CAUSES OF VEIN DISEASE

The venous system is a low-pressure system which relies on valves to keep blood moving against gravity from the legs to the heart. In some people, veins can lose their elasticity, causing them to stretch, making the valves incompetent and this allows the blood to pool in the legs. When this pooling occurs, it puts more pressure on the veins, creates more valvular incompetence and eventually these veins can become enlarged or varicose.

In addition to cosmetic problems, this can lead to pain, inflammation, discoloration, and eventually ulceration.

RISK FACTORS

Some of the risk factors that increase the likelihood you might be diagnosed with vein disease include:

Genetics – If your parents had varicose veins you are more likely to develop them as well.

Age – Vein disease prevalence increases with age. Vein disease is more common in adults between the ages of 30 and 70 years.

Gender –More than 75% of patients with varicose veins are women due to hormone changes experienced throughout like, including pregnancy and menopause.

Pregnancy – The more pregnancies you have, the higher your risk for developing vein disease.

Obesity – Additional body weight puts strain on the lower extremities, which makes it more difficult for blood to return to the heart.

Prolonged Standing or Sitting – These positions can put strain on the lower extremities and inhibit healthy blood flow when they are maintained for long periods of time.

Lack of Exercise – Muscle contraction, which is particularly strong during physical activity, plays a key role in healthy blood flow from the legs back to the heart.

Unfortunately, once the valves have failed and the veins have dilated the problem is not reversible without intervention. The goal is to prevent further dilation and progression to inflammatory changes and ulceration.

To see if you’re at risk, or a candidate for treatment, take our Self-Assessment test.

CONSEQUENCES OF VEIN DISEASE

When venous disorders go untreated, a number of complications can occur that can severely limit your lifestyle. In addition to chronic pain and unsightly varicose veins, several serious medical complications can result:

• - Phlebitis - Recurring episodes of inflammation
• - Stasis Dermatitis - Rash with dark staining of the skin
• - Hemosiderosis - Chronic skin discoloration
• - Lipodermatosclerosis – Hard scarring of the skin and underlying tissue with redness and tenderness
• - Atrophe Blanche – White circular patch at ankle that is precursor to a true skin ulcer
• - Ulceration - Development of ulcers, or skin breakdown.

Restless Leg Syndrome

People with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have uncomfortable sensations in their legs and an irresistible urge to move their legs to relieve the sensations. The condition causes an uncomfortable "itchy," "pins and needles," or "creepy crawly" feeling in the legs. The sensations are usually worse at rest, especially when lying or sitting.

We offer diagnosis and treatment for restless leg syndrome, which can be vein related. If your RLS is caused by varicose veins, or venous insufficiency, you may be a candidate for specialized treatments that may permanently relieve these symptoms. Please schedule a consultation with us if you are concerned about restless leg syndrome.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Painful neuropathy is often a complication of Diabetes but can also be from Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) independent of Diabetes or they can be co-existing causes. In fact, the occurrence of CVI in patients with diabetes is 10 times higher than the occurrence in the general population. CVI is a significant, but also silent disease, often associated with Diabetic Foot Neuropathy. In CVI the veins cannot pump enough blood back to the heart, due to damaged or "incompetent" valves.

Until recently, the only known relief for the symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy were a variety of medications. Selecting an agent is often challenging. As a result, many patients remain untreated or undertreated, with continuous suffering. When the pain is due to CVI the underlying cause can be permanently treated by endovenous treatements, such as Radiofrequency Ablation or Endovenous Laser Treatment.