
Venous Conditions
Studies have estimated that in the population of western countries 50 - 55% of women and 40 - 50%
of men have some type of venous disorder of the lower limbs* (legs). As medical
science grows, our populations are living longer and many regions are becoming aged.
Venous disorders are as common a disorder as heart disease and high blood pressure, and while
venous disorders are a complex medical condition.
We have built this website to help you understand what causes them and how they can be
managed.
There is a wide variety of venous conditions such as those listed here. Please ensure that
you consult a doctor in each and every case so that you know what you are dealing with.
Through out this site are a number of aids designed to make your life more
comfortable.
Venous Conditions
Varicosis (Varicose Veins)
Medical term for dilated superficial veins with defective valves (varicose veins)
referring to nodular swellings caused by twisted and dilated veins
Spider Veins
Small varicose dilations or stretching of the capillary tubes under the
skin
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Obstruction of a deep vein by a blood clot with the risk of pulmonary
embolism. A Pulmonary Embolism occurs when there is a blockage of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches
usually occurring when a venous thrombosis (blood clot from a vein) becomes dislodged from its site of formation
and embolises to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. This process is termed
thrombo embolism.
Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolisms are sudden-onset dyspnea (shortness of breath), tachypnea (rapid
breathing), chest pain of a "pleuritic" nature (worsened by breathing), cough, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), and
may aid in the diagnosis. More severe cases can include signs such as pleural rub, cyanosis (blue discoloration,
usually of the lips and fingers), collapse, and circulatory instability. About 15% of all cases of sudden death are
attributable to PE.
Pulmonary Embolism
Blockage of an artery in the lung by a blood clot
Superficial Phlebitis
Inflammation and formation of a clot in a superficial vein, especially in a varicose
vein
Post-Thrombotic Syndrome
Condition following a deep vein thrombosis resulting from damage to deep vein valves
or a blockage
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Swelling and discoloring of the skin, sclerosis or leg ulcers as an after effect of
venous disorders such as varicosis or deep vein thrombosis
Ulcer of the leg (Venous statis ulcer)
The most severe form of CVI resulting from a chronically insufficient supply of
oxygen and nutrients to tissue. In the worst case scenario the tissue dies off producing an ulcer of the
lower leg
*Callam M.J et al.: Epidemiolgy of Varicose Veins. Br. J. Surgery 1994;
81:167-73.
If you found this page of interest, you may wish to view the following pages. Varicose Veins page, Varicose Veins
Article, Venous Self Help.
|