What is venous disease?
Venous diseases are conditions that cause problems with your veins, which are blood vessels that send blood from your legs back to your heart. When valves in your veins are damaged because of venous disease, blood flow gets interrupted, and blood can pool or bulge within your veins. Blood might also move more slowly or form clots.
What are common venous diseases?
Common venous diseases you might encounter at some point during your lifetime include:
- Blood clots
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Varicose veins
- Spider veins
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Vasculitis
Factors that increase your risk of developing venous disorders include older age, family history of venous disease, being female, a history of vein disorders, and obesity. Additional risk factors include pregnancy, obesity, and sitting or standing up for long periods.
What are the symptoms of venous diseases?
Common signs and symptoms associated with a vein disorder include:
- Itching
- Tingling
- Leg aching, cramping, or heaviness
- Pain with standing
- Leg swelling
- Varicose veins
- Slow-healing wounds
- Burning
- Fatigue
- Leg discomfort
- Burning
- Throbbing
You might not notice any symptoms – at least not right away. Routine visits with your doctor, especially if you’re at risk of venous disease, are the best way to prevent serious complications, including the need for amputation.
How does my provider diagnose venous disease?
To diagnose venous disease and develop an effective treatment, Dr. Al Kaddoumi reviews your medical history and symptoms. He completes a physical exam and may suggest you undergo a blood test, ultrasound, or other diagnostic testing procedures.
What are common venous disease treatments?
Based on the type and severity of venous disease you have, Dr. Al Kaddoumi might recommend one of the following treatments:
Lifestyle changes
Healthy lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing vein problems. Examples include maintaining a healthy weight, eating nutritious foods, getting regular exercise, and not smoking or drinking excessively. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Compression stockings
Wearing compression stockings is a good way to improve venous blood flow in your legs, especially if you have varicose veins or venous insufficiency.
Medications
Taking medications, such as blood thinners, can reduce your risk of complications associated with venous disease.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy uses a chemical solution injection to destroy damaged or diseased veins, allowing blood to reroute to healthier veins.
Radiofrequency or laser treatment
Using radiofrequency or laser energy is an effective solution for closing off diseased veins and treating some vein disorders.
Surgical procedures
Minor surgical procedures can remove veins, widen veins, repair vein valves, or insert devices into veins to catch blood clots before they travel to your lungs. Bypass surgery reroutes blood around a blocked vein.
Don’t let venous disease go undetected and cause problems for your health. Call Sam Houston Heart and Vascular, or schedule an appointment online today.
