Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
(Part 5 – MAO NA NI)
Management and Treatment
What are the treatments for chronic venous insufficiency?
Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency involves lifestyle changes and compression therapy.
If these measures aren’t enough, your provider may recommend a procedure or surgery.
The best treatment for you depends on how far your condition has progressed and other medical conditions you have.
Your provider will tailor treatment to your individual needs.
The goals of treatment are to:
* Help your blood flow better in your veins.
* Help ulcers heal and limit their chances of coming back.
* Improve your skin’s appearance.
* Reduce pain and swelling.
Lifestyle changes
Usually, providers recommend lifestyle changes as the first method of treatment for CVI.
These include:
* Leg elevation:
Lifting your legs above the level of your heart can help reduce pressure in your leg veins. Your provider may suggest you do this for 30 minutes or longer at least three times per day.
* Weight management:
Extra weight can put pressure on your veins and damage the valves. Ask your provider what a healthy weight is for you. Work with your provider to come up with a healthy and manageable plan for achieving that weight.
Compression therapy
Providers commonly recommend compression therapy for treating CVI. Compression therapy helps ease swelling and discomfort in your legs.
There are many types of compression bandages and stockings. Some offer more compression than others. Very tight stockings require a prescription.
Some stockings are “graduated,” meaning they’re tighter down by your ankles and less tight further up your leg. It’s essential that you follow your provider’s guidance on the type of compression you need and when to use it.
Many people with CVI struggle to wear compression stockings over the long term. But compression therapy is very important to help your veins work better and ease your symptoms.
If you struggle with compression therapy, talk with your provider. You may need a different type of stocking.
Or your provider may offer advice to make the treatment plan more doable for you.
If stockings don’t help, your provider may suggest intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC).
IPC devices are inflatable sleeves you wear on your legs that help blood flow through your veins.
People who have peripheral artery disease (PAD) need to be careful with compression therapy.
Your provider may caution you not to use it at all depending on the extent of your PAD. Closely follow your provider’s instructions. (To be continued)