Chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a medical condition where the veins cannot adequately send blood from the legs back to the heart.

Pronunciation

• Chronic: /ˈkrɒnɪk/
• Venous: /ˈviːnəs/
• Insufficiency: /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃ(ə)nsi/

Etymology

• Chronic: From the Greek word chronos meaning time, indicating a long-term condition.
• Venous: From the Latin word vena meaning vein.
• Insufficiency: From the Latin insufficientia meaning lack or deficiency.

Definition

Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition characterized by poor blood flow in the veins, particularly in the lower extremities. This is due to damaged or weakened valves in the veins, which prevent blood from flowing back to the heart efficiently. This can lead to blood pooling in the legs and feet, causing symptoms such as swelling, pain, and skin changes.

Symptoms

Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may include:

• Edema or swelling in the legs or ankles
• Pain or aching in the legs
• Skin changes, such as discoloration or thickening
• Varicose veins
• Leg ulcers

Causes

The primary cause of chronic venous insufficiency is damage to the valves in the veins of the legs. This can occur as a result of Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), phlebitis, or aging. Other risk factors include obesity, pregnancy, and prolonged periods of standing or sitting.

Treatment

Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency aims to improve blood flow in the veins and manage symptoms. This may include:

• Compression therapy
• Medications, such as diuretics or blood thinners
• Sclerotherapy
• Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT)
• Vein stripping

Related Terms

• Vein
• Valve
• Edema
• Varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Phlebitis
• Compression therapy
• Sclerotherapy
• Endovenous laser treatment
• Vein stripping

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Chronic venous insufficiency
• Wikipedia's article - Chronic venous insufficiency

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