Many people experience the same symptoms as you. Here are some of the most often asked questions we have received. You may find the answers you are looking for among them.
How to recognize Chronic Venous Disease?
I have experienced pain, heaviness and swelling of the legs for some time. Do I have impaired venous circulation?
Your symptoms are similar to those in chronic venous disease. You should see your personal physician because there are different solutions to the problem.
I feel tiredness and pain in the legs by the end of the day. What could be the reason for this and what should I do?
These could be symptoms of chronic venous disease due to poor venous circulation. You can avoid worsening of the problem by making some changes in your everyday lifestyle. You should also consult your doctor, because there are some effective ways of treatment that can be implemented to relieve the symptoms and prevent complications.
After travelling by plane my legs are often swollen and painful. What is the reason for this?
This could be due to pooling of the blood in the leg veins which occurs after sitting for long periods of time without moving and which delays the return of the blood to the heart. You should consult your doctor because there are several solutions to the problem.
When I am at work I am standing for long periods of time. By the end of the day my legs are often swollen and painful. What is the reason for this?
This is due to venous congestion,which occurs after standing for long periods of time without moving, so that the blood can move more easily back to the heart. It might also be caused by chronic venous disease. You should consult your doctor, because there are different solutions to the problem.
When and whom should I consult?
If you have at least one of the following symptoms, especially by the end of the day – discomfort in the legs, pain, feeling of swelling, night cramps, itching and sensation of tiredness and/or signs of varicose veins and swelling, you should consult your personal physician/a specialist/a pharmacist. Your personal physician shall perform a clinical examination and if necessary shall refer you to a specialist (an angiologist/vascular surgeon) for further investigations.
How can my personal physician diagnose chronic venous disease?
Your doctor shall perform a clinical examination, which includes both visual inspection and palpation of the legs. He may also use a non-invasive method called Doppler sonography to check for presence of abnormalities in the venous flow.
Lifestyle and prevention of Chronic Venous Disease symptoms
Can exercise delay the onset of chronic venous disease?
It depends on the type of sport. Some sports such as walking, cycling, swimming and dancing are beneficial because they make the muscles contract which stimulates the return of the blood to the heart and improves venous circulation. Unlike them, active sports such as tennis, basketball and football are not recommended because they cause stretching of the veins and delay venous return.
Can oral contraceptives cause (formation of) varicose veins?
All hormonal therapies have a negative impact on the veins. For example, oral contraceptives are contraindicated in patients with a history of thrombophlebitis. But the strength of their effect depends on the type of pill because different dosage strengths are available. New generation contraceptive pills, containing low doses of progesterone or estrogen, have a mild effect on varicose veins unlike older generation pills that can increase the risk of varicose veins. Consult your gynecologist to learn which oral contraceptive is best for you.
Pregnancies are a risk factor for development of chronic venous disease. What should I do to reduce the risk?
Pregnancy is not a strong risk factor. You can reduce the risk by taking measures related to your everyday lifestyle. In addition, your doctor will help you find solutions for relieving the symptoms of venous insufficiency such as pain, heaviness or swelling of the legs during pregnancy. Do not hesitate to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.
Does sleeping with slightly elevated legs help improve venous return?
Yes, raising the lower part of the bed with 10-15 cm promotes venous return, provided you do not suffer from heart failure.
Can loosing weight help relieve my symptoms?
Overweight and obesity are considered risk factors that lead to worsening of venous insufficiency. So, if you are overweight, loosing weight may help relieve you symptoms.
Is there a way to fight varicose veins?
The formation of varicose veins is partly due to genetic and lifestyle factors. The latter can be modified by changes in everyday habits that will help reduce the risk of varicose veins or their progression to more severe stages. In addition to lifestyle changes, in case of early signs of chronic venous disease certain efficient treatments measures can be taken to prevent disease progression and occurrence of complications.
How does Chronic Venous Disease progress?
At the beginning I only had a sensation of heaviness in the legs, but now I experience pain and a feeling of swelling. Will these symptoms get worse?
These might be signs of chronic venous disease. This is a progressive disease which may lead to serious complications such as appearance of varicose veins, swelling or leg ulcers.
My family doctor diagnosed me with chronic venous disease. How can it progress, if left untreated?
Chronic venous disease is a chronic and progressive condition caused by an inflammatory process, leading to structural venous damage. As a result, the condition may lead to complications such as varicose veins, swelling or leg ulcers. Therefore its treatment at the very beginning is of extreme importance.
