Venous Disease

Concerned About Venous Disease? Make an Appointment

The heart pumps the blood through a system of blood vessels known as the circulation system. Blood vessels are hollow, flexible tubes that transport the blood throughout the body. The circulation system contains the arteries that carry the oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other body parts. It also contains the veins, which carry the deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

The veins are hollow tubes that have flaps inside, known as the valves. Different from arteries, the veins have few muscle cells on their wall. Additionally, the veins do not benefit from the heart pumping pressure to help circulate the blood. Our veins depend on muscle movement to ensure that the blood flows back to the heart. As the muscles contract, the valve opens to allow the blood to flow through the veins. When the muscles relax, the valve closes, ensuring that blood flows in one direction.

The valves in the veins are fragile and lose their efficacy as we grow old. Damaged or missing valves force the blood to stagnate in the veins. When this happens, our immune system activates, triggering the inflammatory process, which leads to various symptoms and potentially venous disease.

What Is Venous Disease?

The body’s network of veins is known as the venous system. Venous disease is any condition that affects the way the veins work. The venous disease often begins with discomfort in the legs and progresses to varicose veins, skin discoloration, and ulcers. Various risk factors are linked to the onset and progression of venous disease. Luckily, most of these risk factors are lifestyle-related and are quickly addressed by making lifestyles such as eating a healthy diet and exercising.

Today, venous disease is one of the most common disorders that affect up to 60 percent of adults over the age of 50years globally. Standing for long hours, excess weight, and lack of exercise are other main contributors to venous disease. Research also shows that women are at a greater risk of contracting venous diseases than men. This is attributed to the hormonal changes before the menstrual period and during pregnancy, which weaken the vein’s walls.

As mentioned, venous disease is any condition that disrupts the normal functioning of the veins. The most common venous diseases include:

Blood clots

Venous Blood clots in the vein usually develop when slowed blood flow in the legs and feet. The condition is also caused by vein damage because of an infection or injury.

Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that leads to blood clots occurring deep in a vein. While a blood clot in the vein may not damage the veins themselves, it has the potential to break and travel through the bloodstream. As the blood clot travels through the blood vessels, it can become lodged in the lung blood vessels leading to a life-threatening condition known as pulmonary embolism… Read More

Superficial venous thrombosis or phlebitis

Phlebitis or superficial venous thrombosis is a condition that develops when a blood clot forms in the veins close to the skin surface. Although the blood clots do not usually travel to the lungs, unless they reach the superficial system, they typically cause pain.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition characterized by leg swelling, pooling of blood, skin discoloration, and venous stasis ulcers. The leading cause of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is varicose veins and blood clots. Healthy veins are responsible for a continuous flow of blood from the limbs to the heart. Varicose veins and blood clots disrupt the normal functioning of the veins. These conditions lead to the obstruction that restricts the blood from flowing forward through the veins. Blood clots block the veins, making it hard for the blood to flow… Read More

Varicose and spider veins

Varicose veins are usually bulging veins running just beneath your skin surface. The veins often appear on the legs and feet. They develop when the valve in the veins stops functioning properly and allows blood to backflow. Superficial varicose veins (spider veins) are visible swollen and twisted veins surrounded by flooded capillaries patches. Most often, varicose veins are usually harmless although, sometimes they can be painful. Read more about varicose veins and spider veins.

Venous Ulcers

Static blood flow causes venous stasis ulcers. There are two types of non-healing ulcers of venous and material ulcers. These non-healing ulcers are often open sores or wounds that do not heal or keep resurfacing. In venous disease, ulcers are usually located in the spat area between the ankle and the calf, often on the medial aspect of the leg. Arterial non-healing ulcers occur as a result of reduced arterial blood flow and subsequent tissue perfusion. Venous stasis ulcers often form below the knees and are located primarily on the leg’s inner part or above the ankle.

A venous leg ulcer is the most common type of leg ulcer, accounting for more than 90% of all cases. Venous leg ulcers can develop after a minor injury, where persistently high pressure in the veins of the legs has damaged the skin.

Who Is At Risk?

Venous disease affects both men and women at any stage in life. However, some people are at more risk of contracting the venous disease than others. The common risk factors for this condition include

Sex- women are three times more likely to get this condition than men are. Hormone level changes tend to weaken the veins’ walls, affecting how the valves work.
Standing or sitting for an extended period without moving. Teachers, nurses, and cooks spend most of their time standing. On the other hand, office workers spend long hours seated. Long hours of inactivity put you at high risk of contracting a venous disease. Taking a break and exercising can help in lowering the risks.
Age 50+- as we grow old, the vein walls and valves become weak, preventing efficient blood circulation.
Smoking- smoking damages the blood vessels, increasing the chances of getting a venous disease
Lack of exercise
High blood pressure
Obesity/ being overweight
Family history of venous disease

Why Pedes Orange County?

At Pedes Orange County, we offer coordinated care to prevent, diagnose, and treat venous disease. We understand, everyone deserves to live a long, happy life. The venous disease may lead to limb loss and other life-threatening conditions such as pulmonary embolism. Our licensed physicians use state-of-the-art tools and technology to tackle all your problems related to your venous system. Thanks to our vast wealth of experience, we also work with the patient to develop a unique solution that fits your needs. Contact us today to learn more about the venous disease treatment we offer and schedule an appointment today!

What to Expect from Your Visit to Pedes

ULTRASOUND

Your treatment will begin with an ultrasound examination of your veins, arteries, or both, in your legs to diagnose the presence and extent of the disease. Your test results will be immediately available to review with the doctor.

CONSULT

Once we review the results of your diagnostic tests, our physicians will help you develop a plan to provide you with the best treatment for your disease.

TREATMENT

Depending on the extent of disease in your arteries or veins, our specialists may recommend minimally invasive intervention and/or prescribe medications to help your symptoms.

FOLLOW UP

It is important to make sure that you return for every scheduled follow-up appointment to ensure that your disease is appropriately monitored. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call or schedule a follow-up appointment with our staff.