Diseases of the veins are caused by incompetent valves that allow a back flow of blood and increased pressure in the venous system. Conditions such as spider veins on legs, varicose veins and more serious venous leg ulcers and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) are related to the location and severity of the underlying venous disease process. Phlebitis and deep vein thrombosis are episodic conditions affecting the veins that require immediate attention. Phlebitis refers to a blood clot that forms in a vein close to the skin’s surface. Unlike deep vein thrombosis (DVT) where the clot can dislodge and move to the lungs producing respiratory arrest, phlebitis is a painful but non life-threatening condition.
Some patients are bothered by the unsightly appearance of spider veins and varicose veins and may or may not have symptoms of underlying venous disease. Common complaints are aching leg pain, night cramps, unusual sensations on their legs, restless legs, itchy legs, an intolerance to standing, exercise intolerance and poor quality sleep.
When symptoms are absent and serious venous disease is either ruled out or corrected, state-of-the-art aesthetic vein treatments quickly and painlessly eliminate spider and varicose veins, sometimes right before the patient’s eyes.
Prominent twisted bulging varicose veins, leathery looking skin, brown discoloration of the skin, swelling and ulcerations are more obvious signs of an advanced underlying venous disease problem in need of immediate attention. Fortunately, state-of-the-art vein treatments performed in the office with the patient awake and comfortable, can permanently eliminate these problems, end suffering and restore a quality of life.
Spider veins develop because of abnormal venous blood flow resulting in an increased pressure in tiny blood vessels close to the skin. These small veins stretch and become prominent with a bright red to blue appearance. Spider veins may be the first sign of venous disease, particularly when associated with aching burning pain and a feeling of tired legs that increases after long periods of standing or activity.
Before you rush into an aesthetic vein treatment, it is wise to get the facts about venous disease and treatments that also eliminate the underlying cause. Cosmetic vein clinics providing laser spider and varicose vein surgery, are not able to diagnose or treat an underlying venous problem. Patients with venous disease who are treated in these cosmetic vein centers, are often shocked and angry when new spider and varicose veins emerge in other parts of their legs.
As vein disease progresses, so do the symptoms. Larger veins close to the skin dilate and become varicose veins. Distended veins in the superficial and deep vein systems can put pressure on nerves, producing aching pain, night cramps and unusual sensations on the legs. Some patients describe a feeling like water flowing down their legs, or crawling sensations on their skin. Engorged veins can also leak fluid into tissues, producing swelling or edema. A brown skin discoloration called hemosiderosis, can form on the skin around the ankle and lower tibial area. This results from a leakage of the products of blood cell breakdown into these tissues. At the capillary level where oxygen, nutrients and cellular wastes are exchanged, venous hypertension reduces the ability of blood to flow across these capillary beds. The tissues of the leg thicken and eventually die. The ultimate consequence of venous disease is a stasis leg ulcer with infection of the surrounding skin called cellulitis.
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