Understanding Vein Disease With Texas Endovascular

What is Vein Disease?

Venous disease or vein disease is a condition in which improper functioning of the veins in the legs occurs.

Healthy leg veins have valves that keep blood flowing to the heart efficiently. Venous insufficiency develops when the valves stop working properly. When this occurs, blood flows backward and pools in your lower leg veins.

Types of Venous Diseases

There are various vein diseases that can affect your daily life and overall health.

The most common vein-related conditions and diseases include:

• Varicose Veins – Affecting about 23% of Americans each year, these enlarged, twisted veins are caused by damaged valves that allow blood to flow backward. Although not typically considered a serious medical condition on their own, they can cause debilitating symptoms and lead to more serious vein diseases.
• Spider Veins– These small, damaged veins often appear on the skin’s surface with a spider-web-like appearance. Those most often affect the lower legs or face. Like varicose veins, an irregular valve in the vein causes spider veins.
• Venous Ulcers– These open leg sores are caused by poor blood circulation in the veins. They are often due to an underlying vein condition or disease that causes the valves in your veins not to work properly. They are the most common type of leg ulceration.
• Swelling and Lymphedema– Leg swelling and lymphedema are caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid buildup that is meant to drain through the lymphatic system. Severe cases can affect limb mobility and overall quality of life.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)-- This vein condition occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein within the body, most often in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis. If left untreated or undiagnosed, it can lead to a severe medical emergency as the blood clot could become loose and lodge in the lungs leading to a pulmonary embolism.
• Leg Discoloration– Also known as venous stasis dermatitis, leg discoloration is most often caused by poor circulation in one or both legs, especially in the calves, ankles, or feet, where blood collects and pools discoloring the skin’s surface.
• Leg Pain– A common symptom of venous insufficiency, leg pain can range from a dull ache to cramping and heaviness. In severe cases, patients may experience pain while walking.
• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome– PCS is chronic pelvic pain caused by a vein issue. Although the cause is unknown, it is linked to hormonal changes in women during their childbearing years. Symptoms include varicose veins on the upper belly or buttocks, pain that worsens during a menstrual cycle, and a dull, constant ache that can last for six months or longer.
• Restless Leg Syndrome– Most often characterized by an insatiable need to constantly move your legs, RLS occurs most often when sitting or lying down, especially at night. The cause of RLS is still widely unknown, but there may be a link between a dopamine imbalance in the brain. RLS can cause feelings of crawling, cramping, throbbing, or itching.

Common Symptoms of Venous Disease

Vein disease can come with various symptoms, many of which are painful or debilitating, especially when left untreated.

The severity and type of symptoms range from person to person and depend on your diagnosis, but often include:

• Swelling in the lower legs
• Leg cramping, especially at night
• Tired, heavy legs
• Changes in the appearance of your skin
• Aches and pains in the legs
• Restless legs
• Spider veins
• Loss of hair on the lower legs, feet, and ankles
• Skin infection
• Spontaneous bleeding

Risk Factors

It is important to note that anyone can develop a venous disease. However, various risk factors may contribute to a person’s overall risk level of developing vein disease.

Risk factors include:

• Age
• Genetics
• Gender
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Those living with other vein conditions
• A sedentary lifestyle, including extended periods of standing or sitting

If you are at risk of developing vein disease, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at one of our Dallas or Houston-area locations to help you mitigate your risk with lifestyle changes and a comprehensive health assessment. 

Learn more about: Causes of Vein Disease

State-of-the-art Vein Disease Care Near Houston and Dallas, Texas

If you’re living with vein disease or are experiencing new or worsening symptoms consistent with a vein-related condition, our team of caring and compassionate experts can help.

Schedule an appointment at one of our Houston and Dallas area vein clinics today for further care, including comprehensive diagnosis and minimally-invasive treatment options.