What are Venous Diseases?
Venous conditions and diseases are abnormalities that affect your veins. They span from very common, like varicose and spider veins, to very rare, like pulmonary embolism (PE).
Veins are important because they help circulate blood and oxygen through the body. Unhealthy veins lead to venous diseases, which can cause chronic pain and swelling of the legs, ankles, and other parts of the body. However, a number of conditions may not show symptoms at all. It’s important to see a vein specialist if you are at risk of a venous disease to prevent and treat any vein issues.
We at Michigan Vascular Center have years of expertise in diagnosing, treating, and managing venous diseases. If you suspect you may develop or have any of the conditions listed, talk to us today!
Symptoms of Venous Disorders
When it comes to venous disorders, there’s a whole range of symptoms that might pop up:
- Your legs feel like they’re on fire, itching, or showing some discoloration.
- Pain, swelling, or redness in one leg or along a vein.
- Leg sores and ulcers may take weeks to heal, depending on the type of disorder.
- Feeling extra tired, like you just ran a marathon even though you barely left the couch.
Diagnosis of Venous Disorders
To diagnose venous disorders, our specialists employ comprehensive methods, including:
- A physical examination.
- Lab work.
- CT scans and MRIs.
- An ultrasound to check your blood flow and look for any clots.
Treatment Options for Venous Disorders
Treatment options vary depending on what’s going on and how serious it is:
- Medication to keep blood clots in check or help dissolve them if they’ve already formed.
- Compression therapy or stockings.
- They’ll need to get in there and open up those blocked veins with procedures like angioplasty or stenting.
- There’s sclerotherapy for those pesky varicose or spider veins.
- In some serious cases, procedures like vein ligation and stripping might be necessary to remove the problem veins altogether.
- Vena cava filter insertion to prevent blood clots from reaching the lungs.
- For severe cases, vascular or endovascular surgery is an option.
Each treatment plan is personalized to suit individual needs, ensuring comprehensive care and optimal outcomes.
Get your venous disease diagnosed ASAP
Types of Venous Conditions
| Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) | “Abdominal” describes anything related to the stomach area (the abdomen). “Aortic” relates to the aorta, the main artery in the body. An “aneurysm” occurs when an arterial wall becomes weak and balloons, creating a bulge in the artery.
Therefore, an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) happens when the main artery that leads blood away from the heart and through the abdomen becomes weak and bulges, growing over time. A ruptured aneurysm can be fatal. |
| Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) | Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins are damaged, and blood cannot flow well and return to the heart.
CVI can develop in deep veins that run through muscle, superficial veins below the skin’s surface, and perforating veins that connect deep and superficial veins. CVI can lead to DVT and varicose veins. |
| Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) | “Deep veins” are large veins below the skin that run through muscle tissue. “Thrombosis” is the medical term for a blood clot.
When you have poor venous health, you risk developing blood clots in your deep veins. Blood clots can be very dangerous, as they can dislodge and lead to life-threatening pulmonary embolism. |
| Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) | Peripheral arteries are the arteries outside the heart. Blockages or plaques in those arteries cause PAD. Those blockages prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain, arms, organs, and legs. PAD often indicates the presence of more blockages and a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. |
| Pulmonary Embolism (PE) | “Pulmonary” describes anything related to the lungs. “Embolism” is a blocking of an artery. Blood clots may dislodge and travel toward the lungs.
Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate attention. If you have blood clots or are at high risk, your healthcare provider can insert IVC filters to prevent blood clots from reaching the lungs. |
| Renal Artery Stenosis (RAS) | The renal artery supplies blood to the kidneys. “Stenosis” is a narrowing or constriction of a passageway in the body. When the renal artery narrows, oxygen-rich blood cannot reach the kidneys easily. RAS can lead to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure. |
| Telangiectasias (Spider Veins) | A minor form of varicose veins, spider veins are damaged superficial veins or blood vessels that you can see on the surface of your skin.
Spider veins have a web-like appearance, which may be red, purple, or blue. Telangiectasias are not a threat to your health but may be unsightly. |
| Varicose Veins | “Varicose” means abnormal swelling or unusual enlargement. Superficial veins, or veins near the surface of your skin, may swell and change in color. Veins become large and swell when weak vein walls allow blood to pool in the veins.
A common condition typically seen in leg veins, most cases are minor and have little to no symptoms. Painful cases, however, may require treatment. |
