Chronic Venous Insufficiency / Varicose Veins / Haemorrhoids
Chronic Venous Insufficiencies (CVI)
The veins in our body transport the oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. In CVI this function is impaired, and not enough blood is pumped back from your legs to the heart (also called chronic venous disease, CVD).
How does it happen
In our legs we have superficial veins close to the skin, deep veins that are deeper in the muscles, and perforating veins connecting the two. Deep veins lead to the vena cava, the body's largest vein, which runs directly to the heart. The blood in our leg veins travels against gravity to return to the heart. The squeeze of the leg muscles on the deep veins helps to move blood back up to the heart. This is helped by one-way flaps in the veins, called valves, that ensure the blood flows only towards the heart. When leg muscles relax these valves close and prevent blood from flowing backwards. This process of sending blood back to the heart is called the venous pump. When you walk and the leg muscles are working the venous pump works well. But when sitting or standing for a long time blood in the leg veins can pool and increase the venous blood pressure. Deep veins and perforating veins are usually able to withstand short periods of increased pressures. However, sitting or standing for a long time can stretch vein walls because they are flexible. Over the long term, in susceptible individuals, this can weaken the walls of the veins and damage the vein valves, causing CVI.
Varicose Veins
CVI is often associated with varicose veins, and vice versa. However, varicose veins can occur in people without CVI. Varicose veins are swollen superficial veins that are visible through the skin often looking blue, bulging, and twisted. Varicose veins often develop in susceptible individuals with weak connective tissue. The pooling of blood in the superficial veins from long standing or sitting increases the pressure in the veins and can stretch the walls of the superficial veins, over time leading to weakened vessel walls and the development of varicose veins.
Symptoms of CVI & Varicose Veins
In CVI ankles may swell and calves may feel tight. Legs may also feel heavy, tired, restless, or achy. You may feel pain while walking or shortly after stopping. Varicose veins can also cause heavy feeling in the legs, tiredness and aching. Standing or sitting for too long may worsen symptoms.
CVI can also cause problems with leg swelling because of the pressure of the blood pooling in the veins. Often the lymphatic system will produce more fluid, called lymph that is partially absorbed by your leg tissue, increasing the tendency for leg swelling. In severe cases, CVI and the leg swelling, and varicose veins can cause skin rashes, sores and ulcers to form on the lower parts of the leg.
Long-haul flights may make symptoms particularly uncomfortable. Cramps in the legs particularly at night may also occur. Individuals with varicose veins have a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Risk Factors
Factors that can increase your risk for CVI include a family history of varicose veins, being overweight, being pregnant, not exercising enough, smoking, and standing or sitting for long periods of time.
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are basically varicose veins that occur just under the surface tissue of the rectum or anus. In the rectum area, the very end of the bowl, they are called internal haemorrhoids, around the anus they are called external haemorrhoids. Sometimes also called piles, they are very common - about 50 per cent of adults have them by the time they turn 50.
Haemorrhoids can become swollen, painful and inflamed. They can bleed when irritated, while at other times, when they are not swollen or irritated, they may cause no symptoms. Similar to varicose veins being caused by increased pressure in the legs and a loss of elasticity of the vessel walls, haemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure in the veins around the anus leading to a loss in elasticity and a bulging of the vessel wall.
Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) in prevention and treatment of varicose veins
OPCs, the most abundant flavonoids (plant phenolic compounds) in Enzogenol pine bark extract, are mostly used for their antioxidant qualities and for their numerous cardio-protective and circulatory benefits. OPCs can help to strengthen blood vessels and reduce the risk of and help to manage bruising, varicose veins, CVI, phlebitis, DVT, and haemorrhoids. Please consult your health practitioner to find out if ENZO Professional may be able to help you.
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Knowledge Links:
www.vascular.co.nz
Vascular Web - Society for Vascular Surgery
MedlinePlus:
Venous Insufficiency
Varicose Veins
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
Haemorrhoids
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