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What is Vein Disease?

The circulatory system is composed of the heart (the central pump), arteries (vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the entire body), and veins (vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart). Blood flow in veins in the legs and lower parts of the body travels upstream against gravity on its way back to the heart. To prevent backward flow of blood, veins contain one-way valves to ensure that blood successfully travels up out of the leg and back to the heart instead of pooling in the leg. In addition, the muscles of the leg, especially the calf muscles, act like a pump by squeezing and pushing the blood in the veins when walking or exercising.  

The circulatory system of the body is composed of the heart as the main pump pushing oxygen rich blood through the red arteries throughout the body while the blue veins return the oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart which in turn pumps it into the lungs to pick up more oxygen (The Healthy Veins Book, 2023, p. 2, fig. 1-2).

When the circulatory system is running perfectly, no vascular problems develop. However, multiple abnormalities can occur in the veins of the circulatory system. Efficient blood flow out of a limb would be hindered if a blockage develops with a clot, if the vein is narrowed by compression, or if there is inadequate function of the valves, allowing blood to flow in reverse. More specifically, when vein valves do not function properly, a significant volume of blood can flow backwards in the veins of the leg. This is called “venous insufficiency” or “venous reflux.”

This reduction in blood flow out of the leg can lead to congestion. The resulting pooling of blood in the leg can cause a variety of symptoms including pain, swelling (edema), and enlarged veins (varicose veins). Over a long period of time, discoloration of the skin (hyperpigmentation), leathery thickening of the skin, and ulcers can develop.  

Photographs representing various stages of vein disease of the legs: A. Small varicose and spider veins of the lower legs (arrows). B. Swelling and red discoloration of the right leg from the blockage of the iliac vein. C. Redness of both legs above the ankles with thinning of skin and discoloration (hyperpigmentation; arrows) characteristic of long-standing vein disease. D. Skin breakdown and open ulceration of the right leg (filled arrow) and healed ulceration on the left leg (open arrow) with surrounding hyperpigmentation, seen with the most advanced vein disease (The Healthy Veins Book, 2023, p. 7, fig. 1-8).

If there is narrowing or blockage that can be treated to normalize blood flow, many of these symptoms should improve. Vein valve dysfunction often does not improve on its own, and this is where treatment of venous reflux is important.

Varicose veins of the right leg. These are branches of the great saphenous vein resulting because the valves are not functioning efficiently (The Healthy Veins Book, 2023, p. 11, fig. 2-3).

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Compression Therapy (Compression Stockings)

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Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

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Lymphedema

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Chronic Venous Disease

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Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome

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Varicose Veins during Pregnancy

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Pulmonary Embolism

To learn more, check out The Healthy Veins Book.

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