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.