Do Your Legs Hurt? It May Be Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Aches and pains might seem like a fact of life as we grow older, but persistent pain is always a matter of concern, and needs to be addressed.

Pain in the legs, especially after prolonged periods of standing or sitting, may be a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The veins in your legs contain valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards. With CVI, these valves don’t work properly, putting pressure on the veins, which causes pain, and also causing blood to pool in your legs.

Symptoms

• Painful leg cramps
• Itchiness in the legs
• Varicose veins
• Tough, leathery leg skin
• Brownish skin, usually around the ankles
• Leg ulcers

Risk factors

Chronic Venous Insufficiency is most common in people with the following conditions:

• Family history of CVI
• Age over 50
• Obesity
• Smoking
• History of blood clots
• History of multiple pregnancies

Diagnosis

A reliable diagnosis involves testing, usually with a Duplex ultrasound that gives an image of the structure of the veins and a view of how blood moves through them. Other testing may be required to ensure that any pain or swelling is not being caused by another condition.

Treatment

Untreated CVI can cause the capillaries in your legs to burst, leading to swelling and ulcers which may become infected.

Treatment may include:

• Both standing and sitting will impede the blood flow to your legs. However, walking improves blood flow.
• Compression hose. These will prevent blood from pooling in your legs. Compression hose comes in a variety of weights and styles. Your doctor will be able to tell you what type of hose would be most beneficial.
• You may need medication to prevent blood clots, or antibiotics if you have leg ulcers.
• Weight loss. If obesity is contributing to your CVI, losing weight will alleviate the problem.
• Medical treatment. If you have a severe case of CVI, you may require a medical procedure. Some procedures are minimally invasive, but one in every ten cases of CVI are so severe that they require extensive surgery.

CVI is not just a nuisance or inconvenience. It needs to be addressed before it causes serious problems.

The staff at Laurel Bay Health and Rehabilitation Center, in the scenic beach town of Keansburg, NJ,  knows just how to deal with venous problems.

our residents receive the highest quality rehabilitative and skilled nursing care in a homelike and compassionate environment conducive to healing.

Our family-owned and -operated 123-bed facility, is tucked away in the quiet beach town of Keansburg, NJ at the Jersey Shore, within sight of Sandy Hook and the New York City skyline.

Our services include short-term rehab, long-term care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, hospice care, and respite care for those times when the caretaker needs to be taken care of.

We proudly provide the following specialty healthcare services: complex medical care management, intravenous (IV) therapy, wound care, enteral feeding, pain management, oxygen therapy, tracheostomy care, a dedicated pulmonary program, hospice care with private suites, a stroke rehab program, respiratory support, eye care, dental care, podiatry care, and psychological consults and counseling.

We pride ourselves on healing the entire patient through a holistic and individualized approach.

Our meticulous care planning helps us ensure that each and every resident receives the best in clinical care, support and unconditional love.

For over 25 years, we have been a staple of health and wellness, serving the members of our community and partnering with our local hospitals like Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, NJ and Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ.

We provide a tailored program of physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as all types of specialized care under one roof.

Read our reviews on senioradvisor.com, wellness.com, and caring.com to hear what our residents and their families have to say.

If leg pain is hampering your quality of life, call us to schedule a tour by clicking here or by calling (372) 787-8100.