Having you started to notice any bulging veins or skin discoloration in the legs? Maybe your skin has turned leathery and flaky around the veins? If you are like most people, you might write off these symptoms as a natural part of the aging process.
But while some changes in the skin are normal, those caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) are not. CVI is a serious medical condition that affects approximately 40 percent of women and 20 percent of men in the U.S. – especially those adults over the age of 50. The disease occurs when veins and valves in the legs weaken, allowing blood to pool in the legs. Risk factors for CVI include:
- Being over the age of 50
- Being female
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Varicose veins (or family history of varicose veins)
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Prolonged sitting or standing
Patients may experience minor soreness or bruising following a procedure. Most patients report a noticeable improvement in their symptoms within one to two weeks of treatment. Many insurance companies will cover procedures for venous insufficiency in part or in full.
Conditions
- Skin discoloration
- Swelling in the feet and legs
- Bulging veins in the legs
- Pain, aching, or fatigue in the legs
- Flaky and itchy skin
- Rough/leathery skin
- Venous stasis ulcers (slow- or non-healing sores) on the legs or feet
Treatments
- Venous evaluations
- Laser ablation treatment of varicose veins
- Laser treatment or injection treatment for spider veins, including red veins
- Treatment of venous stasis ulcers
- IV sedation during treatment – when appropriate
Resources
More Than Just Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red or flesh colored and occur predominantly in the legs. In early forms, the veins may simply appear to be prominent. As varicose veins progress, however, they can appear raised above the skin and look like twisted, bulging cords. They can also be associated with pain, aches, heaviness, restless legs, or burning and itching of the skin.
Steward Health Care