The White House announced Thursday that President Donald Trump suffered from venous insufficiency. What is this condition, which mainly affects older people?
What is venous insufficiency?
A problem of operating the venous system is at the origin of this discomfort, which prevents blood from turning into the heart in sufficient quantity. This boredom of health mainly affects women aged 80 and over. Heredity can also help increase the risks of being reached.
There are also other risk factors:
- Pregnancy;
- Obesity;
- Prolonged exposure to heat;
- Wearing high heels and too adjusted clothing;
- Hormone consumption;
- The standing position or seated over a long period;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Tobacco;
- High cholesterol levels.
What are the symptoms?
A person who suffers from venous insufficiency can observe several symptoms:
- Night cramps;
- Bruises;
- Varicose veins;
- A heaviness in the legs;
- Edema;
- Tingling;
- Braids in the lower limbs.
From 10 to 20 % of the population aged 30 to 70 would be affected by varicose veins, these small bluish, distorted veins, present in particular on the calves.
A photo taken Thursday at the White House shows the American president’s hand with a stain that looks like a bruise. His spokesperson Karoline Leavitt responded to speculations on Mr. Trump’s state of health, justifying that it was a consequence of “frequent handles”, as well as aspirin consumption “in the context of a standard cardiovascular preventive prescription”.
PHOTO ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A photo taken Thursday at the White House shows the American president’s hand with a stain that looks like a bruise.
Are there complications?
In the most serious cases, a blood clot can train in a vein and lead to phlebitis. If the clot circulates in the blood and lodges in the lungs, we are now talking about pulmonary embolism. Finally, ulcers can also appear on the legs.
How can we treat venous insufficiency?
It is suggested to wear compression stockings and move regularly to activate blood circulation. Drugs can also be prescribed, as is a sclerotherapy treatment, which consists in particular in injecting saline solutions concentrated in varicose veins.
What to do in prevention?
In order to avoid the appearance of varicose vein and venous insufficiency, it is recommended to sleep with raised legs, to bathe in fresh water and to keep a healthy weight. It is also suggested to reduce the amount of salt in the diet and regularly practice physical activity. Finally, wearing high heels and tobacco consumption are not recommended.
Sources: Proxim, the general public manuals of pharmaceutics Merck and AFP