What causes defective valves in veins?
The most common cause is hereditary weak valves. The microscopic make-up of the valves is abnormal in people who have parents with vein problems. These weak valves give way, causing venous insufficiency. Female hormones, especially progesterone, cause the valve tissue to soften and give way.
What are some leg vein diseases?
What are venous diseases?Blood clots. ... Deep vein thrombosis. ... Superficial venous thrombosis or phlebitis. ... Chronic venous insufficiency. ... Varicose and spider veins. ... Ulcers.
What are the valves in your legs called?
Femoral veins typically have between one to six valves and popliteal veins often contain between zero to four valves. Valves in veins are bicuspid, meaning they have two flap-like structures that regulate blood flow. These flaps are made of elastic tissue.
What is vein disease called?
Thrombophlebitis is the inflammation of a vein (usually in an extremity, especially one of the legs) that occurs in response to a blood clot in the vessel. When it occurs in a vein near the surface of the skin, it is known as superficial thrombophlebitis, a minor disorder commonly identified by a red, tender vein.
What causes vein problems in legs?
High blood pressure in the leg veins over time, due to sitting or standing for long periods. Lack of exercise. Smoking. A blood clot in a deep vein, often in the calf or thigh (deep vein thrombosis)
What is DVT in leg?
DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a blood clot in a vein, usually the leg. DVT can be dangerous. Get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have DVT.
What is the function of the valves in veins in the legs?
The one-way valves in deep veins prevent blood from flowing backward, and the muscles surrounding the deep veins compress them, helping force the blood toward the heart, just as squeezing a toothpaste tube ejects toothpaste.
What is the cause of thrombophlebitis?
The cause of thrombophlebitis is a blood clot, which can form in your blood as a result of: An injury to a vein. An inherited blood-clotting disorder. Being immobile for long periods, such as during an injury or a hospital stay.
What might be a symptom of a person whose vein valves?
When the valves do not work properly, blood will flow back into the veins instead of forward to the heart. This causes blood to pool in the veins, often in the legs and feet. This results in many of the symptoms associated with venous insufficiency, such as skin discoloration, swelling, and pain.
What is vasculitis of the legs?
Overview. Vasculitis involves inflammation of the blood vessels. The inflammation can cause the walls of the blood vessels to thicken, which reduces the width of the passageway through the vessel. If blood flow is restricted, it can result in organ and tissue damage.
What is Thurner syndrome?
May-Thurner syndrome is a rare vascular condition that affects a vein in your pelvis. It occurs when a nearby artery compresses the left iliac vein. This vein brings blood from your pelvis and legs back up to your heart. The compression prevents blood from flowing properly, leading to narrowing and scarring.
What diseases cause varicose veins?
Any condition that puts excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen can lead to varicose veins. The most common pressure inducers are pregnancy, obesity, and standing for long periods. Chronic constipation and -- in rare cases, tumors -- also can cause varicose veins.
What is vascular disease in the legs?
Peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral arterial disease) is a common condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the arms or legs. In peripheral artery disease (PAD), the legs or arms — usually the legs — don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand.
What does phlebitis of the leg look like?
There is usually a slow onset of a tender red area along the superficial veins on the skin. A long, thin red area may be seen as the inflammation follows a superficial vein. This area may feel hard, warm, and tender. The skin around the vein may be itchy and swollen.
What is the most serious complication of venous insufficiency?
Left untreated, these damaged veins can cause serious complications, such as ulcers, bleeding, and a potentially fatal condition called deep vein thrombosis.
What are the signs of vascular disease?
Wounds that won't heal over pressure points, such as heels or ankles.Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles.Burning or aching pain at rest, commonly in the toes and at night while lying flat.Restricted mobility.Thickened, opaque toenails.Varicose veins.
What causes varicose veins?
Weak or damaged valves can lead to varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues, and veins return blood from the rest of your body to your heart, so the blood can be recirculated. To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work against gravity. Muscle contractions in your lower legs act as pumps, ...
Why does my leg swell?
In such cases, the affected leg may become painful and swell. Any persistent leg pain or swelling warrants medical attention because it may indicate a blood clot — a condition known medically as thrombophlebitis.
Why do veins return blood to the heart?
To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work against gravity. Varicose veins may be caused by weakened valves (incompetent valves) within the veins that allow blood to pool in your veins instead of traveling to your heart.
How to stop varicose veins from getting worse?
Self-care — such as exercise, elevating your legs or wearing compression stockings — can help you ease the pain of varicose veins and may prevent them from getting worse. But if you're concerned about how your veins look and feel and self-care measures haven't stopped your condition from getting worse, see your doctor.
How do you know if you have varicose veins?
Signs you may have varicose veins include: Veins that appear twisted and bulging; they are often like cords on your legs. When painful signs and symptoms occur, they may include: Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they're smaller.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins. Spider veins appear as thin, red lines or as weblike networks of blood vessels on the surface of the skin. Spider veins, a mild form of varicose veins, typically appear on the legs and feet. Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins.
Why do veins twist?
Tiny valves in your veins open as blood flows toward your heart then close to stop blood from flowing backward. If these valves are weak or damaged, blood can flow backward and pool in the vein, causing the veins to stretch or twist.
How to treat leg pain from veins?
Manage healthy blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and lipids. Keep blood pressure under control. Eat a healthy diet. If you are being treated for a cardiovascular or other condition, follow the doctor’s orders carefully. Certain conditions can place a person at a higher risk of leg pain due to vein conditions include:
What causes leg pain?
Vascular Conditions That Produce Leg Pain. Any condition affecting the vascular system (arteries and veins) is considered a vascular disease. The condition can lead to body tissues not getting enough blood (ischemia) and even life-threatening problems. Veins are flexible, hollow tubes with interior flaps ...
What is the red vein on the ankle?
In advanced cases, the skin becomes discolored and ulcers form on the ankles. Superficial thrombophlebitis: a red, engorged, cordlike vein, associated with localized swelling, pain, or tenderness.
How to prevent blood clots?
To reduce the risk factors for developing blood clots, doctors recommend: Avoid or quit smoking (especially if also taking birth control pills or hormone therapy). When traveling on a long trip, get up and walk every couple of hours.
What is the function of the veins?
Veins are flexible, hollow tubes with interior flaps (valves) that open when the muscles contract, moving blood through the veins back to the heart. When the muscles relax, the valves close, keeping blood from flowing away from the heart.
What happens if a valve is damaged?
If the valves become damaged, they may not close completely , allowing blood to flow “backward” (retrograde), resulting in the pooling of blood and swelling in the veins that cause pressure to buildup in the vein. The pressure causes stretching of the veins, increased swelling, more valve incompetence, sluggish blood flow, ...
What is the condition that causes numbness in the legs and feet?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD): a buildup of plaque in the arteries supplying blood to the arms and legs, causing the arteries to narrow, or even become blocked. The symptoms include leg weakness and numbness, hair loss on the legs and feet, and muscle pain when walking or climbing stairs (claudication).
What causes venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when these valves become damaged, allowing the blood to leak backward. Valve damage may occur as the result of aging, extended sitting or standing or a combination of aging and reduced mobility. When the veins and valves are weakened to the point where it is difficult for the blood to flow up to the heart, ...
How to stop leg veins from swollen?
Avoid long periods of standing or sitting: If you must take a long trip and will be sitting for a long time, flex and extend your legs, feet, and ankles about 10 times every 30 minutes to keep the blood flowing in the leg veins. If you need to stand for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to sit down and elevate your feet.
What is CVI in a patient?
What is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)? Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs.
What is the cause of CVI?
CVI most commonly occurs as the result of a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs, a disease known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). CVI also results from pelvic tumors and vascular malformations, and sometimes occurs for unknown reasons.
What are the symptoms of CVI?
New varicose veins. Leathery-looking skin on the legs. Flaking or itching skin on the legs or feet. Stasis ulcers (or venous stasis ulcers) If CVI is not treated, the pressure and swelling increase until the tiniest blood vessels in the legs (capillaries) burst.
How long does it take for a DVT to develop?
As many as 30 percent of people with DVT will develop this problem within 10 years after diagnosis.
What is the test called for blood circulation in the legs?
During the physical exam, the doctor will carefully examine your legs.A test called a vascular or duplex ultrasound may be used to examine the blood circulation in your legs. During the vascular ultrasound, a transducer (small hand-held device) is placed on the skin over the vein to be examined.
Why do my leg veins not flow back up to my heart?
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart. Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs.
How is chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed?
Your provider will take your medical history and give you an exam. You may also have an imaging test called a Duplex ultrasound. This looks at blood flow and the structure of your leg veins. It checks the speed and direction of blood flow in the blood vessel.
What is an endovenous laser?
Endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This is a minimally invasive procedure. A tube (catheter) puts heat right into the affected vein. This closes the vein. Once the vein is closed, less blood pools in the leg. Overall blood flow is improved.
What is a varicose vein?
Varicose veins. Leg ulcers that are sometimes hard to treat. Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) Painful leg cramps or muscle spasms (charley horse) The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions.
What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency?
Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may include: Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) The symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency may seem like other health conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How to get blood flow in legs?
Improving blood flow in your leg veins. Keeping your legs raised (elevated) can reduce swelling and help increase blood flow. Wearing compression stockings may also help. Regular exercise can also improve blood flow.
What is a blood clot in the calf called?
A blood clot in a deep vein, often in the calf or thigh (deep vein thrombosis)
Why do veins in legs cause venous issues?
Most commonly, venous issues occur in the legs because vein valves located in your legs have weakened to the point where they can no longer allow proper blood flow. The weakening causes venous blood to collect in weak veins making them work as vein valves located elsewhere in your body to circulate blood.
What Happens During a Treatment for Damaged Leg Veins?
If your venous condition has progressed to the point of needing professional treatment, here is what you can expect from a visit to your vein specialist.
How Do You Treat Visible Leg Veins?
Depending on how severe your visible leg veins are, you can choose from an array of at-home treatment options and medical procedures. This section will discuss the range of self-care strategies and medical treatments available to you.
What is persistent venous hypertension?
Persistent venous hypertension is known as chronic venous hypertension, which often stems from CVI and blood leaking backward through the vein’s valves. Chronic venous hypertension could also result from an obstruction in the veins due to blood clotting, obesity or the compression of pelvic or abdominal veins.
What happens when blood is pumped into the legs?
Once the vein valves become weakened or damaged and stop functioning at their highest capacity, blood can begin to pool in the leg, resulting in pain, swelling and any number of venous conditions.
Why do vein valves revert when standing?
Damaged venous valves that no longer function properly can result in the reversal of blood through the valves when people with this condition are sitting or standing. This condition, known as venous reflux, most often occurs when vein valves become weakened due to genetic influences, multiple pregnancies, blood clots or high blood pressure.
How to know if you have a deep vein thrombosis?
Keep an eye out for the most common sign and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, including swelling, leg pain, red or discolored skin around the leg vein or a feeling of warmth within the affected leg.
Why do my legs have bulging veins?
When the superficial vein valves become damaged, weak, or defective, blood leaks backwards (venous reflux) causing the blood to pool in the leg veins. Pooling of blood leads to inflammation and high pressure in the veins causing further damage to other valves or branch veins such as tributaries and reticular veins. It also causes veins to stretch and dilate, weakening and thinning the vein walls. This eventually leads to tortuous, twisted, bulging veins. These damaged veins ultimately become varicose and spider veins, depending on which veins are affected.
What causes blood to move backwards in the leg veins?
When deep vein valve failure occurs, blood moves in the reverse direction. Venous pressure in the deep system is generally greater than that of the superficial system. Valve failure causes the blood to leak backwards into the superficial veins resulting in multi-system failure causing pooling of blood and excessive pressure in the leg veins.
Why do veins pool in legs?
When these valves become damaged, weak, or defective and don’t work well, blood flows backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs. Pooling of blood in the leg veins is the root cause of varicose and spider veins and their associated symptoms.
What is United Vein and Vascular Centers?
United Vein and Vascular Centers is a designated IAC-accredited vascular testing and vein treatment center. Your vein health and quality of life are important. Treatment for common vein conditions like spider veins or varicose veins are typically quick and easy, requiring no down time or hospital stays. There’s never been a better time to address your vein health issues. Most insurance providers including Medicare cover vein treatments; feel free to ask us about your coverage. We’re available to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about vein health or treatment. Call us today to talk about taking charge of your vein health.
What is the most common vein disease?
Superficial vein reflux is the most common form of vein disease and source of most varicose and spider veins. Looking for a “vein specialist near me”? A United Vein and Vascular Centers today!
Why do spider veins appear?
They are often the result of diseased vein (s) below the skin. They are smaller branches of veins that come from varicosed veins that are mostly visible at the surface. They may vary in color from red to a dark purple and they get their name from their often spider-web like appearance. While spider veins are often thought of as a cosmetic problem, they indicate an underlying medical condition and should be taken seriously, even if their appearance doesn’t bother you.
Where are varicose veins found?
Varicose veins are generally found in the legs, though they are found in other parts of the body on occasion.
Overview
Symptoms
- Varicose veins might not cause pain. Signs of varicose veins include: 1. Veins that are dark purple or blue 2. Veins that appear twisted and bulging, often appearing like cords on the legs When painful signs and symptoms of varicose veins occur, they might include: 1. An achy or heavy feeling in the legs 2. Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in the lower legs 3. Wors…
Causes
- Weak or damaged valves can lead to varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart. To return blood to the heart, the veins in the legs must work against gravity. Muscle contractions in the lower legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to the ...
Risk Factors
- The following can increase the risk of developing varicose veins: 1. Age.Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in the veins that help control blood flow. Eventually, that wear causes the valves to allow some blood to flow back into the veins, where it collects. 2. Sex.Women are more likely to develop the condition. Hormonal changes before a menstrual period or during pregnancy or men…
Complications
- Complications of varicose veins, although rare, can include: 1. Ulcers.Painful ulcers can form on the skin near varicose veins, particularly near the ankles. A discolored spot on the skin usually begins before an ulcer forms. See your health care provider immediately if you think you've developed a leg ulcer. 2. Blood clots.Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged a…
Prevention
- Improving blood flow and muscle tone might reduce the risk of developing varicose veins. The same measures that treat the discomfort from varicose veins can help prevent them. Try the following: 1. Avoiding high heels and tight hosiery 2. Changing your sitting or standing position regularly 3. Eating a high-fiber, low-salt diet 4. Exercising 5. Raising your legs when sitting or lyin…
Clinical significance
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs. CVI causes blood to pool or collect in these veins, and this pooling is called stasis.
Function
- Veins return blood to the heart from all the bodys organs. To reach the heart, the blood needs to flow upward from the veins in the legs. Calf muscles and the muscles in the feet need to contract with each step to squeeze the veins and push the blood upward. To keep the blood flowing up, and not back down, the veins contain one-way valves.
Causes
- Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when these valves become damaged, allowing the blood to leak backward. Valve damage may occur as the result of aging, extended sitting or standing or a combination of aging and reduced mobility. When the veins and valves are weakened to the point where it is difficult for the blood to flow up to the heart, blood pressure in the veins stays elevate…
Epidemiology
- Chronic venous insufficiency that develops as a result of DVT is also known as post-thrombotic syndrome. As many as 30 percent of people with DVT will develop this problem within 10 years after diagnosis. An estimated 40 percent of people in the United States have CVI. It occurs more frequently in people over age 50, and more often in women than in men.
Symptoms
- The seriousness of CVI, along with the complexities of treatment, increase as the disease progresses. Thats why it is very important to see your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of CVI. The problem will not go away if you wait, and the earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of preventing serious complications.Symptoms include:
Risks
- If CVI is not treated, the pressure and swelling increase until the tiniest blood vessels in the legs (capillaries) burst. When this happens, the overlying skin takes on a reddish-brown color and is very sensitive to being broken if bumped or scratched. At the least, burst capillaries can cause local tissue inflammation and internal tissue damage. At worst, this leads to ulcers, open sores …