How to detect Veins Disease? Do I Have It?

Varicose Veins are thin-walled structures inside of which a set of valves keeps blood in the body flowing in one direction. The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body’s tissues through thicker-walled arteries; the veins return that blood to the heart. Veins located close to the surface of the skin are called superficial veins and the veins found in the muscles of the arms and legs are called deep veins.

Damaged vein walls hinder the circulatory system, allowing blood to collect and flow in a retrograde (backward) fashion when the muscles relax. This creates an unusually high-pressure build-up in the veins. This build-up causes further stretching and twisting of the veins, increased swelling, more valve incompetence, sluggish blood flow, and potential blood clot formation. Eventually, this condition can lead to various disorders known as venous disease.

Venous disease is quite common. Approximately 15 percent of the Indian population is affected by varicose veins, which generally do not pose a great health risk. However, thrombophlebitis can be much more serious, even life-threatening, affecting millions of people each year.

If you have it, you will have these symptoms

Symptoms

Varicose Veins: enlarged, swollen, knotted clusters of purple veins; edema (swelling in the legs); aching or a sensation of heaviness in the legs; itching skin above the affected veins; skin discoloration and ulcers on the inner aspect of the ankles (in advanced cases).

Superficial thrombophlebitis: a red, engorged, cordlike vein, associated with localized swelling, pain or tenderness.

Deep-vein thrombophlebitis: generalized swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected limb; distention of superficial veins; bluish skin color in the limb or toes (cyanosis); and rarely, fever and chills.

Symptoms

• Aching pain
• Easily tired legs
• Leg heaviness
• Swelling in the legs
• Darkening of the skin (in severe cases)
• Numbness in the legs
• Itching or irritated rash on the legs

Causes

• having a family history of the condition
• having blood clots
• having varicose veins
• being pregnant
• having obesity
• smoking
• having phlebitis, or swelling of superficial veins
• sitting or standing for long periods of time

Diagnosis

A physical examination is the first step toward diagnosing venous insufficiency. A doctor will also review a person’s medical history and current health status before making a diagnosis.

Diagnostic procedures that help determine whether or not a person has venous insufficiency include:

Venogram. This examination uses X-ray technology to examine how blood flows through the veins. It requires injecting contrast material into a vein. Healthcare providers use venograms to locate blood clots and evaluate varicose veins.

Duplex ultrasound. This non-invasive test examines the speed and direction of blood flow through the veins and arteries.

Prevention

Many of the risk factors associated with venous insufficiency are related to a person’s lifestyle. People can reduce their risk of developing venous insufficiency by making small lifestyle adjustments, such as:

• getting regular exercise
• avoiding wearing high heels
• avoiding standing or sitting for long periods of time
• maintaining a healthy body weight