Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are abnormal, dilated
veins usually found on the legs. They
are caused by an initial injury
to the vein wall that leads to dilation
and elongation. The valves in the vein
which normally only allow
blood to flow one direction (back to the
heart) see video become leaky, see video
leading to further
vein wall damage and progressive spread
of the problem over time See video. This
condition of leaking
valves is called venous insufficiency.
What causes spider veins?
Spider veins see photo, also called
telangectasia are caused by venous
insufficiency just like varicose
veins. They are abnormal groups of small
vessels just under the surface of the
skin. Most often they
are only of cosmetic concern but at
times can be the first signs of a more
widespread venous problem.
This is why a duplex ultrasound exam has
to be done on all vein consultations at
the CVI.
Why should I have my veins fixed?
For some patients the pain and symptoms
caused by their veins are reason enough
to have
their veins fixed. Patients with
varicose veins are at risk though, to
develop chronic venous
stasis disease ). This is a slowly
progressive condition seen in a small
but significant percentage
of vein patients. It can lead to
permanent skin staining, thickening and
eventually to ulcers
around the skin of the ankle.
How common is venous insufficiency?
Very common. Up to 60% of women and 20%
of men suffer the symptoms or cosmetic
disfigurement
caused by venous insufficiency. Many
people without visible varicose veins
still have symptoms
due to the high pressure stretching and
irritating the nerve endings around the
veins.
Why do I have venous insufficiency?
Many factors contribute to this issue
but the biggest and most consistent is
inheritance from
your parents. Other factors include
obesity, hormonal influences, job
(prolonged standing),
age, pregnancy, and trauma or injury.
What can I do to help myself?
There are simple ways to prevent or
minimize the progression of venous
disease that you
can incorporate into your everyday life.
Weight loss, exercise, compression
stockings.
Vein Health
Visit these links for general
information on vein health and
prevention of vein complications
during travel.
(This is accessed through any link that
says vein health)
http://www.sigvarisusa.com/prod_web/en-USLocalDB.nsf/vw_nfsinglecat/
3959CD2B3FD0A70685256AB60070A73D?opendocument&nav=information$pr=anwender$
http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm
Vein Risk Calculator
http://www.sigvarisusa.com/prod_web/en-USLocalDB.nsf/vw_docnavianwender
/E94B5A4DD0A8C3B2C1256F1100822460!opendocument&pr=anwender$
Complications
Vein disease is far from just a cosmetic
issue. Many patients who neglect their
vein problems
end up with irreversible unsightly and
sometimes painful complication . In
rare cases conditions
that can threaten life or limb can
arise.
The symptoms associated with varicose
veins are most often manageable using
properly
fitted compression stockings. When
symptoms are not adequately treated with
stockings
alone we consider this complicated vein
disease and an indication for more
aggressive
management like sclerotherapy and
surgery.
A common complication seen in patients
with varicose veins is phlebitis.
Phlebitis is an
inflammatory condition in the vein wall
that leads to clotting of the vein
associated with
red, tender overlying skin. Most often
phlebitis is of no danger and is well
managed with
ice packs and anti-inflammatories. The
only time this can be dangerous is when
phlebitis occurs
in the absence of varicose veins (can
mean a cancer is present in the body),
or when the
clot in the varicose vein spreads all
the way up the leg and into the deep
veins of the leg.
This can lead to a deep venous
thrombosis (DVT) and is an emergency to
diagnose and treat.
Deep venous thrombosis is a potentially
life threatening condition but is
thankfully only rarely
associated with varicose veins. It is
diagnosed by ultrasound of the legs and
pelvis. It often
requires immediate medical treatment
with blood thinners to prevent
complications. The most
dangerous result of an untreated DVT is
a pulmonary embolism (blood clot
breaking off and
lodging in the lung).
Venous stasis disease is the end point
of long standing elevations of the
pressure in your veins.
It has an insidious onset and slowly
progresses over years. Many medical
professionals have
never been trained to identify early
signs of stasis disease.
Early changes begin around the ankle
with tiny blue-green or purple veins
forming a lattice
work under the skin.
[Early stasis photo]
With time these vessels enlarge and the
skin starts to darken and thicken from
the longstanding
damage caused to the tiny blood
vessels. In the late stages the skin
around the ankle and
lower leg is woody hard and darkly
stained.
[Moderate stasis photo]
In its worst form non- healing ulcers
form.
[Severe stasis photo]
The best way to treat venous stasis
disease is to prevent its development in
the first place.
Properly fitted
compression stockings
( links to compression section of
varicose veins
page) in patients with strong family
histories of varicose vein disease or
mild varicose vein
problems goes a long way to slow or
prevent progression of stasis disease.
In patients who already have stasis
changes around the lower leg, searching
for a surgically
treatable cause is indicated.
Ultrasound examination is the only sure
way to rule out surgically
treatable disease. Even in experienced
hands physical exam can miss subtle and
sometimes
not so subtle signs of venous
insufficiency. Insist on it where ever
you may get your veins
treated. Compression stockings are a
big part of these patient’s long term
management
but surgery is the most definitive and
certain prevention. See
varicose veins for
more
detail of treatment options.
Useful Links
General Vein Information
Dictionary of Medical Terms
http://www.sigvarisusa.com/prod_web/en-USLocalDB.nsf/fm_azanwender?openform
&pr=anwender$
Vein Risk Calculator
http://www.sigvarisusa.com/prod_web/en-USLocalDB.nsf/vw_docnavianwender/
E94B5A4DD0A8C3B2C1256F1100822460!opendocument&pr=anwender$
Excellent General Information
www.Phlebology.org
Prevention
Prevention of venous problems
http://www.sigvarisusa.com/prod_web/en-USLocalDB.nsf/vw_docnavianwender/
E1C0D6FFF3428A7F85256DA9006D0BB3?opendocument&pr=anwender$
Compression Stockings
http://www.sigvarisusa.com/prod_web/en-USLocalDB.nsf/vw_nfsinglecat/
E4A9FD3B74BF47AD85256DA800790614?opendocument&nav=produkte$pr=arzt$
Prevention of venous complications
during travel
http://www.nathnac.org/travel/factsheets/dvt.htm
http://www.sigvarisusa.com/prod_web/en-USLocalDB.nsf/vw_docnavianwender/
1CB7E8F90874AE7485256DA9006D1A19?opendocument&pr=anwender$
General Travel Health Information
http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm
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