Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) Last updated: Jul 22, 2008

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  Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)  
 

 
Signs, symptoms and indicators | Recommendations

 
 

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is poor return of blood from feet and legs back to the heart. CVI may occur following excessive clotting and inflammation of the leg veins, a disease known as deep vein thrombosis. CVI also results from a simple failure of the valves in leg veins to hold blood against gravity, leading to sluggish movement of blood out of the veins, resulting in swollen legs. CVI may cause feet and calves to become swollen, often accompanied by a dull ache made worse with prolonged standing. If CVI is allowed to progress, the skin tends to darken and ulcers may occur. CVI often causes varicose veins.

Health care practitioners typically advise patients to elevate the legs frequently, avoid prolonged standing or sitting, and wear graduated compression stockings with supportive shoes. Recurrent ulceration may be surgically treated with skin grafts. Surgical repair or bypass of the affected veins is sometimes necessary.

People affected by chronic venous insufficiency should not sit or stand for long periods of time. When sitting, they should elevate their legs. Walking helps move blood out of the veins. Wearing tight-fitting compression stockings available from pharmacies further supports the veins.

 
 

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI):
 
 
Symptoms - Metabolic  Edema

Symptoms - Muscular

  Leg aches with standing or leg aches
  Leg pain from long walks

Counter-indicators:
  Absence of leg pain on walking
 
 

Recommendations for Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI):
 
 
Drug  Conventional Drugs / Information
 Daflon 500mg is an oral phlebotropic drug indicated in the treatment of venous disease, ie, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and hemorrhoidal disease (HD). It contains naturally occurring substances, but one of them has been modified for better absorption.

Daflon 500mg, micronized, purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF), is a semisynthetic phlebotropic drug whose active ingredients are micronized diosmin (90%) and hesperidin (10%). Hesperidin is extracted from a species of Rutaceae aurantieae of the citrus genus, a type of immature small orange harvested and dried in Spain, North Africa, and China. Diosmin, a member of the flavonoid family, is synthesized starting from this raw material.

Daflon is challenging to find in the USA, but can be ordered from some foreign pharmacies, including India and Malaysia. Some locations seem to be charging too much, so please shop around. Two capsules a day should cost around one US dollar.

Physical Medicine

  Physical Supports
 Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency usually includes compression stockings, which squeeze the veins and keep blood flowing so it is more difficult for blood clots to form. If the skin is not broken or leaking fluid, your doctor may recommend an anti-itch cream, such as one containing hydrocortisone; a cream containing zinc oxide to protect the skin; or an antifungus cream to prevent fungal infections.
 
 


KEY
Strong or generally accepted link
Proven definite or direct link
Strongly counter-indicative
Highly recommended

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GLOSSARY

Chronic:  Usually Chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.

Thrombosis:  Formation of blood clots causing vascular obstruction.

Ulcer:  Lesion on the skin or mucous membrane.

Varicose Veins:  Twisted, widened veins with incompetent valves.