What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
There are various causes of CVI, including obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, sitting or standing for long periods, pregnancy, and blood clots (deep vein thromboses). These practices and elements can cause higher pressure in the veins in the legs.
When the pressure gets raised in the veins, the valves inside the veins intended to ensure blood flows back to the heart can become stressed or malfunction, which can cause CVI.
Left untreated, CVI can form ulcers on the legs known as venous ulcers. CVI can also cause venous stasis (slow blood flow in the veins), skin thickening, cellulitis, and various skin conditions.
Symptoms of CVI include:
- Varicose veins
- Itching
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Chronic swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
- Venous ulceration