I. Q: What is venous disease?
A: Venous disease is a group of diseases that affect the veins of the legs and can cause leg pain, varicose veins, swelling of the legs or open sores. Varicose veins refer to swollen and twisted veins.
Vein disease is prone to occur when the veins in the legs are not working properly. Normally, blood is able to return from the legs to the heart. The walls of the veins contain tiny valves that keep the blood flowing in one direction (toward the heart). When the valves are open, blood flows toward the heart; when they are closed, blood does not flow backwards. Venous disease occurs when venous valves are damaged or do not work properly, causing blood to collect in the legs, which is especially likely to happen when you are sedentary and stand for long periods of time without moving around.
Q: What conditions can cause venous disease?
A: Vein disease can be caused by the following.
Blood clots in the veins of the legs
Injuries to the legs
Multiple pregnancies – this can lead to changes in hormone levels in the body, which can weaken the vein walls.
Weight gain
Also, vein disease may run in families.
C. Q: What are the symptoms of vein disease?
A: The following symptoms can be present, including
Pain in the legs, or feeling weak and heavy
Swollen veins – “spider veins” are small veins in the legs that swell (Figure 1). “Varicose veins” are large veins in the leg that are swollen and twisted.
Swelling of the lower leg or ankle – appears in the evening or persists.
Change in skin color – turns red or reddish-brown, often appearing first around the ankle.
Open ulcers, also known as “venous ulcers” – usually in the ankle joint, the ulcers cause pain with oozing.
Q: Are there tests to diagnose venous disease?
A: Yes. Your doctor or nurse will do a physical examination of your legs and may also need to do an ultrasound, which checks to see if the leg valves are working properly and to assess for blockages.
V. Q: What can I do to reduce my symptoms?
A: To reduce swelling, you can.
Move around and try not to sit or stand in one place for long periods of time
Raise your legs for 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a day
Move your toes and feet in an upward and downward motion several times a day
To treat dry or itchy skin, you can.
Use an unscented moisturizer. Consult your doctor or nurse first about which type of cream or ointment to use, because some creams and ointments may cause a rash.
6. Q: How do you treat venous disease?
A: Doctors will use different treatments to improve symptoms and reduce swelling. These include.
Special stockings, bandages or devices.
- “Compression stockings” are special socks that fit closely around the ankle and leg. If your doctor or nurse advises you to wear compression stockings, they will tell you which type to wear and how to wear them (Figure 1 and Table 1).
- “Compression bandages” are multiple layers of bandages that go around the leg
- “Compression pumps”, instruments that wrap around the leg and apply pressure every few minutes
Special dressings used to cover open ulcers to help them heal
Medications – Doctors use different types of medications to treat different symptoms. For example, antibiotics may be needed to treat a skin infection, and creams or ointments may be needed to treat itchy skin.
Operations – Doctors choose operations when other treatments don’t work. These operations stop the veins from filling up by removing or destroying the damaged veins.