Important Questions Regarding Your Leg Health
This questionnaire is a helpful tool to assess whether you have chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), also known as venous reflux disease. This disease is one of the most undertreated and under diagnosed diseases in the United States with more 24 million Americans affected. Many of these individuals are unaware of the specific cause of their pain, swelling or tired legs. This questionnaire is the first step to assessing whether you may be suffering from this treatable condition.
Does anyone in your family have a history of varicose veins, leg ulcers or swollen legs?
Do you experience any of the following in your legs:
Aching/Pain
Heaviness
Tiredness/Fatigue
Itching/Burning
Swollen Ankles
Leg Cramps
Restless Legs
Throbbing
Do you experience these problems in one or both legs?
Do you have any ulcers or skin color changes on your legs or ankle area?
Do you have pain or swelling in your legs at the end of day or after periods of standing?
If you have answered “yes” to one or more of the leg health questions you may be one of the millions of Americans whom suffer from chronic venous insufficiency. This condition is characterized by insufficient circulation of the blood by your veins in your legs. Typically valves in your legs, which should open and close just like the valves in your heart, are not closing properly. This is what leads to many of the symptoms mentioned in the questionnaire.
The good news is that this condition is easily treated once it is properly diagnosed. It is important to see a specialist in this area for the correct diagnosis. A specialist can determine whether you are suffering from a life threatening blood clot or “DVT” or simply CVI. Many people with these symptoms have been checked for a blood clot and their results have been negative. However in most, they have never been checked for CVI and as a result their symptoms have persisted and progressed over the years. For some this progression has led to devastating leg ulcers.
Once a specialist has properly diagnosed you with chronic venous insufficiency, new technology exists to treat this condition with an in office procedure that is covered by most insurance companies. This new technology has led to a new laser and radio frequency approach that can be performed in less than one hour and have you back on your feet and back to your activity and/or work on the same day. CVI can be treated, but like many conditions, proper and early diagnosis is the best medicine.