Our Services / Vein Disease

What is vein disease?

Vein disease, also known as venous disease or chronic venous insufficiency, develops when the walls and valves in leg veins malfunction. This allows blood to flow backward into the vein rather than toward the heart as it should.

As the blood collects or pools in the vein, called stasis, the pressure on already stressed vein walls and valves increases, weakening them even further.

Left untreated, vein disease can eventually cause:

• New or worsening varicose veins
• Swelling in the lower legs and ankles
• Painful open sores (stasis ulcers) caused by burst capillaries near the skin surface
• Aching pain in the legs that usually worsens with prolonged standing or sitting
• Flaky, itchy, or shiny skin on the lower legs and feet

Other complications related to vein disease include superficial thrombophlebitis or inflammation of a surface vein related to a blot clot in the vein.

Less often, vein disease may also cause you to develop a clot in a deeper vein. This is more serious than superficial thrombophlebitis since the clot can break away and travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism.

What causes vein disease?

Research hasn’t established why some people develop vein disease and others don’t. The Society for Vascular Surgery estimates, however, that approximately 40% of adults in the United States have venous insufficiency.

Factors that may increase your risk of developing vein disease include:

• History of blood clot
• Jobs that require prolonged sitting or standing
• Pregnancy
• Sex, more common in women than men
• Tobacco use
• Family history of venous insufficiency
• Excess weight

Because your veins rely on strong calf muscles to help move blood upward through veins, immobility due to chronic medical conditions, a sedentary lifestyle, and even a long plane trip or car ride can increase your risk of developing vein disease.

How do you treat vein disease?

Treatment strategies at Advanced Vascular & Vein Associates are tailored to suit your needs and often depend on the symptoms you’re experiencing as well as your level of disease.

Doppler imaging studies are typically used to evaluate blood flow through your veins. This painless study is performed at the Advanced Vascular & Vein Associates office.

Once your evaluation is complete, your specialist may recommend:

• Laser vein ablation therapy to eliminate superficial varicose veins
• Lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity
• Advanced wound care to aid in healing of stasis ulcers
• Use of compression garments

If any of the above symptoms related to vein disease sound familiar, schedule a visit at Advanced Vascular & Vein Associates today. Call the office, or book your appointment online.