Venous Diseases
of the Legs
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Do you perceive your legs regularly as tired and heavy?
This is how overstressed veins become noticeable.
When the blood is transported from the legs via the veins back to the heart, it is prevented from flowing back into the legs by venous valves. If they are weakened, they do not close completely and can no longer prevent the return flow of blood. Deep veins, which have already been weakened, are further overstressed. The medical term for this is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). It can lead to the formation of varicose veins, because the drainage and back flow of blood run via the surperficial leg veins.
Risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency of the legs include genetic predisposition as well as other factors that you can influence by adopting a healthy lifestyle:
Stop smoking, keep a normal weight, and adopt a healthy diet
Sufficient movement (especially if you have primarily sedentary activities)
Custom made compression stockings, if you have a known tendency toward venous disease, or during pregnancy
Regular exercises, specifically to promote the veins
Cold jets of water on your legs and feet – have someone show you the right application
To begin with, it is important to ensure that the leg swelling has not been caused by other conditions such as heart failure, inflammation of the veins (phlebitis), or a blood clot (thrombophlebitis).
Treating chronic venous insufficiency of the legs without surgery consists, on the one hand, in measures to improve venous back flow of blood to the heart and, on the other hand, in the relief of any symptoms.
Adjust your lifestyle: Quit smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, reduce excess weight
Lie and walk instead of sitting and standing: Take time to do small exercises that will relax your legs and mobilise your calf muscles (for example, wiggling your legs, feet and ankles, not crossing your legs while sitting, taking the stairs instead of the lift)
Regular gait training: three or more times a week for 30 to 45 minutes
Compression: The most frequent treatment is binding the legs with compression bandages, or wearing custom made compressions stockings. This increases the pressure on the veins from the outside, and helps the calf muscles to transport the blood further towards the heart.
Skin care: Observe and take care of your feet and legs every day. In the event of wounds, have professional wound care of the legs carried out by Spitex or a wound care specialist. Foot and nail care should be performed by a podiatrist.
Medication: plant-based medicines that protect the vein wall from water and protein permeability can constitute an adequate supportive treatment.
Elevate your legs as often as possible; do not wear tight clothes
Your guides:
Further information:
Only in medically justified cases is an inpatient stay necessary with a varicose vein operation. Otherwise, this procedure can typically be performed on an outpatient basis.
For varicose veins that have led to complications (such as leg ulcers, skin discolouration, bleeding or swelling), the surgical removal of the varicosities is indicated.
Personal consultation:
+41 41 228 09 94
Advice on a second opinion
Your guides:
Further information:
Depending on the surgical technique, in most cases, compression bandages will be necessary for a certain period of time. Also, follow the recommendations of the doctor treating you in regard to future skin care and monitoring.
Preventive measures must be continued in order to delay symptoms as well as the onset and progression of further varicose veins. This is because, in 40 to 60 % of cases, varicose veins occur again.
Adjust your lifestyle: Quit smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, reduce excess weight
Lie and walk instead of sitting and standing: Take time to do small exercises that will relax your legs and mobilise your calf muscles (for example, wiggling your legs, feet and ankles, not crossing your legs while sitting, taking the stairs instead of the lift)
Regular gait training: three or more times a week for 30 to 45 minutes
Compression: The most frequent treatment is binding the legs with compression bandages, or wearing custom made compressions stockings. This increases the pressure on the veins from the outside, and helps the calf muscles to transport the blood further towards the heart.
Skin care: The result of modified blood flow may be swollen, painful ankles and lower legs and, at an advanced stage, an increased risk of open, poorly healing skin areas. Observe and take care of your feet and legs every day. In the event of wounds, have professional wound care of the legs provided by Spitex or a wound care specialist. Foot and nail care should be performed by a podiatrist.
Elevate your legs as often as possible; do not wear tight clothes
Your guides:
Further information:
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