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The United States President Donald Trump was recently diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency after he complained of severe swelling and pain in his legs. The development came to light when the White House released a press note saying that the POTUS had been diagnosed with the condition by his physician Sean Barbabella who said that there were no serious implications and that the health of the president was ‘under control’. However, the announcement has sparked worldwide public curiosity regarding the lesser talked about condition. So here’s everything you need to know:
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What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Dr Shoibalini Karmokar, General Physician and Founder of ACESO, Mumbai, explains that Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is brought on by damage to the veins in your legs. It is a disorder primarily caused by the malfunction in your legs' veins. Because these veins are unable to regulate blood flow as effectively as they should, blood in your legs has a more difficult time getting back to your heart. CVI causes blood to pool in your leg veins, increasing vein pressure and potentially causing pain and swelling. Dr Karmokar adds that in general, “venous diseases are quite prevalent”. Roughly one in three adults have varicose (enlarged or twisted) veins. About one out of every fifty adults who have varicose veins will eventually develop chronic venous insufficiency.
Also Read: Who Should Wear Compression Socks And Who Should Avoid Them?
Symptoms
- Legs that are tired or achy.
- Legs may feel like they are burning or tingling.
- Cramping at night in your legs.
- Skin discolouration that appears reddish-brown.
- Oedema, or swelling, in your lower legs and ankles, especially at the end of the day or after standing for a long period of time.
- Flaking or itchy skin.
- Legs feel heavy or full.
- Legs have a leathery appearance.
- Open sores, or ulcers, typically appear close to the ankles
- Veins with varicosities.
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Causes Of Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
According to Dr Karmokar, valve malfunction can have primary, secondary, or congenital causes.
Congenital Causes: These have to do with birth abnormalities in your legs' veins. For example, some people's leg veins are born without valves, which alters the flow of blood.
Primary Reasons: These include alterations to the veins in the legs that prevent them from functioning normally. One instance is when a vein enlarges, making it challenging for the valve to close correctly.
Secondary Reasons: These are caused by other medical disorders that harm your legs' veins. A common cause is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in which a blood clot damages the valve by leaving behind scar tissue.
Bottomline
Chronic venous sufficiency is treated with compression therapy and lifestyle changes. If these measures are not enough, your doctor may recommend surgery or another procedure. The best course of action for you will depend on how far along your condition is and whether you have any other medical conditions. Treatment will be customised by an expert to meet your specific needs. CVI is a common phenomena and could well be managed without surgery if diagnosed early.