Exercise
Walking, climbing stairs, biking, or swimming activate the calf muscles and promote venous return.
Venous Insufficiency: When Blood Flow Back from the Legs Is Impaired
In cases of venous insufficiency, the return flow of blood from the legs to the heart no longer functions optimally. The venous valves are often involved. If they do not close properly, blood can pool in the legs.
Common symptoms include heavy legs, swollen ankles, a feeling of tightness, itching, nighttime calf cramps, or visible varicose veins.
How does venous insufficiency develop?
Veins carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. In the legs, this happens against gravity. The following factors help with this:
- Venous valves
- Calf muscles
- Foot Movement
- regular exercise
If the vein walls lose their elasticity or the venous valves no longer close properly, blood can flow backward. The pressure in the veins increases, and fluid can leak into the surrounding tissue. This causes swelling.
Typical Symptoms
Possible signs of venous insufficiency include:
- tired, heavy legs
- swollen ankles or lower legs
- Tightness
- Leg pain
- Itching on the lower legs
- nighttime calf cramps
- visible spider veins
- Varicose Veins
- Skin changes
- Symptoms that worsen with heat
Symptoms often worsen as the day progresses and improve with movement or by elevating the affected area.
Risk Factors
Venous insufficiency can be caused by various factors:
- genetic predisposition
- advancing age
- female gender
- Pregnancy
- prolonged sitting or standing
- Lack of exercise
- Overweight
- Smoking
- hormonal influences
- previous blood clots
People with multiple risk factors should have any vein-related symptoms evaluated early on.
What Can Help with Venous Insufficiency
Calf Exercises
Lifting your heels, curling your toes, rotating your feet, or walking in place get your legs moving.
Elevate Your Legs
Keeping the affected area elevated for a short time can relieve swelling and a feeling of tightness.
Compression
Compression stockings can help with venous return. They should be selected appropriately and, if necessary, prescribed by a doctor.
Cold
Cool leg rinses or contrast showers can be pleasant.
Take breaks from sitting and standing for long periods
Taking regular breaks to move around is especially important when working in an office, traveling, or performing tasks that require standing.
Venous Insufficiency and Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, visible veins. They develop when superficial veins expand and the venous valves no longer close properly.
Not every varicose vein causes symptoms. Nevertheless, varicose veins should be evaluated by a doctor if they are painful, are getting worse, are accompanied by swelling, or are associated with skin changes.
Plant Facts: Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a well-known plant used to treat venous problems. A.Vogel uses fresh horse chestnut seeds in its products.
Related Product
Aesculaforce® Strong Veins
Aesculaforce® forte Venen is a herbal medicine containing a dry extract from fresh horse chestnut seeds.
Indicated for symptoms associated with varicose veins, such as:
- swollen legs
- Pain and a feeling of heaviness in the legs
- Calf Cramps
This is an approved medication. Read the package insert.
When should you see a doctor about venous insufficiency?
A medical evaluation is recommended in the following cases:
- recurring swelling in the legs
- heavy or aching legs
- visible varicose veins
- increasing symptoms
- Itching or skin discoloration
- Eczema or thickened skin
- wounds that heal poorly
- nighttime calf cramps
- Symptoms Following a Thrombosis
- Symptoms During Pregnancy
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden swelling in one leg, severe redness, excessive warmth, severe pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain.