How to Treat Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) At Home

Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, is a common disorder in which the veins in the legs are no longer able to properly pump blood back to the heart, resulting in a constant pooling of blood within the veins of the legs. It affects more and more people each year, primarily the elderly, sedentary, and obese. Smoking and hereditary factors also increase a person's risk of developing the disorder.
If left untreated, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can lead to more serious problems, including aches, persistent open wounds, and even amputation in serious cases. However, there are a number of things you can do at home to treat, if not entirely cure the condition.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. The primary treatment for chronic venous insufficiency for years has been the application of compression stockings or compression socks. The elastic tightens as it moves up the sock, exerting more and more pressure on the legs as the sock runs from foot to calf. This is done to help support the veins and prevent fluid from draining into the legs. If open wounds have formed, this is usually preceeded by medicated bandages.

2. Elevating your legs above the level of your heart for ten to fifteen minutes at a time a few times per day can bring near-immediate relief to the aches and pains associated with chronic venous insufficiency. Elevating the legs allows the blood and fluid to drain back into the body, relieving the pressure.

3. 

   Exercise, especially cardiovascular exercise involving the legs such as cycling or swimming, help build up the cardiovascular system in general. It also builds muscle that helps support the veins and promote blood flow. If you are healthy, losing weight can offer dramatic improvement, as can regular activity if you are sedentary.

4. 

   The final treatment available to the individual without consulting a doctor is herbal therapy. There are a few herbs that are widely used in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, such as horse chestnut and pycnogenol. Both are widely used in Europe to treat CVI. The FDA has not authorized them for this use in the United States, but both are widely available as herbal supplements.

Tips & Warnings

• Exercise and maintaining a regular weight are always good ideas, whether you are treating chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes, or just about any medical condition.
• Horse chestnut, though effective, can be harmful if the taker has suffered loss of kidney function.
• Be sure that you size your compression stockings correctly. If they bunch up or are too tight, they can act as a tourniquet, making the chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) even worse.
• If you have an advanced case or have developed open wounds that refuse to heal, consult your doctor immediately.

Resources

• How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
• How to Improve Poor Blood Circulation in the Body

[jimdris]

on 12/25/2008 A wonderful presentation of this problem and ways to treat it!