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.
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:
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
What to Expect from Your Visit to Pedes
ULTRASOUND
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
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
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
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.