40 Million Americans Suffer from Venous Reflux Disease
You don’t have to suffer from the pain and discomfort of venous reflux disease. Florida Lakes Vein Center offers state-of-the-art, minimally invasive treatments with no downtime.
What is Venous Reflux Disease?
Healthy leg veins have valves that keep blood flowing to the heart. Venous reflux disease develops when the valves stop working properly and allow blood to flow backward (i.e., reflux) and pool in the lower leg veins. If venous reflux disease is left untreated, symptoms will worsen over time. As a result, vein valves will not close properly, leading to signs and symptoms such as:
- Varicose veins
- Aching
- Swelling
- Cramping
- Heaviness or tiredness
- Itching
- Restlessness
- Discoloration
- Open ulcers
How Common is Venous Reflux Disease?
Venous disease is more prevalent than arterial disease. In the U.S., more than 40 million Americans suffer from varicose veins, or the more serious form of vein disease, chronic venous insufficiency. It can affect up to 40 percent of adults and goes largely undiagnosed and untreated.
Varicose veins are more common in those who are overweight and in women who have had multiple pregnancies. The disease is three times more frequent in women, however, 25 percent of men will also develop the disease during their lifetime.
How is Venous Reflux Disease Treated?
Florida Lakes Vein Center offers several treatment options aimed to reduce or stop the backward flow of blood. Treating the diseased vein improves overall blood flow and relieves symptoms. For a small number of patients, conservative treatment alone (compression stockings) may improve blood flow. For other patients, closing the diseased vein may be necessary to improve blood flow. Closing the diseased vein directs blood to nearby healthy veins and can be achieved with VenaSeal®, Varithena® microfoam, radiofrequency ablations, and/or ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.
Common Risk Factors
Genetics
A family history of vein disease increases the likelihood of inheriting it.
Obesity
Added weight puts more pressure on the legs resulting in a higher risk to develop varicose veins.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Pregnancy and menopause affect estrogen levels, which can trigger the development of varicose veins.
Prolonged Sitting/Standing
Sitting or standing for long periods causes blood to pool in your legs, increasing pressure on your veins causing them to weaken.
Aging
With age, vein valves become weaker resulting in varicose veins and blood pooling in the legs.
