Understanding Vein Disease With Texas Endovascular
The best time to stop vein problems in their tracks is as soon as they start.
At Texas Endovascular, we understand the worry that can come with vein disease symptoms.
Our highly-trained team of physicians and medical staff are experienced in advanced non-surgical alternatives and provide top-tier treatment to help treat various vein diseases.
Let’s explore vein disease in further detail.
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:
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.Row 1 content goes here.
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.
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.
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.
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
Common Risk Factors in Developing Vein Disease
A variety of risk factors may contribute to a person developing vein disease.
Some are unavoidable, such as age and genetics, but other health and lifestyle elements may also lead to vascular conditions, such as varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency. Venous reflux disease, also known as chronic venous insufficiency, affects more than 30 million Americans.
These symptoms can occur at any age, but age is a risk factor. In fact, these symptoms are most common in people over 40. While people often attribute their symptoms to “getting old,” they are not inevitable! Certain conditions may develop as you age, but modern medical science has produced new treatments that can improve your quality of life over time.
Risk factors include:
Age
The older you are, the more likely it is that you will be affected. An one in three Americans over the age of 45 have some form of vascular disease. As we age, our bodies experience a certain amount of wear and tear. This includes increased stress on the valves in your veins that regulate the flow of blood. When these valves don’t work as well as they should, blood can flow backwards into your leg veins and collect there instead of returning to your heart.
Genetics
If your parents have a history of varicose veins or other vascular issues, there is a good chance that you will as well.
Gender
Vein disease can happen to anyone, but statistically speaking, women are more likely to experience issues. Up to 75 percent of women may develop some form of vascular disease in their lives. Changes in hormone levels, such as the ones occurring during pregnancy or the menstrual cycle, weaken vein walls and the valves. The risk also may be increased by using hormone replacement therapy or hormonal birth control.
Pregnancy
In addition to the hormonal factors involved, the physical stress of pregnancy can also contribute to developing varicose veins. About 30 percent of women will develop varicose veins during their first pregnancy. Subsequent pregnancies increase this risk to 55 percent.
Obesity
Being overweight or obese puts additional pressure on your veins, and the risk may increase over time.
Sedentary Lifestyle
If you don’t get much physical activity, your blood won’t be sufficiently circulated from your feet and legs to your heart. People with jobs that involve standing or sitting in one place for long periods of time also have an increased risk of developing vein disease. Physical trauma and certain medications also increase your risk for vein disease. Treating vein disease early can prevent further damage and the onset of serious problems such as swelling, skin changes and ulcerations. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our expert physicians today.
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.
