Chronic venous insufficiency results from a weakness of the veins. In this case, more and more blood accumulates in the leg veins, for example due to venous valves not closing properly. These veins dilate as a result.
If this accumulation of blood persists, fluid can leak from the vessels. This causes water to accumulate in the legs. In addition, chronic venous insufficiency leads to changes in the skin, which can even lead to ulcers.
Causes of chronic venous insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency results from a weakness of the veins, the cause of which is usually a loss of function of the venous valves. When the heart is beating, blood flows in a circulatory system to all parts of the body and back again. In this way, the blood from the legs must also be pumped back up again.
To prevent the blood from flowing back down again due to gravity after the heartbeat, there are venous valves that close and thus prevent the backflow. Under some circumstances, however, they do not close properly. Causes for this can be Due to the backflow of blood into the leg veins, blood accumulation occurs.
Consequently, the pressure in the vessels increases and the veins dilate. As a result, water, for example, leaks from the vessels and collects in the tissue. Varicose veins can also develop.
If this condition persists for a long time, the veins suffer more and more damage and one speaks of chronic venous insufficiency. Learn how varicose veins can be removed. In addition to a disease of the venous valves, blood accumulation can also be caused by an obstruction in the flow of blood, such as a thrombosis. – Overweight,
- A weak connective tissue,
- Familial predisposition,
- The female sex,
- A pregnancy,
- A lack of exercise or
- A professional activity which often involves standing or sitting for a very long time.
How is the diagnosis made?
For the diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, the functionality of the veins and venous valves plays a particularly important role. Initially, the veins in the legs can be examined and palpated in a physical examination. Typically, varicose veins are clearly visible and palpable.
The diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency is made with the help of an ultrasound examination. This allows the blood accumulation and blood flow in the leg veins to be examined. This shows whether enough blood is being transported and how much blood is flowing back into the legs.
This examination is called duplex sonography. In diagnostics, special function tests are performed to test the filling of the leg veins under stress and against gravity. Another method of imaging the leg veins is an X-ray examination with contrast medium.
It is called phlebography and, unlike ultrasound, involves a certain amount of radiation exposure. Phlebography should nevertheless be carried out if there is a suspicion of thrombosis, as this is the most suitable procedure in this case. Obtain general information on the diagnosis of thrombosis.
