What is Vein Disease and Lymphedema?

The veins in your body play an important role in circulation, carrying blood from your various parts of your body back to your heart. Yet, as people age, problems can develop in the veins and cause a variety of complications. In fact, one in three Americans over the age of 45 has some kind of vein disease.

Early symptoms may seem minor. However, they can become more serious – and even life-threatening – if they are not treated. Which is why it is important to be aware of symptoms and seek medical advice at the earliest sign of a problem.

Healthy Vein Valve vs Diseased Vein Valve

What is Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)?

A thrombosis is a blood clot. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot in the leg that does not travel to other parts of the body. Most DVTs occur in the veins in the calf, but they also can occur in the thigh and in the hip area.

These blood clots usually begin in areas where the ability of the blood to clot is out of balance or where blood flow is stopped or decreased, for example when there is an injury to the blood vessel wall. Each year, up to 800,000 Americans suffer from DVT.

Learn about DVT symptoms, risk factors, complications and treatment

What is Pulmonary Embolism? (PE)?

A Pulmonary Embolism – also called a “PE” – is when a blood clot gets stuck in a lung artery and stops blood from flowing to that part of the lung. This usually happens when a clot in the legs (see ‘What is Deep Venous Thrombosis?’) breaks free and travels through the veins and heart into the lungs. A pulmonary embolism can cause chest pain, breathlessness, and cough. Some can be life-threatening.

Learn about Pulmonary Embolism symptoms, risk factors, complications and treatment

What is Chronic Venous Disease (CVD)?

CVD refers to other chronic conditions related to or caused by veins that become diseased or abnormal. These problems can include:

Varicose Veins & Spider Veins
Leg Swelling
Leg Pain
Leg Skin Changes
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Leg Ulcers
Phlebitis
Vascular Malformations

Learn about Chronic Venous Disease symptoms, risk factors, complications and treatment

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphatic obstruction is a blockage of the lymph vessels that drain fluid from tissues throughout the body and allow immune cells to travel where they are needed. Lymphatic obstruction may cause lymphedema, which means swelling due to a blockage of the lymph passages.

Causes of lymphatic obstruction can include: injury, radiation therapy, skin infections such as cellulitis, surgery and tumors.

Learn about Lymphedema causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

What is Compression Therapy?

Compression therapy means wearing socks or stockings that are specially designed to support your veins and increase circulation in your legs. The socks or stockings are normally worn in the morning upon arising, and removed at night. Throughout the day the compression they provide prevents blood from pooling in leg veins, thereby helping overall circulation and diminishing any leg swelling you may have.

Learn about Compression Therapy, how it works and how to get compression stockings

Varicose Vein vs Varicose Vein with Compression

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