Could Your Doctor Be Missing Your Chronic Venous Insufficiency Problem?

John is a 57 year old man in relatively good health. But when he comes to his doctor for an annual physical, he complaints about an increasing problem with standing on his feet or walking even short distances. His legs feel heavy and ache. He is often bothered by swelling. He tosses and turns in his bed at night because of strange sensations in his legs along with leg pain and itching. Other than clusters of spider veins, John’s legs look relatively normal. He doesn’t have any big, bulging varicose veins or open leg wounds. But John’s doctor doesn’t seem to notice his leathery looking brownish discolored skin and dermatitis. His doctor tells him, “John this is just part of getting older – nothing to worry yourself about.” But John isn’t so sure. He just knows he doesn’t want to live like this. John is absolutely right to seek answers for his problem and so are you, if you suffer from any or all of these symptoms.

John’s Problem is Chronic Venous Insufficiency

This progressive circulatory condition, also called venous insufficiency or CVI, is a problem that left untreated, will get progressively worse and put John at risk for life threatening blood clots, venous stasis leg ulcers and the development of protruding varicose veins in his lower extremities. Left untreated, CVI is associated with an extremely poor quality of life.

Chronic venous insufficiency develops over time. The disease process begins when valves in the veins become incompetent, producing a reversal in vein blood flow and increasing blood pressure in the venous system called venous hypertension. Most patients develop spider and varicose veins from an increased blood volume and venous pressure that dilates these vessels. Sometimes they seek cosmetic procedures in vein centers that fail to diagnose and properly treat the underlying cause. With worsening venous congestion, the pressure increases and causes fluid to leak into surrounding tissues producing swelling or edema. Increasing pressure in the venous system may cause blood to leak out, producing a brownish skin discoloration.

The stasis of blood is associated with an impaired exchange of wastes with oxygen and nutrients at the capillary level. This results in localized changes that may include skin thickening, discoloration, dermatitis, tissue death, venous ulcers and severe infection called cellulitis. Along with a heavy sensation in the legs, pain, itching and restless legs are also common. All of these symptoms are collectively called CVI.

CVI is a condition that is often missed, misdiagnosed and/or mismanaged by health professionals.

Often the first time a patient is evaluated by a vein treatment specialist, they have already experienced numerous treatment failures and arrive desperate for answers. Hopefully they are properly treated before irreversible damage to the deep vein system occurs. When this occurs, treatment options are limited and more serious and life threatening consequences are likely.

Asking these important questions is likely to assure safe, effective care with the best vein treatment results:

What is the physician’s training and experience?

Do they provide both aesthetic procedures and treatment for venous disease?

Is a vein screening ultrasound exam done prior to procedures?

How is chronic venous insufficiency treated?

What is the success rate for venous disease treatment?

What type of anesthesia is used for vein treatment procedures?

What is the expected recovery time?

Knowing what you now know about vein treatment for chronic venous insufficiency, what procedures will you choose and who will you trust for your care?

Vein Specialists of Arizona is one of a handful of vein treatment centers nationwide offering state-of-the-art virtually painless Laser Ablation and Radio Frequency procedures in the office – procedures that are safe, effective, comfortable and allow you to resume usual activities in just a few days. Best of all, these procedures permanently eliminate your venous insufficiency along with related symptoms.

Vein Specialists of Arizona is conveniently located in Phoenix close to Anthem, Avondale, Buckeye, Camp Verde, Casa Grande, Cave Creek, Chandler, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Lakeside, Maryville, Mesa, Peoria, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Tempe, Tucson and Yuma.