Your veins could be the source of your swelling and pain.
Find relief! See a vein doctor in Visalia, CA.
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Dr. Ashkan Shahkarami
Dr. Bennett K. Abe
Dr. Francisco E. Valles
Dr. Glade Roper
Dr. Daniel Hightower
Our vein treatment center is conveniently located in downtown Visalia, California at the corner of Locust Street and East Acequia Avenue. Schedule your visit today!
Venous Insufficiency Information
The underlying cause of most vein problems is a phenomenon known as “vein reflux.” Vein reflux refers to the condition in which blood in a vein or a group of veins flows backwards (away from the heart), causing blood to accumulate in the veins. Reflux can lead to a variety of symptoms that medical professionals will often refer to as “chronic venous insufficiency” (CVI) or “chronic venous disease” (CVD). In addition to visual vein problems, CVI can cause itchiness, pain, and swelling throughout the leg.⁶ It is important to understand that vein problems are progressive, meaning that symptoms can worsen over time if reflux is not properly treated.
Pain Patterns of Venous Insufficiency
- Leg pain
- Leg cramps, especially at night
- Itching or burning
- Throbbing or aching
- Restless legs
- Tingling or numbness
- Leg fatigue or heaviness
- Claudication (cramping pain after walking or exercising)
See a Vein Doctor in Visalia, CA
Venous Insufficiency Risk Factors
The following factors increase your likelihood of developing venous insufficiency.
Gender | more women are diagnosed with vein problems than men
Family History | vein problems may run in your family
Age | risk of vein problems increases with age
Lifestyle or Occupation | prolonged standing or sitting may increase your risk of vein problems
Smoking | prolonged smoking leads to harmful changes in blood vessels and blood composition
Obesity | added pressure to your leg veins from your abdomen may increase your risk of vein problems
Pregnancy | varicose veins developed during pregnancy typically resolve within 3-12 months after giving birth, but not always
When standing, blood in the veins of the legs must flow upwards against the downward pull of gravity. For some individuals, this downward gravitational pull causes the walls of the leg veins to stretch apart over time, which tends to also pull apart the vein valves and damage them. In other individuals, an obstruction in the veins, such as a blood clot, can damage vein valves. Damaged valves allow blood to leak backwards (a phenomenon known as “vein reflux”) and pool in the veins, leading to more valves stretching out and failing. While blood continues to pool in the veins, the veins become bulgy and twisted.
The venous system in the leg can be thought of as a network of interconnected pipes in that flow problems in one vein can cause problems in nearby veins. This is one of the reasons that vein disease tends to worsen over time as more veins are affected by insufficient flow.
Severe reflux tends to affect more than just the veins themselves. When blood accumulates in the veins, it tends to leak out from the veins into surrounding tissues, causing the leg to become swollen and heavy. Over time, stagnant blood can also cause an inflammatory reaction, leading to fibrosis (thickening and scarring of tissue), and ulcers (open wounds on the skin) in the most severe cases.
Varicose Vein Treatment in Visalia, CA
Vein Screening
Unsure if you have venous insufficiency? Getting a diagnosis is very straightforward, and takes about an hour at VIP. Your first visit will begin with a review of your medical history followed by a physical exam to look at any outward signs of vein problems. Together, these activities take about 30 minutes. If you have varicose veins, other outward signs of venous insufficiency, or leg symptoms that indicate venous insufficiency, we’ll perform an ultrasound imaging study to determine the location and extent of your vein disease.
Vein Ultrasound
A non-invasive ultrasound exam is performed on your leg to visualize your veins and identify any concerning blood flow patterns. Ultrasound imaging is the Vascular Specialists primary tool to determine which veins are affected, the extent of your vein disease, and the optimal approach to healing your legs.
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References
[1] Michael H. Criqui, Maritess Jamosmos, Arnost Fronek, Julie O. Denenberg, R., & D. Langer, John Bergan, and B. A. G. (2003). Chronic Venous Disease in an Ethnically Diverse Population The San Diego Population Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 158(5), 448-456. PMC 2015 Jan 6.
[2] Chiesa, R., Marone, E. M., Limoni, C., Volonté, M., Schaefer, E., & Petrini, O. (2005). Chronic venous insufficiency in Italy: The 24-cities Cohort study. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 30(4), 422–429.
[3] Wrona, M., Jöckel, K. H., Pannier, F., Bock, E., Hoffmann, B., & Rabe, E. (2015). Association of Venous Disorders with Leg Symptoms: Results from the Bonn Vein Study 1. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 50(3), 360–367.
Medical Disclaimer
The Materials available on visaliavips.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients.