Many patients are told by their doctors that they have venous reflux, but most are unaware of what this means. Medical terms can be daunting so we have unpacked this term to help ease any confusion or concern. Venous reflux is what happens when the veins are unable to bring blood back to your heart. The term venous reflux is now more commonly referred to as Chronic Venous Insufficiency.
Why does this occur?
Venous reflux occurs as a result of the valves in your veins malfunctioning and failing to bring blood back to the heart. These one-way venous valves work against gravity to bring blood back to the heart, but when they fail the blood is left to collect in the legs. This pooling of blood in the lower extremities leads to poor blood circulation and what is known as venous
reflux. As this is a progressive disease, if it is not treated the veins become weaker and may cause more serious complications. Reflux is a main contributing factor to the development of varicose veins. The main cause of venous reflux isgenetic – it is typically inherited from a family member. Other causes of this disease include: pregnancy, long periods of inactivity (standing or sitting), and obesity.
Symptoms of Venous Reflux
- Heaviness
- Aching or cramping legs
- Itchiness
- Swelling
- Burning sensation
- Ulcers or open sores
- Scaly skin
- Varicose veins
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above we recommend booking a consultation with our specialists to find the root cause of the problem and make your legs healthy again!
Contact us!
At Canada Vein Clinics we specialize in the treatment of varicose veins. We offer numerous state-of-the-art treatments for this condition and help to find the best treatment for you. Book a consultation to find out more information! Give us a call today at 1-888-876-8346, or email us at askdoctor@canadaveinclinics.ca.
