Chronic Venous Disease

There are two main types of CVD:

• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI): This is the most common form of CVD. It occurs when valves in the veins are damaged and blood flows backward (refluxes) instead of towards the heart. This can cause blood to pool in your legs, leading to swelling, pain, and other symptoms.
• Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS): This condition develops after a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) in a leg vein damages the valves. PTS can cause similar symptoms to CVI, but they may be more severe.

Symptoms

Symptoms of CVD can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include:

• Swelling in your legs, especially around your ankles
• Aching or pain in your legs, especially after standing or sitting for long periods
• Heaviness or tiredness in your legs
• Itching in your legs
• Skin changes, such as dryness, discoloration, or thickening of the skin
• Varicose veins (twisted, enlarged veins)
• Open sores (leg ulcers)

Causes

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing CVD, including:

• Age: As you get older, your veins become weaker and more likely to develop problems.
• Family history: If you have a family history of CVD, you are more likely to develop the condition.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy can put extra strain on your veins, increasing your risk of CVD.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of CVD.
• Sitting or standing for long periods: This can reduce blood flow in your legs and increase your risk of CVD.
• Blood clots: Having a blood clot in a leg vein can damage the valves and lead to CVD.
• Surgery: Surgery on your legs can increase your risk of CVD.

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose CVD by asking about your medical history and symptoms, and by performing a physical exam. They may also order one or more of the following tests:

• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create images of your veins and check for blood flow problems.
• Venography: This is an X-ray of your veins that is taken after a contrast material is injected into your veins.
• Plethysmography: This test measures the amount of blood flow in your legs.

Treatment

There is no cure for CVD, but there are treatments that can help reduce symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. Treatment options may include:

• Lifestyle changes: These include elevating your legs, wearing compression stockings, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Medication: Medications can help to reduce swelling and improve blood flow.
• Minimally invasive procedures: These procedures can be used to close off varicose veins or improve blood flow in the legs. Angioplasty and stenting can be performed to reopen the mesenteric blood vessels  that has been blocked for a long time (Click here to read more on Angioplasty/ stenting). 
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove varicose veins or repair damaged valves.