vine. This backward flow causes the blood to pool in the veins of the lower leg.
What are the symptoms of vein reflux?
The Symptoms of Venous Reflux
- Edema – swelling of the ankles or legs.
- Leg cramps.
- Pain that eases when you raise your legs but gets worse when you stand up.
- Itchy legs.
- Throbbing, aching, or a heavy sensation in your legs.
- Weak legs.
- Varicose veins.
- Reticular veins.
What is the treatment for venous reflux?
Vascular Procedures to Treat Venous Insufficiency Some of your options for treatment may include: Sclerotherapy. Venous ablations. Phlebectomy.
What causes saphenous vein reflux?
Venous reflux develops when valves in the saphenous veins become damaged or blocked. These veins run up and down the leg, returning blood from the feet, shins, and thighs to the heart. When the valves in the saphenous veins are impaired, blood can pool in the leg, foot, or toes.
Does venous reflux go away on its own?
Since venous reflux does not heal on its own, medical intervention is often necessary to cure the problem. While there are things you can do to help slow the progression of varicose veins, such as exercise and wearing compression stockings, it will not fix the root cause of the problem.
What happens if venous reflux is left untreated?
Left untreated, these damaged veins can cause serious complications, such as ulcers, bleeding, and a potentially fatal condition called deep vein thrombosis. If the blood pools in the legs long enough, the cells can begin to clump together, forming a blood clot.
Is venous reflux curable?
Like any disease, CVI is most treatable in its earliest stages. Vascular medicine or vascular surgery specialists typically recommend a combination of treatments for people with CVI.
Is vein reflux painful?
When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface. Symptoms include leg heaviness, leg fatigue, leg pain, ankle swelling, phlebitis (inflamed and painful veins) restless legs at night, and night cramps.
Is venous reflux a disability?
Filing for Social Security Disability with a Chronic Venous Insufficiency Diagnosis. Chronic Venous Insufficiency has been determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to be one of the disabling conditions that can qualify a person to receive Social Security Disability benefits.
Can venous insufficiency affect the heart?
So, to sum up, venous insufficiency doesn’t affect the heart or cause heart problems to progress. On the other hand, existing heart problems, especially congestive heart failure, can make vein problems in the legs much worse depending on the degree of the heart issue.
Does venous insufficiency make you tired?
Signs and Symptoms Chronic venous insufficiency and fatigue are a more common pairing. Instead, watch for swelling in your calves and ankles, flaky and itchy skin, leg cramps, and cramping. You can also experience restless leg syndrome, burning, heaviness, and tiredness.
Is venous insufficiency a serious condition?
Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs. Chronic venous insufficiency is not a serious health threat.
What is the best exercise for venous insufficiency?
Walking, biking, jogging, and doing standing calf raises are good ways to prevent vein complications. All of these types of exercises improve circulation, aid in weight management, better vein care, better vein health and keep your bones and muscles healthy. Having an active lifestyle can help you improve blood flow.