Common Venous Diseases

It is estimated that 15% of adults suffer from some sort of venous disease. Vein disorders happen when when the valves that regulate blood flow weaken, allowing deoxygenated blood to flow backwards. This makes pressure build up in the bad veins, causing them to become slow and increasingly swollen and twisted.

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk for developing a venous disease. They include genetic predisposition, pregnancy, obesity, standing for long amounts of time, and medication, among others. There is no way to completely cure valve malfunction in the veins, but if you know what type of disease you are dealing with, you may be able to reduce your symptoms.

Common types of venous disease include:

Spider Veins. Spider veins are the network of red, blue, or purple lines that often appear on thighs, calves, and ankles. Basically the baby version of varicose veins, spider veins are generally not a problem although they can be painful to some people. Spider veins present more of a cosmetic issue rather than a medical issue, and they are usually treated with sclerotherapy. This means that a tiny needle inserts a solution into the spider vein that causes it to shut down or collapse.

Varicose Veins. Varicose veins are the thick, ropy twists of veins that some people develop, usually located on your leg between the groin and foot. Varicose veins are mostly blue in appearance. Varicose veins are not in themselves painful, but they can contribute to swelling and aching in the area of the vein as blood pools up in the legs. Like spider veins, varicose veins can be unsightly. Sometimes, sclerotherapy will help, although the veins might need something more intense such as laser or radio ablation.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). CVI develops from long lasting or leaky varicose veins, repeated blood clots, or continuous inflammation of the leg. The buildup and congestion of blood in the legs can affect the skin and even cause ulcers. Endovenous laser ablation can help reduce the pool of blood by redirecting the blood flow to keep the skin from turning brown, leathery, and ulcerated.

Phlebitis. Phlebitis is a broad title for veins that are inflamed. The two main categories of phlebitis are Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Superficial Thrombophlebitis (ST). In both DVT and ST, the vein becomes inflamed, leading to a blood clot. With ST, the veins are closer to the surface so the small clots are often pushed away on their own without causing damage. DVT occurs when bigger clots form deep down, where they are not easily dislodged and can grow big. Later, when the clot does release, it can travel and cause an embolism. Ablations to prevent ST and medication to prevent DVT are the usual courses of treatment.

For more information on treating venous diseases, check out Zimmet Vein & Dermatology today. They provide endovenous treatment to help reduce unsightly spider and varicose veins.