What solutions can improve venous insufficiency?

In France, venous insufficiency affects 50% of women but also 20% of men. It often shows as heavy legs with more or less pronounced swelling, muscle fatigue and pain, and the appearance of varicose veins.

These venous problems are caused by a malfunction of the non-return valves in the veins (these valves open on venous return and then close, keeping the system sealed by preventing venous blood from flowing back down).

The most frequent causes:

• Excess weight
• Heredity
• Cholesterol
• Smoking
• Long periods working on your feet
• Frequent air travel
• Underfloor heating (heat dilates the vessels in the extremities).

The treatments of choice are:

• Compression, with two parameters:

- the coverage: knee-high stockings, thigh-high stockings, or tights.

- the pressure gradient (pressure is highest at the foot and decreases up to the top of the thigh).

The pressure categories range from class 1 (light) to class 4 (very strong).

Class 2 covers the most frequent forms of insufficiency.

• Venotonic medicines.

Venotonics, often not very effective, are now used less.

A few lifestyle rules are also necessary to improve venous insufficiency:

• Reduce long periods standing or sitting; favour walking.
• Avoid exposure to heat (underfloor heating, legs exposed to the sun for too long, etc.).
• Raise your legs (during naps or sleep).
• Rinse your legs with cold water after a hot bath or shower.
• Favour gentle, regular sports rather than jerky, intense ones.