<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>US President Donald Trump has been </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-diagnosed-with-chronic-venous-insufficiency/0b3c5e8c-7e0f-4b0a-bd79-805bbe347806" rel="" target="_blank" title='diagnosed with "benign" chronic venous insufficiency'><span>diagnosed with "benign" chronic venous insufficiency</span></a><span>, a common condition in overweight, aging adults.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The White House announced his diagnosis this morning, almost six months after he became the oldest person inaugurated as US president.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 79-year-old will also become the nation's oldest serving president during his second term.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-diagnosed-with-chronic-venous-insufficiency/0b3c5e8c-7e0f-4b0a-bd79-805bbe347806" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump diagnosed with blood condition after troubling find</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here's everything you need to know about the condition he's now been diagnosed with.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What was Donald Trump's specific diagnosis?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after he "noted mild swelling in his lower legs" over a period of weeks.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-health-what-is-chronic-venous-infufficiency-everything-to-know-explained/dd028a8e-30e8-4e0d-a76e-5a65e5a19ef6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 79-year-old commander-in-chief underwent a "comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies" with the White House Medical Unit.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A note from his physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, stated that "bilateral lower extremity venous doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, ICD-9, a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There was "no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease" and that Trump's lab testing was all "within normal limits".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An echocardiogram found "no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What is chronic venous insufficiency?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when valves inside certain veins, typically in the legs, don't work as they should.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Instead of allowing blood to flow back towards the heart, it pools or collects in the veins, causing symptoms like swelling, aching, varicose veins, pain or skin changes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Though not a serious health threat on its own, chronic venous insufficiency can be painful and debilitating and should be assessed by a medical professional.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Cardiologist Dr Bernard Ashby said that even though Trump's diagnosis was reportedly "benign", "venous insufficiency, by itself doesn't necessarily mean it's benign".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The question is, what's causing the venous insufficiency?" he told CNN.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/felix-baumgartner-skydiver-dies-paragliding-accident-italy/9e18f39c-6a1d-45b9-9ac8-452ec76c88d5" target="_blank"><strong><span>The man who skydived from space dies in freak accident</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What causes chronic venous insufficiency?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The causes of chronic venous insufficiency can vary and the risk of developing the condition increases with age.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Common contributing factors include:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>being overweight</span></li><li><span>lack of exercise</span></li><li><span>smoking</span></li><li><span>pregnancy</span></li><li><span>a family history of chronic venous insufficiency</span></li><li><span>damage to the leg due to injury, surgery or previous blood clots</span></li><li><span>high blood pressure in the leg veins due to sitting or standing for long periods</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Other causes may include deep vein thrombosis, where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, and phlebitis, the swelling and inflammation of a vein close to the skin.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Chronic venous insufficiency can also be related to conditions like increased pressure from the heart or sleep apnea.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dr Jeremy Faust, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, told CNN that Trump's diagnosis was neither alarming nor surprising.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is a pretty normal part of aging, and especially for someone in the overweight to obese category, which is where the president has always been," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What are the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Common symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency include:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>swelling of the legs or ankles</span></li><li><span>tightness, itching or pain in the legs</span></li><li><span>pain while walking</span></li><li><span>skin discolouration, usually near the ankles</span></li><li><span>varicose veins</span></li><li><span>restless legs</span></li><li><span>leg cramps and muscle spasms</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some patients may also experience leg ulcers, painful open wounds that may take weeks to heal even with treatment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump's symptoms, as reported by the White House, currently include mild swelling of the legs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said he was experiencing "no discomfort".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/continuous-glucose-monitor-subsidy-type-2-diabetes-exclusive/6ef11a04-9a0f-4e1a-bf88-fefb90101259" target="_blank"><strong><span>'I don't want to die': Dyan is forced to choose between her health and paying rent</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What is the treatment for chronic venous insufficiency?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency may include minimally invasive procedures to improve blood flow or, in more severe cases, surgery.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Regular exercise, wearing compression stockings and keeping the legs elevated may help improve blood flow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Medications may also be prescribed to help increase blood flow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some patients may underdo endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation, minimally invasive procedures designed to stimulate affected veins.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In more serious cases, sclerotherapy or surgery may be required.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sclerotherapy involves injecting a chemical into the affected veins which causes scarring that prevents them from carrying blood.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The body absorbs the scarred veins and blood is redirected through healthy veins.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Surgery may involve ligation, wherein the affected vein is tied off to prevent blood flow or removed entirely if it is heavily damaged.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The White House has not yet announced any details regarding Trump's treatment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>- Reported with CNN</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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