What are Vein Diseases/Disorders?
Vein disease is a medical condition in which a person’s veins are not properly returning blood from the legs back to the heart. There are several types of diseases:
Vein Diseases Explained
Vein disease is often very visually apparent to those suffering from it but can also cause pain and discomfort. While conditions such as varicose veins, spider veins, and chronic vein insufficiency are all too common, with proper treatment the majority of these can be comfortably resolved. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, request a free vein screening today.
While some vein diseases are mainly cosmetic, others may result from potentially serious medical issues and need to be taken seriously. A visit to Northern Illinois Vein Clinic is necessary to evaluate and map the vein disorder and make a treatment plan.
Types of Vein Diseases
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These result when valves fail to function properly, causing blood to collect in your legs. Weakened veins and valves in your legs cause the formation of large, protruding, and twisted veins just under your skin. Being overweight increases risk, and there is a strong genetic component, too. Sclerotherapy has proved to be a successful treatment, and wearing compression stockings may help.
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Spider veins look like little red, blue or purple spiders on the skin but sometimes appear as spindly branches. They result from increased pressure or when the veins do not function properly. Sclerotherapy also is often a great option to treat spider veins, which are mainly cosmetic.
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(DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops in a deep vein, causing swelling, pain, heat, and redness. When your blood doesn’t clot properly, or if you are immobile due to prolonged bed rest, DVT may result. It can also even lead to a Pulmonary Embolism (PE) or Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).
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(PE) happens when some or all of a blood clot breaks off and makes its way to the lungs, where it implants. Since this blocks blood flow through the heart, it can be life-threatening. Symptoms can include chest pain, coughing up blood, or shortness of breath. A PE might be treated with clot busters or blood thinners but may need more serious treatment to be resolved.
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Chronic venous insufficiencies ensue when blood cannot return to the heart because it pools in a vein due to improperly functioning veins or valves. If you experience symptoms like newly developed varicose veins; achiness, swelling, itching, or flakiness in the legs or feet; or stasis ulcers, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Treatment may begin with compression stockings or antibiotics but may require sclerotherapy or endovenous thermal ablation to resolve.
What Are Treatment Options for Vein Disease
Gone are the old-school treatments of vein stripping and open surgery. At Northern Illinois Vein Clinic, we use the following cutting-edge technology and years of experience to create the best possible outcomes for our patients that suffer from a vein disease– with minimal discomfort and downtime:
- Ultrasound Vein Mapping: Using an ultrasound to create a map of the body’s vein system helps to pinpoint any problem, as a skilled medical professional can see where the veins are functioning properly and where a specific problem exists.
- Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA): Replaces the need for vein stripping and open surgery. There is no scarring and minimal to no discomfort. Patients can even return to work the same day with some limited restrictions for two weeks.
- Sclerotherapy: Achieves much the same effect as EVLA, but uses a liquid agent rather than light energy. Patients can drive themselves home after sclerotherapy and typically return to their normal activities the same day.
Risk Factors in Developing Vein Disease in IL
Vein problems are easier to treat if they are diagnosed early. As a result, it’s important to be aware of the following risk factors:
- A family history of varicose veins
- Women are more likely than men to develop varicose veins and other vein diseases
- Pregnancy dramatically increases a woman’s risk of developing varicose veins
- Professions that require long periods of either standing or sitting can cause vein problems
- Obesity
- Age
Vein Disease Symptoms
Vein disease is progressive, which means if left untreated you will have an increased risk of developing more symptoms, including potentially life-threatening complications such as blood clots. Common symptoms of vein disease include:
- Bulging veins that are excessively visible
- Heavy feeling in the legs
- Calf pain and cramping
- Discolored skin
- Fatigue
- Aching
- Burning
- Throbbing
- Itching
- Restlessness of the legs