Chronic Venous Insufficiency ( CVI )

The disorder known more popularly as deep vein thrombosis causes the excessive clotting of blood in the veins and this results in the inflammation of the veins brining on the condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The sluggish movement of the blood out of the venous system that comes about due to the simple failure of the valves in the veins of the leg can retain blood against the pull of gravity; such a situation can also cause CVI. A dull ache is the symptom of the condition, which worsens if the person stands for longer periods of time on a continuous basis, the feet, and the calves’ swell up during the condition. Ulceration often follows the darkening of the skin as blood supply is lost in cases where the onset of CVI is left unchecked or when no alleviating measures are taken. The formation of varicose veins is the usual result of CVI.

Some precautions are necessary in affected individuals, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time in a single position must be avoided, moreover all individuals afflicted by chronic venous insufficiency when seated should make sure that they raise their legs from time to time, movement is very important at all times. The blood in the veins is induced to move about through activities such as walking and all physical activity will affect the rate of circulating blood. Furthermore as an added measure the veins in the legs can be buffered or supported to a large extent by wearing tight-fitting compression stockings normally sold in drug stores.

Supplements and herbs

The integrity and strength of the venous system is maintained by the use of the plant based natural substances known as bioflavonoids supplemented along with the diet. Bioflavonids known as hydroxyethylrutosides (HR), that are derivatives of rutin have been the most extensively utilized types of the bioflavonoids in most studies conducted thus far. The effectiveness of the HR in clearing edema in the legs and in eliminating other signs of CVI has been conclusively shown in these studies done on patients. Dosages of the bioflavonoids included tablets in strengths of 500 mg administered twice daily for a treatment period of 12 weeks, the results of this double blind studies were on the whole very effective and positive as far as the potential of the bioflavonoid was concerned. Under medical guidance, ulcers caused by CVI have also been successfully treated in many patients; these were all supervised by medical doctors and must not be attempted alone. While the effectiveness of HR in combating chronic venous insufficiency has been shown, the other types of bioflavonoids and their potentialities vis a vis CVI remains a mystery. High dosage strengths of easily available citrus bioflavonoids in 300-500 mg tablets consumed three to four times daily is the usual recommended treatment regimen given by nutritionally oriented doctors.

Traditional use has also been made of the horse chestnut and several monitored and some partially monitored researches have shown it to be effective in treating problems with an impaired venous system. The active ingredient or compound in the horse chestnut is a substance known as aescin. Patients with CVI were administered 50 mg of aescin two times a day during the treatment period in one medical investigation of the effectiveness of the compound. There was a lessening of swollen tissues, which is a good sign of the property of the aescin in strengthening the capillaries of the affected individual.

Another double blind study using low quantities of a another substance contained in just two 50 mg pills was administered to patients, this substance is found in the seed extracts of the grape, the name of the compound in question is a groups of natural bioflavonoids known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), these OPC’s were able to greatly strengthen the capillaries of the afflicted individuals on whom the testing was done. Women with CVI were assisted in combating the condition in a double blind French study that utilized 150 mg of the compound daily. Positive results were also obtained in another French double blind research that increase the dosage to 300 mg of the substance daily, with each dose being a hundred mgs, the effectiveness of the compound was evident in just four weeks of the treatment period and all the patients showed improvement.

The herb known commonly as the butcher's broom has also seen traditional use in correcting impaired veins. Compared to patients on placebos, a study using a combined dose of the butcher's broom herb, the vitamin C and the bioflavonoid hesperidin found a great deal of improvement in the patients. Standardized extracts containing 15-30 mg of ruscogenins per capsule administered thrice a day have also proven to be effective in combating the disorder. Herbalists have also traditionally treated the onset of CVI by using the gotu kola herb as the supplement.

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